What is a BIA and how does it work?

A Business Improvement Area (BIA) is a geographical area that is established through municipal By-law and is governed under The Municipal Act of Ontario. With support from the municipality, a BIA coordinates the organization, physical improvement and economic development of the business area. BIAs are governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, composed of businesses, property owners, persons voted in by rate-paying members and at least one member of municipal Council.

The Board of Directors are elected every four years in conjunction with Municipal elections. The Board represents the BIA membership and advocates on their behalf. The BIA holds an Annual General Meeting, at which point annual budgets are approved by the membership.

Uptown Waterloo BIA

The Uptown Waterloo BIA, formed in 1972. We are an agency of the municipality that is financed by a levy on each property owner in the Uptown Waterloo BIA boundary. Although we work independently from the Corporation of the City of Waterloo, the Uptown Waterloo BIA has a very close relationship with the City and we partner on many projects together.

 

Vision

The Uptown Waterloo BIA is committed to work in partnership with the community to:

  • Create a distinctive Uptown that provides a safe, lively, accessible and attractive place to live, learn, work, shop and play in all seasons
  • Achieve a sense of place in which future growth develops in harmony with the City’s historic character and attributes
  • Guide our actions by considering what is beneficial for people and their environment
  • Achieve this vision which will require the collective efforts of all its citizens to build consensus and create momentum toward a vibrant, people oriented, city core

 

The role of the Uptown Waterloo BIA in redevelopment is clear: to aid and assist the interests of Uptown business with relevance to consumer markets, neighbourhood residences, overall aesthetic, and the continued positive evolution of the Uptown core. The Uptown Waterloo BIA is a partner in helping to steer and direct the process of redevelopment.

Uptown BIA Boundary Map