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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDAC 2011-10-13DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES October 13 2011 Ci of Kitchener The Downtown Advisory Committee me# this date, Chaired. by Mark Garner with the following members in attendance: Councillor Frank Etherington, Alan Doherty, Cameron Dearlove, Tania Benninger, Don Zehr, Lisa Polonoski, Amino Gilani„ Aaron MacFarlane The following members were absent: Staff in attendance: Rod Regier, Cory Bluhm, Kim Feere, Tracey DeVille, Sandy Curzon Discussion Items 2.1 Downtown Strate is Plan Public Consultation Discussion Cory Bluhm provided the committee with an overview of the new Downtown Strategic Plan. He explained what the 3 care areas of focus are: 1. An amazing King Street Experience -turn King street into the place to be and be seen 2. Innovation District - rebrand and foster the Warehouse district as one of the province's premiere multi-disciplinary centres of innovation 3. New urban neighbourhoods -new neighbourhoods that redefine urban living. Where urban living is not just an alternative way to live, but one of the best ways to live. He advised of the timelines for the consultation, strategy sessions, with presented to Council in early ,ianuary. rollout of the strategy, including public the aim of having the final strategy The #ollowing comments and questions were raised: • When you talk of new residential areas two of the three are near highly controlled heritage areas. How will the heritage plans affect them? o The heritage rules do not apply to those particular properties but we will be conscious of the heritage plans when.. are asked what they want to see etc. • This is reaNy s#aying true to what has been committed, it is a consistent message which is nice. With the development areas, make sure you are forward looking to build amenities, as some of those spots may be a little far from amenities • An educated lender is easier to deal with -- maybe a learning session on how to be a vendor is important. • Is the region rethinking their plan for the bus terminal - is there something in the works • Confused an #ocus 1, where 2 and 3 are bricks and mortar. The amazing street is up to the vendors, how do you guarantee that is going to happen, haw do we get the community to be on board are trying to get here you will need the right food? • Non-smoking patios may help draw more customers • This was the #irst year for some of our events and while successful we need to look at adding in some winter events to keep the excitement going year round. The committee agreed and thought that something natural and underground might be helpful in maintaining the buzz. • Consider the plan for housing the homeless in the downtown o Social services is the region and we do meet wi#h .them there is always a need #o do more • What are the plans for the old courthouse? o The region owns the one on Weber Street and they will be using it. The provincial one is awned by the province and they are going through their process to determine a new use or disposition Cory Bluhm asked the committee if there are any questions that they would like the public to be asked, 1. Why are you not going downtown 1 how often are you going? 2. How often would you go out for drinks? 3. Would you go to a movie theatre? 4. What would you like to see? fi. Ask people for their wish list -what are the top 5 things you want if you could have them tomorrow? fi. How safe do you feel in downtown? How did you feel when you were downtown? 7. Would you be Hkely to live in the- downtown if there is better bus service etc.? $. Will you be interested in a bus shuttle to the Aud since there are mare things to do down here ahead of time and things to do after events? 9. What is stopping you from coming dawn what challenges do you have? 10. What do we need to change for you to come? 11. Survey people at the Working Centre etc, they live here and they can affect the success of the downtown? 12. What about asking the people that live in the neighbourhoods within the 2a min walk and-'what they want -- we will go to the neighbourhood associations 13. How would you connect all 3 focus areas Mr. Bluhm also advised that a review of all incentive program will be done as well which will provide an opportunity to ensure that the programs are aligned with the strategy. 2.1 Committee Updates Economic Develo meet Adviso Committee U date No update available Safe 8~ Health Communi Adviso Committee U date The meeting was cancelled therefore there is no update. Arts & Cul#ure Adviso Committee U date There was a presentation by Gina Holstead regarding the City Centennial and the plans for the events. There was discussion on the arts cluster as well, a survey was done and noted that most folks want to be downtown and a public art program is of interest. Meeting adjourned at 5:16 p.m.