Untitled - Waterfront BIA

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GEOGRAPHIC BASED BIA SUPPORT SYSTEM In the fall of 2006 TABIA introduced a new Geographic Based BIA Support System (GBBSS) for member BIAs. The GBBSS is a tool that enables BIAs to keep a comprehensive current accounting of their office and retail space inventory and whether it is currently occupied or available. BIAs are able to search for available space using specific criteria, for example, parking spaces or square footage and then retrieve other data which is essential for a prospect, for example the availability of infrastructure (e.g. gas, sewers, fiber and water). Once the search is complete the BIA or someone interested in the retail space can undertake a customized demographic profile or a consumer spending profile for the trade area they are interested in. This means that a BIA is able to take a more proactive role in marketing and promoting itself by matching prospective new businesses with the space that is available. The GBBSS enables a BIA to respond very quickly to information requests. BIAs can also place a “Map” button on their website to provide location details to their customers. Key benefits of the Geographic Based BIA Support System • Allows TABIA staff to provide more effective support to Member BIAs. • Allows TABIA Staff to be more familiar with all BIAs. • Allows BIA staff to be more effective in promoting and managing their BIA. • Enables TABIA and all BIAs to have a stronger and more useful web presence. • Enables customers to more easily locate BIAs and member businesses. • Improves the web presence of individual member businesses. • Enables businesses to display a map of their business location on their web site. • Provides TABIA and BIAs with the capability to produce instant up to date demographic reports. • Provides TABIA and BIAs with the capability to produce instant up to date consumer spending potential reports. • Improves the ability for TABIA and BIAs to promote BIAs and fill vacant storefronts or offices. • Requires no software or downloads to run application. • Easy to use, minimal training required. From the Economic Development perspective this will provide detailed, up to date information that is currently not available to the city. Not only will it list detailed individual property statistics it will also provide Property owner information, as well as current tenancy information to assist in developing a retail mix strategy that a significantly greater number of BIAs are attempting to pursue. If your BIA is not on the development list and you are interested in participating please contact the TABIA office (416) 889-4111 for details and costs. 17
TABIA MILESTONES AND ACHIEVEMENTS TABIA works with all levels of government to actively advance the interests of Business Improvement Areas and create an environment in which their members can thrive. Be it Parking Issues, Garbage, Safety, Taxes, or BIA legislation, TABIA strives to look after the best interests of all its members. The following are just some of the many advances made by TABIA: • TABIA/City of Toronto Interdepartmental meetings bring City Staff from various departments and BIAs together so that BIA issues or departmental initiatives can be discussed and resolved before they are implemented or become problems. • As part of a City of Toronto Economic Development Department initiative BIAs are able to retain additional staffing until September, 2007. This initiative also allows BIAs to participate in the development of a Commercial Safety Audit process (see page 24). • A simplified annual budget process and shorter wait times for receiving BIA operating funds, which are now available through direct deposit to BIA accounts. • TABIA in partnership with Toronto Hydro was instrumental in introducing the LED holiday lighting exchange. In 2006 some 8500 strands of old incandescent lights were traded in for the new energy efficient LEDs resulting in a savings of one megawatt being removed from the electrical grid. • A TABIA representative sat on the Customer Service Standards Development Committee which is developing guidelines for the newly introduced Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. • As a leader in the BIA movement TABIA has had the pleasure of hosting delegations from countries around the world including Germany, UK, South America & China. • TABIA through greenTbiz is developing a comprehensive and conscientious program with a focus on Energy Conservation and Environmental (EC&E) concerns that will have both significant EC&E benefits and outcomes, but will also result in bettering the bottom line of BIA Businesses(see page 25). • BIAs are now exempt from the city set fee structure and application frequencies when dealing with banners in designated BIA areas. This has resulted in more manageable BIA banner, floral and seasonal decoration programs and hundreds of dollars of savings for BIAs. The recent sale of city pole assets to Toronto Hydro required the renegotiation of these achievements. TABIA has successfully managed to maintain this position for all of Toronto's BIAs. • BIAs are now covered under the City of Toronto’s policy for Public Liability insurance. The $308 or so annual deduction from a BIAs levy covers any liability issues related to festivals, special events and streetscape initiatives and allows BIAs to satisfy the municipality’s insurance requirement for up to 5 Million dollars coverage around festivals/special events and road closures. Most importantly the $308 covers the $50,000 deductible the city policy carries. To retain this coverage independently would not be economical for most BIAs. • TABIA has been successful in negotiating a number of Discounts & Savings Programs for BIA Boards and member businesses. BIA Boards save on Financial Audit Fees, Director’s & Officers Liability Insurance and membership in Toronto Tourism. BIA member businesses have access to affordable Group Insurance and preferred rates on Merchant Visa & MasterCard. For more details please refer to TABIA Discounts & Savings Programs (see page 20). 18
Page 2 and 3: TABLE OF CONTENTS THE BIA STORY ___
Page 4 and 5: TORONTO FACT SHEET • Set on the n
Page 6 and 7: TABIA WEBSITE Visit www.toronto-bia
Page 8 and 9: TABIA ORGANIZATIONAL CHART Mr. LION
Page 10 and 11: TAX COMMITTEE The provincial budget
Page 12 and 13: TAX COMMITTEE - YOUR TAX BILL EXPLA
Page 14 and 15: TABIA TASK FORCE ON CRIME: PREVENTI
Page 16 and 17: TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE The Transp
Page 20 and 21: TABIA MILESTONES AND ACHIEVEMENTS
Page 22 and 23: TABIA DISCOUNTS & SAVINGS PROGRAMS
Page 24 and 25: TABIA DISCOUNTS & SAVINGS PROGRAMS
Page 26 and 27: GREENTBIZ SAVE MONEY WHILE GREENING
Page 28 and 29: CITY OF TORONTO BIA OFFICE - CONTAC
Page 30 and 31: BIA DESCRIPTIONS AND CONTACTS Bloor
Page 32 and 33: BIA DESCRIPTIONS AND CONTACTS Danfo
Page 34 and 35: BIA DESCRIPTIONS AND CONTACTS Greek
Page 36 and 37: Survey and Mapping Services 31 Litt
Page 38 and 39: BIA DESCRIPTIONS AND CONTACTS Liber
Page 40 and 41: BIA DESCRIPTIONS AND CONTACTS Old Q
Page 42 and 43: BIA DESCRIPTIONS AND CONTACTS St. C
Page 44 and 45: BIA DESCRIPTIONS AND CONTACTS Wexfo
Page 46 and 47: GRAFFITI ABATEMENT PROGRAM The Prog
Page 48 and 49: MAKING A DEPUTATION TO A COMMITTEE
Page 50 and 51: WHO DOES WHAT AT THE CITY BIA TAX R
Page 52 and 53: CITY COUNCILLORS Peter Milczyn (War
Page 54 and 55: MEMBERS OF PROVINCIAL PARLIAMENT Ho
Page 56 and 57: MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT Tom Wappel Sc
Page 58 and 59: CITY OF TORONTO COMMUNITY PARTNERSH
Page 60 and 61: CITY OF TORONTO COMMUNITY PARTNERSH
Page 62 and 63: COMMERCIAL FAÇADE IMPROVEMENT PROG
Page 64 and 65: MEDIA CONTACTS Be sure to check eac
Page 66 and 67: MEDIA CONTACTS TELEVISION Bravo!New
Page 68 and 69:
General Enquiries /Mailing Address
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