Annual Report - Toronto Downtown West

WATCH THE 2023 AGM

MESSAGES

We work together with the BIA to address pertinent issues impacting our membership and community. Through our collective efforts in tackling concerns, such as securing affordable, supportive housing, and essential resources for those facing crisis situations, we foster a positive impact on the neighborhood and strengthen the unity within our community.

Ausma Malik, First Deputy Mayor of Toronto

HIGHLIGHTS

19 Million+

Annual Visitors

115,000+

Working Population

55,000+

Projected Residential Population 2030

35,000+

Residential Population

WELCOME

The BIA is dedicated to creating programs and experiences that foster moments of connection. Through strategic partnerships, community engagement, public realm enhancements, and developing innovative ways that showcase our district, we remain committed to the growth and vibrancy of our area.

Janice Solomon, Executive Director

YEAR IN REVIEW

WATCH THE VIDEO

2023 AT A GLANCE

ArtWalk

This Summer, we launched ArtWalk 2.0, a new way of touring more than 70 pieces of public art in our district through augmented reality and audio. ArtWalk serves as a platform and tourism product that highlights the artistic talents and cultural richness of our neighbourhood. Plans are underway to include more experiences that will benefit and promote our member businesses.

ArtWalk engagement: 1,420 unique app users
Media impressions: 17,447,083

Neighbourhood Guides

We introduced seasonal guides that showcased our hospitality, retail, attractions, events and more. These guides creatively promoted services and products offered by hundreds of our members.

Total views of Seasonal Guides: 7,505
Number of businesses promoted: 381

Fall Flow Program

With the support of the Main Street Innovation Fund, our Fall Flow program brought the community together through a range of featured events and promotions. The program aimed to add vibrancy and attract people to the neighbourhood, driving economic growth and vitality in support of local business.

Businesses featured in Fall Guide: 121 members

Website - YourExperienceAwaits.ca

Our online presence evolved to reflect our identity as a district of experiences. The website now features dedicated pages, focused on arts, wellness, retail, hospitality and more. These hubs include business listings, promotional content, media, and events, giving visitors a preview of what awaits.

Total website views: 133,475

Member Features

Our Member Features highlighted the stories behind local businesses and were amplified through social media. These stories will be enhanced with the addition of podcasts and video content.

Views of member features: 4,426
Promotional reach on social media: 263,331

Online Promotions

Contesting and influencer partnerships through our social channels increased the visibility, engagement and reach of our promotional content. We worked with a variety of influencers as well as OCAD U Live, a student lead media program to promote ArtWalk, FanExpo, TIFF and many businesses. We also received extensive online coverage through articles on our site, and media features in the Toronto Guardian, Now Toronto, BlogTO and more.

Total Online Reach: 2 Million +
Total Contesting Reach: 132,575

Member Communications

The BIA keeps members informed through weekly emails, seasonal newsletters, and other timely communications, providing relevant updates and opportunities. Our recent community survey garnered feedback that will help to shape and guide our endeavours in 2024.

Email communications sent to BIA members: 116

Awards

The BIAs efforts were recognized this past year, winning a TABIA award for our Growth and Development Framework, as well as an Award of Merit in the Communications category from OBIAA.

Community Events

The BIA hosted a range of community sessions and social events that provided members with educational and networking opportunities.

2023 Community Events:
De-escalation Training
The Black Experience in Canadian History
Community Safety & Wellbeing Panel
ArtWalk Info Session
BIA Summer Social
BIA ArtWalk Launch Event
Safeguarding Against Organized Crime
A Safe Night Out Information Session

Safety & Security

The BIA established a network of members dedicated to addressing safety and security-related issues of the community. The Downtown West Security Group and the King West Nightlife Group are made up of security and operations representatives from BIA businesses, who participate in regular meetings with Toronto Police, the City, and various stakeholders.

Neighbourhood Community Officers

The wellbeing of our community is at the forefront of BIA priorities. We focus on holistic approaches that bring our community together to contribute to a downtown that is safe for all.

Working with the Toronto Police Service, we were successful in introducing the Neighbourhood Community Officer Program to our area. This initiative increased the presence of police in public spaces, enabling swift responses to safety-related concerns.

Advocacy

Our commitment to advocacy and supporting our members ensures that their concerns are heard and addressed effectively.

Advocacy Positions:
• Community Safety and Wellbeing
• Transportation, Transit, Mobility
• Supportive and Affordable Housing
• Commercial Taxes
• Addictions and Mental Health
• Visitor Economy

BIA Beautification & Maintenance Program

This year, we introduced our beautification program to the newly expanded area of our district. This program improves the cleanliness
and appeal of the area.

Banners: 542
Pole Wraps: 284
Flower Baskets: 952
Deficiencies Reported: 2,500+
Hours Spent on Public Realm Maintenance: 18,000+

John Street Improvements

This downtown street acts as a network that connects many of Toronto’s key cultural institutions along this pedestrian priority corridor.

The City is proceeding with the John Street tender process, meeting with stakeholders monthly. The City is currently working through the design refresh, with a completion date of January 2024. Tender process is to follow once the refresh is complete

Plans for John Street include wider sidewalks, new hydro poles, special lighting, new paving treatment, flexible curbs, Wi-Fi and tree canopy.

The Ontario Line project

The Ontario Line project is a priority transit plan for downtown Toronto, from Exhibition Place to the Ontario Science Centre.

BIA continues to work with Metrolinx, City of Toronto, and other BIAs on construction timelines and communications related to Ontario Line.

Development projects continue to grow in the Downtown West neighbourhood, and the BIA tracks applications while meeting quarterly with City of Toronto, and King-Spadina Planners.

OUR TEAM

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Past Chair
Michael Emory

Chair
Sarah Turney

Vice Chair & Governance
Veronica Maggisano

Treasurer
Jim Aldridge

Directors
Oliver Geddes
Simon Gitalis
Lorenz Hassenstein
Maya Kane
David Kelley
Michael Manuel
Deborah Scott
Laura Weyland

BIA STAFF

Executive Director
Janice Solomon

Director, Marketing & Communications
Dana Duncanson

Director, Safety & Security
Mike Josifovic

Urban Planning Manager
Anojan Sathasivam

Communications Manager
Justine Smith

Member Relations & Administration
Hayley James

A special thank you to our Board of Directors who have dedicated their time to provide advice and expertise for the betterment of our community, as well as our BIA staff for managing the day to day operations.