We are the Waterfront District
Who we are
The Waterfront District is the official organization of all of the businesses within the district. The Waterfront District consists of more than 130+ members. Our members are a wide range of businesses – from restaurants and bars to specialty shops and everything in between.
Our members represent the growth and revitalization of the north core. We also work to help bring new businesses, work with existing businesses, help improve the quality of life in the district, work to help businesses economically and much more. Our focus is growth and continued success for all of our members.
What's a BIA
A Business Improvement Area (BIA) is a not-for-profit association of the property owners and businesses in a geographic district within a municipality.
A BIA is managed by a volunteer Board of Management. The Board of Management is comprised of business and/or property owners and at least one member of municipal council.
Every property and business within the BIA area is automatically included in the BIA membership and contributes to the BIA budget through a special levy (tax). The levy is paid by the property owners and businesses within the boundaries. The Board of Management establishes the budget every year which is presented to the BIA membership then submitted to City Council for approval.
Programs & Services
- Planters and flowers
- Street banners
- Garbage cans
- Star lights and tree lighting
- Decorative tree guards
- Bike racks
- Seasonal decorations
- Annual spring clean up
- Special Events
- Advertising & promotion
- Social Media & Website
- Sponsorship donations
- BIA Bucks for donations
- Promoting shop.eat.play … stay
- Promoting live, work and do business
BIA Goals
All BIA’s have the same goal – to encourage more traffic and ultimately increase traffic and sales in their downtown business district. The BIA acts as a unifying body for its membership, local business people working together with the support of the municipality to make their BIA a “destination” and not only for its retailers and restaurants but its professional and cultural assets as well.The Waterfront District’s priority areas continue to focus on maintaining essential services to all its members, and being a partner in addressing downtown development and growth including:
- Revitalizing the downtown area through regular maintenance, façade improvements, streetscape and public art programs, special events and seasonal decorations, business recruitment, promotions and municipal partnership.
- Promoting the district as a place to shop, eat, play … stay, live, work ~ do business.
Boundaries of the Waterfront District BIA:
