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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Action - 1994-03-03DAC\1994-03-03 KITCI:IENER DOWNTOWN ACTION COMMITTEE March 3, 1994 The Kitchener Downtown Action Committee met this date under the Chairmanship of Councillor Bryan Stortz with the following members present: Gerry Graham, Karen Taylor-Harrison, Michelle Morissetti, Nancy Brawley, Brian Hunsberger, Mark Yantzi, Robert Braum Others Present: Terry Boutilier, Valerie Gibaut~ Grant NLxon, Stephen Lauer OPENING REMARKS B. Stortz opened the meeting by inlbrming the Committee that Jodi Murray of Kitchener Parks & Recreation has organized a group of graduate level students (majo~qng in Statistics) from the University of Guelph to do questionnaires, conduct phone interviews and arrange meetings specifically for the compiling inlbrmation for the core area This project will be approximately 1-12 months in duratiom B. Stortz announced that he'll not be seeking re-election to City Council as he has been nominated for Liberal MPP. APPROVAL OF AGENDA On motion by Earen Taylor-Harrison Seconded by Brian Hunsberger APPROVAL OF MINUTES On motion by Nancy Brawley Seconded by Robert Braun B. Stortz noted that Staff Inspector Joe McDonald would like a contextual correction to be made regarding his comments in the January 6, 1994 minutes~ This correction shall be noted upon his anticipated arrival at today's meeting. VISIONS 93 REPORT N. Brawley & G. Graham thanked everyone for their help regarding "Building on Success" Report, B. Stortz commented that b2 Simoneau of the the Visions 93 Social Planning Council was very pleased with the Report and as for him~lf, he found it to be quite professional with a solid credibility-building aspect to it. o STRATEGIC PLAN IMPLEMENTATION DEMONSTRATION PROJECT B. Stortz introduced Stephen LAuer, Director, Heritage Canada (Ontario Region). 1Vt'. LAuer has been working with Kitchener since the fh~t Visions Conference as a supporter, facilitator, etc. ]Vt'. LAuer began the presentation by stating that via the Strategic Plan Implementation l:q'ojec~ Municipal Affah~ k trying to do more for municipal downtown~ There were many applications made to the l:q'oject in competition with Kitchener; however, our application was outstanding as we not only have the Studies to work with, but also the willing people. The one final hoop k putting together a Ih'aft Work Pla~ What is Kitchener's Strategy? Use a broadly supported and flexible working base Diagrams of the Downtown Analyze market and residential needs (U of G students' study). Economy physical/ambience social organization (how to direct and continue goals) Strategies and tactics gained from the work of local focus groups The work itself - commit~nents from organizations and residents (get the work done and stay informed) Revitalization Approach Vision (general direction) - a lot of work and input has been done, but it is not truly defined as yet. Mission Statement - Almost put together, perhaps a Downtown Mandate should be formulate& Information Collection - Objective basics are in place, but more data in terms of the physical image is require& Recheck Role/hnage - this is the mode in which directional decisions are made. -3- Ongoing- continue with all of the above until ready for St~'ategic Plan Development - Development of an Action Plan and a Long Range Action Plan N. Brawley questionned whether the insights gathered from the Visions conference would fit into the scheme, or are they rendered useless, S. Lauer replied that the insights are very relevant and that the Vision process provided for the formulation of an action plan, but there are gaps that needed finalizing. WORK PLAN - DRAFF OUTLINE (see attached) This process will cover an intense 19-14 month perio& N. Brawley is the PI'oject Coordinater and some City Staff from Planning and Economic Development as well as the students from U of G will be involved: Step 1- Ah'eady arrived at this step- the Agreement itself is yet to be signe& Step 9- The Training Session will be run by John Quinn and Stephan Lauer. Step 3- This step is accelerated due to the the Univemity of Guelph input It must be decided exactly what is to be done as well as determine the target primary market (Note: due to the end of the students' school semester, this needs immediate attention). Step 4- Again, based upon the students' study(s) and this could run in to August In late ApKql / early May, an all day forum to be held in order to re-visit key issues, decide on a short term Action Plan, establish working groups and develop committee~, Step 5 - This step is basically a continuation of work ah'eady done. Step 6 - The working groups and HeKqtage Canada will now establish the Action Plan and at this point of time, more people will be neede& B. Stortz commented that these dates must be set in place soom S. Lauer said that fortunately we are not starting from scratch; however, there is a lot to be accomplish by June. At this time, HeKqtage Canada will also want to review the Work Pla~ Step 7 - By this step, an Action Plan, inlbrmation, and aH working committees are in place. Another one day session which includes aH those involved will be held to determine dii'ection/role of the Downtowm Then, in 9 weeks time bKqng the same group back re-establish the -4- above-noted once agai~ Step 8 - A finalized Long Term Action Plan by October Step 9 - Public presentation in order to gain input and hear various comment~ Step 10- Heritage Canada will work with each of the working groups and a new Action Plan based on the assessed targets will be formulate& Steps 11 & 12 This can be done in one session or whatever is required - the goal is to produce a "user friendly" report~ thus ensu~4ug continued momentu~ S. Lauer pointed out that this is not a matter of changing course, just simply moving ahea& B. Hunsberger wondered whether this session(s) will require hh4ug extra people. S. Lauer indicated that beyond possibly needing facilitators, the existing staff along with Heritage Canada is all that will be required. B. Stortz pointed out that the significant gaps will be removed and that instead of just "apple polishing" a more cohesive strategy will emerge. T. Boutiher questioned what is expected to be gained by this enth'e procedure and 1Vt'. Lauer rephed that defined Strategic Plans as well as a continuing process will be in place. V. Gibaut enquired whether this will have a dynamic quahty built into it~ and kwh'. Lauer stated that in order for this procedure to be of any value, it must have the broader directions that allow for change but themselves do not change. V. Gibaut enquired as to who the actual approving body is and B. Stortz answered that it is the Downtown Action Committee itself as it has been working towards this since 1989 and now the Committee has Heritage Canada as a professional resource to pull this all together, kwh'. Lauer pointed out that the w~qtten form allows for constant communication and that the extra human resources provides approach, expertise and more energy, thereby translating time into concrete project~ B. Stortz pointed out that by having a larger plan, the "lurching" from year to year is eliminate& ~WL Morissetti expressed a fear of the process coming to a halt due to various individuals leaving the Committee and B. Stortz pointed out that this process will provide the energy necessary to keep moving ahead despite the absence of any one individual and/or individual~ ~Wh'. Lauer continued by saying that this process trys to get a greater number of people to provide the energy rather than just the few and by developing a common understanding and demonstrating market opportunities and needs a 'product' can be presented to realtors, businesses, etc -5- who in turn may then provide fundamental support~ B. Stortz thanked Stephan Lauer for his presentatio~ o INTERNATIONAL DOWNTOWN ASSOCIATION - MID WINTER MEETING B. Stortz reported that he was recently in Sacramento, Calilbrnia to attend the above-noted conference. One of the more significant presentations was by Jerry Kaiser. In regards to U.S. cities, the deteriorating downtown can be attributed to various factors such asa corporate downsizing (Fortune 500 magazine reports that middle management is being wiped out). areas peripheral to the downtown are benefitting tremendously from the new technology available. noticeable decrease in the amount of commuting (eg. the Clean Ah' Act) tourists like malls Solutionsa Embrace the best aspects of the downtown - the social aspects, user-friendly designs and its uniquenes~ Learn from "box marketing" (eg. Aikenheads - they educate, train and entertain their customers). Look closely at what they are doing. Create a pedestrian environmenb ~VL Morissetti asked how Kitchener is doing in comparison to what was seen at the Conference. B. Stortz reported that lGtchener is light years ahead in terms of community policing and neighbourhoodddowntown relationship~ B. Hunsberger pointed out that although the U.S. cities are successful in terms of their business side, they sorely lack in Social Service~ Support systems in the downtown areas are vital as the people who require assistance are usually to be found in the downtow~ Therefore, it is wise to provide a defined place where the necessary assistance is available. o OTHER ITEMS T. Boutilier reported on his recent attendance at the Liveable City Conference in San lqYancisco, Calilbrnio~ One interesting session was the "Cost of Ugliness". The identified costs are: -6- Loss of beauty, attractiveness, charm and grace of a particular area which impacts adjacent areas and the whole. Loss of confidence by prospective investors because they are "turned off" by the uglines~ Loss of existing and potential job~ Reduced assessment base for the City and the Business community. Loss of civic pride of the area (attitude and perception), and acceptable social activity. Ugly areas typically demand greater public services (by-law enforcement~ police, social services, etc.) Remedies Document those areas in the Downtown which are ugly. Quietly proceed to take some action with the owners, understanding theh' situation/problem~ Take stock of the good, and continue to promote the good in the downtowm" Focus on the small, incremental successe~" 8. Adjournment On motion the meeting adjourned at 10:40 Gayle Redgwell, Secretary Downtown Action Committee P:WRUDYB\DAC2.DOC