Bayview merchants say yea to BIA
It’s official — Bayview Avenue is getting a business improvement area.
Businesses along the stretch of Bayview from Soudan Avenue to Davisville Avenue voted 68-26 in favour of forming what is temporarily known as the Bayview Business Improvement Area. An official name will be chosen at the group’s first annual general meeting, which will be called after council puts its stamp of approval on the BIA, expected on Feb. 10.
Out of 145 eligible businesses, 95 cast a ballot during the 60-day voting period ending Dec. 4, resulting in business owners opting to form a BIA, which allows them to pool money for local investments like marketing, branding or beautification projects.
The final tally was 68-26 with one spoiled ballot. The result was announced by the city Dec. 23.
The steering committee will consist of city councillors Josh Matlow and Jon Burnside, who represent the west and east sides of Bayview respectively, as well as five business owners — Grant Allardyce of The Source Menswear, Seta Danielian of Dolce & Gourmando, Raymond Gork of Leaside Paint Centre, Stanley Janecek of White House Meats, and Trae Zammit of The Smokin’ Cigar.
Matlow said he is looking forward to working alongside Burnside in helping the new BIA get off the ground, and with the Bayview Avenue merchants on “improving and revitalizing South Bayview.”
“There’s so much more that we can do to make this a remarkable place for our communities,” he said.