A Business Improvement Area (BIA) is an association of commercial property owners and tenants within a defined area who work in partnership with the City to create thriving, competitive, and safe business areas that attract shoppers, diners, tourists, and new businesses. By working collectively as a BIA, local businesses have the organizational and funding capacity to be catalysts for civic improvement, enhancing the quality of life in their local neighbourhood and the City as a whole.
Find out more about BIAs here
Local businesses, working collectively as a BIA, become catalysts for civic improvements, ultimately enhancing the business climate and quality of life of the neighbourhood. As a legal organization mandated by provincial legislation, BIAs are able to develop a budget for improvements and, through the city, collect a levy from businesses in the area to raise the necessary funds.
BIAs improve their local economies through activities such as:
-Street and sidewalk maintenance and capital improvements
-Promotion of the BIA as a business, employment, tourist or shopping area (business directories, festivals, advertising)
-Hosting neighbourhood festivals and events
-Safety, security and crime prevention initiatives
-Graffiti and poster removal services respecting building facades visible from the street
-Strategic plans for business recruitment, market studies and capital improvements
-Advocate on behalf of their membership as a unified voice
Following a vote by local businesses and property owners, the City of Toronto officially created the Yonge + St. Clair BIA in early 2018. A formation committee – led by some of these member businesses and property owners, was acclaimed as the inaugural Board of Directors. The BIA hired their first Executive Director in mid-2018. The BIA’s first Annual General Meeting was held in November of 2018, and 15 Board members were elected for the 2018-2022 term.
Located in the heart of midtown Toronto, The BIA generally encompasses the area from Avenue Road in the west, to Avoca Avenue in the east, Heath Street in the north, to Woodlawn Avenue in the south.
A map of the BIA is available here.
By Subway:
Line 1 – Yonge-University with a stop at St. Clair Station (Yonge Street)
By Streetcar:
The 512 streetcar runs along St. Clair Avenue with stops at Avenue Road, Deer Park Road, and St. Clair Station
By Bus:
The 88 – South Leaside bus arrives at St. Clair Station from the Wicksteed Avenue and Thorncliffe Park Drive area
By Bike:
City of Toronto cycling routes include Rosehill and Avoca, and Heath St W and Lonsmount.
By Car:
The area can be accessed via Yonge Street or St. Clair Avenue, with access via Mt. Pleasant Road in the east, Rosedale Valley Road in the South via the Don Valley Parkway, and via the Chaplin Crescent connection and the Allen Road Expressway.
21 Pleasant Blvd – $3.00 / half hour
30 Alvin Ave – $3.50 / half hour
1501 Yonge St – $2.00 / half hour
20 Delisle Ave – $3.00 / half hour
30 St. Clair W – $2.00 / half hour
St. Clair Station on the Line 1 – Yonge-University subway line is fully accessible. Many businesses in the area are fully accessible, however, visitors with impaired mobility are encouraged to check with their desired businesses destination prior to arriving. The area is also home to the Canadian National Institute for the Blind’s (CNIB) Community Hub, who together with the BIA, are working towards making Yonge + St. Clair Canada’s most accessible neighbourhood. The CNIB has already rolled out ShopTalk beacons in a number of businesses at Yonge + St. Clair which offer blind or partially-sighted people the ability to navigate private spaces with confidence using a GPS app.
Toronto Employment Survey, 2018
Employment:
13,830 employees
Neighbourhood Census Profile, 2016
Population:
12,528 residents
Age:
0-14 Years: 1,200
15-24 years: 925
25-54 years: 5,875
55-64 years: 2,795
Median family income:
$131,163
Nothing is available at this time.
If you are a business or commercial property owner located within the BIA boundaries, some promotional and marketing opportunities may be available to you. Please contact us with your enquiry.
If you’re a business or commercial property owner located within the BIA boundaries, you are automatically a member of the Yonge + St. Clair BIA. As a member, you should receive regular print and email communications from the BIA. Not receiving our communications? Contact us so we can add you to the distribution list.