The SoHo Community Association met at 7:00pm on March 18th, 2015 at Maple View Terrace.
- Everybody introduced themselves and shared their dreams for SoHo:
- Places to work and live
- A farmer’s market
- A better sense of community
- A grocery store
- Happy engaged residents
- To be proud of where we live
- Steady, continued growth in a sustainable way
- To hear “Oh, I’ve heard of SoHo, it sounds cool!”
- A community centre
- We discussed the farmer’s market – “SoHo Street Market”
- Lots of vendors, all local/artisan businesses, vegetable vendors, representation from each market in the city
- Would try to collaborate with any major events in the city
- Every Friday evening at 5 was selected so as to not conflict with other markets, and also allow for people to shop after work
- Edgar and Joe’s would stay open later to serve customers of the market
- There would also be entertainment (buskers, etc.)
- We could also incorporate providing food boxes for those in need
- The market would actually generate a significant amount of funds for SoHo, which could be used to further our food security program
- One idea is a small storefront as a grocery store, one location that was suggested was the plaza at Bathurst/William
- Any interested vendors, local businesses, artists, or musicians can contact Kyle Hutcheson (Market Manager) at hutchesky (at) gmail.com.
- Thanks to Craig for taking last meeting’s minutes
- Gary Zavitz discussed decorating businesses with lights around the winter holidays.
- Cheri gave an update on the Old Victoria Hospital Lands
- The city has decided to retain three buildings: The Colborne Building, The War Memorial Children’s Hospital, and the Victoria Health Services Building.
- Students from Fanshawe participated in a design competition for the hospital lands, and a Canada-wide competition is also coming up on March 21st from 8am-5pm at Fanshawe College. Admission is $45, includes lunch, refreshments, and free parking. Details at https://conference.fanshawec.ca/urbandesign2015.
- The London Community Foundation also has an initiative/competition – “Back to the River” to provide community gathering spots along the river. Laurie has volunteered to represent the community association for this project.
- RAIDS Online will show what areas are covered by Neighbourhood Watches. Cheri would like to see all of SoHo covered.
- The London Environmental Network is a new organization, SoHo may want to look into joining
- Craig gave an update from Goodwill
- Goodwill has a free tax clinic, lower income families can have their taxes done for free. Monday afternoons in March and April.
- There is also a 50% off sale on March 31st.
- The newsletter deadline is now March 20th
- Newsletters will be hand delivered
- Jamie will find out how many will need to be printed
- Volunteers to deliver newsletters are needed
- We will come back to community mailboxes in the fall as it will be a long time before they arrive in our neighbourhood
- Cheri would like to establish a neighbourhood walking group
- Volunteers are needed for the two cleanup days: Thames Valley Cleanup on April 18th and Clean & Green on April 25th
- rtraction will be moving into the London Roundhouse on April 1st (no kidding!). An open house will be on April 16th from 4pm-7pm.
- Organic Works will be having an open mic night, every other Saturday starting this Saturday from 6pm-9pm
- The meeting adjourned at 8:10pm.