Welcome to Our BIA
We promote local businesses and the vibrancy of the neighbourhood.
Improving our Neighbourhood
The BIA’s initiatives are guided by core principles that focus on promoting local businesses and the vibrancy of the neighbourhood, advocating on issues that affect our stakeholders and community, collaborating with businesses, developers, residents, government partners, and community groups, and enhancing the area by prioritizing safety, cleanliness, and beautification.
The BIA enhances the neighbourhood through public-realm programs, including flower baskets and planters, ongoing maintenance, and pole wraps. We also improve public spaces through placemaking, adding furniture, landscaping, decking, and public art. In addition, we activate these spaces with free public events that help drive foot traffic to the area.
What is a BIA
A Business Improvement Area (BIA) is an association of commercial properties and businesses within a defined area who work in partnership to create a thriving, successful and safe business area that attracts tourists, local visitors and even new businesses. This collective has the organizational and funding capacity to enhance the quality of life in its local neighbourhood and advocates for civic improvement for the benefit of all.
Toronto currently has over 80 BIAs, the largest number of any urban centre in the world. The Toronto Downtown West BIA is a member of the Downtown Toronto Business Improvement Area Alliance, a coalition of six major BIAs working together to strengthen the economic vitality, public spaces, and cultural vibrancy of Toronto’s core.
Member Services
We support our members and the neighbourhood through strategic marketing and communications, advocacy, and on-the-ground initiatives that enhance safety, public spaces, and place identity. Our work includes digital and print promotions, the Table 6ix podcast, member communications and events, coordinated safety and security efforts, and advocacy on key issues affecting the district. We also lead placemaking and public-realm initiatives, from public space activations and events to streetscape improvements, wayfinding, and year-round beautification and maintenance.
Our Team
We're here to help.
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Janice Solomon
Executive Director
jsolomon@tdwbia.ca -
Dana Duncanson
Managing Director
dduncanson@tdwbia.ca -
Mike Josifovic
Director, Safety & Security
mjosifovic@tdwbia.ca -
Anojan Sathasivam
Director, Planning & Public Realm
asathasivam@tdwbia.ca -
Diego Almaraz De La Garza
Senior Manager, Placemaking & Operations
dalmaraz@tdwbia.ca -
Justine Smith
Manager, Marketing & Communications
jsmith@tdwbia.ca -
Nadine Macandog
Manager, Social Media
nmacandog@tdwbia.ca -
Shelby Lee
Manager, Member Experience
slee@tdwbia.ca
Frequently Asked Questions
Benefit from BIA Membership
BIA membership provides access to business support, advocacy, marketing opportunities, public-realm improvements, and resources that strengthen your connection to the neighbourhood.