Downtown Victoria Sees Shift from Worry to Optimism in 2025

As 2025 begins, downtown Victoria has moved from a state of concern to one of cautious optimism among its small business leaders. The transition comes after months of grappling with the challenges posed by COVID-19, including a decline in foot traffic and rising street disorder. According to Jeff Bray, CEO of the Downtown Victoria Business Association (DVBA), the sentiments echo a significant shift from the previous year’s anxieties.

In a conversation with the Victoria News, Bray highlighted the pressing issues that weighed heavily on the minds of the business community as they entered 2025. “We were heading into this year with a lot of concern among our members about these things,” he noted. The challenges included not only the lingering effects of the pandemic but also potential U.S. tariffs and increasing incidents of disorder in public spaces.

As the year progressed, however, the mood lightened significantly. By fall, Bray reported a marked improvement, stating, “We had a good summer season. That was across the board in main floor tenants.” This positive trend is partly attributed to a renewed commitment by local businesses to advocate for change. The DVBA issued a comprehensive report titled 2025 Report on Downtown: A Wake Up Call, which surveyed 1,800 association members, achieving a remarkable 30 percent response rate. A critical finding revealed that nearly half of the respondents threatened to relocate if conditions did not improve within a year.

The report highlighted the urgent need for local authorities to prioritize addressing street disorder, including drug use and homelessness. “Our voice asked for a couple things, and the city responded quickly,” Bray remarked. Following the report’s release, the Victoria City Council endorsed a new 79-page community safety and well-being plan, developed over 18 months of public consultation and data analysis.

This plan, which includes a substantial investment of $10 million for its first phase, aims to enhance policing and bylaw enforcement while collaborating with non-profit organizations to support community services. Bray expressed satisfaction with the city’s prompt action, stating, “We’re seeing the results of those [efforts].”

Another positive development this year has been the resurgence of a “buy local” mentality among residents. Bray noted that as Canadians expressed their frustrations with U.S. policies, many embraced local businesses, which have a significant impact on the community. “When you’re running a smaller, independent business, any new buyer is hugely powerful,” he emphasized.

Despite the optimistic outlook, Bray warned of ongoing challenges that could impact the downtown area in 2026. He stressed the importance of accessibility, stating, “If people can’t get around downtown easily, they’ll go elsewhere.” This concern extends to businesses located on upper floors, such as dentists and accountants, who rely on foot traffic from main-level establishments.

With a record number of vacancies reported downtown, Bray urged the city to reconsider ongoing infrastructure projects, such as adding bus and bike lanes. Instead, he suggested focusing on improving traffic flow in critical areas, such as the Johnson Street bridge. “As a regional downtown, our businesses need people coming in from Central Saanich and Colwood,” he explained. “Right now they’re not.”

As downtown Victoria continues to navigate its recovery from the effects of the pandemic, the combined efforts of local businesses and government may pave the way for a brighter future.