HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Advisory 2013-08-22
DOWNTOWN ACTION & ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
August 22, 2013 City of Kitchener
The Downtown Action & Advisory Committee met this date, Chaired by Shannon Weber
with the following members in attendance: Melissa Bowman, Councillor Frank Etherington,
Eric Johnson, Dean Knipfel, Lawrence McNaught, Stephanie Noble, Lisa Polonoski, and
Brad Watson.
City staff in attendance:
Hilary Abel, Cory Bluhm, Monica Grau and Sandy Curzon
1. Minutes & Committee Updates
1.1 Approval of Minutes
The Downtown Action & Advisory committee minutes of June 27, 2013:
Approved by:
Eric Johnson
Seconded by:
Melissa Bowman
Carried
2. Standing Items/Business Arising
2.1 Downtown Financial Incentive Review – update
The Downtown Financial Incentive Review staff report (CAO-13-020) went to Finance
Committee on August 12, 2013. Council were generally in support of the
recommendations with an emphasis on more public awareness, before going back to
Council in the Fall for further direction.
Depending on the outcome, any changes to the current programs will come into
effect in January 2014.
2.2 Downtown BIA Boundary Expansion – update
Council approved the amendment to the Municipal Code Chapter 70 to expand the
boundaries of the downtown BIA. Expanded boundaries take effect January 1, 2014.
It was noted that the levy is based on the assessed value of the property, which
would affect only the commercial properties within the new boundaries - excluding
residential and not-for-profit organizations.
Members asked if there were opportunities for businesses (i.e. Centre-in-the Square,
KWAG) to become associate members of the BIA.
Action:
Lawrence McNaught will explore concept of Associate Membership with BIA
for not-for-profit such as KWAG, and Registry Theatre.
Downtown Action & Advisory Committee August 22, 2013
3. New Business
3.1 Innovation District
Mr. Bluhm lead a discussion on what the story could be for the Innovatoin District.
Comments from DAAC Members:
Diverse mixed-use
Cross pollinate with Arts & Technology to create financial stability and provide the
services they require (LRT will help)
Need grocery, restaurants
Keep it organic – a mix of clusters
Envision space being pedestrian friendly – define pathways/walkways to keep
people flowing
Get people out of their cars – connect people with area on a more personal level
Use rooftops – green space
Make trip (pathway) to LRT interesting
Should future condos have a mix of residential and business?
Collaborative spaces – create spaces for partnerships
Conference centre style space downtown to bring in presentations to engage
business i.e. Tannery events centre
How do you keep people moving and interacting with each other?
Are there enough restaurants (quality)
BIA working with restaurants for events
Create a social side to eating
Nexus – need ways to put people from different sectors together
Communitech program – develop similar program – provide an award for coming
up with new ideas
There is a disconnect with what neighbourhood associations do vs what City does
Community is “knowledge hungry” i.e. TedEx – use Innovation as topic
Make sure people feel included – need to have an organic/neighbourhood feel
Better links through Victoria Park
Signage that leads you through the district – identified as a trail – a well-travelled
route
How do we engage clusters that are here now – possibly through BIA
Need a creative incentive idea to get out of office to mesh/create with like minds
4. Downtown Action Plan
4.1 Sub-Committee Focus Groups
Meeting adjourned @ 5:10
Downtown Action & Advisory Committee August 22, 2013