Wilson Heights’ time to shine
[attach]3765[/attach]Wilson Heights, an area bordered by the constant commuter din of Highway 401 and Allen Road, has never quite been the belle of the ball when it comes to shopping destinations.
But if a group of local businesses along the street has their way, that may soon change.
In February, about 25 local business owners met at the invitation of councillor James Pasternak to discuss the idea of starting a business improvement area.
Popular in other parts of the city, a BIA is a formal organization of business owners that band together to share costs for marketing, streetscape improvements and promotional events. Formally recognized by the city, BIA’s are able to access municipal funds through cost-sharing programs where the city matches dollars contributed by business owners.
Ever since the BIA idea originated on Bloor West 40 years ago, similar groups have cropped up all over the city along streets like Eglinton Avenue, and the Danforth. However the idea has been slow to catch on in the northern part of the city. Despite the fact there are nearly 100 BIAs in Toronto, a Wilson BIA would be one of just a handful to exist north of the 401.
Although the boundaries are still being explored, the group is considering the area along Wilson from Bathurst Street to as far west as Dufferin Street.
“That stretch of Wilson has long needed a revitalization, a facelift of sorts,” Pasternak said. “It’s been in decline for many years.”
Having committed to revitalizing local businesses during the municipal campaign, Pasternak set about canvassing, mailing and calling Wilson businesses and property owners in late January. Those efforts culminated in the meeting at Marky’s Deli at the end of February.
“It was great,” Pasternak said. “The enthusiasm was there, the desire to make it a great streetscape.
“Businesses had some great suggestions.”
One of those ideas came from Erez Karp, owner of Marky’s Deli and head of the steering committee for the proposed BIA.
“I suggested the local ratepayers association gets involved,” Karp said. “As business people we want to meet the needs of people in the community and also have their input so they feel comfortable with what’s going on.”
Having been in the area nearly 30 years, Karp said he agrees the strip is in need of changes.
“The area is not new,” Karp said. “It’s going through a period of change as a result of greater diversity in the ethnic composition of the area.
“We are facing increased traffic because it is busier, both on the road, and by TTC and with pedestrian traffic as well.”
He added the area could do with a physical revamp and agreed that some of the possible 150 businesses the BIA could include would benefit from city-BIA programs like façade improvements and other perks.
“There is a rather clear lack of trees, street furniture, things of that nature along Wilson Avenue,” Karp said. “It does look a bit tired a long the way.”
And the timing might just be right for a facelift along Wilson. The street is starting to see increased condo development and a spruced up shopping area could reap the benefits of a growing local population, Pasternak said.
“We want to make sure the residents in those buildings walk east (to shop) rather than hop in their car and go to Yorkdale,” he said.
He said he’d also like to add new parking in the area and develop parkettes that would make it more attractive for people to stop and shop as opposed to passing through.
But there’s still a ways to go before anything becomes official.
The steering committee, in association with the city, is required to hold another formal meeting for area businesses. The city would then conduct a poll of all commercial property owners within the business boundary to guage interest. Finally, there would be a vote among business owners to make the decision about whether to form a BIA.
If it passes, business owners would then pay an added levy based on their square footage in order to fund BIA programs.
The steering committee was expected to next meet sometime in March.
