Our History

While SEV enjoys many positive attributes, area businesses were not widely-known nor was the area attracting as many customers as some other Toronto shopping districts.

A 2006 City poll determined that a majority of area commercial property and business owners favoured forming a new BIA - an endorsement of the efforts of local business owners and managers who had come together to see how they could better promote the area. At its Annual General Meetings, members are elected as the volunteer Board of Management of SEV BIA. SEV activities are financed almost entirely by fees paid by the businesses and professional offices that are its members. Each year, a budget is passed by BIA members – and submitted for approval by Toronto City Council

In 2007, SEV BIA completed a strategic plan, some branding requirements and a plan outlining streetscape improvements – all designed to guide its activities and expenditures for the next 5 + years, to help SEV reach out to the wider community.

To build awareness, SEV banners went up on area Hydro poles; SEV stickers appeared in local business windows; SEV ads appeared in agenda booklets of every student in nearby schools; and the SEV website was developed, to help it communicate with the public, as well as with BIA members.

In January of 2008, TTC Chair Adam Giambrone told the SEV Board that the first of the new Light Rail Transit (LRT) lines would be built on Sheppard East, through SEV BIA – likely starting in early 2009. Most SEV plans and programs were then put on hold and it changed its focus – to deal with a variety of critical transit issues.

SEV BIA Transit Contributions

Because of the threat to our members’ businesses, SEV BIA determined that the best service it could provide - for its members and nearby residents – was to do whatever it could to ensure that the ‘St. Clair West transit fiasco’ was not repeated in our area.

SEV BIA initially opposed the LRT plan - if it was to be constructed the same way as St. Clair Avenue West. SEV advocated for compensation to offset revenue losses, when LRT construction was in the vicinity of a small business. SEV submitted a series of questions to the Ontario Minister of the Environment, prior to his formal approval of the LRT plan in the spring of 2009.

At the same time, SEV began to meet with TTC and City officials about LRT matters. For 3 years, SEV participated in numerous LRT planning meetings and communicated regularly with TTC, City and Metrolinx officials and consultants.

A new approach and a more comprehensive plan was developed by Metrolinx, so LRT construction would be undertaken with a minimum of disruption and maximum benefits for Sheppard East Village and surrounding residential neighbourhoods. SEV also met regularly with streetscape planners and helped them develop a ‘city-building’ approach that would be used on Sheppard Avenue East and could be adapted for other proposed LRT projects across Toronto.

The positive role and many contributions of SEV were recognized by senior Metrolinx, TTC and City officials, as well as City Councillors and Ontario Cabinet Ministers. SEV was recognized in a January 2010 City report – “Getting It Right” - that supported our view about the St. Clair West transit fiasco and commended the new approach being employed for planning the Sheppard East LRT, with on-going SEV BIA participation.

Throughout this period, SEV Board members were frequently interviewed and quoted in newspaper and other media – helping to build awareness of the SEV area, on behalf of its members and nearby residents.

Our Focus Has Shifted Again

In December of 2010, the City announced that it no longer wanted the proposed Sheppard East LRT service – confirmed in their April 2011 agreement with Metrolinx. 

SEV’s focus has been returning to plans and activities that will increase awareness of the businesses and professionals in our area – as well as its improving its appeal to shoppers.

Sheppard East Village businesses and professionals look forward to welcoming you to our shopping area – and providing the goods and services that you need.