(Almost) Creative City

"The city's planning, environment and community services departments remain highlights for their continued efforts along with a number of other departments. There is now a culture division at City Hall and it is getting additional staff soon. Other efforts, however, have failed to materialize or are being delayed because of the lack of staffing support in a meaningful manner. While there is support from council in moving this agenda forward, not everyone realizes culture's impact on our economy."

"Controller [Gord] Hume points to specific examples of council's support like the public art reserve fund, the urban design review panel, support of the Potter's Guild, rental agreement that will save downtown's Capital Theatre façade, partnerships with Western, Fanshawe and Brescia, the tree and forest advisory committee, the recent establishment of the London Heritage Council, Communities in Bloom, a 2007 conference on disabilities in the arts, and an upcoming diversity conference set for Oct. 28-29, among others. London has also been recognized during this period as both an age and youth friendly community."