HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAO-13-009 - Downtown Kitchener Action Plan - Annual Report 2012
REPORT TO:
Finance & Corporate Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING:
May 6, 2013
SUBMITTED BY:
Rod Regier, Executive Director of Economic Development
PREPARED BY:
Cory Bluhm, Manager, Downtown Community Development
(ext. 7065)
WARD(S) INVOLVED:
9 & 10
DATE OF REPORT:
April 23, 2013
REPORT NO.:
CAO-13-009
SUBJECT:
DOWNTOWN KITCHENER ACTION PLAN(2012-2016)-
ANNUAL REPORT 2012
That the Downtown Annual Report, look back
thru -13-009.
In 2012, the City of Kitchener and the Downtown Kitchener BIA jointly developed and adopted
the Downtown Kitchener Action Plan 2012-2016. This action plan, a collaborative venture, is
intended to guide the work and effort of both organizations in enhancing Downtown Kitchener.
The plan contains four core areas of focus and a series of strategic imperatives. The areas of
focus include:
1.
An Amazing King Street Experience
2.
New Urban Neighbourhoods
3.
An Innovation District
4.
Foster a Collaborative Community
Each year, City and BIA staff will report on the progress of the various initiatives of the plan and
the corresponding achievements of the community.
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The following initiatives were completed or initiated in 2012:
Core Area of FocusInitiatives Started or Completed in 2012
An Amazing King Street Experiencea(ii), a(iii), b(ii), b(iii), b(iv), b(v), b(vi), c(i), d(i),
d(ii), e(i), e(iii), e(iv)
New Urban Neighbourhoods(d), (e)
Innovation District(c), (f), (g)
Fostering Collaborative Communities(a), (b), (d), (e), (f)
Significant accomplishments of the City included, but not limited to, the following:
-
Completion of the Victoria Park Lake enhancements and Boathouse patio expansion;
-
Opening of the first phase of the Civic District Parking Garage;
-
Streetscape enhancement of Otto Street ;
-
Continued restoration of the Duke & Ontario Parking Garage;
-
8 facade enhancements through the Facade Grant Program - notably, The Simpson Block,
Entertaining Elements, Memoli and Exclamation restaurant;
-
Launching of the new downtownkitchener.ca website;
-
New events including Canada Day, Art Markets, Live From Halls Lane, Cooking with Michael
Smith, Cityhood celebrations, Foodtrucks, etc.
-
Total attendance at Downtown festivals and events exceeded 468,000;
-
115 live music performances throughout the summer;
-
More than 80 programs, bookings and events at the Kitchener Market; and,
-
Enhancement and programming of Vogelsang Green.
But the real story of 2012 is the incredible work of the business community to enhance the
Downtown. While much of this success is documented in the annual report, it is worth noting
the following:
-
19 new restaurants opened, including the popular Duke Food Block (DFB);
-
Occupancy of the Arrow Lofts;
-
The announcement of two new housing developments - One Victoria & Victoria Commons;
-
Tremendous start-up activity fuelled in part by the growth of the Communitech HUB and arrival
of the Velocity Garage; and,
-
Feature exhibits at THEMUSEUM including Avatar and Treasures of China.
Looking forward to 2013, the community can expect the following:
-
Iconic housing developments, such as City Centre, to break ground;
-
The opening of at least 5 new restaurants;
-
Occupancy of the Breithaupt Block and the new Regional Consolidated Courthouse;
-
New tenants in the City Hall and Charles & Benton Parking Garage retail units;
-
Beautification efforts in the Market District and King Street East;
-
An enhanced summer cleaning program for King Street;
-
New websites for the Kitchener Market and Special Events; and,
-
Construction of the Kitchener Studio Project.
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The City and BIA will continue to jointly advance the Downtown Action Plan with a focus on the
following initiatives:
Core Area of FocusInitiatives Continued or Started in 2013
An Amazing King Street Experiencea(ii), a(iii), a(iv), b(ii), b(iii), b(iv), b(v), c(i), c(ii),
d(i), d(ii), d(iii), e(i), e(ii), e(iii), e(v)
New Urban Neighbourhoods(c), (d), (e), (f)
Innovation District(a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g)
Fostering Collaborative Communities(a), (b), (c), (e), (f)
Strategic Imperatives(a), (d), (e), (g)
Unless otherwise approved by City Council, all initiatives are implemented within existing
budgets.
As part of the development of the report card (page 15 of the annual report), staff undertook a
brief online survey, completed by 189 residents. Staff intend to undertake the same survey
neighbourhoods, 33% live in suburban neighbourhoods and the remainder live elsewhere.
Some of the results include:
-
69% of respondents attended a food and drink festival (ex: Craft Beer & Ribfest);
-
61% of respondents attended a live music festival (ex: TD Kitchener Blues Festival);
-
76% of respondents feel the sidewalks on King are very well kept or somewhat well kept;
-
47% of respondents attended at least two niche events Downtown, such as TEDx Waterloo,
cooking class, etc.; and,
-
43% of respondents visit a Downtown cafe, restaurant or pub on a daily or weekly basis.
In addition, the annual report will be presented at the BIA annual general meeting (April 24) and
at the Downtown Action & Advisory Committee (April 25)
2012 was a tremendously positive year for Downtown Kitchener. Efforts of the City, the
Downtown Kitchener BIA, community partners and the private sector are more closely aligned
than ever before. Investments by the business community, from new stores and restaurants to
new proposed housing projects, demonstrate strong confidence and excitement in the
Downtown. Many new events, community group meetings and social activities are occurring
significant
impact on the Downtown.
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ATTACHMENTS:
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