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full implementation of this plan is dependent on potential partnerships with <br />federal, provincial and private sector partners. <br />BACKGROUND: <br />Kitchener City Hall opened in 1993 after a national design competition was awarded to <br />Kuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg Architects. Exterior spaces were also included in <br />the design and featured a large open square with a fountain and ice rink that helps <br />define the King Street elevation, while a smaller <br />Duke Street side. The outdoor spaces were intended to be community gathering spots, <br />allowing for a variety of events and activities to occur, and they have lived up to their <br />original design intent. <br />After 23 years, infrastructure elements are nearing the end of their serviceable life and <br />are showing significant signs of wear and deterioration. For example: salt and water are <br />penetrating the parking garage membrane and deteriorating the roof of the garage; the <br />concrete paving throughout Carl Zehr Square and the Duke Street Plaza is cracked and <br />heaving resulting in an uneven, potentially dangerous surface and an unsightly image <br />for a prominent civic space. <br />Before undertaking any plans to repair or retrofit infrastructure, it was recognized this is <br />an opportunity to review how the spaces are being used and identify if any changes or <br />additions would better support the programming and operations of today and into the <br />future. <br />In June 2015, Tender E15-037 was awarded to GSP Group, a Kitchener-based <br />landscape architecture and urban design firm, to undertake the City Hall Outdoor <br />Spaces Master Plan. Working with sub-consultants in a variety of disciplines and a <br />Project Team comprised of city staff, this project was undertaken in three phases. <br />Phase 1 <br /> was completed from July to December 2015 and resulted in a site assessment <br />and a draft vision for Carl Zehr Square and the Duke Street Entrance plaza. Work in <br />phase 1 involved: <br /> Review of the condition of existing infrastructure and the extent of repairs or <br />retrofitting required <br /> Review of the functionality and accessibility of the outdoor spaces <br /> Assessment of how existing infrastructure is used (or not used) for events and <br />by the community <br /> A series of workshops with stakeholders <br /> A public open house and on-line feedback opportunities <br />Phase 2 <br /> ran from December 2015 through spring 2016 to develop two conceptual <br />designs based on the input received in Phase 1. In phase 2: <br />8 - 2 <br /> <br />