BRZ Guide
Business Members Guide to the
Business Revitalization Zone (BRZ)
Answers to the following frequently asked questions:
1. What is a BRZ? 2. How is a BRZ established? 3. Who is a Member of a BRZ? 4. Who sits on the BRZ Board of Directors? 5. How does the BRZ levy work? 6. What benefit does a BRZ provide? 7. How can I get involved in the BRZ? 8. What is the Edmonton Council of BRZs? 9. Who do I contact for further information?
1. What is a BRZ?
· A BRZ is a Business Revitalization Zone. In June 1983, the Province of Alberta passed legislation that allows municipalities to establish Business Revitalization Zones.
· A BRZ is a non-profit association of business owners that join together to promote and improve the economic vitality of their business district.
· Worldwide there are approximately 1200 Business Improvement Areas of like Business Improvement Areas. Approximately 348 of these Business Improvement Areas are in Canada.
· There are currently 12 Business Revitalization Zone Areas in the City of Edmonton. They are Alberta Avenue Business Association, Beverly Business Association, Chinatown and Little Italy Business Association, Downtown Business Association, Fort Road Business Association, Inglewood Business Association, Kingsway Business Association, Northedge Business Association, Northwest Industrial Business Association, Old Strathcona Business Association, Stony Plain Road Business Association, and 124th Street and Area Business Association. (see below for Edmonton BRZ locations)
· The main purpose of a BRZ is to revitalize and maintain a dynamic commercial area and promote the area as a business or retail destination.
· The mandate of a BRZ is to encourage the economic and physical improvement of local businesses through beautification and maintenance of streetscapes, buildings and structures in the area, and to promote the area as a business and shopping district.
· Some strategies BRZs use to achieve their goals are:
§ Maintenance: sidewalk cleaning, graffiti removal, etc.
§ Special Events and Festivals
§ Marketing and Economic Development: Websites, promotional materials, signage
§ Regulatory Advocacy and Bylaw Enforcement
§ Business Recruitment
§ Parking and Transportation Management
§ Public Spaces
§ Streetscape and Capital Improvements
§ Improving Open Spaces: Parks, green spaces, etc.
2. How is a BRZ established?
· A BRZ is established by the City of Edmonton at the request of the business community under the legislation in the Municipal Government Act (RSA 2000, C.M-26).
· Upon receipt of a formal request signed by at least 25 percent of the taxpayers within the proposed boundaries and if no petition is filed by at least 50 percent of the tax payers against the proposed BRZ, the City may pass a bylaw establishing the BRZ Board as a not-for-profit corporation.
· City Council sets the zones boundaries and approves the BRZs annual budget. The City also collects the special tax levy for the BRZ and forwards it to each organization in quarterly payments.
· Further information on how to establish a BRZ can be obtained by contacting Ken Zahara at the City of Edmonton City Planning and Development, Phone 780-496-6095 or by going to the Edmonton City website.
3. Who is a member of a BRZ?
· Any business that lies within the prescribed boundaries determined by City Council is a Member of the Business Revitalization Zone and contributes to the BRZ budget by way of the special tax levy.
· Members of the BRZ are entitled to attend the BRZs Annual General Meetings and are eligible to vote on the selection of members to the board.
· Every member business is entitled to one vote at these meetings.
4. Who sits on the BRZ Board of Directors?
· The size of a BRZ Board of Directors varies between BRZs (maximum of 15 members).
· The Board of Directors is composed of volunteers – business owners, property owners, community residents and other interested individuals who are nominated by a BRZ taxpayer and elected at the Annual General Meeting.
· The responsibility of the Board includes the administration and strategic management overseeing the planning, budgeting, implementing and evaluation of the BRZ.
· The Board of Directors hires an Executive Director to take care of the daily running of the BRZ projects.
5. How does the BRZ tax levy work?
· Each year, members of the Business Revitalization Zone approve the BRZs budget at the Annual General Meeting.
· The budget is submitted to City Council for approval, as required by legislation. After approval, a special levy sufficient to raise the approved budget amount is added to the Municipal Business Tax for all businesses within the BRZ area.
· The levy is collected through the City through the normal tax billing process and distributed to the BRZ through quarterly payments.
· Each business members share of the annual budget is proportionate to their share of the total taxable value within the BRZ boundaries.
· The BRZ special levy is similar to the “common area maintenance” fees found in shopping malls and office parks.
6. What benefit does the BRZ provide me?
· An ability to use a dedicated revenue stream to promote local goals with neighbouring businesses in order to improve, market, and promote the business area. h
· Physical and economic improvements to your business area.
· Some BRZs provide their owners with marketing and promotion campaigns, streetscape improvements, special events, private security, and business recruitment campaigns.
· Revitalization and maintenance creates a cleaner, safer and more attractive environment that benefits all businesses operating in the BRZ.
· Improved communication between the business community, municipal staff, and City Council.
7. How can I get involved in our BRZ?
· To find out about opportunities for involvement contact Karon Kosof, Executive Director of KBA or phone 780.454.9716.
· Some opportunities for involvement include:
§ Serving as a member of the Board of Directors
§ Serving as a member of a standing committee of the Board
§ Serving as a volunteer for special events and promotions
8. What is the Edmonton Council of Business Revitalization Zones?
· The Edmonton Council of Business Revitalization Zones consists of 12 diverse commercial districts with equal representation and represents approximately 25% of the total number of businesses in the City of Edmonton. Using a consensus method, the BRZ Council markets, promotes, and advocates for the BRZs of Edmonton and encourages economic development and growth in the 12 commercial areas. The BRZ Council will use its collective voice and strength to build relationships and increase awareness among stakeholders.
· The Edmonton Council of Business Revitalization Zones aims to celebrate the diversity of the BRZs and their unique contributions to making Edmonton a livable and vibrant city with walk-able social spaces.
9. Who do I contact for further information?
· For further information regarding the Kingsway Business Assoication BRZ (KBA), contact Karon Kosof, Executive Director or Phone 780.454.9716.
· If you require additional information, you can contact the City of Edmonton Planning and Development Department, Historic Sites and Business Revitalization Zone Section, Ken Zahara, Senior Planner or Phone 780-496-6095.
