HomeMy WebLinkAboutDAC - 2015-04-23
DOWNTOWN ACTION & ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
April 23, 2015 City of Kitchener
The Downtown Action & Advisory Committee met this date, commencing at 4:10 p.m.
Chair:
Present: Erin Atchison, Melissa Bowman, Andre Chin, David Harmes, Zenia Horton, and
Brian Santos
Staff: Cory Bluhm, Frank Sargeant, Janette MacDonald and Sandy Curzon
1. Discussion Items
1.1. KEDS.15 Brain storming Session
The meeting was optional for those members who wished to participate in further
discussions/questions about the Kitchener Economic Development Strategy. No formal
minutes were taken, however notes from the open discussion/questions are
summarized as follows:
Kitchener Economic Development Strategy discussion questions
1. Why are you proud to be part of Kitchener?
Everybody belongs
Sense of community
Diversity
Kitchener is cool, real, comfortable
Kitchener is not sanitized ok to be who you are
Easy to fit-in/connect
Live, work, play chener for work opportunities
2. Think about the future of your profession/industry: what excites you? What scares
you?
Real Estate
Exciting: Kitchener continues to grow; people are coming and staying
o
Scary: will the current bubble burst? Will Kitchener be affordable in the
o
future?
Education
Exciting: collaborative growth in education
o
Scary: educators are leaving
o
Insurance
Exciting: lots of
o
opportunity for employment; U of W actuary program is a great leader
Scary: changes in insurance
o
Business Owner
Exciting: people trust professionals; people want the experience
o
Scary: retail not coming back, more people buying online; gentrification
o
Downtown Action & Advisory Committee April 23, 2015
DOWNTOWN ACTION & ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
April 23, 2015 City of Kitchener
3. What is one idea that would solve a problem in your community?
Loosen up on bureaucracy surrounding building permits (as an example)
Change policies instead of saying NO, say Why Not
Welcome creativity
4. Imagine a more exciting Kitchener 10 years from now. What do you see? How do
we get there?
Fill vacancies
Streets are active day and night
More community events
More people living downtown to support retail
Rebrand districts create more experiences
5.
2wayGO
Expand the Regional Airport (YKF)
Expand Regional branding by leveraging strength of surrounding cities
6. What were the top three ideas/topics/issues that your group talked about?
Allow creativity
Get rid of roadblocks (policy)
Neighbourhood branding
Infrastructure ION, Parking, Grid, Airport
Fill empty spaces land and building
2. Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m.
Downtown Action & Advisory Committee April 23, 2015