COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT

THE WEST END BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION
A Voice For A Vital Community Sector

The COVID-19 pandemic, and the ensuing loss of several West End businesses, made West Enders more conscious than ever of the vital role that local stores, restaurants, and services play in creating and sustaining community. The West End Business Improvement Association (WEBIA) has been front and centre in encouraging us to support those businesses by shopping and dining in the West End.

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West End Business Improvement Association executive director Teri Smith.

Many West Enders may not make the connection between the society that gives a collective voice to local businesses and the many signature events and initiatives it launches and supports. The winter Lumière celebration featuring illuminated art installations, the creation and renewal of local outdoor murals, Car Free Days, the Pride celebrations and parade, and entertainment and events around the neighbourhood, are all either supported, initiated, or managed, by the WEBIA.

Business improvement associations (BIAs) are specially funded business districts managed by non-profit groups of property owners and business tenants whose goal is to promote and improve their business district. Vancouver has 22 BIAs, including three that represent businesses in the West End: the West End Business Improvement Association, the Robson Street Business Association, and the Downtown Business Improvement Association, the latter which oversees a portion of Coal Harbour and the northeast section of the West End. 

Funding for BIAs comes from a special property tax. Each commercial property within the boundary is taxed in proportion to its total taxable value. This means that if a property owner owns one percent of the total taxable value, their share will be one percent of the BIA budget. In most lease agreements, property owners pass this cost on to the business tenants. BIA funds are used to hire staff and run BIA activities.

The City of Vancouver helps local business groups to form BIAs. Once a BIA is formed, it is managed by a volunteer board elected by property owners and tenants within its boundary. The city is involved with the annual funding process, monitors BIA budgets, and act as a liaison between the BIA and city departments.

Teri Smith, who served as the Robson Street BIA’s executive director for more than eight years, moved over to Davie Street in 2021 to take on the same role at the WEBIA, replacing Stephen Regan who had served there for nine years.

Smith’s years with the Robson BIA gave her a deep knowledge of the West End, the community, the people, the businesses, and the issues. This is her fifth BIA position, having started, fresh out of university, with the Hastings North association 20 years ago. She is also the current president of the Business Improvement Areas of British Columbia (BIABC), the provincial association of BIAs. She also holds a seat on the BC Small Business Roundtable, is an active member of the Vancouver BIA Partnership, and a past member of the IDA Canada Leadership Committee. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Simon Fraser University, where she completed a double major in criminology and psychology. When not working, she’s a busy mom of two and can often be found on the soccer field cheering on her kids or planning new travel adventures.

This spring and summer, among the many initiatives and events that the WEBIA will be involved, is programming at Jim Deva Plaza and 1800 Davie Plaza, collaboration with the Vancouver Mural Festival, and the Evo Summer Cinema Series.

So shop and dine out where you live, and support the many businesses that make the West End … well, our kind of place.