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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Advisory 2012-09-27 DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES September 27, 2012 City of Kitchener The Downtown Advisory Committee met this date, Chaired by Mark Garner with the following members in attendance: Councillor Dan Glenn-Graham, Aaron MacFarlane, Lisa Polonoski, Don Zehr, Frank Etherington, Alan Doherty, Michael Falcone, and Lawrence McNaught City staff in attendance: Cory Bluhm, Monika Grau, Tracey DeVille, Sandy Curzon and Mistie Brown 1. Information Item 1.1 Mark Garner announced his new position with the City of Waterloo as th Director of Economic Development effective October 15. Erin Young will be the interim Executive Director until a replacement has been appointed by the BIA Board of Directors. 1.2 Downtown Live Cory Bluhm provided an update of Downtown Live events using videos taken this year:  20+ videos on YouTube will be used to promote the BIA Downtown Live programming next year  Over 125 live music acts performed in various locations including Civic Square, Francis Green, Volgesang, Kitchener Market and King Street during the summer months  For the first time we attracted food trucks, Yoga classes in Victoria Park and small events including a Ping Pong tournament which attracted over 300 people  Canada Day – although the fireworks lacked lustre, it was recognized that the program should continue and evolve  The World Largest Picnic was held on King Street celebrating th Kitchener’s 100 year. Although all indication suggests, the ‘World’s Largest Picnic’ has not yet been confirmed by the Guinness Book of World’s Record. It was suggested to hold a picnic annually, however sponsors would be required to offset costs which include closing downtown streets 2. New Business 2.1 Appointments to Committees & Boards Tracey DeVille, Committee Administrator advised DAC members that their current term on the Downtown Advisory Committee will end on th November 30.  City Council has approved a new Terms of Reference for DAC which identifies committee composition; reporting and responsibilities  Committee members were reminded, should they wish to re-apply for a position on the Downtown Advisory Committee, application forms are available online and are due October 5, 2012 2.2 Downtown Brand Strategy Cory Bluhm gave members an overview of the Downtown Brand Strategy and requested feedback. The intent is to take Kitchener downtown as it is today, where do you want to be in 5 years and how do you get there?  Using examples from Twitter, Cory explains what the public currently thinks about downtown – the good and no so good  the challenge is that opinions are all over the map  Three ways to instantly unwire the human brains: 1. Change the physical environment (changing King Street) 2. Get people in a heightened state of emotion (like Canada Day event) will change their perception in that space 3. If people can make personal connections with the space, it will change their perception Discussion:  Committee agrees that advocates for the Downtown are important and suggests one thing at a time (ie.“come down to the Art Market”) to break perceptions  Promote the Kitchener Market on Saturdays by scheduling events on Market days  Tell the stories of people working downtown including those who live on the streets - without exploitation  Start with advocates of the downtown and invite the nay sayers to festivals – makes us unique 3. Approval of Minutes th 3.1 The minutes of the June 28 meeting were approved. Moved by: Alan Doherty Seconded by: Michael Falcone Carried 4. Committee Updates 4.1 King Street East Beautification – Sub-Committee Cory Bluhm presented the options provided by the King Street Beautification sub-committee members - Mark Garner, Erin Young, Glenn Scheels, Tania Benninger, Monika Grau and Sandy Curzon. The suggestions are estimated at a total cost of $25,000. It was noted that an entrance feature was not an option for discussion due to cost:  Enhance red concrete planters by using potato vines around the edges (as seen on Yonge Street, Toronto)  Replace dead trees and install tree lights  Purchase news garbage bins  Purchase more bike racks and arrange them strategically in clusters  Reposition existing benches  Purchase new furniture for Market Piazza Discussion:  Hire a local artist to do something in Downtown East which could be funded by the public art fund  use Muskoka chairs in flexible spaces and possibly around city hall  a different surface on the piazza for an artsy vibe (like prints or deck surface) or a possible microbrewery  there will be more seasonal lighting this year (like the addition of Market Lane last year)  install a moveable cross-street banner to the Market district – committee were advised of the issues around this suggestion Motion by: Aaron MacFarlane to endorse suggestions by the King Street East Beautification sub-committee Seconded by: Michael Falcone Carried 4.2 Arts & Culture Committee  Sylvia presented the music cluster  A lot of interesting opportunities and ideas were discussed at this committee around the music cluster 5. Other Business th 5.1 The Ontario Contact Conference runs from October 25-27 5.2 Mark Garner extended an invitation to BIA’s Oktoberfest Members th Night Tuesday October 9 Meeting Adjourned 5:55pm