Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutDAC 2011-12-08DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES December $ 2011 Ci of Kitchener The Downtown Advisory Committee met this date, Chaired by Mark Garner with the following members in attendance: Cameron Deerlove, Alan Doherty, Lisa Polonoski, Michael Falcone, Lawrence McNaught, Dan Zehr, Aaron MacFarlane, Councillor Dan Glenn-Graham, Tania Benninger, Councillor Frank Etherington, Cory Grossman, Glenn Scheels The following members were absent: Amino Gilani, and Dave Gerencser Staff in attendance: Cory Bluhm, Tracey DeVille, Sandy Curzon, Amy Breault Approval of Minutes The November minutes were not available and will be approved at the January meeting. Committee Updates Economic Develo ment Adviso Committee EDAC Mark Garner and Sandy Curzon provided a presentation on the downtown strategic plan and getting input from the group. Safe and Health Adviso Committee SHAG Cory Bluhm, Mark Garner and Sandy Curzon provided a presentation on the downtown strategic plan and getting input from the group. Arts and Culture Adviso Committee ACAC They were provided with a public input session on the downtown strategic plan, they also chose the 2012 artist in residence. Other Business 2011 Design Exchange Awards -Glenn Scheels presented to Cary Bluhm Discussion Items 2.1 Public Input Discussion Cory Bluhm provided an overview of the partnership for public input that city staff and the BIA have. He advised that the past month has been an active public cortisul#ation process #or the downtown strategic plan. The committee had a discussion regarding the points made through the public consultations what about having conversations with existing stores that provide services that people are looking for - ex. 1=ull~circle foods adding to their existing items to include other products people are looking for. This could include increased fruit and vegetables as an example. Conversations with them will take place parking - do we have to charge for parking? this needs to be looked at - we need to look at what we can do about the changes #hat parking increases can do Cory provided an overview of the survey results and answered questions by the committee. Next steps: Taking information and putting into a public document -step one is to develop a plan based on what was heard and we will be starting by asking you. - mixer night with the downtown businesses and share the results with them so they can see the answers and they can see it first hand and ask questions etc. - open it to other businesses as well and show them what people are looking for, show them where they are lacking - what about an incentive for businesses to open up down here -what about mom and pop shops that need funds maybe set something up to help support them at least in the first year - please other businesses that have been here through the tough times - do something for those businesses that have worked hard to ge# through those times - free advertising, promotional stuff -free bus passes, free parking, off set some simple costs -these are things that can be done - signage for free and paid parking so people know where it actually is - sell the parking garages with the safety features to educate folks that have a misperception on #hem - business attraction program will have same more data from this survey to keep it rolling - talk to the folks at Gaogfe and d21 and see what they are looking for, what they want etc - grocery stores need about 10k active customers to make their stores work - important to put everything in front of people so they can see what we have so they can see the incentives, the investment potential etc - great positive stuff that has come out of this survey and we can social media to create a buzz about this -even people that don't live here anymore can see it -keep the social media going - smaller square footage spaces there are a lot~that would open downtown but they want small king street frontage -trying to find the right fit for existing spaces Meeting adjourned at x:30 p.m.