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Home My WebLink About2016-04-28 DOWNTOWN ACTION & ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES April 28, 2016 CITY OF KITCHENER The Downtown Action & Advisory Committee met this date, commencing at 4:00 p.m. Present: Melissa Bowman, Chair; Erin Atchison; Craig Beattie; Andre Chin; Councillor Frank Etherington; David Harmes; Jessica Kropf; Councillor Sarah Marsh; Kevin Muir; Scott Thomson; George Trihenea; Frank Voisin; Brad Watson; and Linda Zensner Staff: Cory Bluhm, Manager Downtown Development Hilary Abel, Marketing & Program Coordinator Monika Grau, Downtown Development Officer Silvia DiDonato, Manager Arts & Culture Tina Malone-Wright Senior Planner Emily Robson, Arts & Culture Coordinator Sandy Curzon, Committee Administrator 1. Planning Around Rapid Transit Stations (PARTS) T. Malone-Wright, City of Kitchener, Senior Planner provided an overview PARTS Central Plan. The primary purpose of PARTS is to guide growth and stability within the rapid transit station area to ensure its development supports rapid transit and adds value to the community. Phase I (2013) established 5 station study areas Central; Midtown; Rockway; Fairway and Block Line. Phase II (2014) 5 corridor-wide initiatives were undertaken that will lay the groundwork for the Station Study Area Plan PARTS Central Plan (2015 2018) the plan was developed for the downtown station areas, including recommendations for land use; transportation demand management; public realm and streetscape improvements; etc. For a full overview see PARTS on the City of Kitchener website. 2. City Hall Outdoor Spaces After 25 years of significant public use, the outdoor spaces surrounding City Hall are in need of repair or replacement. The City Hall Outdoor Spaces Master Plan will look at what needs to be repaired/replaced, special needs requirements, and the future increase in the employment/ residential population. C. Bluhm presented two options each for the King Street and Duke Street outdoor spaces. The following is an overview of the options and comments received: King Street Carl Zehr Square Both options are wheelchair accessible All trees shown are moveable DOWNTOWN ACTION & ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES April 28, 2016 CITY OF KITCHENER Fountain: Option #1 Skating rink will stay the same size Water jets surround the fountain; the fountain can be drained quickly; water is saved and recycled Option #2 Smaller pool Less standing water, each jet could be programed separately More jets/lighting effects are a possibility Stage: Option #1 Hydraulic system a permanent structure that can be raised or lowered as needed More intimate but risky if it malfunctions Put stage in Option #1 into Option #2 Option #2 Buildable Stage built when needed (3-4 months a year) and then disassembled Maximizes seating capacity Duke Street Entrance Both options can be adaptable for events LRT will stop at the corner of Duke & Young Street and the GRT bus stop will be on Duke, these stops will increase the pedestrian traffic throughout this area Option #1 Flat green space generally preferred More open and relaxing atmosphere Option #2 Hard space with seating Pedestrian friendly Gives more flexibility in the winter months with a hard surface For a full overview see Master Plan on the City of Kitchener website. 3. Community Engagement 44 Ontario Street Built in 1914, the former Le heritage building, which is currently vacant. S.DiDonato asked DAAC members for their input on key stakeholder groups that could be approached for this community engagement process. Comments & Questions: DAAC Minutes Page 2 DOWNTOWN ACTION & ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES April 28, 2016 CITY OF KITCHENER The front façade and culture of this building is listed under the Heritage Act Accessibility is a challenge The City also owns the parking lot next to the building The building is approximately 14,000 sq.ft. which includes a small theatre space -r buildings to encourage other building owners to fix theirs The cost to renovate will depend upon the use The Hamilton Conservatory is currently going through the same process see link provided by w··¦tÞÞÞuw-©·u-,Ò·w- M. Bowman Suggested stakeholder groups included: BIA, Downtown Neighbourhood Alliance (DNA), and current downtown businesses Next Steps: Staff will provide a Report to City Council seeking direction for community engagement Arts & Culture staff will come back to DAAC for an update in the near future 4. Downtown Live 2016 Schedule H. Abel provided an overview of the Downtown Live 2016 Schedule which includes some new th events like Movie in the Park on June 4 and a Mid-Week Urban Market every Wednesday in June. Downtown Live music programming will take place on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays stst from noon-1pm. Yoga in the Park is back every Wednesday starting June 1 until August 31. We are also bringing back, Night Market, Food Trucks and Shakespeare in the Park along with the larger community festivals such as Summer Lights Festival, Cruising on King, Canada Day, Kitchener Blues, etc. The final schedule, including dates/times, will be made available on our downtown website. 5. Information Items OWN IT Magazine & Make It Kitchener members were provided a copy of these two recent publications. Please contact sandy.curzon@kitchener.ca for additional copies. ACAC minutes of April 19, 2016 will be sent under separate cover 6. Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 5:30pm S. Curzon Committee Administrator DAAC Minutes Page 3