HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-10-23
DOWNTOWN ACTION & ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
October 23, 2014 City of Kitchener
The Downtown Action & Advisory Committee met this date, commencing at 4:15 p.m.
Present: Chaired by Melissa Bowman, Craig Beattie, Amina Gilani, Christine Machaud,
and Don Zehr
Staff: Cory Bluhm, Monika Grau, Jeff Young and Sandy Curzon
1. New Business
KEDS
2011-2015 is currently under
review. The five core areas of focus include:
1. Start-up City
2. Leading-Edge Cluster Building
3. Become a Talent Magnet
4. Dynamic Downtown
5. Innovation District
Of the five core areas of focus, DAAC members provided input for Dynamic Downtown.
The following are some of the comments/received:
the City of Kitchener together with the BIA will continue to improve the
beautification of the downtown core which includes power washing after
festivals/events and by employing a Clean Team to stay on top of the day to day
appearance of sidewalks
to meet the needs of businesses, include a recycle program when the current
garbage contract is renewed
replace curbside garbage pickup by providing more moloks
develop a strategy to bring more nightlife downtown - currently downtown stores
are not opening early enough nor staying open long enough, especially during
events
people need to feel engaged in a community currently not feeling connected
develop a retail recruitment & retention program
encourage pop-ups during seasonal events
to attract quality retail stores that adhere to young professionals as well as
unique/eclectic shops - quality of shops are more important than quantity
available small spaces (under 1,000 sqft)
EVENTS
J. Young, Manager of Events asked for feedback on downtown events, the following are
the comments received:
past events have been good quality grow the ones that have the potential to
grow
people who do not live or work downtown need to be engaged to come downtown
its not the downtown you use to know
Downtown Action & Advisory Committee October 23, 2014
connect retailers with events
most programming is done during the summer develop year-round events;
theatre & live music scene will start momentum for people to come downtown at
night
nd
NightShift is November 2from 7-2am - restaurants need to remain open during
events
C. Machaud presented an overview of a new program that addresses homelessness:
Collaborative Community Support Committee consists of representatives from
BIA, Working Centre; Waterloo Regional Police Services, Lutherwood; YWCA/
Branch, Initiatives Coordinator HHUG, and City
of Kitchener, who have come together to address homelessness. The goal is to
help downtown business owners understand the issues around homelessness,
such as loitering and panhandling, and advise the businesses of the community
services that are available.
Out of the Cold program shelters open all day during the winter; most shelters
are located in Kitchener
2. Information Items
November Meeting
th
It was noted that the current DAAC members term ends November 30. In appreciation
for the past four years of service, the November meeting will be a joint social meeting
th
with members of EDAC to be held Wednesday, November 12 at McCabes Irish Pub @
352 King St.W. Further details will be provided a week prior.
3. Adjournment
On motion, meeting adjourned at 5:10 p.m.
4. Future Agenda Items:
a) Cycling Study
b) Heritage Places Study
c) KEDS
S. Curzon
Committee Coordinator
Downtown Action & Advisory Committee October 23, 2014