Business Improvement Area Subcommittee Meeting: Main Street Revitalization Project

The Business Improvement Area Subcommittee focused on the Main Street revitalization project, including the planned two-way conversion, construction staging, traffic changes, parking and loading impacts, and business-access measures ahead of a September construction start. The meeting also covered BIA administrative matters, including annual general meeting notice requirements, budget templates, outdated operating-budget and shared-parking policies, levy and grant processing, and upcoming community events.

Topics Discussed

MAIN STREET REVITALIZATION

Staff presented Item 7.1, "Main Street 2-Way Conversion and its Impact on Business Improvement Areas," as an update on a project running from Dundurn Avenue to the Delta. Mark Tadeson said "the two-way component was directed by council in 2022" and that staff had since been working to bring the project forward. Staff described the work as including road resurfacing, conversion from one-way to two-way traffic, rebuilt curb ramps, upgraded signals and lighting, and cycling facilities between Victoria Avenue and Sherman Avenue.

Brian Holler said staff brought the item to the committee because they saw it as "an opportunity perhaps to maybe not in detail in the meeting, but draw on the experiences of different BIAs through their major construction projects or pending construction projects."

CONSTRUCTION TIMELINE, STAGING, AND ACCESS

Staff said construction is expected to begin in September after a summer contract award, with completion projected by the end of 2027. Shane Given described a staged approach intended to keep traffic moving: "We'll do one side of the road first. So the entire road isn't being chewed apart." He said crews would complete intersection work halfway across the road while keeping two lanes open on the opposite side, then switch traffic over and repeat the process before final paving and line painting.

Staff also addressed coordination with nearby projects. A staff member said they were "acutely cognizant" of overlapping construction and "wouldn't envision ripping up Aberdine for the larger Aberdine project until Main Street is stabilized."

Brian also said "this Main Street 2-way project is not delaying LRT construction."

BUSINESS IMPACTS: PARKING, LOADING, AND CONSULTATION

Committee members focused on how the redesign and construction would affect businesses along the corridor. Mayor Andrea Horwath said there "will be losses in parking," including through International Village, because "the one westbound lane can't serve as a parking lane." She added that staff were still looking at possible parking "pockets" on the south side where feasible, but said those are not possible where there is a cycling lane.

Horwath also said there would likely be loading impacts because under the current road layout "it's pretty easy to pull over and do loading," while under the new design some loading "will have to occur on side streets, off street parking lots, etc."

An unidentified speaker said that "changing the corridor in terms of adding the new direction of travel," adding active transportation facilities, and changing parking "will impact businesses," and also said there "will be changes to access as well."

Staff discussed outreach measures including direct communication with businesses, project webpages, and printed notices. Christina said she was "working with cartographic services to get the mailing lists" and was seeking confirmation on whether owner names could be matched to addresses.

TRAFFIC OPERATIONS AND NEIGHBOURHOOD EFFECTS

Staff said the two-way design would change lane configurations along the corridor and require signal timing updates after construction. Discussion also touched on possible spillover traffic, turning restrictions, and access at key intersections.

The committee heard that some parking and curbside activity now accommodated on Main Street would need to shift elsewhere as part of the redesign. Horwath said those changes were "part of the two-way project."

BIA ADMINISTRATION AND POLICY UPDATES

The subcommittee reviewed administrative requirements for BIAs, including the rule that annual general meetings require 45 days' notice. Staff also said standardized budget templates would be circulated before the end of the week.

Christina told the committee two policies need updating. She said the Contribution to Operating Budget Policy approved in 2013 contains "very outdated language" and still requires funding requests to go to the BIA advisory committee for review and approval. She added that the Shared Parking Revenue Policy approved in 2010 "talks about HABIA," which she cited as an example of how old the policy is, and said it requires "a resolution of HABIA approving the expenditure request."

Staff also reported that second levy payments had been processed and asked BIAs to confirm receipt of grants and requisitions.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

The meeting closed with updates on local programming and promotions. One speaker thanked attendees who had supported a recent event, saying the mayor "gave a really great shout out to all the BIAs" for "doing the work that we do to bring community together," particularly through events.

Motions

• Motion to update the Contribution to Operating Budget Policy (2013) and the Shared Parking Revenue Policy (2010) — moved and seconded for a vote. Final disposition was not provided in the notes.

Attendees

Named participants in the discussion included: - Andrea Horwath, Mayor - Brian Holler - Mark Tadeson - Shane Given - Christina

The notes do not provide a complete attendance list for councillors present.