HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-01-23
DOWNTOWN ACTION & ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
January 23, 2014 City of Kitchener
The Downtown Action & Advisory Committee met this date, commencing at 4:00p.m.
Chair: Shannon Weber
Present: Councillor Dan Glenn-Graham, Councillor Frank Etherington, Tania Benninger,
Melissa Bowman, Amina Gilani, Eric Johnson, Dean Knipfel, Lawrence
McNaught, D. Morton, Brad Watson, and Don Zehr
Staff: Hilary Abel, Cory Bluhm, Monika Grau and Sandy Curzon
1. Minutes
Approval of Minutes – November 28, 2013
Approved by:
E. Johnson
Seconded by:
T. Benninger
Carried
Approval of Minutes – December 18, 2013
Approved by:
T. Benninger
Seconded by:
L. McNaught
Carried
2. New Business
Economic Development Strategic Initiatives:
On January 30, 2014, City Council will approve the 2014 Budget - additional Operating
Issue Papers will also be considered. Economic Development staff have identified nine
potential investment opportunities that could advance the City’s economic development
strategy by leveraging approximately $150,000. Cory Bluhm, addressed each project, most
of which would have an effect on the downtown:
Startup City - California Office: supporting our partners at Communitech as they continue to
work with startups in Silicon Valley
Cluster Building – Manufacturing: establish a manufacturing startup incubator in Kitchener.
Cluster Building – Digital Content: supporting artists (music, visual art, animation, film, game
development, etc.) by establishing a digital content accelerator program
Cluster Building – Music Cluster: partnering with Canadian Cultural Spaces program to
develop a feasibility study of a music business resource centre in Kitchener
Cluster Building – Film: collaborate with regional partners to support an integrated film
cluster strategy
Dynamic Downtown – Music Cluster: facilitate the growth of a live music scene in Downtown
Kitchener
Downtown Action & Advisory Committee January 23, 2014
Dynamic Downtown – Downtown Shuttle: to help move people around the downtown from
Innovation District to Market District
Innovation District – Brand Development & Marketing: partner with the BIA and developers
in promoting the district as a desirable office and residential location
Action: Staff will provide an update of Council’s decision post budget day
3. Downtown Action Plan – Refresh
The Downtown Action Plan 2012-2016 will be 2 years old in March 2014 at which time staff
will provide Council with a ‘report card’ outlining the status of the four core areas of focus.
Today’s brainstorming session had members review projects under the four core areas, to
determine what actions are still feasible and provide input into additional actions moving
forward.
Action: Results of the brainstorming will be discussed at the next meeting of DAAC on
February 27, 2014
4. Adjournment
On motion, the meeting adjourned at 5:45p.m.
S. Curzon
Committee Coordinator
Downtown Action & Advisory Committee January 23, 2014