LVBIA Boundary Expansion

Since establishing our BIA in 2001, the Liberty Village area has experienced significant transformation. We have since welcomed many new residents, and a variety of new businesses; specifically along the North-side of King St. W , and West-side of Strachan Ave. There is currently no BIA representing the expansion area marked in green in the map below.

With your support, an expansion to our BIA’s boundaries can offer the neighbourhood a variety of benefits and continue the development of Liberty Village as a premier destination that is well-connected to the rest of the city.

Below you will find important information on Business Improvement Areas, the expansion process, and your involvement (Chapter 19 – Municipal Code) and specific details on the Liberty Village BIA’s various programs, services and events.

What is a BIA?

A Business Improvement Area (BIA) is an association of commercial property owners and tenants in a defined area who work in partnership with the City to create thriving competitive and safe business areas that attract new businesses, shoppers, diners, residents and tourists. By working collectively as a BIA, the local businesses have the organizational and funding capacity to be catalysts for civic improvement, enhancing the quality of life of their local neighbourhood and the City as a whole.

Toronto now boasts a total of 83 BIA’s across the City – the largest number of BIAs in North America – representing more than 35,000 businesses. Together they generate more than $34 million in funding towards street and sidewalk beautification, marking and promotional campaigns, street festivals, clean street and graffiti removal campaigns, transit and crime prevention strategies. BIAs also act as a unified voice to address issues on behalf of their membership.

How is a BIA Funded?

BIAs are funded by a special levy on commercial and industrial properties in the area. Annual budgets are set by the Board of Management and approved at an Annual General Meeting where all property owners and businesses can attend to vote. The annual budget is then applied across the assessed tax base of the area and appears on municipal property tax bills. For tenants, the costs are passed on through their lease. If there is support to expand, the new Liberty Village BIA levy would be applied in 2022.

Liberty Village BIA Today

The Liberty Village BIA is run by a volunteer Board of Management elected from its members. The Board is nominated at an Annual General Meeting and, once approved by City Council, serves a four-year term concurrent with the term of Council. The Board works on behalf of its BIA and meets regularly to set priorities, implement capital improvements, plan events and promote the Liberty Village business area and community. If there is support to expand, new members will have the opportunity to join the Board of Management in 2022.

The BIA Expansion Process and Your Involvement

In accordance with Chapter 19 of the City Municipal Code, a steering committee composed of property owners and business representatives within the existing and expansion area has been formed. This committee will lead all aspects of the expansion, and includes the following members:

Over the next few months, you can expect to receive various information pertaining to the expansion, including notices for Open-Houses, opportunities for 1-on-1 meetings with our BIA, as well as instruction and reminders for voting.

Notice of the proposed by-law will be sent by pre-paid mail to all persons who own or lease a relatable property within the expansion area. In order to successfully move forward with the expansion of the Liberty Village BIA, 30% of the mailed ballots are required to be returned, with 50% in support of the expansion.

Expansion Road-Map

The graphic below indicates the steps we must take to successfully complete the expansion of our BIA’s Boundaries, as required by the City of Toronto

Member Benefits

For specific details on the Liberty Village BIA’s current and past programs, services and events, please download the complete package below.

This page will continue to be updated throughout the expansion process, please check back regularly.

If you have any questions, or wish to add or change your mailing or email address for correspondence purposes, please do not hesitate to contact the LVBIA office at 416-516-1723 or by email admin@libertyvillagebia.com