Date:January 4, 1999
To:Economic Development Committee
From:Joe Halstead, Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism
Subject:Employment Area Revitalization - Local Partnership Program
Purpose:
The purpose of this report is to introduce members of the Economic Development Committee
to the Local Partnership Program which encompasses approaches to revitalizing retail and
employment areas.
Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
As part of the 1999 Capital Budget request , the Economic Development Division is
recommending a capital budget for the Local Partnership Program subject to the approval of
Council. Within this program Business Improvement Area funding is cost-shared.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
- This report be received for information and that Economic Development staff be
requested to present an overview of the Local partnership Program to the members
of the Economic Development Committee.
Background:
At its meeting on December 11, 1998, the Economic Development Committee, as one of its
recommendations to the Budget Committee respecting the 1999-2003 Capital Budget,
requested that the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism provide a
presentation to a future meeting of the Economic Development Committee on the role of
BIA's and related programs.
As part of their orientation to the Chief Administrative Officer on November 13, 1998,
Economic Development staff and local business representatives presented an overview of the
Local Partnership Program. Included in this presentation was a historical account of the City's
Business Improvement Areas and their contributions to the City, the Commercial
Improvement Facade Program and the accomplishments of the partnership approach used in
the revitalization strategy in the Black Creek Corridor and the Parkway/Finch Business Park.
This report provides background for the presentation to the Economic Development
Committee on January 15, 1999.
Comments and /or Discussions and/or Justification:
The goal of the Local Partnership Program is to create and foster prosperous, vibrant and safe
shopping and employment areas. The Program does this through cost-sharing arrangements to
undertake streetscape and commercial building facade improvements, combined with
stakeholder development and commitment. Slides in the presentation will provide examples
of streetscaping improvements done in partnership with the BIA's, improved building facade
treatments on Yonge Street through the Commercial Facade Improvement Program and
examples of some of the capital improvements undertaken in three of the City's industrial
areas.
The Local Partnership Program is new to the City and brings together the management and
co-ordination of the City's 39 Business Improvement Areas, the Commercial Facade
Improvement Program and capital funding for the Employment Revitalization Program. The
combination of these Programs assists the business areas to rejuvenate and attract new
investment. Maintaining and bringing back economic life and vitality to these areas will
increase employment and tax assessment.
The following summarizes the core elements of the Program:
a.The Business Improvement Area Program
Business Improvement Areas, covering designated retail areas, are established by Council
through a Municipal By-law at the request of local commercial property owners. The BIA
Capital Budget is financed through a special levy on its members which is collected by the
BIA Board of Management appointed by Council. The purpose of a BIA is to deal with such
issues as beautification, marketing, safety and parking. The benefits are increased sales,
reduced vacancies, increased pedestrian activity, increased tourism potential, reduced crime
and new investment. The amalgamated City has a total of 39 BIA's and a waiting list of
approximately 19 other retail areas. BIA initiatives have improved such areas as Bloor West
Village, Parkdale Village, Upper Village and Greektown on the Danforth. Because of the
amalgamation there are several issues that will be addressed through a forthcoming report
dealing with consistency in maintenance agreements, new funding requests and matching
funding agreements between the City and the BIA's.
b.Commercial Facade Improvement Program
The Commercial Facade Improvement Program is currently available in eight commercial
retail districts. Its purpose is to act as a catalyst for private reinvestment by encouraging
commercial property owners to improve the appearance of their building frontages or facades.
Areas eligible for the Program include those designated by Council as Community
Improvement Areas and which are also part of an overall economic revitalization strategy.
Applications for Commercial Facade Improvements are reviewed by design committees and
once approved are cost shared by the City and the property owner up to a maximum amount.
Together, the two former Cities of Toronto and York have leveraged over $2.5 million in
private expenditures from an investment of $538,000. Economic Development staff will be
reporting on a harmonized administration process and a methodology for the selection of
future areas .
c.Employment Revitalizatio
Maintaining and bringing back economic life and vitality to the City's commercial and
industrial areas requires new approaches and techniques. The problems faced by these areas
are complex, requiring diverse skills, volunteer commitment and a multi-departmental
approach. On of the integral techniques of the Employment Revitalization Program is to
mobilize community stakeholders to strategize, develop plans and implement solutions. The
goal of the Program is for the City to create successful partnerships with business, residents
and senior levels of government in order to tackle these complex problems in a
comprehensive fashion.
Currently the Program is targeted to eight areas. The Program's objectives within these areas
are to create healthy economic activity through new employment, enhanced land values, active
community stakeholder involvement, partnerships and reinvestment in public and private
infrastructure. Through local stakeholder partnerships, the Program tackles such issues as
crime, vacancies, poor image and disinvestment in a comprehensive approach involving task
forces, intergovernmental support and capital funding. The Black Creek Business Area, the
Parkway/Finch Business Park and the Leaside Business Park demonstrate the benefits flowing
from public and private partnerships aimed at improving the economic vitality of these areas.
Conclusions:
As part of the 1999-2003 Capital Budget process, Economic Development staff have
submitted a capital budget to cover the various elements of the Local Partnership Program.
Included in the Program are capital funds for streetscaping improvements which are
cost-shared by businesses within the Business Improvement Areas, funding for commercial
building facade improvements under the Commercial Facade Improvement Program where
matching dollars are required, and capital improvements for designated areas under the
Employment Revitalization Program.
The Capital Budget for the Local Partnership Program currently reflects those areas where the
Program was in effect prior to amalgamation. Economic Development staff will be reporting
further on the Program with respect to making use of the best tools and practices from each of
the former municipalities to develop a comprehensive, aggressive and targeted Program for
the new City.
Contact Name:
Bill Steiss
Director, Small Business and Local Partnerships
Telephone: 416 394-2613
Fax: 416 394-2782
Joe Halstead
Commissioner Economic Development, Culture and Tourism
ECO-98-61
