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“Long Live Queen West” has been our catch phrase during this pandemic time embodying the resilience and history of our amazing BIA (Business Improvement Area). This QSWBIA QR code which you have scanned is meant to deliver upcoming programming information to our area members in a Covid19 friendly manner. Some of these initiatives have been curated for businesses to engage and participate in, with the goal of raising our community’s visibility and remind Toronto that Queen Street West is a flagship neighbourhood to shop, dine and do business in. If your business would like to be featured in one of these projects please contact us at queenstreetto@gmail.com so that we can provide you more information and you can stay in tune with all of the happenings on Queen Street West.
CafeTO
The CaféTO program aims to provide space for expanded outdoor dining areas to help some restaurants and bars who are impacted by COVID-19. Restaurants and bars operating in Toronto must follow current public health guidelines as developed by Toronto Public Health and the Province of Ontario. The Queen Street West BIA is working hard to make sure all businesses on Queen St West that want to participate have the opportunity to have a curb lane or side flank-age patio. There are two rounds of applications - the first one closing on March 26th.
"The new Ontario Small Business Support Grant, is a forgivable grant of up to $20000, which will help small businesses that are required to close or significantly restrict services under the new Provincewide Shutdown. The deadline to apply for the Ontario Small Business Grant is March 31st, 2021.
The expansion of the Creative Co-Location Facilities Property Tax Subclasses to include live music venues was initiated in 2020 as part of the City’s COVID-19 recovery efforts and is consistent with City Council directives to promote Toronto as a city that values music and musicians.
As we emerge from the winter months the Queen West BIA made use over this past season of a winter grant from the City of Toronto and conducted some snow bank removal to help keep the BIA sidewalks and pedestrian pathways clear and safe in the winter months.
In the summer of 2021 the Queen Street West BIA will be completing a long planned streetscape improvement project with designs by renown firm PMA architects. The streetscape improvements will feature new tree guards, bicycle stands, street murals, Indigenous art installation, a marquee gateway sculpture and new seating. The culmination will create a cultural corridor that will make the Queen St West retail area one of the most engaged and inviting parts to shop, see and be seen in the city. To find out more about this upcoming streetscape improvement please email queenstreetto@gmail.com and put "Streetscape" in the subject line.
The Ontario Line project, by Metrolinx, will be extending a subway line underneath Queen Street West with a new subway station at the intersection of Queen Street West and Spadina. The project is in the planning phases and will be moving to tendering within the year. Queen Street West BIA will be creating a portal for ongoing information and updates for Metrolinx construction as it pertains to the Queen Street West neighbourhood. Learn more about the Project here: http://www.metrolinx.com/ontario-line
To register for ongoing information and updates regarding the Ontario Line construction please email queenstreetto@gmail.com with "Ontario Line" in the subject line.
The Commercial – Industrial Façade and Property Improvement Program provides funding to commercial and industrial property owners to redesign, renovate or restore commercial or industrial building façades.
Deadline for applications is May 6th, 2021. For information about Facade Improvements for Queen Street West specifically please email queenstreetto@gmail.com and put "Facade Improvement" in the subject line.
Over the month of February, Queen Street West BIA and Riverside BIA (Queen St E) teamed up a on month-long extravaganza of loving Queen Street businesses with 28 days of giveaways. It was all in support of over 400 local businesses in these Queen Street BIAs. The campaign featured a daily draw for a $50 voucher/gift card from a different local business, with a $200 giveaway on Sundays between both BIAs combining prizes.
Thanks to everyone who joined us in loving local businesses on Queen Street every day in February and keep supporting local! p.s. we predict more collaborations to come between the Queen Street West BIA and Riverside BIA (Queen East)
For more information and to participate in future gifting promotions please email queenstreetto@gmail.com with "Promos" in the subject line.
The QSW BIA has been awarded a grant from the City of Toronto to curate an artistic project to highlight the neighbourhood. The QSWBIA project called “High Praises” will be a series of artistic installations on the rooftops of some Queen Street West businesses with inspiring messages of hope and community. As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and in accordance with health restrictions the program will be launching in April and lasting until July.