HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Advisory - 2004-02-12February 12, 2004
DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
City of Kitchener
The Kitchener Downtown Advisory Committee met this date, commencing at 4:00 p.m.,
chaired by Councillor John Smola, with the following members present: Councillor Christina
Weylie, Doug Hoch, Anita Petsche-Good, Marty Schreiter, Glen Woolner, Nathan Hallman,
Jennifer Davis, Fred Bishop, Denis Pellerin, Anna Haromy, Markus Stranz, Michelle Schurter,
Sandy Curzon
1. Approval of Minutes
On motion by N. Hallman
It was resolved:
That the minutes of December 11,2003 and the minutes of January 8, 2004, as
received by the members, be accepted.
2. Business Arisinq from Minutes
M. Schurter informed Committee that the van for the International Gospel Centre has been
given space in the Forsyth parking lot and that all parties are satisfied with the
arrangement.
3. Terms of Reference - Key Issues
Committee, at their meeting of January 8, 2004 agreed they could achieve the greatest
results for Downtown if they become actively involved in 2-4 focus areas. Members
identified a list of focus areas, from which they selected the top 4 choices they would like
DAC to become more involved in.
The rankings were:
· Retail Health 6
· Neighbourhood Development 6
· Art Space 5
· Housing 5
· Safety and security 4
· Parking 4
· Market 4
· Strategic Plan 4
· Community Centre 3
· Infrastructure 2
· Graffitti 1
· Victoria School Centre 0
Committee then brainstormed what could be involved in the top four areas. Comments
included:
DAC Minutes Page 1 of 2
February 12, 2004
Retail health a door to door status report/data collection; assessment of spending
indicators; market assessment; and investigating the general pulse of downtown retail
health.
Neighbourhood Development - was broken into three areas:
Housing issues: 2nd and 3rd storey residential incentives, assessment of housing stock and
recommendations for improvement.
Neighbourhood Association: Assist in exploration of Downtown NA structure. Currently
residents inside the downtown boundaries, do not have a designated NA. Two options for
downtown NA include a new NA for downtown, or shifting the boundaries of current NA to
include downtown (other options may exist). Policy change item.
East End Promotion (Market District): Support the launch of the New Kitchener Market and
general health of east-end community.
Art Space - Growth of art community through emerging initiatives such as Art in Available
Spaces.
Committee agreed to individually select one or two project areas and meet with
individuals/groups that currently address the topic.
DAC members selected the following areas of individual interest:
1. Retail Health Assessment - A. Haromy; N. Hallman; M. Schreiter; A. Petsche-Good
2. Housing - F. Bishop; G. Woolner; M. Stranz; D. Hoch
3. Neighbourhood Association for Downtown - F. Bishop; G. Woolner; D. Hoch
4. East End- J. Davis; M. Stranz
5. Arts - A. Haromy; D. Pellerin; G. Woolner
Action: DAC members to connect with subgroups to identify project ideas, stakeholders,
scope, etc. and report back at next meeting. Michelle Schurter invited subgroups to contact
her with meeting times to identify other stakeholders that may be involved in complimentary
projects.
4. Report Updates
Report updates will be sent to Committee members for review and comments will be tabled
at the next monthly scheduled DAC meeting.
5. New Business
Joint Downtown Advisory Committee and Economic Development Advisory Committee
meeting took place on this date starting at 5pm.
On motion the meeting was adjourned at 5:00 p.m.
Next Meeting - Thursday, March 11, 2004
4pm-6:00pm, Kitchener City Hall, Schmalz Room, 2nd Floor
DAC Minutes Page 2 of 2
February 12, 2004