Newly released annual reports highlight the differences in what business owners and patrons think of each of Edmonton's 13 Business Improvement Areas (BIAs).
The 2020 reports were submitted to city council's executive committee on June 14, along with audited financial statements. They show some of the successes and struggles of each BIA, a special geographic area governed by a formal business association to encourage economic development. Alongside commercial vacancy rates, property values, and new business licenses, the reports include survey data that asked business owners and customers what they think of each area.
This chart shows the responses to four survey questions that demonstrate how the different BIAs are percieved.
An average of 52% of business owners said they experienced growth and stability in 2020, while 47.8% said they were satisfied with the existing mix of businesses.
Many of the business associations said they struggled with business retention because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Even Alberta Avenue, which topped the list of businesses reporting growth or stability, saw closures and higher vacancy rates than usual.
"Our first priority is relief and recovery," said Jay Ball, executive director of the Alberta Avenue Business Association.
Chinatown and Area was near the bottom of the list in most categories. Wen Wang, executive director of the area's business association, said the pandemic forced approximately 20 businesses to permanently shut down.
"Before the pandemic we had 150 businesses in Chinatown ... but now we estimate we have 120 left that survived so far," Wang said. He added that the BIA was struggling to keep businesses before the pandemic, partially due to a lack of visual appeal. Only 20.8% of patrons found the area aesthetically pleasing.
While the opinions of Old Strathcona business owners were close to the average, its patrons thought much more highly of the area than others. Just over 92% said the area was a tourist destination, and 68% said the area looked nice — the highest of any BIA in both accounts (Northwest Industrial did not report data related to patrons).
Cherie Klassen, Old Strathcona Business Association's executive director, credited extended patios and sidewalks as one of the main reasons for the area's success, since it allowed a greater volume of pedestrians to enjoy the area while staying physically distanced.
"Our expanded sidewalk campaign is probably the most successful thing we've done in the last year," Klassen said. "It's kind of fortunate that this crisis gave us the opportunity to try something that we've been advocating for for years."