Below are 6 things for you and your staff / co-workers to know this week. Restaurant operators are strongly encouraged to review #6 in depth.
Topics below include: 1) Check your property monthly for graffiti 2) Public CafeTO survey for everyone to take 3) Registration for new DineTOgether restaurant program 4) TODAY: Submit your September Feature 5) I Heart Market Street continues 6) Letter to restaurant operators from Toronto Public Health
Through our weekly Members Newsletter and website, we aim to provide timely info from appropriate, expert sources. You are encouraged to do further research.
Check your property monthly for graffiti
Graffiti has been and will continue to be an ongoing issue in our city. Here in Old Town Toronto your local BIA spends time weekly reporting graffiti on publicly owned assets, such as utility boxes, Canada Post boxes, parking meters etc. We also over this past year have invested in cleaning up to 65 graffitied Toronto Hydro poles per month. These actions/programs help lower the number of "tags" visible in our neighbourhood, helping to create a more welcome environment for all, but we cannot do it alone.
All businesses and property owners are encouraged to maintain their property on an ongoing basis in accordance with Chapter 485, which states "The owner or occupant of property shall maintain the property free of graffiti vandalism." Failure to do so can result in the city serving a notice to comply. If the notice is not adhered to, the city can opt to do the work and add the cost to the property's taxes. (Read the chapter for full explanation.)
Be proactive. Check your property monthly and clean off any graffiti in a timely fashion. Together we can help keep Old Town Toronto a welcoming area. Thank you for your ongoing efforts!
To report graffiti, please email the City of Toronto with the address and a photo at 311@toronto.ca.
Public CafeTO survey for everyone to take
A new survey has been launched to help the City better support recovery of the restaurant industry, enhance understanding of the appropriate use of public sidewalks and curb lanes, and identify the effects of expanded patios on private properties. The survey will be open until September 19, 2021. You can find the survey at toronto.ca/CafeTO.
All local restaurant operators, CaféTO diners and members of the public are encouraged to complete the survey to help shape the City's outdoor dining programs and the future of Toronto's streets.
The results of the survey will be used to guide the future of CaféTO and outdoor dining.
Registration for new DineTOgether restaurant program
Registration is now open for the City of Toronto's DineTOgether program, part of the ShowLoveTO initiative, to support the recovery of local restaurants and celebrate Toronto's diverse culinary scene. DineTOgether will run from September 17 to October 3 to encourage residents to patronize local eateries through a feature menu available by takeout, delivery, patio dining and/or indoor dining. Registration will remain open for eligible restaurants until 11:59 p.m. August 31st at http://www.toronto.ca/dinetogether.
Today is the last day to submit something to our Where To Support Local This September blog post/newsletter. Pick any single product/service that is usually popular in September and tell us all about it using the button below. (Be selective, descriptive and specific please.)
Thank you to those of you who have already submitted!
The first weekend of I Heart Market Street was popular with busy picnic tables and pop-up music performances. Weekend #2 of the pedestrianization pilot of the street will be 5pm Friday August 27th to approximately 11pm or earlier Monday August 30th.
ENTERTAINMENT HOURS:
Watch for live music pop-up performances at the base of Market Street near The Esplanade.
Saturday 11:30am - 1:30pm & 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Sunday 11:30am - 1:30pm
Monday 11:30pm - 1:30pm
YOUR FEEDBACK:
We want to hear from you. Should Market Street be pedestrianized? Let us know your thoughts by completing a short survey and enter to win one of three $100 gift cards to the local OTT business of your choice. To complete the survey visit www.oldtowntoronto.ca/marketstreet
ROAD CLOSURE INFO:
Please note that Market Street (Front Street to The Esplanade) will close to vehicular traffic starting 5pm Friday , and well re-open to vehicles at approximately 11pm Monday.
Letter to restaurant operators from Toronto Public Health
Toronto Public Health issued this letter last week. In it they note that businesses are required to continue following applicable requirements in Step 3 of the Reopening Ontario Act to reduce opportunities for virus spread.
They also note that to date most inspected businesses are following the rules, buthere are the most common issues they are seeing:
A) Active screening of employees as well as patrons who dine-in the indoor and/or outdoor dining areas is not implemented or adequate.
B) Personal protective equipment (PPE) that covers the person's eyes, nose and mouth is not worn by employees when indoors, as required.
C) Safety plans are not available or address all required elements listed in the provincial Regulation.
D) Capacity signage, indicating capacity limits, is not available or posted in conspicuous locations.
E) Customer information is not collected or not collected adequately.
F) Mask or face covering policy is not available or does not address the elements required under the Mask Bylaw 541-2020.
Please take a moment to read the full letter now and ensure you are complying with all regulations.
What is a Business Improvement Area? A Business Improvement Area (BIA) is made up of commercial and industrial property owners and their non-residential tenants who join together under a volunteer Board of Management (BIA Board) to carry out improvements and promote economic development within their designated area.
There are currently 83 BIAs in the City of Toronto. They work in partnership with the City to enhance and promote business areas as safe, vibrant places to do business, unique destinations for tourists and focal points for neighbourhood activity...(click learn more to continue reading.)
Am I a member? Every business and commercial property owner within the boundaries of The St. Lawrence Market Business Improvement Area (BIA), also known at Old Town Toronto, are automatically members of our not-for-profit organization.
Looking for something from a past issue? You can find each individual past newsletter by clicking here or much of the same content is shared on our Information & Resources page.
