HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Advisory 2013-11-28
DOWNTOWN ACTION & ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
November 28, 2013 City of Kitchener
The Downtown Action & Advisory Committee met this date, Chaired by Amina Gilani with
the following members in attendance: Melissa Bowman, Cory Crossman, Councillor Dan-
Glenn Graham, Councillor Frank Etherington, Eric Johnson, Dean Knipfel, David Kuhn, and
Brad Watson
City staff in attendance:
Hilary Abel, Cory Bluhm, Thom Ryan and Sandy Curzon
1. Minutes & Committee Updates
1.1 Approval of Minutes
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There were no minutes for approval. The September 26 meeting was dedicated to
sub-committee focus groups where no minutes were recorded.
2. Standing Items/Business Arising
2.1 December Meeting
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There will be a joint meeting for DAAC & EDAC on Wednesday, December 18
7:30am-9:00am. Location and further details will be provided at a future date.
2.2 Project Updates
Cory Bluhm provided members with the following updates:
City Centre and 1 Victoria condos have broken ground with completion expected
within the next 16-24 months.
Artisan Zone, is now open located at 37 King St.W. (former Kabels Mens Wear/
Catacombs)
Union Burger and Quick Sandwiches will open in the New Year at 279 King St.W.
(former HSBC at King & Water).
Otto Street reconstruction is complete
305 King St.W. has recently been purchased by Perimeter Developments
GoGo Mart is now open at 319 King St.W.
Victoria Park Boathouse - City staff are currently working with one proponent and
expect to go back to Council in January 2014 for approval.
2.3 Downtown Financial Incentive Review
City Council endorsed the Landing Pad Program and extending the Façade Grant
Program. Staff will go back to Council early 2014 with more information on
development charges with options for expanding the current CIP boundary.
Downtown Action & Advisory Committee November 28, 2013
2.4 Landing Pad Grant Program
Thom Ryan, Sr. Business Development Officer presented the draft proposal for the
Landing Pad Program for discussion. Key points of the program are:
5year pilot project to attract and retain Kitchener’s startup talent
Three objectives:
Revitalize upper storey space
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Capture and retain post-incubation space
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Enhance culture, vitality and experiences downtown
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Benefits include the retention of key startup talent downtown
Risks include the loss of startups and poor cluster development and underused
space remaining underused space
Proposed structure would include buildings within the current CIP boundaries,
upper storey renovations only; commercial mixed-use buildings; applications from
startups would require a minimum 2-year lease.
Comments during Q & A
Not applicable to residential use
Great idea
Not restricted to tech companies, however right now the market dictates that tech
companies have a strong interest in locating downtown
Light manufacturing can happen downtown i.e. Thalmic Labs
Most companies started out as a start up like Desire2Learn, its important to create
space to keep them from going outside the Region i.e. Silicon Valley or Toronto
As long as the program is tied to the property owner, we should have no problem
getting provincial approval
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We are hoping that we can start receiving applications by the 2 quarter of 2014.
2.5 2013 Year-in-Review
Hilary Abel, Downtown Marketing Co-ordinator facilitated a round table discussion on
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the past year, marking the 2 year of the Downtown Action Plan. Members provided
their likes, dislikes, changes and comments:
Likes
Night Shift was an overwhelming success – liked that it “expanded people’s
concept of downtown” – “safe and cool environment”
Food Truck on Civic Square during the lunch hour provided another gathering
place for employees and students alike
Bike Fest was “awesome” – evidence of changing the “bike ethos” in downtown
Love the new bike racks, very colourful and trendy
Art Market combined with the Ontario Street block party
Mural in Hall’s Lane, could use more like this
Carriage Rides, a great idea from BIA
Colour Me Rad
Downtown Action & Advisory Committee November 28, 2013
Dislikes
Need more advertising and education on how to use bike sharrows – similar to ad
campaigns that promoted the introduction of roundabouts.
Daytime Art Markets lacked energy – Night time was great
Suggestions/Comments
Get major events involved in Night Shift – “showcasing other reasons to come
downtown”
Close off King in front of City Hall during events
Relaxed drinking laws will open up opportunities
Hold a marathon similar to what Burlington does – deals, specials to entertain
families and supporters of runners.
Hold a ‘Taste of Kitchener’ or a ‘Winterfest’ event
Keep improving small spaces – Market Green, etc.
Better Connect with office tower workers, neighbourhood associations &
Community Centres more.
Have ambassadors or ‘street team’ to intermingle with event attendees ‘how are
you enjoying the event’? – suggest other upcoming event options.
More advertising in suburbs on upcoming events needed – point of discussion on
whether it is important to focus on suburbs vs. focus on downtown – don’t worry
about suburbs
How do “social linchpins” help to promote downtown? How can we engage with
Faith Communities, teachers, librarians and advocates within office towers to get
the word out?
Meeting adjourned @ 5:45 pm
Downtown Action & Advisory Committee November 28, 2013