About

What is a BIA?

A Business Improvement Area (BIA) is an association of commercial property owners and tenants within a defined area who work in partnership with the City to create thriving, competitive, and safe business areas that attract shoppers, diners, tourists, and new businesses. By working collectively as a BIA, local businesses have the organizational and funding capacity to be catalysts for civic improvement, enhancing the quality of life in their local neighborhood and the City as a whole.

Toronto now boasts a total of over 80 BIAs across the City — the largest number of BIAs of any urban centre in the world — representing 45,000 members. Together, they generate more than $34 million in funding towards street and sidewalk beautification, marketing and promotional campaigns, street festivals, clean street / graffiti-removal campaigns, and crime prevention strategies. BIAs also act as a unified voice to address issues on behalf of their membership.

The success of Toronto’s BIA program has been marked by continued growth, from 42 BIAs in 2001 to over 80 BIAs in 2018.

Danforth Mosaic BIA | Board Members

Executive Committee

  • Billy Dertilis, Chair & Executive Committee Chair, Red Rocket Cafe
  • Jennifer Thompson, Vice Chair & Marketing Committee Chair, Create Arts Studio
  • Michele Belisle, Secretary & Events Committee Chair, Sauce on the Danforth
  • Mary Reilly, Treasurer, Law Office of T. Edgar Reilly

Committee Chairs

  • Basil Mangano, Safety Committee Chair, Linsmore Tavern
  • Jennifer Thompson, Vice Chair & Marketing Committee Chair, Create Arts Studio
  • Michele Belisle, Secretary & Events Committee Chair, Sauce on the Danforth

Board Members

  • Banchi Kindie, La Vegan Restaurant
  • Jackie Lee, Secret Planet Print Shop
  • Krishna Gaudel, 1710 Danforth Avenue
  • Melanie Ferreira, 1870 Danforth
  • Yashmeen Nakhuda, 1080 Danforth Avenue
  • Billy Dertilis, Chair & Executive Committee Chair, Red Rocket Cafe
  • Jennifer Thompson, Vice Chair & Marketing Committee Chair, Create Arts Studio
  • Michele Belisle, Secretary & Events Committee Chair, Sauce on the Danforth
  • Mary Reilly, Treasurer, Law Office of T. Edgar Reilly
  • Brad Bradford, Councillor
  • Paula Fletcher, Councillor