The Downtown Oshawa Business Improvement Area advocates for and represents Downtown businesses and property owners in an effort to improve business activity, property values and the community in general.
Our purpose and objectives
- To oversee the improvement, beautification and maintenance of municipally-owned land, buildings and structures, and to promote the area as a business or shopping area.
- To promote co-operation and joint planning of comprehensive Downtown improvement projects by the municipality, business groups, and the community at large.
- To revitalize and maintain the BIA as a vital local neighbourhood.
Board Challenges 2006 ~ 2010
- Safety in the Downtown
- Clean up the streets
- Re-brand the Downtown
- Lower vacancy rates with upgraded, upscale shops and businesses
- Attract diverse ‘A’ level services and shops that create an attractive urban landscape
- Funding and membership participation in the BIA
Downtown Oshawa has experienced tremendous transformation that has resulted in a number of new opportunities that will change the face of Downtown and make it a more vibrant and prosperous community. Together with our partners, the BIA will build on our past successes, strengthen our current relationships and develop the right strategic plans that will provide maximum opportunities and return on investment for all of our members.
Let’s Recap 2009 ~
Safety in the Downtown
A Membership town hall meeting with Durham Regional Police brought many issues front and centre. As a result of dialogue exchanged at our first ever town hall meeting, the COPR unit was developed.
COPR REPORT
The Durham Regional Police are tackling the issues of crime in downtown Oshawa with a new unit, the Centralized Oshawa Problem Based Response Unit (COPR). This unit is comprised of 8 constables and one Sergeant and work out of the South Oshawa Community Policing Centre on Cedar St. in Oshawa.
The objective of the COPR unit is to proactively, using problem-based theories; solve problems in the high density areas of South Oshawa, along the Oshawa Creek corridor and in the downtown. The officers patrol on foot and on bicycle. Along with providing a visible presence to the downtown beat, the officers are trained as problem solvers. These officers conduct high enforcement projects on problem area, augmented by long-term problem solving initiatives that tackle root causes to the problems.
Clean Up The Streets
On behalf of the Membership in the central business district, a graffiti free project was established. In one day, over 300 tags were removed from the buildings in downtown Oshawa providing a cleaner looking downtown. Members of the community joined forces with the Board and with City staff to pick up litter, clean windows and remove graffiti throughout the entire district. “Communities with Brooms”, a joint effort involving over 200 volunteers is scheduled again for April 2010.
Re-Brand the Downtown
The Board launched a mixed media campaign that included the following community partners ~
| Oshawa This Week Oshawa Express SNAP Oshawa Toronto Star |
Durham Radio (K96 & CKDO) Chex TV (Channel 12) Rogers Television (Channel 10) City of Oshawa |
As part of the campaign, a new logo was created and a new website. As a result of the initiative, the Board was recognized by the OBIAA (Ontario Business Improvement Association) with an award for a commercial they directed and produced for the downtown Oshawa marketing and communications campaign.
Everything’s Here For You www.downtownoshawa.ca
Vacancy Rates
The Board has met and encouraged many new business owners to open in the downtown the past year. In tandem with the David Tuley, Downtown Development Officer for the City of Oshawa, we have been very busy showing vacant space to a a diverse group of business people. There is a comprehensive list of commercial vacancies on the City website that is updated on a regular basis. Should you wish to provide the link to an investor, simply put them in touch with the Board.
Upscale Shops & Businesses
In order to create a niche in the downtown, property owners are careful about who they are renting to. In some cases, empty space can be considered a negative but in our minds it presents opportunity plus! The Board and our community partners are consistently promoting the downtown to the type of business man/woman that will bring unique and interesting shops and services. We actively recruit every chance we get at networking events etc.
Services & Shops That Create an Attractive Urban Landscape
“Green space, public space, pedestrian friendly, highest and best use”, are all phrases we have learned about in the past year. Attendance at seminars, printed material and round table sessions have brought these important issues front and centre. Planning for growth must now include all of the elements listed above, and must also include many other factors that round out commercial and residential intensification.
Funding and Membership Participation in the BIA (Board)
Many of you already know that we are funded by the downtown property owners via a commercial tax levy. The City rechannels some of the tax money back to the Board allowing us to run banner programs, beautification initiatives, events, and more as per the $143,100.00 budget allocated to the Board. Monthly budgets and the actuals for those projections are available upon request by contacting the Board in writing.
Membership Participation (Volunteer Basis)
The affairs of the B.I.A. shall be governed by a Board of Management (Board)
whose members are approved by City Council of the City of Oshawa, and shall be composed of seven (7) members appointed by City Council, one of whom shall be a member of Council and the remaining members shall be persons assessed for business assessment in respect of land in the area or nominees of such persons or corporations so assessed. (116-88) By-law 94-74 of The Corporation of the City of Oshawa
The Board of Directors is a volunteer group made up of downtown property owners and/or business owners. All members are encouraged to attend monthly meetings, however only a few come out to the regular meetings. In an effort to find out how we can get more participation from the membership, a survey is being circulated (included in this package and available on line). We have identified and would like to explore four ways to increase membership attendance and response.
a) Find out what the membership wants
b) Find out what the membership doesn’t want
c) Invite associate members to join the BIA (these members are outside the mapped district)
d) Increase the existing boundaries (current boundaries are from MacMillan to Mary going eastbound, from Bagot to William going northbound.
2009 Board of Directors
| Chair Vice-Chair Sec./Treasurer Director Director Director City City Advisor Advisor |
Cathy Coxhead Tony Vander Baaren Anna Visconti Giacomo Bruno Jackie Simkin Nikki Henderson Louise Parkes David Tuley Darryl Sherman Val Foster |
TD Canada Trust Representing Murray Johnston Brushstrokes Isabella’s Chocolate Cafe Council Elect (Currently on leave) Strut Nouveau (Appointed Nov. 09) Councillor Rep Downtown Development Officer Wilson Furniture Community Partner |
Downtown Oshawa BIA
Central Business District
2009 Board Meetings ~ Record of Attendance
| B Board Member | January to December | ||||||||||||||||
| M Merchant (property/business owner) | R (Regrets from board members) | ||||||||||||||||
| G Invited Guests | A (Absentee board members) | ||||||||||||||||
| Listed Alphabetically | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | S | O | N | D | ||||
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | ||||||||||||||
| Anna Visconti | Brushstrokes | B | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | R | ||||
| Antonella Diachenko | A & T Beauty Supply | M | x | ||||||||||||||
| Bill Humber | Guest (Presentation) | G | x | ||||||||||||||
| Bob Duigan | City | G | x | ||||||||||||||
| Cathy Coxhead | TD Canada Trust | B | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | ||||
| Chris Parkinson | Guest (Presentation) | G | x | ||||||||||||||
| Daniel Rajah | TD Canada Trust | M | x | ||||||||||||||
| Darryl Sherman | Wilson Furniture | B | x | x | x | x | R | x | x | x | x | x | x | ||||
| David Tuley | City | B | R | R | R | R | R | x | x | x | x | x | x | ||||
| Deborah Robitaille | Royal Bank | M | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | ||||||||
| Effie Couglan | Coffee Culture | M | x | ||||||||||||||
| Giacomo Bruno | Isabella's | B | R | x | x | R | x | x | x | x | R | x | R | ||||
| Greg Morrison | Ministry of Revenue | G | x | ||||||||||||||
| Greg Paziuk | Summer Student | G | x | ||||||||||||||
| Ian Tweedle | Strut Nouveau | M | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | ||||||||
| Ivan Downey | Salvation Army | M | x | ||||||||||||||
| Jackie Simkin | Council Elect | B | x | x | x | R | A | R | x | x | A | x | x | ||||
| Janine Millette | Bookkeeper | G | x | ||||||||||||||
| Jay Jegatheeswaran | Diamond Grill | M | x | ||||||||||||||
| Jeff Mandelson | First Step Clinic | M | x | ||||||||||||||
| John Gray | Mayor | G | x | ||||||||||||||
| Kerri King | Durham Tourism | G | x | ||||||||||||||
| Kevin Brady | Property Owner | M | x | ||||||||||||||
| Laura Vaillancourt | Doug Wilsons | M | x | x | x | x | x | ||||||||||
| Louise Parkes | Councilor | B | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | ||||
| Lynda Lawson | City | G | x | ||||||||||||||
| Nikki Henderson | Strut Nouveau | M | x | x | x | x | x | x | R | ||||||||
| Pasquale Maccarone | Property Owner | M | x | ||||||||||||||
| Paul Dobbs | John Howard Society | M | x | ||||||||||||||
| Paul Garlic | Guest (Presentation) | G | x | ||||||||||||||
| Peter Triacus | Property Owner | M | x | x | |||||||||||||
| Rick Mitchell | Rhythm Dynamix | M | x | ||||||||||||||
| Sgt. Colin Shaw | Durham Police | G | x | x | x | ||||||||||||
| Susan Chambers | Paraphernalia Books | M | x | ||||||||||||||
| Tino Fazio | Fazio's | M | x | ||||||||||||||
| Tom Hodgins | City | G | x | ||||||||||||||
| Tony Vander Baaren | Murray Johnston | B | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | ||||
| Val Foster | Community Advisor | B | x | x | x | R | R | R | R | x | x | ||||||
| Vince Johnston | Parmac | M | x | x | |||||||||||||
| Vivian Sled | Office Administrator | G | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | x | ||||
| Walter Dudar | Santa Fe Salon | M | x | ||||||||||||||
| Wes Evans | Wes Side Photo. | M | x | x | x | ||||||||||||
| Wil McGuirk | Invited Guest | G | x | ||||||||||||||
| 1 | No meeting in August | ||||||||||||||||
| 2 | Sept. budget meeting | ||||||||||||||||
| 3 | Sept. AGM meeting | ||||||||||||||||
| 4 | No meeting in December | ||||||||||||||||
2009 BIA Representation
A large part of the success of the Downtown Oshawa BIA is due to representation at different events, luncheons, round table sessions, committee meetings and networking opportunities with City partners, sponsorship and community partners, and business partners. The list below will give you an idea of how many organizations we met with, and/or committees we led regarding downtown initiatives.
Durham Consolidated Court House
Genosha Revitalization
Scrub Up Initiative (Communities with Brooms)
Proposed Hotel Project
UOIT
The Regent Theatre
Durham Regional Police Town Hall Meeting
Banner Program
Floral Program
Communities in Bloom
Artist in Residency Program
Jazz & Blues Festival
Autofest
Durham Region Transit
Oshawa Chamber
Façade Program
Oshawa Kick’s
Canada’s Market Place
O’Neill Collegiate
MPAC (Municipal Property Assessment Corporation)
Downtown Biz Club
Progress Oshawa
Durham Region Tourism
Oshawa Senior Citizens Centre
Oshawa Safety Committee
Olympic Torch Committee
Play On Ball Hockey Tournament
Downtown Sidewalk Sale
Downtown Shop & Win
GTA Economic Summit
OBIAA Conference (Ontario Business Improvement Area Association)
Rogers Television
Chex TV
Durham Radio
Oshawa This Week
SNAP Oshawa
Oshawa Express
Toronto Star
Goodbye Graffiti
Service Canada (Canada Summer Jobs)
Durham Regional Police
Deloitte & Touche
City of Oshawa Economic Development
City of Oshawa Zoning, Planning, and Parking
Downtown Oshawa Moving Forward in 2010
With the arrival of the new Durham Consolidated Courthouse, we look forward to many other projects that will enhance the growth of downtown Oshawa. Some are already underway, such as the Genosha and others still to come such as the hotel and more university sites.
In 2010, we will explore expanding our boundaries and/or inviting associate members to join the BIA. The attached 2010 budget has been submitted to City for approval. Money allocated to the specific departments reflect “proposed” amounts (which are projected costs based on previous years actuals). Monthly statements highlighting budgeted amounts vs actuals are readily available at the regular board meetings.
2010 Programs
2010 Marketing & Promotion
|
July Sidewalk Sale |
$11,000.00 |
|
(Includes adv. costs) |
$51,000.00 |
2010 Website Enhancement
- Virtual Tour of Downtown
- Website Improvements
- Video Marketing
* Part of the video marketing will be taken from the mixed media budget.
2010 Mixed Media Campaign
“We Are Downtown” campaign in print and television, as well as website, facebook, and twitter sites, featuring the faces, names and occupations of the people that are all part of the downtown. $45,000.00 has been allocated as a start up budget.
2010 Downtown Amabassador Program
Currently a winter program with the Oshawa Gen’s. Possibility of expanding the program during summer months on a tourism level, promoting our heritage, murals, etc.
2010 Membership Liason
Monthly Newsletter to be moved into a quarterly publication that promotes the downtown outside of the downtown vs promoting events, sales, etc. to just the people that live and work in the vicinity of downtown. This will be a new endeavour that will require planning, ad sales and sponsorship support.
2010 Physical Improvements
- Graffiti removal to be included in on-going physical improvements, providing a positive message about downtown.
- Beautification initiative to be revisited. Currently partnering with the City of Oshawa for Spring/Summer floral program.
- Façade Program (Economic Development, City of Oshawa) in conjunction with stakeholder team effort to improve store fronts re theme, signage, streetscape, etc.
On-Going BIA Initiatives
- Continue revitalizing the downtown core through encouraging businesses to partake in the façade improvement grant program
- Encourage and attract new businesses to the city
- Welcome and support new developments, a larger residential base, including seniors and students
- To decrease storefront vacancies and monitor empty storefronts
- Promote and advertise the downtown as a business and shopping/retail destination to local residents and visitors through monthly participation with the local newspaper, and through brochure distribution at various locations
- Continue to develop a marketing plan within realistic limits of the designated BIA marketing fund
- Increase police presence in the downtown core and re-establish the downtown watch program, encouraging business people to support one another.
- Continue working on our vision for a thriving downtown where the community can shop, dine, live, work and play
- To arrange meetings with landlords, real estate professionals, and the City to find common ground in downtown Oshawa
- To try and generate more interest from the business community to improve the downtown through socials, encouraging them to come to meetings, encouraging input, and work on restoring a sense of pride and boosting morale
- To support local events that come to the downtown
- Continue to coordinate annual events
2010 Membership Survey
In order for the current Board of Directors to set priorities for the Downtown Oshawa business community, a membership survey has been compiled. The purpose of the survey is to identify a broad range of important issues and to collect feedback from the members. Understanding the needs of the members enables the existing Board to lobby on behalf of their businesses and will provide pertinent information for the incoming Board being elected November 2010.
2010 Meeting Schedule [ Now the 2nd. Wed. of the month ]
- March 10th. * April 14th. * May 12th. * June 9th. * July 14th.
No Aug. meeting unless required
- September 8th. * October 13th. * November 10th. * December 8th.
Meetings are held at the Board office unless otherwise posted on the downtown website.
The date for the Annual General Meeting to follow.
2010 Event Schedule
- July Sidewalk Sale - Wednesday July 14th. to Saturday July 17th.
- Autofest Kick-Off Event - Friday August 27th. 5pm – 10pm
Note ~ the Board is soliciting sponsorship funds for this event. Please send in suggestions should you have a candidate in mind. - Jazz & Blues event not yet confirmed
- Shop & Win event not yet confirmed
Members are invited to attend planning meetings for the Sidewalk Sale and for Autofest. Dates of the meetings will be circulated and posted on line after the March 10th. Board meeting.
