Why Support Expansion? What about the Opposition? What are the next steps?
Problem - Places to Grow Legislation – Urban Growth Centre, Intensification Strategy (3000 jobs, 8000 residents) by 2030, Campus Master Plan, popular and physical definition of downtown, Economic Development Strategies Solution: Expand boundaries to include business that will and want to be a part of revitalization and future business opportunities, enhance a unifying, cooperative, promotional, and supportive advocate voice for the area, to work with Council on community and neighbourhood improvement initiatives From our provincial mandate and vision statement, the purpose of a BIA is: to revitalize and maintain a dynamic local neighbourhood to promote the area as a business or shopping destination to advocate for members of a thriving Downtown Brantford, as a destination that typifies all that is excellent in an urban environment; a safe, fun, and economically successful community; with dense commercial, residential, and cultural activity. Area Proposed links West, South, North and East Areas of City Large and Small Businesses support: Written support received from Sobey’s/Freshco and Boston Pizza Rogers was initially opposed but we met with them and now support Tipperary Bog Cheese Shop College Source for Sports TipTop Health Shoppe Brando’s on Market We asked during the 2010 election, and you supported then as well! Mayor Chris Friel Jan Vanderstelt Vince Bucci Debi Dignan-Rumble Dan McCreary (Conditional on consultation) Larry Kings said no at the time
UGC Map
Proposed area mirrors Expansion map with some key differences: - Focus on existing commercial areas only – Market Street Spine, Shoulders of West Street and Colborne, Dalhousie, Alfred Streets, and entirety of South Market Street Area
What about the Opposition? We recognize that a minority of proposed members, 7, or 2%, have their reasons for opposing expansion. Most of these are located in the Brant’s Crossing Brantford Commons area. This means we have a healthy and democratic community to work with, as not all of the membership engages with, or supports, all events and activities downtown. We will respond by: - working with City staff to unify and brand Brant’s Crossing with Downtown CIP area as the new Downtown legitimizing Brant’s Crossing merchants in downtown programming and promotion. increasing BIA services to area – marketing, promotions, communications, advocacy, representation working with City on service design and delivery – does NOT mean immediate service provision – means increasing understanding of challenges of business and community recognizing the diversity of businesses – large corporations vs. sole proprietorships, services vs. retail, food service vs. retail
Next Steps? We have: 1. Established a Steering Committee and Terms of Reference 2. Completed informal consultation with City staff, interested businesses 3. Established boundaries for Expansion 4. Consulted with existing membership July, 2011, December 2011, December 2012 5. Public Meetings to include the Existing Membership and the Expansion Area 6. Letter Requesting Establishment 7. Staff Report 8. Polling 9. Staff Report/Report to Council We are HERE: 10. Approval 11. AGM 2013 12. Special AGM After approval from Council, communications outreach to the new membership engaging them for the remainder of 2013, and inviting participation in events and services. We will host a welcoming event as part of our heavily demanded after hours networking event series, and welcome formally at our 2013 AGM. We are currently developing our resourcing strategy to respond to the new members over a three year period, as the levy will be applied equally in thirds over 2014-2016. The Board will also develop a new Strategic Plan and reconsider our vision, mission, values, and strategic goals in the context of the enlarged physical boundary, and the updating of the Official Plan. Finally, active recruitment for Board members within the new boundary will occur for the new Board for 2015-2019.
