More accessible BIA has big plans to revive downtown Richmond Hill

Village core boasts 340 businesses in 96 buildings

Yorkregion.com
Nov. 18, 2015
By Kim Zarzour

The “jewel” in Richmond Hill’s crown may need a little buffing, but the town’s new Business Improvement Area is up for the job.

At this week’s grand opening of the BIA offices on Yonge Street, chairperson Mehrdad Sabouhi said his organization’s innovative new strategies will help bring life back to the village core.

“The BIA has ambitious plans,” he said. “We have new ideas and a bright vision. We are very excited for the future.”

The BIA is a non-profit community organization dedicated to the wellbeing of the historic village of Richmond Hill.

The organization unveiled its new storefront location at 10097 Yonge St., in the Tridel Renaissance building, just north of Major Mackenzie Drive, and fresh plans to improve the downtown at an event Tuesday evening.

As the crowd milled on the Yonge Street sidewalk sharing treats from nearby businesses, including cupcakes from Ginger’s and Persian desserts from B.B. Cafe, Sabouhi outlined plans underway to revive the village core.

“I’m proud to say that for the first time, the BIA has an office on street level facing Yonge Street, allowing wheelchair access for the public and better visibility in a prime location.”

Until it moved this month, the 10-member BIA, composed of local residents, business leaders and town councillors, had been based out of a second floor unit in an older building opposite and a little south of the theatre.

Sabouhi said the BIA spent the past six weeks compiling a database of businesses in downtown Richmond Hill.

There are more than 340 active businesses in 96 commercial buildings in the main and side streets extending from Yonge and Major Mackenzie north to Crosby Avenue.

Many are occupied by top surgeons and lawyers, along with businesses and services that work locally and internationally, he said.

However, there are still 38 units in the village core that remain vacant and some longtime businesses, such as Cafe En Passant, have closed or moved away.

Sabouhi said the BIA hopes to attract businesses to the area with a variety of strategies, including free websites and marketing plans.

“Many businesses are old school, have been here for many years and don’t even have emails. We were able to talk to them, face to face, and for the first time ever, connect with them.”

As well, there are plans for streetscape improvements, a new website to promote the area and special events.

The BIA has established a partnership with the Centre for the Performing Arts to show videos featuring the downtown in advance of shows at the theatre.

“There’s 600 people sitting there, a perfect time for us to promote the village. They should be entertaining, though. Kids should laugh and enjoy the video.”

The videos may also be posted to Facebook and members’ websites and will be sent as promotional material to real estate agents.

As well, the BIA plans to print 20,000 “Village Pages” books - a spin on Yellow Pages that include a directory, maps of parking, cafes, photos of old Richmond Hill and a village history.

This week’s launch included Richmond Hill MPP Reza Moridi, Mayor Dave Barrow, Chamber of Commerce board chairperson Hon. Bryon Wilfert and Ward 4 Councillor David West.

“This will bring more feet on the street and a more vibrant downtown that people will choose as a destination to shop,” Barrow said.

Moridi, too, expressed optimism for a renewed downtown.

“The village area is the jewel in the crown and the amount of energy and investment here ... will improve the face of our town,” he told those gathered for the BIA opening.

The new theatre and artwork such as the Terry Fox statue enhance the area, he said, “and if town hall moves back, that will make an enormous difference, too.”

For more, visit villageofrichmondhill.ca.