HomeMy WebLinkAboutDAC - 2015-11-26
DOWNTOWN ACTION & ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
November 26, 2015 City of Kitchener
The Downtown Action & Advisory Committee met this date, commencing at 4:00 p.m.
Chair: Melissa Bowman
Present: Erin Atchison, Andre Chin, David Harmes, Zenia Horton, Linda Jutzi, Jessica
Kropf, Christine Michaud, Brian Santos, Scott Thompson, George Trihenea,
Brad Watson, and Linda Zensner
Staff: Hilary Abel, Cory Bluhm, Eric Rumble and Sandy Curzon
rant/bar located at 10 King St.E.
1. Discussion Items
C. Bluhm thanked Committee members for their commitment to DAAC in 2015. A
downtown Kitchener roundtable discussion followed.
Positive Changes
Empty storefronts, with the help of the BIA, have been cleaned up using the
owners and design students from Conestoga College
Events such as NightShift have been very positive and well attended
Downtown neighbourhoods are excited about the changes, even though it is a
challenge to get around by walking or cycling
City Centre condo (189 units) owners are moving in starting December 2015
New restaurants are continually popping up i.e. B@THE MUSEUM, Berlin and
businesses are expanding i.e. Google, Vidyard
, which includes all ages and
families, who are seeing the value of living downtown
Although not located downtown, the recent announcement of IKEA coming to
Kitchener is positive news
Owners of tech companies are not hearing of any concerns from new hires about
working downtown
Challenges
The timing of LRT and the impact the construction has had on businesses and
employees.
L. Jutzi and her BIA team are putting together a retail attraction strategy, they solicited
input from Committee members today on what kind of retail stores they want to see.
Discussion involved everything from independent retailers to national brands such as
LuLu Lemon.
Downtown Action & Advisory Committee November 26, 2015
DOWNTOWN ACTION & ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
November 26, 2015 City of Kitchener
Discussion/Comments
Trendy, new, cutting edge not box stores or franchises
Independent element of downtown Kitchener is important to foster
Décor/lifestyle retail store, furniture, hardware store
Develop a Mini fashion district
People want stores that are trendy and visually appealing
Uptown Waterloo businesses that are doing very well include:
The Loop
o
Lester & Oak
o
or Zara
Fresh Collective is a micro chain in Toronto primar
independent brands
How do you make retail a destination space or a place to meet basic needs i.e.
food, clothing
Helping current businesses with their challenges i.e. social media, advertising,
window-dressing are challenges BIA are facing and working on.
Condos, once occupied will help drive retail
Other
BIA worked with the City to offer two hour free parking on Saturdays in the City Hall,
Duke & Ontario and Benton garages. Downtown retailers will continue to offer two
hour complimentary coupons to be used anytime Monday to Friday in the garages. It
was noted that the city has a sustainable system, if the garage needs repair, free
st
parking does not affect the taxpayer. Free parking starts December 1 and will run for
the duration of ION construction
Shopping malls pay a premium price for parking which falls on the consumer who
shops in the mall
e Duke Food Block, will come over time
Revitalization vs gentrification there has been so much change in the past 5years,
some people no longer feel connected or part of a community. They feel they have
lost the downtown of 5 years ago
Downtown Kitchener needs to serve a wider range of people. We are large enough to
have unique/eclectic shops along with chain stores we are big enough to have it all
2. Adjournment
Meeting adjourned at 4:45 p.m. followed by a networking social.
Downtown Action & Advisory Committee November 26, 2015