Here’s why the Old East Village BIA wants to get BIG

Officials with local Business Improvement Agencies say they're considering expanding their boundaries. CTV London’s Daryl Newcombe reports.

The Old East Village Business Improvement Area (OEV BIA) is looking to expand beyond its current boundary, but will have to wait its turn as other commercial districts seek similar changes.

“We have a minimal amount of businesses left in this district at the moment because we have such a high concentration of social service providers, yet the businesses still want a strong voice like the BIA,” General Manger Kevin Morrison told CTV News.

Businesses within the boundaries of a BIA pay an additional levy on their property tax bills.

Morrison said the total levy received by the OEV BIA is just $42-thousand a year.

Primarily encompassing the historic commercial district along Dundas Street between Adelaide Street and Charlotte Street, he envisions the BIA extending to Highbury Avenue and bounded to the north and south by the CN Rail and CPKC Rail tracks.

The change would automatically add big businesses like 100 Kellogg and many small to mid-sized business as members of the BIA.

“I’ve gone to the planning department (at city hall) and have received confirmation that they really can’t get this going until 2026 because other BIA’s are in that process,” Morrison said.

Earlier this year, the Hyde Park BIA in Uptown London appeared at a committee meeting with its initial proposal for a boundary expansion, and the Hamilton Road BIA is potentially next in line according to Coun. Hadleigh McAlister who sits the board.

“At the board level, they’re looking at a few options, but we wanted to get that process going,” McAlister explained. “A levy you could bring into effect for next year, but for an expansion [of the boundary], you are looking at a year, sometimes even two, depending on the size of your expansion.”

Meanwhile, the Argyle BIA is not looking to expand their boundary at this time, instead it’s expanding by offering services to non-member businesses in exchange for a fee.

Morrison suggests the changes being made by local business districts is a result of London’s rapid growth.

“As a municipality grows, so too must the organizations that are operating within the municipality,” he explained.

“I think there’s strength in numbers,” added McAlister. “There’s a lot of cost savings in terms of businesses in an area banding together, whether that’s for advertising, for security, property improvements, or beautifying the area.”

Expanding the boundary of a BIA requires a vote by businesses within the new boundary and then approval by city council.