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Projects of the ABIA

July 25, 2013   ·   0 Comments

Dear editor:

Thank you for your continued support, creative suggestions and energy as we continue to strive to make the ABIA business area the best it can be.

Through fostering economic development and revitalization within the ABIA, one of our missions is to stimulate a new impetus for tourism and investment leading to increased business activity.

The work achieved by the ABIA helps not just the member businesses but also adds enormous benefit for the surrounding community and residents, which is money well spent and it shows as we have experienced the lowest vacancy rate in years and increased investment by property owners to upgrade their valuable assets.

The board of the ABIA wishes to share with you the highlights of the past 4 months and is looking forward to continuing our work together to strengthen the ABIA.

Graffiti Removal: We continue our contract with Good-Bye Graffiti for removal of all graffiti within the ABIA.The attractiveness of our ABIA core and the member properties is paramount to driving change. Please make the investment to drive business.

For any graffiti removals please contact Christine 705-435-1787.

Farm Fresh/Farmers Market: For the second year we are members of Farm Fresh. Director Roham Davoodian is now on the Board of Directors for Farm Fresh and continues to grow the Farmers Market, which has now begun its 3rd season. The Farmers Market is a vital project within our strategic plan to drive consumers to the ABIA catchment area. Please support our Farmers Market operating on

Mill Street every Saturday 8 a.m. – 2 p.m.

Riverbank Clean up: Beginning in May the ABIA board has authorized the expenditure of funds necessary to clean up the trees and foliage on the riverbanks south side. The last project to clean up this area was conducted 6 summers ago and the combination of beavers, storms and water damage has made this necessary to ensure the riverbank is well represented. We are still working with the Town, the Rotary Club and the Lions Club on a long-term riverbank project including the possibility of a proper trail system that ties the villages of the West and the East together.

Retail Hours: The ABIA wishes to begin a strategy where all of our retail services within the ABIA maintain the same hours including some consistent evening hours on Thursday and Friday evenings. The purpose of this is to provide an opportunity to our many bedroom communities and new residents to shop local. The Board of Directors plans to do a large-scale marketing roll out to support our merchants with this important initiative.

Ace Rental: The ABIA worked closely with town officials concerning the structural integrity of properties vacated within the downtown core at Victoria Street West. Although removal has been trying we are thankful no injury has occurred and pleased to see some progress.

Adjala Tosorontio: The ABIA vehemently objected and defended the ABIA interests concerning the Highway 89 Industrial Township Initiated Zoning By-law Amendment,Highway “89 Employment LandsTownship of Adjala – Tosorontio”. The ABIA attended several public meetings making formal deputations followed by written objection, and used local media to express their objection to the Highway 89 Corridor. The ABIA conveyed consistently that the Adjala-Tosorontio Highway 89 zoning by-law amendment is not the appropriate location as their proposed uses conflict with and match businesses that are currently established within the municipality of the Town of New Tecumseth.

Mill Street: The ABIA requested a deputation to Council to receive endorsement and direction to staff to refine traffic data. This was to determine specific turning movements as well as the direction and volume of traffic at the peak hours of operation in consideration of a future pedestrian street on Mill Street. This took place at the major intersections of Paris Street and Victoria Street, Mill Street and Victoria Street, Dominion Street and Church Street, and Victoria Street and Church Street.

Library Phase Two: The long awaited second phase of the Alliston Library project is underway with Director Rose Taylor, and Treasurer Ken Brisco chairing. Rose and Ken are working on some slight modifications to the original plans, for further information contact Ken Brisco at 705-435-5678

Patios: A recent trend in urban communities has been to allow parking spaces to be utilized as patios as a means of augmenting the public realm, animating the urban environment and allowing for economic opportunity and flexibility within a tight urban fabric. The ABIA requested council to allow ABIA restaurants to create such spaces as a pilot project and were granted this opportunity late in the 2012 season. The 2013 patio season will be opening soon with R+P Farms.

The ABIA’s “CRACK and BACK” Program: is ongoing to remind all business and property owners that the sidewalk from the first “CRACK” back to your premises is your responsibility to keep clean. That said we should all be responsible to ensure the ABIA area is litter free. In addition, we are very proud to announce that the ABIA was declared the winner of the cleanest downtown during National Pitch-In Week and were awarded the coveted bronze broom.

Flower Program: Last spring a new pilot program was launched where five businesses were provided large flowerpots for the exterior of their storefronts to create a better curb appeal. The businesses are responsible for the quality, content, and care of the pots to a high standard throughout all seasons or they lose the use of the pots. This spring the program has expanded and 6 new businesses will receive flowerpots.Should you wish to become involved with the rest, please reach out to Christine.

Relationship With Town: The ABIA continues to strengthen the relationships with various town departments through active communication with Public Works, Economic Development, Planning, Engineering, Parks, Recreation & Culture, and the Clerks department/Bylaw. Thanks to Councillor Bob Marrs and Mayor Mike MacEachern for all of their time and support.

Hospital Auxiliary Conference/ OSUM Conference: ABIA was well represented at the Hospital Auxiliary Conference and Ontario Small Urban Municipalities Conference at the Nottawasaga Inn at the beginning of May. The ABIA passed out anchor store pamphlets to hundreds of delegates, companions, and trade show participants encouraging them to attend our many amazing merchants and services.

ADCC and ABIA: The ABIA was well represented at the ADCC Home Show all weekend long by various board members and coordinator. The weekend was spent passing out information about the services and merchants available within the ABIA. Lastly, many thanks to the ADCC and their Executive Director Crystal Kellard with their help we have cultivated an important relationship with the Command at Base Borden.

Benches: ABIA has ordered 8 new 6 ft rod iron backless benches and 4 new rod iron trash/ recycle combination receptacles for the downtown core.

The Mayor’s Breakfast: The ABIA co-sponsored a very successful Mayor’s Breakfast in early May with the Town of New Tecumseth EDAC, ADCC, BTDCC, and the BTBIA. The breakfast took place at the Club at Bond Head. The guest speaker Rob Spanier enthusiastically explained how a rigorous process of consensus building, asset leverage, business planning, partnership building, and diligent implementation to drive tourism can deliver dynamic downtowns and mix use neighbourhoods.

Marketing RFP: A marketing RFP was submitted to several firms in early 2013. Three of our board executives have met with the firms vying for the ABIA contract with a second set of meetings scheduled for June 20th. The Board of Directors wishes the chosen firm to place emphasis on making Alliston a destination entwined with the birthplace of Sir Frederick Banting.

Renew Tecumseth: Renew New Tecumseth, which is officially known as the Renew New Tecumseth Arts & Business Association, is a Not-for-Profit corporation that finds short and medium term uses for buildings that are currently vacant, disused or awaiting development in New Tecumseth’s downtown cores which include Alliston, Beeton, and Tottenham. The ABIA has supported the Renew New Tecumseth initiative from its inception and holds a seat on their board.

Community Improvement Plan: The Town of New Tecumseth offers incentive grants to promote the conservation, enhancement and beautification of buildings in the Community Improvement Plan (CIP) Area. In addition, the ABIA provides a grant in concurrence with the Town of New Tecumseth CIP, it is provided by the ABIA for ABIA merchants and service providers to a maximum of 10 percent of the total CIP application grant. The ABIA provides the funds upon approval of the CIP application by the Town of New Tecumseth. Many of our local merchants have taken advantage of this amazing program including Nan’s, Brisco’s, Details, Paper Moon, and The Circle Theatre.

Parking: The ABIA Board of Directors would like to impress upon all merchant and service providers the importance of owners and staff not taking up prime parking spaces on Victoria Street.

Social Media: The ABIA consistently posts events on social media, if you have an event you would like posted please contact Christine Brayford 705-435-1787.

Congratulations to: Above and Beyond Learning Experience who won the award for the Promotion and Advancement of Literacy at the Nottawasaga Futures 2013 Business Excellence Awards.

Alliston’s Scotiabank, who won the Alliston and District Chamber of Commerce Community Development Award.

Sophie’s Sweets Cafe & Cake Shoppe, who won the Alliston and District Chamber of Commerce New Business Award.

New Businesses: Ardene’s, Brisco’s Mattress World, Mark Evers Photography Serendipity Furniture, Rocco’s Sisters Place,The Divinity Yoga Studio.

Remaining events for 2013:

• Art on Main May 25-June 12

• Battle of the Brushes June 8

• Summer Solstice Run June 18

• Potato Festival August 9-11

• Banting Days November 12-17

• Hometown Christmas November 23

We continue to invite all business and property owners to reach out to your board members, share your views, and attend the board meetings.

For further Information regarding any content within the newsletter please contact Christine Brayford at 705-435-1787, abia@newtecumseth.ca

ABIA Board of Directors

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