HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAO-12-015 - City Hall Retail SpaceREPORT TO:
Kitchener City Council
DATE OF MEETING:
March 26, 2012
SUBMITTED BY:
Rod Regier, Executive Director, 2506
PREPARED BY: Cory Bluhm, Manager of Downtown Community
Development, 3375
WARD(S) INVOLVED:
10
DATE OF REPORT:
March 20, 2012
REPORT NO.:
CAO-12-015
SUBJECT:
Lease for City Hall Retail Space
RECOMMENDATION:
That the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute a lease agreement with the Regional
Municipality of Waterloo, to lease the City Hall retail unit located at 220 King Street West on an
interim basis, said lease to be to the satisfaction of the City Solicitor.
REPORT:
As part of the rapid transit initiative, the Regional Municipality of Waterloo will be developing a
Community Building Strategy (CBS) to engage residents, business owners, developers, etc., on
what the future of the Central Transit Corridor might look like. This could include the
development of a vision, guiding principles, etc. As part of the project, the Region is looking to
setup a storefront location that can provide a place for residents to access information about the
strategy and engage in forums, drop-ins, open houses, charettes, etc.
Staff feel the City Hall retail space is an ideal location for this use, for the following reasons:
i) The CBS project supports many of the City’s strategies and plans, such as the Growth
Management Strategy, KEDS.11 and Downtown Kitchener Action Plan;
ii) The CBS project will attract residents, developers and business leaders to City Hall and
engage them in discussions on redevelopment;
iii) The future rapid transit line and the evolution of the Central Transit Corridor will have a
significant impact on Kitchener residents; and,
iv) The CBS project provides an interim use while staff explore opportunities to lease the
space to a long-term tenant.
ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN:
Leadership and Community Engagement – the CBS storefront will provide an opportunity for
residents to be actively engaged in decision making on local issues.
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FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The Region has agreed to pay for the operating costs of the space (including utilities), for the
entire term of the lease. As the proposed lease rate is less than fair market value, Facilities
Management will need to adjust their budget accordingly.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT:
None
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Rod Regier
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