A flyer being circulated to explain about a potential Brown’s Line BIA being established.
A flyer is being circulated by businesses in the Alderwood area to determine if there is an interest in establishing a Business Improvement Area (BIA) in the Brown’s Line area.
The flyer said COVID-19 restrictions has had a huge impact on area businesses.
“Many had to shut down completely,’ it stated. “Our street is constantly struggling with theft, break -ins or bad experiences with landlords.”
“We are losing shops and services,” according to the flyer. “The best businesses that were the highlights of the community are leaving our street.”
Their focus is to establish a ‘new brand’ for Brown’s Line as a ‘vibrant, lively and energetic area’ and not a street for motorists to get to the highways.
There are plans to improve the streetscape, to make it more safe and pedestrian friendly and create a neighbourhood where people want to shop, work, live and open businesses.
“By working collectively as a BIA, local property and business owners have the organizational and funding capacity to be catalysts for civic improvement, enhancing the quality of live in their neighbourhood,” the flyer state.
Once approved by City Council, a volunteer Board of Management elected from its members at an annual general meeting operates the BIA.
The board works on behalf of its BIA, meeting to set priorities, develop budgets, implement capital improvements and undertake advertising and promotional initiatives.
The BIA is funded through a levy on commercial and industrial properties within its boundary. The city collects the levy and forwards the funds to the board to manage.
Merchants said BIAs can better compete in an age of shopping malls, big box retailing and on-line shopping.
“They can also help local commercial areas create thriving, competitive and safe business areas for member businesses, residents and visitors,” the flyer said.
The steering committee includes: Councillor Mark Grimes, ReMax Equinox Marta Pozniakowski, Timothy’s Pub Tim Brem, Allin Mikuna Soups Sergio Morales, Gaela Clinic Sivanesarajah Kandiah and Laser Dental Clinic’s Dr. Jack Pozniakowsi.
The proposed boundary of the BIA will take in most of Brown’s Line from Lake Shore Blvd. W., to Evans Ave.
No date has been set for a Zoom follow up meeting.