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Home My WebLink About2017-08-24 DOWNTOWN ACTION & ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES August 24, 2017 City of Kitchener The Downtown Action & Advisory Committee met this date, commencing at 4:05pm Present: Chair, David Harmes; Amina Gilani; Bryan Gracan; Ruben Grin; Geoffrey Guin; Alexis Hunt; Councillor Sarah Marsh; Christine Michaud, Robert Nyman; Bryn Ossington; Masa Raskovic; Andrea Santi; and Scott Thomson Staff: Cory Bluhm, Executive Director Economic Development Hilary Abel, Downtown Marketing & Program Co-coordinator Chloe Schinkel, Interim Committee Coordinator Today’s meeting was held at TWH Social, 1 King St.W., Kitchener 1. Information Items/Unfinished Business Welcoming Brief  S. Thomson assumed the co-chair  H. Abel explaining we will approach DTK 2020 (#5 on the agenda) in two parts, today’s focus will be on “Priority 2: Foster and support heartfelt urban experiences”  Members extended their congratulations to Cory Bluhm who was recently appointed Executive Director of Economic Development Arts & Culture Advisory Committee  A. Francis was not available for an update. Downtown Events Movie night in Civic Centre Park th  About 150 people on Wednesday, August 16 for a screening of Jaws  Great feedback from the community  We should do more movie nights next year as it is such low cost to operate Food Truck Fam Jam  Formerly known as the Outlaw Food Truck, the Food Truck Fam Jam will be held th Sunday September 17 from 12pm-7pm in Civic Centre Park  Partnering with St Mary’s Hospital Foundation, food truck vendors will be making a donation from their days proceeds  Lots of kids programming: School of Rock performing, Children’s Art Factory to rent stations, partnering with ECE to bring free play things for families Page 1 DOWNTOWN ACTION & ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES August 24, 2017 City of Kitchener  A fenced off licensed area run by Bread Heads will be available  Volunteers are required for stations, please advise hilary.abel@kitchener.ca if you are available for 1-2 hour shifts Night/Shift Volunteer Recruitment  E. Rumble is hosting a ‘volunteer recruitment’ evening on Thursday, September th 14 in Goudies Lane (6-10pm) Queen Street Placemaking Strategy st  Proposal went to Planning Committee on August 21 where they endorsed the plan, it th will be ratified at City Council on August 28  Now it’s mainly a question of funding - we need to find partners and council to decide if/what will be contributed.  $2 million to do preferred revamp, $1 million of which is going towards base infrastructure such as road resurfacing, sidewalks, etc. it does not include any underground infrastructure upgrades.  An extra $850,000. (approx.) would be required to proceed with preferred concept - wider sidewalks, redesigned concrete, overhead lighting and Vogelsang Green  If possible, it makes sense to do all that is required now if possible, timing is perfect as the base infrastructure needs to be done  In 3 months when council discusses the budget, we will know more – stay tuned!  The new owners of the (former) American Hotel located at the corner of Queen & King, plan to restore the Queen & King Street façade. Part of the restoration will include new windows and brick restoration. Additional stories are under consideration for residential apartments. Goudies Lane will provide access to storefronts along with current storefronts on King & Queen.  It was noted that upgrades to sidewalks, roads, etc. are monitored for maintenance i.e. tripping hazards, non-maintenance upgrades will be an additional cost. Action: Members to be provided with a rendering of the proposed plan for the former American Hotel located at 4 King St.E. downtown Kitchener. Page 2 DOWNTOWN ACTION & ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES August 24, 2017 City of Kitchener 48 Ontario Street  The City received five proposals, with Voisin Capital being the successful bid. Below, is the proposed rendering submitted by Voisin Capital for 48 Ontario St., Kitchener.  This is Voisin Capital’s second DTK project after 8 Queen (Vidyard/JP Grocery)  The developer is passionate about bringing the architectural features back to life, maintaining and enhancing the old features with a modern addition  Based on feedback from the business community, it is anticipated that the commercial/office space will be occupied in a short period of time, once available. 2. Discussion Items: DTK 2020 - Priority #2: Foster and support heartfelt urban experiences In a roundtable forum, members were asked to share a time they enjoyed a great urban experience. What was it that made it memorable?  Rochester - Strong National Museum of Play, tons of interactive kids items as well as things for adults. Would visit again and again – membership options. It is a big tourist attraction and the city has plans to build around it  Copenhagen – Edison bulb lighting is beautiful and doesn’t detract from the old architecture. Family-oriented neighbourhoods were very welcoming. Awesome food scene  Southampton – Fairy Lake like Victoria Park but with a more intimate feel. Gardens with students being taught how to plant. Benches become pieces of artwork Page 3 DOWNTOWN ACTION & ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES August 24, 2017 City of Kitchener  Victoria – businesses that have back laneways use the space almost like back patios. Stone path alleyways, use of “behind” space  Chicago - Free pedestrian mall area with live music, bring lawn chairs and make plans to meet there each week. The Bean, how can we have something in Kitchener that is a “must-see/do”? Pictures shared on social media  Whistler – all retail open until 11pm, operated almost like a mall and there were tons of people out  Quebec City – strong heritage preservation, a great marriage between the pride of the past and modernizing downtown. Very close knit community and a feeling of true culture and identity. Left an impression of how much the locals love and embrace their heritage.  Havana – lots of cafes and street vendors, people are in no rush to get anywhere, very easy to just spend time there, a space to just “hang out”. City squares with sectional benches encouraged conversation  Ottawa – La Machine, people using alleyways to rush around town to catch a glimpse of the performance. Lots of heritage and character in Ottawa and the push to emphasize and preserve it, building a history  Stratford - very lively downtown, probably due to the Stratford Festival. Very little parking and there were no vacant storefronts. Compared to Centre in the Square which is more isolated and people usually leave straight after instead of coming downtown. Maybe Queen Street revamp will help with this. Pianos around town  NYC - Spanish Harlem: Repurposing an unused space under the bridge, a bar, ice cream. Central Park and what it means to NYC, we are lucky to have Victoria Park – possibility of running groups/teams?  Home - Patio furniture on sidewalk and neighbours gathered there, ordered pizza and just hung out. Simple and inexpensive  Toronto – A very good social media/website experience to find out about events, things to do/see. Something for all ages/prices. A very walkable city with great signage, plaques for history etc.  ONtour – At the end of the concert, one of our guys gave some kids the set list and a VIP pass. Very easy for us to go the extra mile to make their night. Inexpensive, as it was probably going to be thrown out anyway. These kids plus their parents would probably have shared this with all their friends, put pictures on social media etc. How can we create more of these experiences?  Tlaquepaque – A preserved walking artist village in the middle of a city. Umbrellas strung up overhead instead of lights. Statues and how they are strategically positioned to promote stores, people taking pictures and sharing on social media. Emphasis on public art, signage, laneways and parks. Pay artists to paint utility buildings Page 4 DOWNTOWN ACTION & ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES August 24, 2017 City of Kitchener  Zurich – Colour of buildings (part of the building code?) made it feel open and natural.  Tokyo – A different approach to density, building vertically whereas in Kitchener we nd typically have nothing above the 2 floor  Kitchener – late night shopping downtown th Action: The above themes will be discussion starters at DAAC September 28  How can we embrace heritage and historical culture/identity to enhance DTK?  How can we highlight architecture part of the downtown experience?  How can we create programming that people of all ages can enjoy?  How can we encourage retail as experience and not strictly as business transactions? 3: Other Business: Concern was raised around the newly built Region-owned bridge at King/Victoria:  Already a problem with graffiti  How can we make a more seamless connection between midtown and downtown?  An agreement with the Region could allow us to utilize the space for i.e. murals under the overhead track, however it would require a maintenance contract that the City would pay for.  Murals are less likely to be vandalized  Great feedback on the non-stick covering on some downtown poles and control boxes to discourage posters. 3. Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 5:40pm C. Schinkel Interim Committee Administrator Page 5