City of London: Urgent Construction Updates
UPCOMING: Queens Avenue and Richmond Street intersection
Crews will begin construction activities at the Queens Avenue and Richmond Street intersection on Monday, July 4, which will require a full closure for approximately six weeks. During this time, motorists travelling westbound on Queens Avenue will be detoured to York Street via Wellington Street. Southbound traffic on Richmond Street will be detoured to Dufferin Avenue, Wellington Street and York Street to navigate around the closure. Signs will be installed to help drivers navigate the area.
A temporary two-way traffic configuration will be in place on Queens Avenue between Richmond Street and Clarence Street to allow access to nearby properties and City of London Municipal Parking Lot #5.
UPDATE: Dundas Street and Ridout Street North intersection
The intersection of Dundas Street and Ridout Street North is anticipated to reopen today. However, restrictions will be in place on Friday, July 1 for Canada Day celebrations. Learn more about Canada Day road closures at london.ca/CanadaDay.
Construction Signage
New signs have been installed in partnership with the City of London to enhance visitor experience and promote businesses during construction. These vibrant signs can be found at different locations downtown along King Street, Queens Avenue, Ridout Street North and Dundas Place.
Survey: Annual General Meeting 2022
The 2021 Annual General Meeting seemed to be a big success based off of our attendance and feedback we received. The team at LDBA would like your thoughts for the 2022 Annual General Meeting that will take place this Fall. Please take the time to fill out this short one question survey to let us know if you’d prefer this meeting to be in person or virtual.
2022 Patio Improvement Grant 2.0
It’s back! The 2022 Patio Improvement Grant 2.0 has been approved through the London Community Recovery Network and Council for the second year in a row. This grant assists property owners and businesses in BIAs with enhancing and improving outdoor patios. It can also provide improved patio experience through supporting the integration of live performances.
Learn more about how it works, eligibility, the application process and more by following the link below.
Construction dollars are back!
Beginning soon, Londoners can receive Core Area Construction Dollars from the Downtown London Business Association and Old East Village BIA, as well as participating businesses, through contests, giveaways, events and promotions.
Construction Dollars are coupons in $5, $10 and $20-dollar amounts that can be redeemed at participating businesses in the core area. Businesses are reimbursed 100 percent of the value of each Construction Dollar through the Core Area Action Plan. Valid Construction Dollars are marked with the year “2022” and can be spent between now and November 30, 2022. How can businesses and customers get Construction Dollars? Construction Dollars cannot be purchased and are distributed by the Downtown London Business Association, Old East Village BIA and their merchants. Londoners are encouraged to follow the Old East Village BIA and Downtown London Business Association on social media for opportunities to win construction dollars. Businesses are encouraged to reach out to their BIA directly.
Stay tuned for announcements and information on how you can WIN some construction dollars from Downtown London!
Downtown London: Member Resource Package
The Downtown London team has developed a new resource for BIA members. The Member Resource Package is your go-to guide for important information such as grants, contacts, programs and more! Learn more about the incentives that Downtown London and the City of London have to offer.
Introducing the Core Area Ambassadors
Have you heard about London’s Core Area Ambassadors? They are the friendly faces who can help you with directions, let you know what events are happening, assist with parking questions and respond to business inquiries. Look for the bright green uniforms with an ‘i’ on the back next time you’re in the core!
Spotlight Program
The spotlight program is a new City initiative that supports safety and security in the Core Area and deters criminal activity. Through the program businesses in the Core register to receive a Spotlight program sticker to display in their storefront window. This sticker identifies that there are cameras actively monitoring the storefront area. Learn more about the Spotlight program at London.ca/spotlight
Digital Main Street Ontario Grants Program
The Digital Main Street Ontario Grants Program provides digital transformation training, consultation and guidance, and the opportunity to apply for a grant of up to $2,500! Digital Main Street provides: One-on-one assistance through the Digital Service Squad program to provide your business with free digital transformation consulting and coaching. This can include but is not limited to:
- A digital assessment of your business’ digital literacy
- Access to a free online video-based digital transformation training program
- Website – review, updating, creation, best practices
- Social Media – support, best practices, advertising, and more
- Technology – support and guidance for the best options of technology tools to implement for your business
- Miscellaneous Digital Transformation Support: loyalty programs, point of sale systems, e-commerce, back-end business operations support (i.e. setting up QuickBooks etc.) A full list of available services can be found here.
Core Area Safety Audit Grant Program
The City of London has released the new Core Area Safety Audit Grant. This program is focused on assisting property owners and tenants with making safety improvements to their building — including exterior lighting, exterior security cameras, and storefront gates to close front entrance alcoves and recessed entryways when the ground floor business is closed, or the building is vacant.
The Core Area Safety Audit Grant Program helps cover a portion of the cost for making safety improvements to property. The one-time grant will cover 50% of the cost of the improvements — up to a maximum of $10,000.
Reach out to CIPincentives@london.ca to learn more about accessing this financial opportunity
Sharps Disposal Kits Available to Downtown London Businesses
Downtown London businesses can request a sharps disposal kit from the City to help them safely dispose of sharps on their private property. These kits include tongs, gloves, a receptacle for sharps and information on how to safely pick up sharps. With a limited supply, these kits are available on a first come, first serve basis. You can visit the Dundas Place Field House at 179 Dundas Street from Tuesday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to pick up a sharps disposal kit. You can also contact the Core Area Ambassadors by emailing corearea@london.ca or calling 519-661-2489, extension 7455 to request a sharps disposal kit be delivered to you. If needles are found on public property, please contact Dispatch at 519-661-4965. This phone line is answered 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
Find it in London Campaign
You’re invited to join the Find it in London campaign! This city-wide effort is in collaboration with Tourism London, Argyle BIA, Old East Village BIA, Hamilton Road BIA, Hyde Park BIA, and Downtown London BIA. This campaign is to create a sense of community while also stimulating economic growth across the city for our businesses. There is no cost to your business to be involved … and there are other opportunities as well! Your business will be listed in the online business directory on the campaign’s website www.finditinlondon.ca . You have the opportunity to be included in future activations that will bring customers to you!
Downtown Dollar Gift Cards
Downtown Dollars encourage local spending and are a great gift for the “tough to shop for” people in your life. Sign up here to receive Downtown Dollar Gift Cards as a method of payment from customers. Reach out to members@downtownlondon.ca for gift card set up and assistance!
Financial Assistance
Click here for information grants and loans available to small businesses.