BIA 101

BIAs first emerged in 1970 – in Toronto actually – as well as in Los Angeles. In the late 1960’s, Toronto’s inner city was struggling with suburban sprawl as commuting cars began to fill up once vital commercial streets. A few volunteer merchant associations existed but they were not very successful, since budgets tended to be minimal. Street-front commercial areas were suffering as malls were increasing in popularity.

Bloor Street West merchants got together to look into how they could compete with “the mall.” They found that all mall tenants were required to contribute Common Area Maintenance Fees, which were used for promotions to draw in customers. They then worked with City of Toronto to develop a special BIA levy – so that individual merchants could pool their resources in a similar way, and create effective marketing programs.

What is a BIA?

Business Improvement Associations are self-funded, self governing, grassroots organizations which operate within in a defined geographic area. The City assists and oversees interested merchant communities with formalized start up procedures. Once a BIA is formed, it is managed by a volunteer board of property owners and tenants, which uses BIA funds to hire staff and implement BIA activities.

BIA Funding

BIAs obtain funding through a special property levy, much like a Local Improvement Levy. The City has an ongoing role: facilitating the annual funding process, collecting the levy from individual businesses on our behalf and remitting to the BIA Board annually following member approval of draft annual budgets, and monitoring annual budgets.

Individual Property Owners

Each property owner’s share of the annual BIA budget is proportionate to their share of the total taxable value within the BIA boundaries. In other words, if an owner owns one percent of the total taxable assessed value, their share will be one percent of the BIA budget. In the majority of lease agreements, property owners pass on the BIA costs to the business tenants.

The contemporary role of BIAs

Today’s BIAs do more than provide a common brand and voice for businesses. We also benefit the broader communities and the city as a whole through our contributions to street beautification, street safety, community events and sponsorships.

Every BIA is unique in their focus, priorities and approach… just like the businesses they represent. Through partnerships with other BIAs, community organizations and support to city departments, BIAs are a catalyst for positive change, helping to address broader planning, economic and social initiatives.

Our Mandate

To help make South Granville the destination of choice for Metro Vancouver residents for shopping, dining, entertainment, and other services; and to act as a catalyst for vibrancy and prosperity in the area through advocacy, marketing, events, improvements and co-operative initiatives.