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Ongoing organization
- An "umbrella" organization could
co-ordinate efforts and communication among the various community members and groups,
including BIA, residents' associations, churches, community groups etc. to consider issues
of interest to the whole community. ("St. Lawrence Works" in the St. Lawrence
community of Toronto is an example of a successful organization of this type).
All these groups, as interested members of
the same community already share a common interest; thus bringing them all together can
only help strengthen and inform us, as well as build a broader perspective of our
community.
In the short term, representatives from these
groups could meet to begin a dialogue, and consider a longer-term structure.
Marketing survey:
- Conduct a survey of residents and/or Bloor St.
shoppers and visitors to determine their shopping patterns, needs (met and not met by the
Village), etc.
Find what works, what doesn't and what people
like and want (and don't!)
Size, scale, density and zoning
- Review the City's official
"Mainstreets" policy, and how it may be applied to the Village. For example,
find ways to promote higher density (not single story) developments appropriate to an area
like Bloor. This type of density puts added financial burden on ground-floor tenant, and
helps foster urban sprawl.
- Consider and promote an appropriate size and
scale of businesses best suited to a community retail strip.
Support for small businesses
In many ways, the independent or small chain
(existing or new) starts out on unequal footing with the large chain or franchise in terms
of promotion, retail studies etc. Providing some assistance may help to "equal the
playing field".
- Promote or recruit businesses which help
develop appropriate future of village.
- Find ways (through City, BIA, or other means)
to hire services of retail consultant or conduct studies or seminars to assist small
businesses.
- Promotion: the Village can be promoted in ways
that emphasize its mix of businesses (old & new, large & small). e.g. "you
can shop at Chapters, but can still pick up kolbassa, vegetables and pastries from our
traditional Village shops".
Other
- Reach out, and communicate a broad perspective
to landlords, realtors and others.
- BIA could use paid staff member (full or
part-time)
- Investigate parking issues and possible
solutions.
- Communicate with other groups (BIA, residents
and others) in the City (or other cities) with similar concerns.
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