Update: Final format & timeline set for Pedestrian & Market Sundays in 2012

2 Apr

The Kensington Market BIA would like to officially announce the format for the 2012 season of Pedestrian Sunday Festivals, and Market Sunday road closures.

Please be advised that our official road closure format & timeline is as follows:
Pedestrian Sunday Festivals – May 27th, July 29th, and September 30th.
Market Sundays – Sundays in August and September - August 5, 12, 19, 26 & September 2, 9,16, 23.

 

Please note that although the BIA had previously stated that Market Sundays would take place in June & July, we had to modify these dates because our new seasonally-permanent custom-made gates will only be built and in place by the end of June. Rather than spend extra money on rented barricades and signs, the BIA decided to shift the dates of Market Sundays so that we could make the best use of our new road closure infrastructure.

 

* As always, a community festival planning meeting will be announced shortly to prepare for our three Pedestrian Sunday Festivals – all are welcome.  Details will be posted here shortly.

  • A Pedestrian Sunday Festival is the same format as in the previous 8 years of events.

1. No cars on the streets from 12-7pm
2. Sidewalk & On-street sales of food/art/goods
3. Programmed arts/music/multicultural entertainment in designated areas (more emphasis on acoustic this year)
4. Full market closure

  • A Market Sunday is the new format that prioritizes pedestrians throughout the market.

1. Parked cars can remain on closed streets from 12-6pm (exit-only)
2. Sidewalk sales/promotions
3. Noise by-law restrictions in effect (regular acoustic buskers will be allowed)
4. Reduced closure (Augusta remains open Dundas to Denison Sq.)

IMPORTANT: Timely accommodation can be made as needed for local residents or business owners who require vehicular access during a Market Sunday (non festival).  A handcart delivery service will also be available for all locals & customers requiring assistance with heavier items. The Pedestrian Sunday coordinator will always be on-call and on-site during festival & non-festival closures – call 416 826 2964.

Pedestrian Sunday Festivals:

  • Festival days will be created through rented barricades & signage in addition to the seasonally permanent road closure infrastructure.
  • All vehicles will be required to leave the pedestrian zone by 12pm, and remaining vehicles will be relocated to the Bellevue Green P parking lot via tow-truck.
  • The Coordinator, seasonal staff, and volunteers will be on-site to manage festivals, and open and close barricades/gates at 12pm and 7pm.
  • The Coordinator will work with local merchants, artists and performers to create an entertainment schedule that prioritizes acoustic music, and diminishes sound conflicts.

Market Sundays:

  • These un-programmed pedestrian priority zones will be created through use of the seasonally permanent infrastructure that is being installed through the City’s Public Realm Office in cooperation with the BIA.
  • Vehicles belonging to residents and merchants will be allowed to remain parked within the pedestrian priority zone and can exit-only between 12 and 6pm.
  • The Coordinator will be responsible for closing and reopening gates at 12pm and 6pm.
  • The Coordinator will be on-site to assist with any vehicular access needs or issues that arise, to ensure that noise bylaws are not broken, and ensure that neither buskers, nor illegal vendors block roadways or sidewalks.
  • Market Sundays create a pedestrian-friendly shopping environment that allows more room for people to enjoy and support Kensington Market’s >245 local independent businesses.

Community feedback can be found attached to this previous post.


BIA Board of Management Meeting: April 2nd @ 10am – Agenda

28 Mar

Location: Centre for Social Innovation
215 Spadina Ave. Suite 400
‘Think Tank’ Boardroom
Date:       Monday April 2, 2012
Time:       10am – 12:30pm

AGENDA:

1.    Call to Order by Chair

2.    Approval of Consent Agenda

3.    Declaration of Conflict of Interest

4.    Treasurer’s Report March

5.    Marketing: Review of Subcommittee recommendations, St. Stephens ad

6.    Board Social

7.    Kensington Market Mural Crew: Murals & Graffiti strategy

8.    Updates: PSK, Tree Stump Seating, Lighting/Hydro, Merchant Directory,
Garden Car, April 21st Community Clean Up Day, Heritage Study, KMAC

9.   Google Maps Proposal

10.  Other business

11.  Adjournment

Update: Pedestrian Sundays 2012 Season

19 Mar

* April 2nd update: Please note that this post is now out of date – read this latest post for the final 2012 timeline & format.

————————

Thanks very much to the Kensington Market residents and merchants who took the time to send letters of support, and of concern, regarding the BIA board of management’s initial proposal for the 2012 season of Pedestrian Sundays.

Following a review of community feedback with our Councillor, and extensive discussion at the recent March 12th BIA board of management meeting, the BIA board voted to proceed (with the support of our Councillor) with the following format for temporary road closures in 2012.

  • 3 Pedestrian Sunday Festivals on Sunday May 27th, July 29th and September 30th – from 12 to 7pm *
  • 8 Market Sundays (non-festivals which promote ‘shopping locally’) from 12 to 6pm.
    Sunday afternoons in June and July (except festival day on last Sunday of July) on June 3, 10, 17 & 24, July 1, 8, 15 & 22.

* As always, a community festival planning meeting will be announced shortly – all are welcome.  Details will be posted here shortly.

  • A Pedestrian Sunday Festival is the same format as in the previous 8 years of events.

1. No cars on the streets from 12-7pm
2. Sidewalk & On-street sales of food/art/goods
3. Programmed arts/music/multicultural entertainment in designated areas (more emphasis on acoustic this year)
4. Full market closure

  • A Market Sunday is the new format that prioritizes pedestrians throughout the market.

1. Parked cars can remain on closed streets from 12-6pm (exit-only)
2. Sidewalk sales/promotions
3. Noise by-law restrictions in effect (regular acoustic buskers will be allowed)
4. Reduced closure (Augusta remains open Dundas to Denison Sq.)

IMPORTANT: Timely accommodation can be made as needed for local residents or business owners who require vehicular access during a Market Sunday (non festival).  A handcart delivery service will also be available for all locals & customers requiring assistance with heavier items. The Pedestrian Sunday coordinator will always be on-call and on-site during festival & non-festival closures – call 416 826 2964.

Market Sundays:

  • These un-programmed pedestrian priority zones will be created through use of the seasonally permanent infrastructure that is being installed by the City’s Public Realm Office in cooperation with the BIA.
  • Vehicles belonging to residents and merchants will be allowed to remain parked within the pedestrian priority zone and can exit-only between 12 and 6pm.
  • The Coordinator will be responsible for closing and reopening gates at 12pm and 6pm.
  • The Coordinator will be on-site to assist with any vehicular access needs or issues that arise, to ensure that noise bylaws are not broken, and ensure that neither buskers, nor illegal vendors block roadways or sidewalks.

Pedestrian Sunday Festivals:

  • Festival days will be created through rented barricades & signage in addition to the seasonally permanent road closure infrastructure.
  • All vehicles will be required to leave the pedestrian zone by 12pm, and remaining vehicles will be relocated to the Bellevue Green P parking lot via tow-truck.
  • The Coordinator, seasonal staff, and volunteers will be on-site to manage festivals, and open and close barricades/gates at 12pm and 7pm.
  • The Coordinator will work with local merchants, artists and performers to create an entertainment schedule that prioritizes acoustic music, and diminishes sound conflicts.

Please Note: these community road-closure events can only happen through collaboration with city staff and various departments.  Plans will need to be reevaluated if a work disruption (lockout or strike) takes place in the coming days.

 

Invitation: The 2012 Taxicab Industry Review

19 Mar

“The City of Toronto has commenced the 2012 Taxicab Industry Review, and the Municipal Licensing and Standards Division is exploring how to improve the taxicab industry. They invite BIA’s and the riding public to share their recommendations and attend one or more of the following consultations:
Consultation 5: Taxicab Riders and Related Industry 
Thursday, March 29, 2012, 9 am – 12 pm (Advance registration is mandatory.)
City Hall Member’s Lounge, 100 Queen Street West M5H 2N2
The riding public is invited to attend this 3-hour session to discuss how to enhance the taxicab industry.
Consultation 6: Taxicab Riders and Related Industry 
Thursday, March 29, 2012, 1 pm – 4 pm
City Hall Member’s Lounge, 100 Queen Street West M5H 2N2
The riding public is invited to drop-in at any time between 1 and 4 pm to discuss how to enhance the taxicab industry. (Advance registration is not required.)
Consultation 12: Customer Service and Technology 
Monday, April 16, 2012, 1 pm – 4 pm (Advance registration is mandatory.)
City Hall Member’s Lounge, 100 Queen Street West M5H 2N2
All stakeholders and the public are invited to discuss how to enhance the taxicab industry, such as through customer service, technology and other amenities.
For a complete consultations schedule, and to register online, visit http://www.toronto.ca/licensing/taxireview/consultations.htm.   Those who cannot attend are invited to join our mailing list and leave their comments online or at (416) 338-3095.
For more information, you may contact:
Carol Ramchuram
Training and Development Specialist
Policy and Planning Services
Municipal Licensing and Standards
City Hall, West Tower, 16th Floor
100 Queen Street West
Toronto, Ontario  M5H 2N2
Telephone: (416) 392-3388
Email: cramchu@toronto.ca ”

BIA Board of Management Meeting: March 12th @10am – Agenda

6 Mar

Location: Centre for Social Innovation,
215 Spadina Ave. Suite 400 ‘Alterna Boardroom’
Date:       Monday March 12, 2012
Time:       10am – 12:30pm

AGENDA:
1.    Call to Order by Chair
2.    Approval of Consent Agenda
3.    Declaration of Conflict of Interest
4.    Treasurer’s Report – February
5.    PSK update & format discussion
6.    Kensington Market Mural Crew: Murals & Graffiti strategy
7.    Marketing: Review of Subcommittee recommendations
8.    Updates: Tree Stump Seating, Lighting/Hydro, Merchant Directory
9.    Review of Roberts Rules of Order
10.  Other business
11.  Adjournment

Commercial Facade Improvement Program for BIAs – Funding assistance to improve your storefront!

20 Feb

The City offers grants to eligible commercial property owners for the improvements to commercial building façades. This could include replacing or repairing windows, doors, lighting, awnings, brickwork, signage, or making building entrances wheelchair accessible.

The 2012 Commercial Façade Improvement Program application will be available here March 1, 2012. For more information about this program, attend an open house Thursday, April 12, 2012 from 6 to 8 p.m., at Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen Street West, 2nd floor, Committee Room #3.

Proposal for 2012 season of Pedestrian Sundays

10 Feb

PEDESTRIAN SUNDAYS IN KENSINGTON MARKET - PROPOSAL FOR 2012 SEASON

Based on feedback received through an online survey, via community meetings in October & November of 2011, and discussions with area stakeholders, the Kensington Market BIA proposes the following schedule of festival & non-festival events for 2012.

Definitions:

  • A Pedestrian Sunday Festival is the same format as in the previous 8 years of events.

1. No cars on the streets from 12-7pm
2. Sidewalk & On-street sales of food/art/goods
3. Programmed arts/music/multicultural entertainment in designated areas
4. Full market closure

  • A Pedestrian Sunday is the new format that prioritizes pedestrians throughout the market.

1. Parked cars can remain on closed streets from 12-6pm (exit-only)
2. Sidewalk sales/promotions
3. Noise by-law restrictions in effect
4. Reduced closure (Augusta remains open Dundas to Denison Sq.)

IMPORTANT: Timely accommodation can be made as needed for local residents or business owners who require vehicular access during a Pedestrian Sunday (non festival).  A handcart delivery service will also be available for all locals & customers requiring assistance with heavier items. The Pedestrian Sunday coordinator will always be on-call and on-site during festival & non-festival closures – call 416 826 2964.

Proposal:
Pedestrian Sunday Festivals: 12-7pm May 27th, July 29th, and September 30th
Pedestrian Sundays: 12-6pm June 3,10, 17, 24 July 1, 8, 15, 22 Aug. 5, 12, 19, 25 Sept. 2, 9, 16, 23.

 

Why Pedestrian Sundays?

  • Kensington Market is busier than ever, the narrow sidewalks overflow on weekends, and changing consumer trends have put added pressure on some of Kensington’s merchants.
  • Although the enormously successful Pedestrian Sunday Festivals bring thousands of visitors to the area and have helped to revitalize the neighbourhood, Pedestrian Sundays aim to further promote and ingrain the market as a unique and thriving shopping destination with something for everyone.
  • Open-air pedestrian marketplaces have an almost universal appeal – the proposed Sunday afternoon pedestrian zones will help Kensington’s independent business community to prosper.

Why fewer Pedestrian Sunday Festivals?

  • Feedback received via the survey and consultations indicated that although most recognized the overall value of these events to the market, some residents and merchants found the noisy & crowded festival atmosphere to be overwhelming at times. 
  • The BIA also recognized that since many merchants do very good business on festival days, they should not shift entirely to un-programmed pedestrian zones. 
  • This proposal reflects a compromise that will help to reduce the volume of noisy crowds, and spread the opportunity to enjoy Kensington’s unique pedestrian-priority marketplace over the whole summer, with celebratory festivals at the start, middle and end of the season.

How:

Pedestrian Sundays:

  • These un-programmed pedestrian priority zones will be created through use of the seasonally permanent infrastructure that is being installed by the City’s Public Realm Office in cooperation with the BIA.
  • Vehicles belonging to residents and merchants will be allowed to remain parked within the pedestrian priority zone and can exit-only between 12 and 6pm.
  • The Coordinator will be responsible for closing and reopening gates at 12pm and 6pm.
  • The Coordinator will be on-site to assist with any vehicular access needs or issues that arise, to ensure that noise bylaws are not broken, and ensure that neither buskers, nor illegal vendors block roadways or sidewalks.

Pedestrian Sunday Festivals:

  • Festival days will be created through rented barricades & signage in addition to the seasonally permanent road closure infrastructure.
  • All vehicles will be required to leave the pedestrian zone by 12pm, and remaining vehicles will be relocated to the Bellevue Green P parking lot via tow-truck.
  • The Coordinator, seasonal staff, and volunteers will be on-site to manage festivals, and open and close barricades/gates at 12pm and 7pm.
  • The Coordinator will work with local merchants, artists and performers to create an entertainment schedule that prioritizes acoustic music, and diminishes sound conflicts.

Questions & feedback regarding this proposal can be submitted until March 1st via email or telephone.
Email to: councillor_vaughan@toronto.ca & coordinator@kensingtonmarketbia.ca
Phone: 416 392 4044 (Councillor Vaughan) & 416 826 2964 (BIA Coordinator, Yvonne Bambrick)

—————————

Please find attached a pdf copy of this proposal, along with consultation survey & dotmocracy* results.

* The meeting at which the dotmocracy exercise was conducted, took place on a day with torrential downpour which affected attendance – only 34 people were in attendance. Colour Code: Blue = Merchants, Green = Residents, Red = Visitors (only merchants & residents participated in the dotmocracy exercise.)

PSK 2012 Proposal – Community Notice Feb_12

PSK 2012 Surveybasic_11292011

Question 1 – Frequency of Pedestrian Priority Zones

Question 2 – Frequency of Regular PSKensington Festivals

Question 3 – How to handle live music levels

BIA Meeting Reminder: February 13th @10am – Agenda

8 Feb

Location: Centre for Social Innovation,
215 Spadina Ave. Suite 400 ‘Think Tank’
Date:       Monday February 13th, 2012
Time:       10am – 12:30pm

AGENDA:

  1. Call to Order by Chair
  2. Approval of Consent Agenda
  3. Declaration of Conflict of Interest
  4. Treasurer’s Report
  5. Patio bylaws
  6. Meeting Date Review
  7. Marketing: Fish Eye proposal review, Merchant Directory Design
  8. Garden Car
  9. Updates: Tree Stump Stools Selection Committee, Nearby development (Bathurst/Nassau & Scadding Court), PSK 2012
  10. Review of Roberts Rules of Order
  11. Other business
  12. Adjournment

 

 

@Kensington_BIA – we’re on Twitter!

23 Jan

You can now follow the BIA on Twitter via our official account – @Kensington_BIA. (Kensington_BIA)

We’ll tweet updates about area news, links to news clippings featuring our members and the Kensington Market neighbourhood (we’re in the news quite a bit actually!), and we’ll RT (re-tweet) updates from local merchants that also use this form of social media.

So, if you’re on Twitter, give us a follow!

 

(Please note: the twitter account ‘KensingtonBIA’ is maintained by someone who is not affiliated with the Kensington Market Business Improvement Area.  Our requests to stop using this misleading account name, and falsely representing our BIA, have been unsuccessful)

Market News: Snow Clearing & Lighting Improvements!

23 Jan

SNOW CLEARING 

While reviewing projects & goals for 2012, the Kensington Market BIA board identified snowy sidewalk intersections and blocked drains/pooling as a persistent market-wide issue during the winter months.  An amount was set-aside in this year’s budget to help better manage this issue, and remove the burden from local merchants. We are pleased to report that our 3-month supplementary snow-clearing contract has just begun.

As needed between January 15th and April 15th, our private contractor will undertake the following snow clearing to keep problem areas clear for pedestrians throughout Kensington Market:

1. Clearing of snow from all asphalt areas;

-  Where the sidewalks meet the road at each main intersection in Kensington Market.
o    Augusta at College
o    Augusta at Oxford
o    Augusta at Nassau
o    Augusta at Baldwin
o    Augusta at Denison Sq.
o    Augusta at Wales
o    Augusta at Dundas
o    Kensington at Baldwin
o    Kensington at St. Andrews
o    Kensington at Dundas

-   Clearing the drains nearest to each of these intersections.
-   Clearing the pedestrian laneway between the SE corner of the Green P Parking lot on Bellevue, to Augusta Ave.

As per city bylaws, merchants and residents are encouraged to continue to do their part in keeping sidewalks clear of ice and snow following foul winter weather.

 

PEDESTRIAN SCALE LIGHTING

For many years, locals have complained about the lack of adequate lighting throughout the market – an issue of particular concern during the fall & winter when there are fewer daylight hours.  The BIA recognized this as a top priority and allocated a portion of our budget to address lighting improvements as a Capital Cost-shared project with the City.

We are pleased to announce that Stage one of our application for capital cost-shared Pedestrian Scale Lighting improvements was approved as part of the January 17 budget process at City Hall.

The city has agreed to undertake this 50/50 capital cost sharing project with the BIA for the stage one component of our 65 clamp-on pedestrian lights project that involves the completion of design and engineering drawings in 2012.  The strategy is to have our BIA’s technical drawings for the project completed and approved so that the BIA office can request Stage two funding (the City’s share) for the supply and installation of the lighting in 2013.

Please note that the clamp-on lights will be affixed to existing Toronto Hydro poles at a height that will provide more light at street level.  The BIA was careful to select a fixture that has ‘0% uplight’ – the light will be focused towards the street in order to avoid additional light pollution for residents.

More details about this project will be posted here as they become available.

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