HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-05-24
DOWNTOWN ACTION & ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
May 24, 2018 City of Kitchener
The Downtown Action & Advisory Committee met this date, commencing at 4:10 p.m.
Present: David Harmes (Chair), Melissa Bowman, Councillor Frank Etherington, Bryan
Gracan, Reuben Grin, Robert Nyman, Bryn Ossington, Andrea Santi, Scott
Thomson, Martin Timmerman
Staff: Hilary Abel, Silvia DiDonato, Chloe Howell, Emily Robson
Information Items/Unfinished Business
1. Updates – H. Abel
Goudies Lane
Now closed for pedestrians only, expect to install overhead lighting in the next two
weeks.
True North
True North conference next week May 29-31. Free concert at Carl Zehr Square, there
will also be live music and patios will be open.
Downtown BIA Update
H. Abel gave update in L. Jutzi’s absence. Group is currently working on selecting the
artwork for the road mural on Eby Street and installation is expected sometime in the
summer. What suggestions does the committee have around making this a great
community event? Ideas so far include a partnership with Kitchener Market, selling
items that incorporate the mural design and free family photographs.
Committee ideas:
Food vendors;
People like to take selfies at the murals on Goudies Lane, what about a vertical
screen with the print on it so people can take pictures in front of it;
Find a way to integrate kids with a craft based on the mural design;
Provide market totes with the mural print on them.
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DOWNTOWN ACTION & ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
May 24, 2018 City of Kitchener
2. Arts & Culture Advisory Committee (ACAC) Update – D. Harmes
Chair provided ACAC update in A. Francis’ absence.
A. Francis emailed the following updates:
“44 Gaukel Creative Hub Staff report will be presented to the Finance and Corporate
Services Department on Monday May 28 at 1.30pm. It is currently available online but
in short, recommendations centre around maintaining the ability for the mayor and clerk
to execute short-term leases to regional artists, the University of Waterloo and the
Accelerator Centre.
At the last ACAC meeting we met with 2018 Artist in Residence Sumaira Tazeen. Her
craftwork is exceptional and as she plans to engage the community at large via art
activities, I encourage you to seek her work out.
Lastly, CAFKA, the Contemporary Art Forum Kitchener and Area will kick off on Friday
June 1, 7pm here at City Hall – I hope to see you all there!”
Discussion Items
3. Creative Hub at 44 Gaukel – E. Robson
E. Robson gave a PowerPoint presentation showing updates to the Creative Hub at 44
Gaukel. There is a lot of job growth in the creative industry sector, and Kitchener data shows
that creative industry workers are really underrepresented in this city. There is a huge need for
affordable space for business development, especially in the start-up stage.
The council report recommends a Partnership Model as the preferred operating model. Emily
is taking a report on “Creative Industry Hub Next Steps” to the Finance & Corporate Services
Committee on May 28, 2018.
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