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Downtown Port Coquitlam BIA no longer has an office

PORT COQUITLAM — Big rent hikes for its office space has forced the Downtown PoCo BIA to move out, its executive director says.
Janis Cleugh
Janis Cleugh
poco-bia-harvest-festival_edit
Jennifer McKinnon, executive director of the Port Coquitlam BIA, and Matt LeRoy, BIA president.Submitted

Big rent hikes for the office used by the Downtown Port Coquitlam Business Improvement Association (BIA) for years have forced the group to pull out.

Executive director Jennifer McKinnon told the Tri-City News the organization, which serves more than 300 members in the core, didn't renew its lease after the building was purchased in 2020 and the new owners "significantly" boosted the rent twice.

Now, the group now longer has a physical office, McKinnon said.

"By eliminating our office space, we were able to free up a substantial portion of our budget that is currently allocated towards rent, utilities, maintenance and other associated expenses," she said.

"These savings can be redirected towards more critical areas of our business such as events to bring people into the downtown, marketing and Shop Local initiatives, beautification and safety."

McKinnon, who has been the BIA leader for nearly five years, also cited enhanced flexibility and technological advancements in the post-pandemic world as reasons for the office closure.

BIA members were notified about the change via email.

Still, the McAllister Avenue office wasn't a place they typically visited.

"I was more an advocate for business walks as a majority of our businesses are 'soul-preneurs' and don't have the opportunities to leave their shops," she said.

McKinnon, who also works with a BIA marketing representative and an accounting contractor, said she’s using civic facilities and will continue to liaise with city hall staff to advocate for downtown PoCo businesses.

"We are both working towards a thriving community where businesses flourish and residents enjoy a vibrant local economy. The city and BIA essentially want the same thing for our businesses: Success."

October is Harvest Fest

Meanwhile, the PoCo BIA is hosting a Harvest Festival this month with various activities (registration may be required; you can visit the website for more details):

  • Coffee with a Cop
    • Monday, Oct. 16
    • 9 to 11 a.m.
    • Cassandra Cake Co (105-2331 Marpole Ave.)
    • Free
  • Community Yoga
    • Monday, Oct. 16
    • 10:45 a.m.
    • Sadhana Yoga and Sound (3-2559 Shaughnessy St.)
    • Free
  • Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce Business Showcase Mixer
    • Tuesday, Oct. 17
    • 3 to 7 p.m
    • Hard Rock Casino Vancouver (2080 United Blvd, Coquitlam)
    • $15

  • Pumpkin Decorating
    • Thursday, Oct. 19
    • 4 to 7 p.m.
    • Safeway (1100-2850 Shaughnessy St.)
    • Free
  • PoCo Bowl
    • Friday, Oct. 20
    • 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
    • PoCo Bowl (2263 McAllister Ave.)
    • Free
  • Community Yoga
    • Monday, Oct. 23
    • 10:45 a.m.
    • Sadhana Yoga and Sound (3-2559 Shaughnessy St.)
    • Free
  • Halloween Bowl
    • Friday, Oct. 27
    • 3 to 9 p.m.
    • PoCo Bowl (2263 McAllister Ave.)
  • Cornhole Tournament Finale Block Party
  • Community Yoga
    • Monday, Oct. 30
    • 10:45 a.m.
    • Sadhana Yoga and Sound (3-2559 Shaughnessy St.)
    • Free