We begin by thanking the members of the Academy”… well, not that kind of award but certainly one that reflects recognition by our peers and the City of Toronto. The STREETSCAPE AWARD was presented to the Danforth Village BIA (DVBIA) for the commitment, efforts and leadership of the Board of Management in bringing capital improvements to our community. It is an honour for the DVBIA to receive this recognition having been nominated by the City of Toronto through the Economic Development Department. The Toronto Association of Business Improvement Areas (TABIA) Streetscape Award reflects many months that our business owners, operators, property owners and representatives have put into planning, preparing and introducing this project for the improvement of our neighbourhood.
John Wakulat (Chair, TABIA), Andrew Flint, Louie Dapergolas (Chair, DVBIA)
TABIA is a non-profit umbrella organization representing more than 35,000 business & property owners and working with over 78 Business Improvement Areas (BIA’s) within the City of Toronto, including the Danforth Village BIA. Each year, TABIA holds a special evening event to provide recognition in a number of categories for the work of individual BIA’s that has been done on behalf of local member businesses. Successful category winners are chosen from nominations put forward from BIA’s, TABIA, and the City, to a selection committee that evaluates criteria and determines the recipients.
The DVBIA Board of Management accepts the Streetscape Award on behalf of 250 store front businesses, over 120 secondary businesses, independent retailers, “majors” like RIO CAN, Leon’s, Canadian Tire, Main Square and those who come to the Danforth Village to Walk, Shop & Dine.
In June, the DVBIA in collaboration with the City of Toronto launched the capital improvement project. The objective of this project is to beautify the area, repair, update the roads and sidewalks to create a safer and more attractive environment for visitors, residents and businesses.
As part of the capital improvement project, the DVBIA installed pedestrian lights throughout the entire area as an initiative that came from the Community Safety Program. These lights benefit our store fronts and visitors by giving additional light to the sidewalks making the area more inviting. They are a result of dedication and significant investment from our member businesses. Further, these pedestrian light poles have become the “new home” to the floral arrangements.
Keep a watchful eye on those floral hoops during the month of December as seasonal lights emerge and bring a festive flavour to our unique stretch of the Danforth.