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BIAs in the Downtown EastsideAn introduction to Strathcona and Hastings Crossing Business Improvement Areas Joji Kumagai, Executive Director, SBIAWes Regan, Executive Coordinator, HXBIA

+About Business Improvement Associations

BIAs were first established in Vancouver in 1989 in Gastown and Mount Pleasant

The mandate of BIAs is “business promotion” Liaising with municipal and government officials Street beautification Safety and security Economic and community development Supporting local events

+Where we areStrathcona BIA

+Where we areHastings Crossing BIA

+History and general makeup

Strathcona BIA founded 2000

Over 800 businesses and property owners, many having been in the area for over 40 years. Over 7,000 people employed. Broad mix of industrial, commercial, retail and residential zoning.

Hastings Crossing BIA founded 2010

300 + businesses and property owners in BIA geography majority of which are SMEs with 10 employees or less. Wide array of retail, professional

services, restaurants, and social enterprises

+Who is Strathcona BIA?Branding, marketing, and being a place

Facilitates a cooperative effort in revitalizing Strathcona to foster a unique community recognised as a model of positive change and sustainability

Is comprised of safety & security, marketing, zoning and sustainability committees

+Strathcona Green Zone Initiative

GZI recognises the strategic opportunity that sustainability offers businesses

Aims to create a community of businesses working together to reduce environmental impacts

+Waste Exchange

+Strathcona Green Zone Initiative

Programs include sustainability expos, murals, resource reviews, and a resource exchange

Supports social enterprises and local artists

+Who is Hastings Crossing BIA?Branding, marketing, and being a place

Socially inclusive, for revitalization not gentrification

Sees business as a force for positive social change and likewise sees the low income community as a partner and asset for business community through social enterprises and non-profits who employ residents through BIA programming

Identifying and building on community assets, increasing community capacity through BIA programming, promoting a healthy and diverse mixed commercial district that contributes to a livable and affordable community

Edgy, urban, artistic, gritty, creative, entrepreneurial, innovative, controversial, daring, unique, historic, fascinating

+Amazing historyAmazing potential

+Amazing historyAmazing potential

+An area known for social and political activism

+Amazing historyAmazing potential

+Diverse and Creative

+Sustainable

+Inclusive

+Two different BIAs same DTES, same goals

Healthy, sustainable, socially inclusive, vibrant, diverse and fully functioning communities in the Downtown Eastside.

Successful and sustainable businesses that are partners in community development and contributors to a resilient local economy

A successful model for other cities to build on and be inspired by

+Questions?

Strathcona BIA CONTACT US Joji Kumagai, Executive Director

1222 East Hastings StreetVancouver, BC V6A 1S6T: 604.258.2727F: 604.258.2723strathconabia@telus.netwww.strathconabia.com

Hastings Crossing Business Improvement AssociationWesley Regan, Executive CoordinatorP.O. Box 88188418 Main StreetVancouver, BC V6A 4A5T: 604.805.3591wes.regan@hxbia.com