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Home My WebLink About2018-02-22 DOWNTOWN ACTION & ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES February 22, 2018 City of Kitchener The Downtown Action & Advisory Committee met this date, commencing at 4:05pm Present: Chair, Scott Thomson; Aaron Francis; Reuben Grin; Geoffrey Guin; David Harmes; Linda Jutzi; Councillor Sarah Marsh; Robert Nyman; Bryn Ossington; Andrea Santi; Martin Timmerman Staff: Hilary Abel; Cory Bluhm; Dan Chapman; Chloe Howell Delegation: B. Cronkite (Transportation); L. Burr (Neighbourhoods); Wash (OK2BME) Information Items/Unfinished Business H. Abel Update: Hilary introduced Dan Chapman to the group and welcomed delegation ACAC Update: Public Arts Working Group (a subgroup of ACAC) nominated the 2018 Artist in Residence, and the artist just needs to be confirmed by Council has to go to Council early April. S. Marsh confirmed artist in residence choice, Sumaira Tazeen Sheikh Rainbow Crossing Passed around a picture of what the Rainbow Crossing might look like Suggested location: corner of Joseph and Gaukel adjacent to transit terminal, high visibility location, and a great tie-in to any Victoria Park events rticipation from youth groups (16-19 years old) in leadership and volunteering. There is also a desire to volunteer with Hope to be done the Rainbow Crosswalk by Tri-Pride (June) to raise awareness and create youth community belonging Location near the public transit terminal on Charles St is significant because a survey revealed it is an area that people belonging to LGBTQ communities What about the new transit terminal/multi- current location? Joseph/Gaukel is a great place to start because the transit system could still be at this location for 10 years What about signage to compliment the crosswalk? Legislation requires us to keep the white pedestrian lines there, and they hope to work with community groups to explore options for signage. Work with City of Kitchener Communications department to organize media and awareness around the project What about graffiti? Sourcing a plastic material (thermoplastic) that is graffiti resistant. Can pressure wash with soap and water and it will look good as new, take pedestrian crossing at Lancaster and Chapel intersection for example Who will install it? City workers or a professional private company if we chose to go with the thermoplastic, it requires heat to apply and special equipment Discussion on how we can get the community involved. Maybe set up a tent, table and give out face tattoos? H. Abel action item: Follow up as we get closer to the event and share the link on our social media. DOWNTOWN ACTION & ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES February 22, 2018 City of Kitchener Downtown Incentives Review Hilary handed out a copy of the Downtown Incentives report for group to review. th Goes to council March 5, anyone who has ground floor retail space is eligible Recommendations in report: i. Continue as is ii. Continue as is with focus on new businesses, owners attracting a new tenant or people taking a vacant storefront People who would not be eligible are businesses remaining the same, as these folks have been eligible for a long time Ask council to allow staff to consult the public to test interest in Queen St. lighting, but to add a new program into incentives, significant public engagement is required to make a purchase; for example, commercial, restaurant, service, beauty salon L. Jutzi has a concern for businesses who have been around for a long time, why leave them overall appearance of downtown By prioritizing new businesses, it would address the high cost of entering the market downtown by giving people an incentive to make it possible to move downtown If Council wants to keep it to new businesses as an attraction incentive that would be their decision S. Marsh said that we need to keep in mind that priority #1 in Shape DTK 2020 was to give a platform for new business we might need to give preference to new businesses to make sure we are following through on our incentive for Shape DTK 2020 As per L. Jutzi, the BIA has a business attraction fund to support businesses becoming digitally savvy, i.e. develop company website, even if they have been around for a long time, this would help them become relevant to the market so why not support them the whole way, why exclude them from the façade grant? Funding issued up to $10,000 D. now because the funds are unlikely to be depleted. If we were to ever reach $0, make protocol to prioritize new businesses, but unlikely to run out of money Committee agreed to support the report Per M. Bowman: Committee DAAC members support the façade program in continuing as is, allowing both existing and new businesses to participate, with an emphasis on attracting new businesses as per priority #1 of Shape DTK 2020 BIA Update: L. Jutzi Subject: Street murals to beautify the downtown, attract new business to the core and make downtown feel safe and clean. Hub Surface Systems, same company that did the Lancaster St project Builds community pride and creates a vibrant streetscape Does anyone have any recommendations on where the first mural should be located? 7-10 year life span, maintenance free, installation will require road closures Looking to spend around $50,000 on the mural, working with Emily Robson to find an artist, and the artist will be paid approx. $5,000 DOWNTOWN ACTION & ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES February 22, 2018 City of Kitchener Engage with marketing committee to come up with a campaign, invite media to film and picture the event to get as much free coverage as possible Big challenge is to work with the City to find out where construction will occur over the next little while. With all the high rises being built, there will be lots of heavy equipment downtown gravel trucks etc. which will damage the mural and reduce its life span Initial thoughts on location include: Around the market, Eby St, Scott St Generally the committee loved the idea of choosing side streets to highlight underused spaces Preference is to stay away from the area immediately around City Hall, as people feel this location already gets a lot of attention The mural should match the sense of place (i.e. food theme if it was around the market) Timeline: would like this to be completed in June. Have to submit rendering 6 weeks prior to application. Thought is to allow 30 days for an artist to apply, and then 30 days to submit the rendering Road is preferable to sidewalks, more durable and will create more of an impact Biggest concern is pending developments Committee hugely favoured the market area Other Business: S.Marsh There is a Report to the Community 2017 available at the library and as an online link: https://www.leadershipwaterlooregion.org/sites/default/files/CommunityReport2017_0.pdf The community has put in an application to compete in the Smart City Challenge which includes a $15m reward. Engage Waterloo Region put out a survey, please go online to vote for your top 3 priorities Discussion Item: Save talking about Shape DTK 2020 Priority #1 until next month Adjournment Meeting adjourned at 5:30pm C. Howell, Recorder