RECENT HIGHLIGHTS

It was an eventful Fall & Winter – here are some highlights! ART on BROADWAY: We were excited to partner with the City of Vancouver and local artists on mural and utility box art wraps to animate the street! The “philoxenia” mural, meaning “friend to the stranger”, located at Broadway and Macdonald, celebrates the hospitality and history of Kitsilano, and symbolizes that we are all guests to the planet. The project, led by artist Nike Hatzidimou, is a collaboration between

Greek and First Nations artists. In addition, 4 utility boxes near corners along Broadway were wrapped with diverse and colourful artwork, to deter graffiti and vandalism, beautify the streetscape and showcase artists in the City!

Holiday Campaign: We partnered with Family Services of Greater Vancouver for a heart-warming fundraiser to help local families in need. Thanks to local businesses, staff and patrons, 115 children and their families all received a holiday gift. Holiday wishes were also granted through our award-winning kids VIP Day contest, providing a fun-filled day of shopping, treats and services for lucky

winners! Santa was also on the street greeting patrons and merchants, and taking a few selfies ;) We also partnered with local community organization holiday events, and coordinated event booths and prize draws to promote local merchants and share the ho-ho-ho-liday love!

Street Lighting: Have you noticed some extra sparkle?! We continue to invest in lighting to brighten the street and enhance visibility during darker winter months. We added more lighting, coloured lights and refurbished ornaments. Many logistics are involved: installing infrastructure for 26 custom-made pole lights and 100 tree lights over 20 blocks! Due to the City’s pole power capacity and guidelines, we

could not access pole power for tree lights, so we installed outlets on over 50 buildings to make it happen! We work diligently with available resources each season, to keep Broadway shining bright!

Kids & Pets Trick or Treat: Calling all treat lovers and best buddies! On Saturday, October 28th hundreds of families, and both two and four-legged trick-or-treaters, visited over 50 participating local merchants for candy and pet treats! It was a fur-tastic way to engage the community and showcase local merchants. We have already had many requests to host the event again next year!

UPCOMING EVENTS & PROJECTS

Exciting things are ahead on and off Broadway!

APRIL – Staff Discount Program & APP: Keep your eyes on your inbox for details on our new staff discount program and app to encourage local employees to shop local! The program app is a digital platform to connect with over 300 merchants and over 2000+ staff! The app will feature program partners/advertising, merchant promotions, shopping points and rewards, local events and updates, resources, and information about community organizations. We are piloting the program with staff and then may expand it to public patrons. We look forward to visiting businesses with more information, and connecting staff online and in-store!

May to August – STREETSCAPE & public art: We are very excited to beautify the street with new bike racks, more murals and more utility box wraps! In partnership with the City and community organizations, these street enhancement projects will animate the street, and help deter vandalism. In addition to enhancing the streetscape, the artwork brings the community together and fosters creative expression and conversations, through the talent of local artists!

June – Greek Day: Save the date Sunday June 24th for one of the biggest festivals in the City! As event sponsor, we are excited to work with the organizers to help make the event a success and promote the business area. We assist with marketing, programming and event logistics, and negotiate lower participation rates for merchants. On event day, we coordinate a 50’+ BIA community hub at the event entrance, promoting local businesses and engaging the community. We will relay updates and ways to participate and celebrate with 1000's of locals and visitors! For more event information, visit www.greekday.com.

August – Outdoor Movie Night: In partnership with the Kits Community Centre, the BIA's 4th annual outdoor movie night will take place on August 26th when we screen the animated film ‘Coco’! It's a family-friendly event with pre- show music performances and activities under the stars in Connaught Park, alongside the Kits Community Centre. We promote local merchants through on-screen advertising, pre-show announcements and activities. Through creative and cost-effective event marketing, we drum up excitement and attract hundreds of people to the cinematic celebration!

C MMUNITY PARTNERS Connect with local organizations and activities in #theheartofKits!

Car Free Day Kitsilano:  Kitsilano does something different for Vancouver's Car Free Days. Instead of closing off a major street, people throughout Kits host block parties in the street with their neighbours. This year’s celebrations will take place over two weekends on June 16th – 17th and June 30th – July 2nd. To host a block party, visit www.carfreevancouver.org or contact: Kitsilano@carfreevancouver.org.

Kitsilano Business Leaders Meetup: On the second Thursday of each month, kickstart your morning with keynote presentations by influential business leaders at our local G&F Financial Branch. A great opportunity to meet, mingle, connect and learn with other retailers and business owners. Learn more and view their schedule at www.meetup.com/kitsilanobusinessleaders/ or contact Judy Reiman to get involved at: judyreiman2@gmail.com.

Kitsilano Community Centre: An inclusive, service-oriented community organization, offering a variety of recreational activities for people of all ages and has a positive impact on the quality of community life. Check out their full list of programs, events and facilities at www.kitscc.com or contact Jennifer Taylor for more info at: jennifer.taylor@vancouver.ca.

Kitsilano-FAIRVIEW COMMUNITY POLICE CENTRE: Volunteer and police officers meet with residents and business owners to discuss safety concerns and crime prevention, and conduct foot patrol, bike patrol, speed watch, and outreach at community events. Learn more at http://vancouver.ca/police/community-policing/kitsilano-fairview.html or contact kitsfaircpc@gmail.com.

Kits Fest: KitsFest is a sports and healthy living community festival, celebrating diversity and inclusiveness for all ages and walks of life. This year’s event marks the 10th anniversary and takes place August 10th – 12th. To find out more, visit www.kitsfest.com or contact KitsFest@gmail.com.

Kitsilano Neighbourhood House: Dedicated to meeting the needs of and engaging the community through their programs and services, including seniors weekly hot lunches, seniors housing, parent and tot programs, after school kids’ clubs, community potlucks, parenting workshops, annual community events and more! For more info, please visit www.kitshouse.org or contact Janick Hayek at: JanickH@kitshouse.org.  

Kitsilano Showboat: A Vancouver tradition since 1935, taking place at Kits Beach every summer offering live performing arts, returns for its 83rd year from June 18th – August 18th! Check out their programs and schedule at www.kitsilanoshowboat.com.

 

Small Business BC:  Saving businesses time and money by offering products, tools, resources and education at every stage of business. Check out www.smallbusinessbc.ca for events and free resources or contact: askus@smallbusinessbc.ca.

ST. JAMES COMMUNITY SQUARE: A registered non-profit and charitable organization dedicated to providing affordable community space for educational, cultural, recreational and social activities. Facilities include St. James Hall and a variety of multi purpose rooms. For more info, please visit www.sjcommunitysquare.org or contact: info@sjcommunitysquare.org.    

Upper Kitsilano Residents association: Area boundary includes MacDonald to Alma Streets and West 10th to West 16th Avenues. For more info, please contact upperkitsilanoresidentsassociation@hotmail.com.    

Vancouver Public Library - KITS Branch:  Dedicated to meeting lifelong learning and reading needs for over 100 years! They also offer print and digital resources and meeting space for businesses! For more info, please visit www.vpl.ca/branches/details/kitsilano_branch or contact Michael McCarthy, community librarian at: Michael.McCarthy@vpl.ca.  

West Side Family Place: A family resource center at 11th and MacDonald, offering parenting support and child-focused programming from birth to 6 years. Save the date for their Annual Fiesta del Sol block party on August 10th! For more info on drop-in hours, and events and programs, please visit www.westsidefamilyplace.com or contact Diane Elliot-Buckley at: wsfp@telus.net.

West Kitsilano residents association: Area boundary includes shore of English Bay on the north, to Broadway corridor on the south, and from Alma Street on the west to Balsam and Vine Streets on the east. For more info, please visit www.westkitsresidents.wordpress.com or contact westkitsresidents@gmail.com.

THANK YOU STREET CLEAN TEAM! Coast’s Transitional Employment Program is a street cleaning team that works with the BIA to keep the neighborhood clean. It allows individuals to try a job in a supported environment without the stress of losing a job due to a health-related absenteeism. http://sjcommunitysquare.org/

The street clean team works in the West Broadway area, in rain or shine, three times a week picking up cigarette butts, food containers and cups, and other waste. The team canvases the area reporting graffiti to the city or any large household items that have been left.

The crew loves when the shop owners or patrons come and thank them for doing such an amazing job. They truly feel like part of the neighborhood and love to strike up conversations with the shoppers and shop owners! Thanks to Coast, local merchants, and the clean team crew for all that you do!  

BIA MEMBER RESOURCES Visit our member resources page to stay up to date with BIA happenings, learn valuable info and connect with other members! www.kitsonbroadway.com/resources/

Did you know you can download a copy of our member directory – including social media links – to connect with your neighbours?! You can also view BIA information and project highlights.

Plus, don't forget to check out our events calendar for BIA, merchant and community events! www.kitsonbroadway.com/events Hosting an event? Submit it to assistant@kitsonbroadway.com to have it featured.

LOCAL DEVELOPMENTS

There are various property developments, including exciting plans for revitalizing the Hollywood Theatre. For more information about proposed plans for the Hollywood Theatre, please visit: http://development.vancouver.ca/3133wbroadway/index.htm

Many local property development organizations are family-owned and operated and strive to consult with the community.

We will continue to relay information / updates, and opportunities to provide input and feedback.

stay connected J Stay connected with us to receive and share local business area updates, including: events / promotions / opportunities / safety / resources / community and civic info. BIA inquires: contact Michelle Barile, Executive Director, at info@kitsonbroadway.com or (778) 384-6377. BIA social media & website: contact Mercedes Mackie, BIA Assistant, at assistant@kitsonbroadway.com. WEBSITE: www.kitsonbroadway.com FACEBOOK: /kitsonbroadway INSTAGRAM: @kitsonbroadway TWITTER: @kitsonbroadway BOARD OF DIRECTORS: The following local business owners and representatives volunteer and help make things happen! Sabrina Faas, BIA President / Bayswater Tea Co; Dave Rayat, Vice President / Commercial Property Owner; Alex Zbar, BIA Treasurer / Commercial Property Owner; Patrick North, GNK Insurance; Nick Panos, Omega Travel; Nikki Voutsilakos, RBC Royal Bank; Johnny Yeap, G&F Financial.

WEST Broadway BIA Purpose Statement

To enhance the prosperity of our local businesses through engaging and cooperative initiatives that connect our community.

Key Strategic Objectives

Street Beautification | Branding The Street | City Advocacy Enhancing and Leveraging Resources | Engaging our Membership

Engaging Other Communities for Mutual Benefit | Marketing and Events

We Welcome Your Participation!

Based on businesses’ input, and initiatives since our 2011 formation, the West Broadway BIA developed a strategic plan with the above-noted key objectives. To view the plan, visit kitsonbroadway.com/resources. Get on Board! You can help develop the vision for the area and put plans into action! Get involved by attending monthly Board meetings, joining the Board, or providing input at any time. Also, provide input at your convenience through this short survey: www.surveymonkey.com/r/Z895LXZ We will continue to provide updates, and welcome your participation! For more info, please contact Michelle Barile, Executive Director, at info@kitsonbroadway.com or (778) 384-6377.

QUICK FACTS ABOUT THE BIA:

What is a BIA? West Broadway Business Improvement Association is a specifically funded area, formed in 2011, to enhance the business district. There are 22 BIAs in Vancouver – the first formed in 1989 – Gastown and Mt. Pleasant. Collectively, BIAs provide valuable benefits for local businesses and communities.

HOW WAS THE BIA FORMED: A group of local businesses made a proposal to municipal council to be designated as a “BIA”, to undertake activities to enhance the area, with an annual budget contributed by its members. All businesses within the proposed boundary were consulted with and a special bylaw was approved. Members & Boundary: All businesses and commercial properties on West Broadway from Collingwood to Larch Street are members of the BIA. Dkfjd Annual budget $275,000: A nominal levy is collected by City from commercial properties. BIA budgets vary due to size, age and property values (i.e.W.4th budget is $400,000+). Members provide input to shape priorities, and vote on budget at AGM. By pooling resources together, the BIA makes a far greater impact than individual efforts.

Objectives & BENEFITS: We enhance the business area through marketing and events, street beautification, community engagement and advocacy. Valuable projects include street pole and tree lighting, street banners, business directory brochure, BIA app, website, social media, advertising, events and promotions (Greek Day sponsorship and activities, outdoor movie event, VIP prize days, holiday campaign), business updates and advocacy (i.e. safety, street issues, taxes, transit, permits, etc).

Operations & Participation: Through creativity and dedication, the BIA operates with part-time contractors and a volunteer Board of local business and property owners, to develop infrastructure and implement initiatives. We value feedback from members and welcome participation!

Thank you to our print sponsor:

2912 W.Broadway | 604.739.9070