HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Advisory 2012-02-07DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
February 7 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, Don Zehr,
Aaron MacFarlane, Tania Benninger, Cory Crossman, Amina Gilani
Staff in attendance: Tracey DeVille, Sandy Curzon, Rod Regier, Mistie Brown,
and Hilary Abel,
Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the December 2011 meeting were approved. Moved by Cory
Crossman, seconded by Dan Glenn- Graham.
Committee Updates
Economic Development Adviso Committee EDAC
Rod Regier provided an update for EDAC. Members of EDAC toured Canadian
Solar in Guelph along with the City of Guelph including Guelph's EDAC and
Guelph Hydro representatives.
Mr. Regier also introduced Hilary Abel, who has joined Economic Development in
the role of Downtown Marketing & Program Coordinator. Hilary's core area of
focus will be on downtown branding, communications and event/project
execution.
Safe and Healthy Advisory Committee (SHAC)
Meeting was cancelled.
Arts and Culture Advisory Committee (ACAC)
Presentation regarding the success of arts I building owner partnerships in
Hamilton.
Discussion Items
The Boathouse:
Rod Regier provided an overview of the Boathouse and current status and
advised what the decisions at council were and the next steps for the boathouse.
Downtown Preliminary Action Plan
Mark Garner provided an overview on the "Preliminary Action Plan" and how the
plan was created from the extensive public consultation from the first part of the
project which was "tell us what you want ". The action plan DAC is reviewing was
created from the public input. The committee went through the document and
noted the following:
- People want to see more events — might be a good idea for the city and BIA
to make a permanent invest in staging — even a solar one would be perfect
- Talk further about the diversity in the downtown
- We have such an amazing cuisine scene and almost every nationality is
represented in the downtown we need to promote the culinary experience
- Clarity around the arts and programs
- Downtown must be inclusive of all ages /experiences
- Roundtable discussion like the symposium — keep it going
- Convention Centre experience can be here — if you collaborate with hotels
and do the right marketing we can link the space downtown
- Clarification surrounding the Downtown Ambassador Program and what they
may evolve into based on community priorities
- Downtown Live must continue and grow
- Pedestrian corridors — implement the vibrancy
- Future parking structures would be nice underground
- What about the redevelopment of the Charles 1 Water / Francis intersection —
we can't forget to do something with them
- Grassroots movement for the artist like there has been for the hub
The committee felt the document is well balanced, raises different needs of
businesses and neighbourhoods, it is important to take the time to implement it.
The "Preliminary Action Plan" is seeking final community review and committee
reviews within the City. Next step will be to formalize the document and present
to Council Committee for approval and then BIA and Economic Development will
move forward with its execution.
Meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m.