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Home My WebLink About2017-10-26 DOWNTOWN ACTION & ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES October 26, 2017 City of Kitchener The Downtown Action & Advisory Committee met this date, commencing at 4:05pm Present: Chair, Alexis Hunt; Melissa Bowman; Councillor Frank Etherington; Aaron Francis; Doug Freure; Bryan Gracan; Ruben Grin; Geoffrey Guin; Linda Jutzi; Councillor Sarah Marsh; Robert Nyman; Bryn Ossington; Masa Raskovic; Andrea Santi; Brian Santos; and Scott Thomson Staff: Hilary Abel, Manager Downtown Community Development Cory Bluhm, Executive Director Economic Development Monika Grau, Downtown Business Development Officer Sarah Bingham, Small Business Centre Sandy Curzon, Committee Coordinator 1. Information Items/Unfinished Business Updates: DAAC members welcomed Hilary Abel, who has recently been appointed as Manager of Downtown Community Development for the City of Kitchener. th by the Board of Directors at their AGM on October 17: Revenue - $1,379,000. Expenses include but not limited to: o $160,000. to attract urban shops / restaurants; o $209,000. to foster and support heartfelt urban experiences; o $175,000. for champion a caring and collaborative community; and o $250,000. for downtown improvements, specifically the Queen Street Place- making Project, highway signage, and branding. BIA was congratulated on their Discovery Team program which has proven to reduce calls to police. BIA will be partnering with KPL for a future neighbourhood party date to be determined. The BIA provides funding for patio furniture and fencing, there is a concern that will be addressed next patio season of those businesses that are provided the fencing and furniture, however do not keep their patio open during business hours. rd DAAC members were informed that their meeting for November 23 will be held at the Walper, 1 King St.W. which will consist of a tour of the newly renovated rooms, followed by a social hour celebrating the end of year one of a two year term. Page 1 DOWNTOWN ACTION & ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES October 26, 2017 City of Kitchener 2. Discussion Items: DTK 2020 - Priority #2: Foster and support heartfelt urban experiences 1. What do we need? Inclusive events Warm inviting lighting; light up City Hall * Improved marketing/promotion; more consistent ways of getting the word out; social media friendly * Consistent weekly/monthly events * Open alcohol for specific events * Good transit to get home; off-hour regional transit * More nightlife Sporting events; transit to downtown after Kitchener Ranger games Friendly attractions i.e. painted streets Animating bars & restaurants Trivia nights; music; bingo Museum after dark; membership; discount; programming Open mic King street musicians; add art works and vendors Work towards marketing for more larger attractions * Free parking all of DTK all day/weekend A balance of seasonal events * Digital ambassadors to highlight DTK Awesome Stores / restaurants open later Sand & water play area for kids (Queen St. renewal) Better promotion app Roller skating rink outdoor with music * Winter carnival along King St / Victoria Park * Monthly drink passport (like they did during Night \\ Shift Winnipeg back alley artists (pay them) More locations to dance / dance lessons (Providence) More / better restaurants/bars Montreal like bike lanes and patios Winter / Summerlicious for lunch and dinner Open house / tours / talks at local businesses (tech) startups Help business engage more on social media Targeting different ages (50+) and families Friday night Farmers Market Yoga evenings & weekends Food stalls (i.e. hot dogs) at night during skating in winter Page 2 DOWNTOWN ACTION & ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES October 26, 2017 City of Kitchener Winterlude (Ottawa) in Victoria Park Downtown scavenger hunt City Hall events use of space Host sporting event i.e. cycling; running Diversity in music 50+ Evening programming * Late night dining options * Parking * Consistency in late night events * Shopping * Weekly outdoor movie nights (ideally on weekends) King St. road closure starting Friday nights at 5pm and Saturday at 5pm Better connection between non-downtown people and events/activities going on in Downtown Surrounding neighbourhood engagement * More people living / residential downtown * More businesses open later into the evening * More reason to be downtown other than work and bars * Walkable Streets (Hamilton) \\shift) Free lectures Themed events Food trucks Night market Drinks until 4am More theatre in Victoria Park Wayfinding signage along main bike trails ie. Iron Horse Trail * identified priorities by DAAC members Summary: Promotion increase marketing; social media Infrastructure lighting; wayfinding signage; walkable streets Transportation connection to suburbs especially during off-hours Events / Programming larger; consistent/more; open to all ages/gender Density increase people living downtown Page 3 DOWNTOWN ACTION & ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES October 26, 2017 City of Kitchener 2. What assets do we currently have? (taken from sticky notes provided by members) Centre-in-the-Square KPL CBC So much talent Happy hour deals (after work) Dinner + Movie + Live Entertainment Frederick Art Walk Victoria Park outdoor fitness; theatre in the park Lunch time options Saturday Market Great King St. streetscape Growing downtown population Diverse community surrounding the downtown Great pedestrian friendly streetscape Victoria Park Apollo Theatre Indoor bike racks / bike parking Transit connections making it easier for people to get downtown Great food and entertainment Live music inside / outside (weather dependent) Conrad Centre Neighbourhood associations Downtown Community Centre Boathouse Market Registry Theatre Hotels Lots of people working downtown Action: invite Region of Waterloo representatives for GRT and LRT to future discussion. 3. Other Business: None 4. Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 5:25pm S. Curzon, Committee Administrator Page 4