Business Improvement Areas

Transcription

1 Business Improvement Areas

2 Presentation Agenda 1. Quick Facts 2. Surveys Say 3. What is a BIA? 4. What do BIAs do? 5. How do BIAs work? 6. Commercial Research 7. Façade Improvement Plans 8. Who Benefits? 9. Resources 10. Acknowledgements 11. Questions/Comments 2

3 Quick Facts Legislation first created in 1970 First BIA in the world Bloor West Village Currently about 285 BIAs in Ontario 72 in Toronto BIA levies represent in excess of $37 Million Dollars There are over 54,000 Business that make up Ontario s BIAs 3

4 Surveys Say CUI The Value of Investing in Canadian Downtowns Downtowns across Canada are undergoing a renaissance Downtowns are iconic and powerful symbols for a city Downtowns may be physically small in area, but are typically highly visible A clear and unifying but flexible vision goes a long way Residential development is bring vitality back to downtowns Achieving a vibrant retailing sector is a major challenge for downtowns Downtowns are retaining office space Downtowns have a concentration of jobs Downtowns are increasingly attracting educational institutions Downtowns are making a major contribution to the bottom line of municipalities Downtowns are important places for public expression Downtowns are inherently mixed use and committed to increasing diversity of activity 4

5 Surveys Say British BIDs Research BIDs will continue to play an important role in terms of innovative local service delivery and the co-ordination of funding in response to public sector finance efficiencies and ongoing policy changes. The strength of the BID model continues to grow especially as BIDs reach maturity and the lessons learnt from these renewed BIDs get fed back into the wider BID community it is clear that the BID model continues to deliver and while this is still the case then the benefit of this Business Improvement District approach will stand up to scrutiny. 5

6 A BIA Is? A Municipally designated improvement area A Municipally established Board of Management Made up of commercially assessed Property Owners and their Tenants within a defined geographical boundary Governed by the Municipal Act Enacted by a Municipal By-Law A Local Board of the Municipality Managed by volunteer board - self help Self-funded through property tax levy 6

7 What do BIAs do? Oversee the improvement, beautification and maintenance of municipally-owned land, buildings and structures in the area beyond that provided at the expense of the municipality generally; and Promote the area as a business or shopping area. (Municipal Act 2001, c. 25, s. 204 (1)) 7

8 How do BIAs work? Envision the Vision: Strategic Planning Stewardship Represent & Advocate for Local Businesses Keep Municipal Council informed Beautification & Maintenance Streetscape Improvements Safety & Clean Streets Marketing & Promotion Festivals and Events Economic Development: Strategic Planning Business Retention & Expansion Appropriate Business Mix Retail Recruitment Minimizing Vacancy Rate Market Studies 8

9 Commercial Research Strategic Plans Branding Studies Market Research Streetscape Studies Tourism Strategies Revitalization Strategies Business Retention and Expansion Strategies 9

10 Commercial Façade Improvement Program Many BIAs offer Façade Improvement Programs (often through CIPs) in partnership with their Municipalities 10

11 Who Benefits? Business Operators from improved atmosphere and ambience Retail Service Professional Property Owners potential to increase property values and occupancy The Community more vibrant community prosperous local economy potential to increase property values Municipality and Province BIAs are strong local economic engines 11

12 Resources Provincial Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) Business Improvement Area Handbook Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) Your Municipal Clerk Your Council Ontario BIA Association Operating Reference Binder Member Needs Assistance Networking British BIDs Research CUI The Value of Investing in Canadian Downtowns 12

13 Acknowledgements Province of Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs TABIA 13

14 For More Information c/o 280 Queen Street South Mississauga, ON L5M 1M1 Phone: