The Gastown Business Improvement Society (GBIS) is taking a lead role in the revitalization of Vancouver’s premier heritage area. The GBIS is a non-profit organization representing Gastown property owners and business owners.
The GBIS provides a variety of programs such as safety patrols, maintenance crews, tourism services and serves as an organizer and catalyst for special events and the continuing revitalization of the neighbourhood.


Public Safety

The Gastown Business Improvement Society’s Patrol officers help make Gastown a safe, friendly place to work, shop and enjoy. Gastown patrol officers patrol the Gastown area 7 days a week, year round. They visit street-level retail businesses on their beat; leave a calling card inviting business owners to contact us with problems of any kind. Gastown patrol officers not only help maintain safe streets, they assist visitors and workers by providing directions, walking people to their cars and helping them to find area attractions including restaurants, shops and tourist attractions.


Sanitation

Keeping Gastown streets clean is a major goal of the Gastown Business Improvement Society. The Society hires United We Can to clean the lanes and sidewalks 4 days a week.


Maintenance

Each week we remove hundreds of stickers and illegal advertisements from light poles and other street furniture.


Neighbourhood in Bloom

The Gastown Business Improvement Society installs and maintains over 200 hanging flower baskets in Gastown each summer.


The Gastown Steam Clock

The GBIS along with the city of Vancouver pays for the ongoing maintenance of the beloved Gastown Steam Clock. Based on an 1875 design, the Gastown Steam Clock was the first steam-powered clock in the world.


GBIS Website

The Internet is an invaluable communication tool. We have upgraded the GBIS web site and set up a program that allows us to do quick on-the-spot updates. We are now able to send weekly emails to our members about news and events in Gastown. As well Gastown merchant members now have the ability to update their own information on the GBIS web site. For those merchants that have their own web sites, the GBIS provides a direct link from the GBIS web site to the merchants web site at no cost. For more information on this program, please contact us at: 604-683-5650 or email: info@gastown.org.


Banners

The GBIS installs street banners along Cordova, Carrall and Powell Streets reflecting various Gastown themes or initiatives.


Historic Plaques

The GBIS installed a series of ‘Historic Plaques’ on 23 Gastown buildings. If you follow the Historic Plaque route, you will discover historic clues to the area. The GBIS will be expanding their Historic Plaque Program. If you are interested in sponsoring a plaque on your building, please contact us at: 604-683-5650 or email: info@gastown.org.


Special Events

The GBIS currently sponsors two special events in Gastown. The Gastown Jazz Festival and the Tour de Gastown. If you are interested in becoming a sponsor for one of these events, please contact us at: 604-683-5650 or email: info@gastown.org.


Free Guided Walking Tours

Each summer from June 15th to August 30th, the GBIS offers free historic walking tours of Gastown. These 90-minute tours run daily at 2:00pm. Experience the architecture and history of Vancouver’s birthplace. For more information, contact us at: 604-683-5650 or email: info@gastown.org.


GBIS Board of Directors

Euan Carnie, Reliance Holdings Ltd.
Chris Chaytor, Michelle’s Import Plus Ltd.
Eddie Emerman, The Blarney Stone
Jonathan Grimble, The McLean Group
Paul Jacobs, Cambie Hostels
Robert Kardosh, Marion Scott Gallery
Rachel Lewis, Vancouver Whitecaps
Lorne Milne, GMC Projects
Peter Plett, Colonial Enterpirises Ltd.
Harvey Reehal, Inform Projects Inc.
Lee Grant Roberts, Kameleon Creative Solutions Inc.
Nada Vuksic, Bruce Eyewear Inc.
Maureen Fleming, Social at le Magasin
Tom Gautreau, Water Street Projects
Sannon Gibbs, Edgecombe Realty Inc.
Jordan Stewart, Chill Winston Restaurant & Lounge
Gair Williamson, Gair Williamson Architects