The proposed Business Improvement Area on Bayview took another big step forward earlier in the summer towards joining the 77 existing Toronto BIAs by the end of the year.
On July 3, 77 eligible landlords and business owners showed up at St. Cuthbert’s Church to vote on whether the city should undertake a formal 60-day polling period to approve the creation of a BIA by the city. To move forward at least 40 yes votes were needed. There were 52 yeses.
The report recommending balloting was to be considered by the city’s Economic Development Committee on August 19. The committee was to make a recommendation at the August 26-27 council meeting.
If this gets a rubber stamp (there’s nothing to suggest it wouldn’t), the city will mail out notices in early September of the proposed by-law creating the BIA to all the eligible property owners between Parkhurst and Davisville. They must then provide copies within 30 days to their commercial and industrial tenants.
The day the notices are mailed out the clock starts ticking down from 60. To be successful the vote must be 50 percent plus one in the affirmative based on the city getting back at least 30 percent of the mailed notices . The entire process could be completed in approximately 90 days with the by-law itself being created in December.
While it’s not a sure thing a BIA on Bayview is looking more likely every day.
Suggestions from our readers
I love Leaside and grew up in the area. In the past I have often enjoyed shopping at the various shops on Bayview. However, and much to my surprise, I find myself as well as many others now shopping at the Big Box Mall.
I would love to support the shops on Bayview but the variety offered is not fulfilling for our needs.
However, I do find myself frequenting Bayview to dine out. We have quite a variety of restaurants available to us and some are fabulous.
My suggestion would be to focus on turning Bayview into Restaurant Row. We have Ossington Ave. in the west end and many restaurants downtown.
Bayview would become a destination. “Build it and they will come.”
Why do I need to go to Shops of Don Mills to have a great time and food at McEwan’s Fabbrica?
We need a variety of food styles and cost to fit every palette, from the quick cheap eats to a five-star restaurant. It is no secret the area is very affluent and we love to dine out. It has no choice but to be successful.
Picture all the patios, music and the crowds. Can we say Tastes of the Tri-Village?
Allison Clarke,
Vanderhoof Ave.
I am a resident of the north side of Leadside. I shop and visit Bayview Ave. on a weekly basis and I am in favour of the beautification on Bayview.
But it does not reflect the beauty and charm of the high value of homes in the neighbourhood. Beauty is one of the top three factors in creating community attachment, or loyalty, to your particular street, town or city. The BIA can approach existing merchants to donate time and money, for example asking Passion Fruits to donate or to sell some plants at a reduced cost for planters during the four seasons.
We can also reach out to the neighbourhood residents or Leaside Garden Society to volunteer for the beautification of Bayview as a team working for the community. It takes an effort from everyone in the community to see positive changes. Just look at Mt. Pleasant. Look at Danforth Ave.’s Greek Town. The planters are beautiful and the neighbourhood is vibrant.
An attractive incentive for patrons would be to ask the city parking department to change the hours, for example to create free parking from 7 p.m.
The meaning of the word avenue is traditionally a straight route with a line of trees or large shrubs running along each side. That is not the case on Bayview Ave.
Bianca Da Costa,
Laird Dr.