October 3, 2023 – Calgary Alberta – After months of consultation, City Council approved the expanded boundaries proposed by the Crescent Heights Village Business Improvement Area (BIA) on Tuesday morning. Taking the business count from 120 businesses to about 410, this significant expansion will allow the BIA to more fully represent area businesses creating a more cohesive community.

“We were a tiny BIA up to big things,” says Executive Director Camie Leard. “Now we can be a bigger BIA up to huge things.” 

Crescent Heights Village BIA now includes businesses on Centre Street from 7th to 20th Avenues, on 16th Avenue from 4th St. NW to Edmonton Trail and on Edmonton Trail from 16th Avenue to 6th Avenue N.E. 

“We’re excited to bring the changes we’ve achieved on Centre St. to the wider business community in the area and really promote this unique community as the diverse and interesting destination it is.” says Leard. 

Those changes include things like garbage/waste collection, streetscape improvements, signage and pageantry, public art, public seating, events and other community-building activities. 

Advocacy is another important aspect of BIA operations, says Leard and the BIA has been actively advocating for business interests in areas like traffic. parking, pedestrian safety, graffiti, security, noise and Green Line construction. 

“These are all things that affect the businesses in our expanded area,” says Leard. “We now represent a greater number of business voices for even more impact at City Hall and other levels of government.”

Click for more information on the expanded BIA and engagement efforts.