St. John's Dowtown Develop Commission

In March, 1989, the City of St. John's passed a by-law establishing the Downtown St. John's Business Improvement Area (BIA). The BIA is a set geographic area and was formed at the request of the downtown business community following the completion of a Main Street Canada project. The St. John's Downtown Development Commission was created to administer the activities of the BIA. The BIA concept was pioneered in the Bloor West Village in Toronto in 1969 and has enjoyed widespread popularity throughout North America.

Programs which are undertaken by the Business Improvement Area are funded by the municipal levy which is assessed on all business tax payers within the designated area. The rate of taxation for the BIA is set at 10% of the assessed business occupancy tax. The objectives of the BIA are achieved through the strategic planning of the Board of Management comprised of business people within the area. The City of St. John's approves the BIA budget, collects the revenue through the municipal tax system, and allocates the funds to the Board of Management. For specific questions regarding your BIA Levy assessment, please contact the Tax Department at City Hall, 576-8930.

Copies of the BIA By-Law, minutes of the monthly Board meetings, and financial statements are available upon request to any member in good standing of the Business Improvement Area. Meetings are usually held on the first Wednesday of each month and all members of the BIA are welcome to attend. Please call the DDC office at 579-4139 for more details.

Advantages of the BIA Include:

Provide the Downtown Development Commission with a stable source of funding to initiate capital improvements in the downtown core, generic promotion and special events to raise the profile of the area.
Encourages co-operation between City Council and downtown businesses through the Joint Council/DDC Committee. Chaired by Deputy Mayor Marie White, the Committee is comprised of DDC Board members, Councillor Frank Galgay, and senior City staff. The Committee meets monthly to provide a direct way to bring downtown issues to the forefront.
Allows the members of the BIA to benefit form the collective lobbying power of over 450 stores and services and underlines the commitment of each business to the revitalization of the area.