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Merger of Toronto’s Little Portugal and Dundas West BIAs imminent

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A vote to approve combining the Little Portugal and Dundas West BIAs to create a new association is expected to be held during the next Toronto council meeting, scheduled for the last week of the month.

Should council vote in favour of the merger, as is widely anticipated, the new body will advocate for businesses along Dundas Street West, from Shaw Street to west of Lansdowne Avenue.

Proponents of the merger between the Little Portugal and Dundas West BIAs are so optimistic it will happen that they’ve already scheduled the Little Portugal on Dundas BIA’s inaugural general meeting for April 1.

It makes sense to create a larger group because both BIAs already collaborate on major local undertakings such as the Dundas West Fest street festival, said spokesperson Alex Bordokas. They share the same office, at 1457 Dundas St. W.

“Functionally, the BIAs have been working as one for a while now,” said Bordokas, the festival’s main co-ordinator, during an interview last week. “It doesn’t make sense to have two boards and two budgets.”

Deputy Mayor and local city Coun. Ana Bailao, whose Davenport ward holds much of the new BIA’s area, supports the merger.

In a statement, Bailao said she looks forward to working with the new body.

“The new Little Portugal on Dundas BIA will build on the great success of the previous BIAs, continuing to recognize the history of those who built this neighbourhood, and will enhance the vibrancy of our community for generations to come,” said Bailao. “It is very exciting to see these business and property owners come together to increase economic activity to compete in a changing commercial environment, and I look forward to working with the new BIA.”

Last April, representatives from the BIAs told the Neighbourhood Voice the merger would mean a unified and strengthened voice for Dundas West businesses.

A new board is expected to be elected at the April meeting, likely comprising past members of the former BIAs. A co-ordinator will likely be appointed soon, and a logo for the new BIA introduced in the near future, Bordokas said.

source: https://www.insideottawavalley.com/news/merger-of-torontos-little-portugal-and-dundas-west-bias-imminent/article_e797e5ea-d893-5e00-8c91-169a484f3873.html

community spirit // espírito de comunidade