HomeMy WebLinkAboutDAC - 2015-05-28
DOWNTOWN ACTION & ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
May 28, 2015 City of Kitchener
The Downtown Action & Advisory Committee met this date, commencing at 4:10 p.m.
Chair: Melissa Bowman
Present: Erin Atchison, Tyson Bond, Andre Chin, Councillor Frank Etherington, David
Harmes, Jessica Kropf, Kevin Muir, Brian Santos, Scott Thomson, George
Trihenea, Brad Watson, and Linda Zensner
Staff: Cory Bluhm, Jeff Young, Frank Sargent, Michelle McBride-Roach, Laurie
Majcher, Eric Rumble and Monika Grau
1. Information Items/Unfinished Business
1.1. Downtown Development Updates provided by C. Bluhm
Food Trucks
City staff facilitated a series of meetings between downtown restaurant
owners and food truck operators.
It was agreed Carl Zehr Square would not be programmed with food trucks in
2015, on a weekly basis, in favour of the following locations:
Wednesdays and Fridays
Wednesdays, after 4pm, on the Duke Food Block and;
Anytime on Otto Street
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July 4 is the next Food Truck event
Mayfair Hotel
The Chief Building Official has ordered the Mayfair and adjoining property at
156&158 King St.W. to be demolished due to a watermain break that caused
a meter wide gap in the foundation.
Demolition is currently on hold until the structure to the adjoining building at
140 King St.W. is assessed before further demolition can take place
Hump Day
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Every Wednesday after 5pm, starting June 10 participating downtown
restaurants will provide $5 specials, with something for everyone. Some of
the specials include $5 admission at The Museum, $5 cocktails at McCabes,
$5 dessert at The Walper Social (TWS), etc. #HUMPDAYDTK
Live music will also be he
Vogelsang Green www.downtownkitchener.ca for full schedule and details
1.2. KEDS Update provided by F. Sargeant
All previous input received for updating KEDS, will be used to effect the
strategy going forward
Ideas of the Brave is an innovative stakeholder engagement program, in order
participate please advise Mr. Sargeant. Further information can be found at
http://www.kitchener.ca/en/businessinkitchener/IdeasoftheBrave.asp
Downtown Action & Advisory Committee May 28, 2015
DOWNTOWN ACTION & ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
May 28, 2015 City of Kitchener
Next steps include analyzing the feedback data and present to Council this
summer with final approval by the fall 2015.
1.3. Arts & Culture Advisory Committee (ACAC) Update provided by L. Zensner
Grand Social was developed in 2009 by Creative Enterprise Initiative as a
marketing resource tool for small to mid-sized organizations.
Hill Strategies presented an overview of the economic impact of the arts &
culture sector based on 2011 StatsCan data, and specifically the data
comparing our Region to similar sized communities in Canada.
Regional Arts Funding was developed in 2010 by the Prosperity Council for
municipalities to help fund an estimated $2.5mil to $5mil shortfall for community
arts organizations. An increase of $1 million each from the private sector,
municipalities and provincial/federal programs were recommended to address
the $3 million (annually) shortfall.
Public Art Working Group - Cherry Park Neighbourhood Association is in
partnership with KCI to install a mural on Park Street; and a potential portable
mural for the upcoming Pan Am Games celebration are both part of the
Community Led Public Art project.
2. New Business
2.1 Downtown Summer Event Schedule provided by J. Young & E. Rumble
2015 schedule includes Live Music on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday &
Fridays; Yoga in the Park, Hump Day and Body Works on Wednesday. Pan
Am Day, Funtario, Hump Day,and Pop Up City have been added. Back this
summer are Kitchener Blues Festival, Canada Day Celebrations, Cruising on
King, etc. A transit map has been created to encourage people that you can still
navigate downtown regardless of LRT construction
For all 2015 summer events go to www.downtownkitchener.ca
2.2 Kitchener Market Strat Plan/Survey provided by L. Majcher
As key stakeholders, DAAC were presented with the Kitchener Market Strategy
which outlined five areas of strategic focus serving public interest Farmers
Market; Artisan Craft Vendors, International Food Court; Market Place and;
Community Programs & Events
Objectives of the Strat Plan include understanding customer expectations;
incorporate best practices; develop a four year plan to
potential and determine growth and long-term cost recovery
Challenges include the increase in competition; affordable/convenient parking;
building maintenance costs; attracting and maintaining farmers
DAAC provided feedback based on two questions: 1. What does the Market
offer the community? 2. How can the Market meet community expectations?
Use local artists and bands
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Increase food box pick-up
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Downtown Action & Advisory Committee May 28, 2015
DOWNTOWN ACTION & ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
May 28, 2015 City of Kitchener
50% of Kitchener Market vendors are also at St. Jacobs on Thursday &
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Saturdays making it hard to provide another market day
Pop-up Markets providing food such as corn in August; pumpkins in Fall can
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be considered, however they need to be viable
Use the piazza for entertainment to add to the experience
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Look at Market building as a community centre not just a Market
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Friday Night Date Night couples can shop, cook and dine
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Timing to introduce a mid-week market will be a challenge. Could be
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combined during an event. Parking during the week is paid parking.
70% of vendors are farmers, 30% are re-sellers
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There have been over 600 responses to the recent Market survey. The top five
highly ranked priorities are: Local food; sold by the farmer who grew the food;
price; organic/naturally grown and variety.
For further information on the Strategy and Market survey visit their website
http://www.kitchenermarket.ca/en/index.asp
2.3 ION Stops Wall Design
19 unique anchor wall designs have been created for each LRT stop. Public
impressions on the recommended designs are now being collected. Stops and
recommended designs can be seen on the Regions website:
http://rapidtransit.regionofwaterloo.ca/en/
3. Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 5:40 p.m.
Downtown Action & Advisory Committee May 28, 2015