MEMBER NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 2019 SAVE THE DATES!

Business Mixer Tuesday February 26th, 2019 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Pos Bueno Mexican Restaurant & Bar

BIA COMMITTEE MEETINGS

Board of Directors • February 12th • March 12th DOWNTOWN CONTINUES TO TRANSFORM • April 9th

With Brampton’s new council sworn in on December 3rd, there has been a lot of activity at City Hall that Meetings are held the second Tuesday pertains to the downtown. of each month from 9:00 - 10:30 a.m.

I would like to formally welcome Mayor Patrick Brown and the new 2018-2022 Brampton City Council. Our downtown representatives include, City Councillor Jeff Bowman, Regional Councillor Martin Medeiros, Regional Councillor Rowena Santos and Regional Councillor Paul Vicente. Council has appointed Councillor Marketing & Events Team Medeiros and Santos to the Downtown Brampton BIA board of directors. The DBBIA looks forward to working th with the 2018-2022 Brampton City Council on all the projects happening in the downtown core. • February 5 th With recent changes to the GO Kitchener line back in January, Metrolinx announced on January 30th the re- • March 5 introduction of the express train from Union Station at 4:50 pm on the GO Kitchener line starting February 13, • April - TBD 2019.

On December 12th, council approved a motion with regards to the Light Rail Transit extension study, Main Meetings are held the first Tuesday of Street from the Brampton Gateway Terminal to the Brampton GO Station and also include looking at the each month from 9:00 - 11:00 a.m. possibility of an underground tunneling option.

Furthermore, an update on Downtown Reimagined was also presented to council on December 12th Food & Drink recommending that the watermain and streetscaping project be put on hold for a number of reasons, including: • March 26th • The cost of the tender has come in higher than estimated • Uncertainties around the cost of utilities and an underground channel • New development plan opportunities in the downtown core Meetings are held quarterly throughout • Projects in the downtown core have been modified as a result of the provincial funding cancellation the year from 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. for the university and the current design precludes an LRT down Main Street as per previous council’s decision.

This news means that construction will not be starting the spring of 2019. The DBBIA has requested that the City of Brampton come back to the business community with a formal update on the downtown projects in Downtown Development the immediate future. Committee Brampton’s education sector continues to grow, just this past January, the G. Raymond Chang School of Meeting date to be Continuing Education at Ryerson University opened its doors to offer classes in the West Tower of City Hall for cyber-security. Following the announcement of the cancellation of the 90 million dollars in provincial funding announced for the University of Ryerson campus in Brampton, Ryerson has made a public statement that their position and commitment to Brampton has not changed. In addition, launched the School of *Meetings take place at the Downtown Business and Economics program this past fall, estimated to bring 500+ students over the next three years. Brampton BIA office located at 76 Main Street North and are subject to change The DBBIA is committed to keeping you updated on the current downtown projects and we look forward to seeing you on Tuesday February 26, 2019 for the DBBIA’s Taco Tuesday Business Mixer as well as kick-off with notice. the Taste of Brampton!

Suzy Godefroy, Executive Director, Downtown Brampton BIA www.downtownbramptonbia.ca COUNCIL APPROVES LRT ROUTE FOR MAIN STREET, DOWNTOWN REIMAGINED PUT ON HOLD

On Wednesday December 12, 2018 Council approved prioritizing the Light Rail Transit (LRT) route for Main Street as part of the Network Plan and put a hold on the Downtown Reimagined (DR) project.

Highlights from the LRT motion include: • Revising the Brampton LRT Extension Study and making any required updates to the original Hurontario-Main LRT Environmental Assessment, including the study and consideration of an underground tunneling option • Using Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) as the technology for Kennedy Road and McLaughlin Road and consider extending those alignments further north and/or south • Studying rapid transit options from the Brampton GO Station to Mayfield Road on Main Street as contemplated in the Transportation and Transit Master Plan (TTMP) • Reporting back on an implementation strategy for a downtown Mobility Hub

The Downtown Reimagined project is being put on hold for a number of reasons, including: • The cost of the tender has come in higher than estimated • Uncertainties around the cost of utilities and an underground channel • New development plan opportunities in the downtown core • Projects in the downtown core have been modified as a result of the provincial funding cancellation for the university • Current design for DR precludes an LRT down Main Street as per previous Council’s decision

Some of the future initiatives include the potential redevelopment of the downtown transit terminal and the Heritage Theatre Block and a Centre for Cyber Security.

Current initiatives include: • Centre for Innovation • The Chang School of Continuing Education (two courses on cyber security starting January 2019) • A new pilot incubator hub (expected to open Spring 2019) • Expansion of Algoma University EVENTS

THE TASTE OF BRAMPTON Feb 25th - March 10th, 2019

Taste of Brampton returns for its fifth annual event from February 25 - March 10. For two weeks, you can leave the cooking to our local chefs for delicious dishes at fantastic pricing. From special offerings to prix-fixe menus, browse all the options and begin planning your evening out. There’s also several sweet prizes to be won. For more details and to view the participants/offerings, please visit: www.aTasteOfBrampton.ca

CARRIAGE RIDES IN DOWNTOWN BRAMPTON Thursday February 14th, 2019

Valentine’s Day carriage rides are back! For one night only on February 14, you can enjoy a magical carriage ride from 6-10pm. Carriage rides are a great added incentive for your clients to dine downtown on Valentine’s Day. Share this on your platforms and spread the word! Ride pick-up and drop off is on Main Street South by City Hall and rides are $20 per group.

The Downtown Brampton Easter Egg Hunt is right around the corner! One of our most popular events will be returning on April 20. As a business, this is a fantastic opportunity to gain extra exposure and meet new families. Last year, EASTER the Easter Egg Hunt welcomed 1500 children. There is no charge to be part of this event and participants must simply provide treats to the children on the hunt (chocolate EGG HUNT eggs recommended). Your business will be listed as a location on the map every family receives and be given April 20, 2019 a window decal to identify your participation. To register as a business, please contact Andrea at andrea.magana@ brampton.ca

VOLUNTEERS The DBBIA is always in search of volunteers and assistance during events and other areas of need. If you or someone you know is looking to volunteer with the Downtown Brampton BIA, please contact Teagan at [email protected] WELCOME NEW BUSINESSES TO DOWNTOWN BRAMPTON!

DOWNTOWN PIZZA & SUB MAMA'S COOKING PHYSIOTHERAPY @ BDC & WC POS BUENO MEXICAN RESTAURANT & BAR 119 Queen Street W 73 George Street S 13 Queen Street E 53 George Street S 905-452-5494 905-598-0744 647-996-7914 905-455-7005

PUB ON MAIN SIMPLY REFINED HAIR STUDIO THE SCENTED L'AIR WILDCARD BOARD GAME CAFÉ 20 Main Street S, 2nd Floor 48 Main Street N 29 Queen Street E 35 Main Street N 905-453-7778 905-783-4242 905-216-8766 905-456-6449

COMING 9 QUEEN BUD'S VARIETY STORE SOON 9 Queen Street E 80 Queen Street W #A

BUILDING YOUR PUBLIC RELATIONS TOOL #MEETDOWNTOWNBRAMPTON - KIT WORKSHOP FEB 21 - MAR 14, 2019 SOCIAL MEDIA OPPORTUNITY Marketing Expert Colleen Cole from HumanFerret marketing We're launching a new social media campaign! will be facilitating a 4-week series workshop on public relations starting on Thursday, February 21, 2019 from 9-11am at the We want everyone to know the faces behind the Downtown Brampton BIA office. Participants in this workshop awesome businesses in the downtown core. These series will be walked through a strategic process that has been posts are extremely powerful and meaningful on proven to produce press coverage - almost on demand. The social media. You will be featured on our social techniques used are simple and won't require any special skills or even a list of press contacts. Facilitator Colleen Cole will walk media for our weekly post. Interested businesses BIA members through "a series of steps" to building your pitch must submit a photo of themselves, and answer and how to nurture media relationships. The cost per person is 3 simple questions. For more information, please $50.00, to register for this 4 week series (Feb 21&28/ Mar 7&14) contact Andrea at [email protected] workshop, please email teagan.pecoskie-schweir@brampton. ca or call 905-874-2936.

GET SOCIAL WITH US! Are you connected? To grow our online and social media presence in the local community, the BIA is on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram. Want to be part of the community? Follow us and we will follow your business right back!

Suzy Godefroy Executive Director [email protected] bramptonDTbia KEEP YOUR BUSINESS UP TO DATE Ensure your business contact information and details Andrea Magana DowntownBrampton are up to date in the BIA’s directory and master database! GET IN Marketing & Events Specialist For any updates or changes, contact Teagan Pecoskie DowntownBrampton [email protected] -Schweir at [email protected] to TOUCH: verify your business and property information and to Teagan Pecoskie-Schweir Downtown Brampton BIA confirm if you are in our online business directory. Administrative & Membership Service Co-ordinator [email protected]

76 Main Street North, Brampton, ON L6V 1N7 • t (905) 874-3518 e [email protected] • www.downtownbramptonbia.ca

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF CUSTODIO STUDIO'S PHOTOGRAPHY