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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Advisory - 1996-09-12 1 DAC\1996-09-12 KITCHENER DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES SEPTEMBER 12, 1996 The Kitchener Downtown Advisory Committee met this date under the Chairmanship of Councillor Karen Redman with the following members present: Councillor Berry Vrbanovic, Robert Braun, Doug Marshman, Nancy Brawley, Denise Strong, Brian Hunsberger, Peggy Walshe, Michelle Morissetti, Lillian Kehl, Deborah Budd, Rita Westbrook, Martin de Groot, Marianne Wasilka, Janice Williams, Ernie Ginsler and Councillor Mark Yantzi. Staff Present: Brock Stanley, Sybil Frenette, David Corks, Tom Clancy, Grant Nixon, Bob Arnot, George Borovolis, Don Snow, Jennifer Lynn, Tim O'Brien and Avril Tanner (Minutes). Regrets: Mayor Richard Christy, Marleen Guttenshon, Karen Taylor-Harrison, Lorna Van Mossel, Regis Coladipietro and Neil Carver. 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA - September 12, 1996 It was moved that the agenda for September 12, 1996 be approved. Moved by: Deborah Budd Seconded by: Nancy Brawley CARRIED 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - July 11, 1996 It was agreed upon that the minutes of July 11, 1996 were an accurate reflection of what took place at the meeting. Moved by: Deborah Budd Seconded by: Nancy Brawley CARRIED Councillor Karen Redman noted that we had some new people attending the meeting. following people introduced themselves. Dianne Kopendoff introduced herself and noted that she works with Young Offenders. The Janice Williams mentioned she was the new Central Frederick representative. 3. INTER-CITY TRAFFIC LIGHTS - Don Snow Don Snow mentioned he suspected the reason he was invited to discuss this item today was because of some concern over removing traffic signals. He noted that this project has been downloaded from the Region and that the Region wanted the City to review the areas noted. There are only 3 areas in the Downtown that they are looking closely at removing or changing these areas are as follows. Joseph and Water, King & Borden and Charles & Borden. Studies will be done to review accident information, changes of use and new development. Don Snow indicated that his intent is not to remove any signals in the downtown area. All traffic signals in the City are reviewed from time to time due to changes of use, accident reports and new development. 4. PLANNING OF EVENTS FOR DOWNTOWN - Jennifer Lynn Tom Clancy introduced Jennifer Lynn, Events Co-ordinator and said that Jennifer would be explaining the projects she is working on. It was also mentioned that the idea of an Events Co-ordinator came from the Mayors Task Force and was set up as a 2 year contract position. Jennifer Lynn started her presentation by explaining that she was born and raised in Kitchener and sees this position as being an opportunity to give back to the Community. Her hope is to bring people to the Downtown, Build the Downtown and rejuvenate the economy in the Downtown. A committee has been formed and the Committees mandate is to "Look at starting new festivals to build the Downtown". The first step was to hold an informal discussions with people in the Community and Arts & Culture, Heritage/Multicultural and Culinary were chosen as preferences for drawing people into the Downtown. They would like to have 2 Festivals, one in Spring, probably the last week of May and one in Summer which would be held late July or early August. The purpose of the Festivals is to have something for everyone and to be developed for and by the Community. Jennifer mentioned that we have the opportunity to Build Downtown Kitchener as a Tourist Area through these festivals. The Spring Festival would be seen as an Adventure of the Senses and the Summer Festival as being a Festival of Arts. Ann Arbor was chosen as a Festival Site to visit as it is similar to Kitchener. It has the same population, has two Universities and is working in the Arts & Culture area. Ann Arbor's "Art Week Fair" is a 4 day event held in the Downtown and has approximately 500,000 visitors and brought in approximately 50 million dollars through indirect contact. Jennifer handed out a list of people in the area who expressed interest/commitment in the Downtown Festivals (see attached). 5. UPDATE ON DOWNTOWN CONTEST - Peqq¥ Walsh Peggy Walsh explained that a Committee was put together to deal with the Downtown Contest and added that they had met in May and June and brought some ideas together, however, at their meeting on September 4 felt that they should postpone going ahead with the ideas until they got more direction from the Kitchener Downtown Advisory Committee. They would also like to know where this would fit in time wise and its priority ranking. Peggy also mentioned that they now require another mechanism for advertisement as Kitchener This Week is not available anymore. After some discussion it was decided to postpone this idea for now. Moved by: Nancy Brawley Seconded by: Robert Braun CARRIED 6. ANNUAL REPORT ON DOWNTOWN - Sybil Frenette Sybil explained that she would like to postpone giving her report due to time constraints and the fact that she would like everyone to have a chance to read the report before giving her update. She did note however, that they are well over half way through the recommendations from the Mayor's Task Force. 7. KING STREET MEWS SITE DEVELOPMENT - David Corks David Corks handed out a copy of the proposed plan for the area where the Sauders building used to be. He explained that the purpose would be to increase the traffic in this area as it would deter people from just hanging out or parking on the grass. He explained they felt the most economical way to do this was to create a pedestrian path with a granular surface through the area. David mentioned their intent was to have retail outlets facing into the area however, they have been informed that any building requiring a building permit must be facing onto the street. Tim O'Brien informed the Committee that this is seen only as a short term idea until a decision is made about what to do with the area. Some concern was noted concerning Goudy's wall not being safe. David explained that some restoration has been done and that more is to follow. David corks mentioned that the chances of new development is minimal in this area however, they did not wish to spend a lot of money as the situation could possibly change a year from now. A suggestion was made to consider this area for the skateboarding park. Nancy Brawley mentioned from a safety perspective there would have to be lighting placed in this area and it might be a good idea to move some of the shrubs closer to the wall to eliminate entrapment sites. Rita Wesbrook suggested that this item be referred to the Safe City Committee for further comment. David noted he had planned to refer the plan to the Safe City Committee. A suggestion was made to set up lean-to's for artists to display their art to bring people in and it was mentioned that this idea would not be too costly. Rita Westbrook agreed with the idea of the lean-to and mentioned she was strongly opposed to the idea of placing the skateboarding park In this area. Rita stressed that it was important to have a reason to go into the park otherwise it may just become another hang out area. A recommendation was made that the suggestion of the lean-to's be considered further. Moved by: Ernie Ginsler Seconded by: Deborah Budd CARRIED 8. K.D.B.A. REPORT - Nancy Brawley Nancy Brawley referred to her written report dated September 12, 1996 (see attached) and asked the Committee if they preferred it if she submitted her report in writing due to time constraints that have been occurring lately. After some discussion it was decided that Both Nancy Brawley and Sybil Frenette would submit their reports in writing to be attached to the Agenda. All Committee Members would read them prior to the meeting and Nancy & Sybil would highlight the major points at the meeting and answer any questions. Nancy mentioned that Artworks was coming up this weekend and that Friends of St. Jerome would be going to committee on Monday at 3:00 p.m. 9. NEW BUSINESS Marianne Wasilka referred to the a Body Massage Parlour that was being opened in the Downtown and inquired what the definition of a Body Massage Parlour was. it was explained that the following criteria must be followed: they must be licensed by City Council, supposed to be licensed masseuses and there is to be no nudity involved. It was mentioned that there will be a hearing in the near future to determine if they have followed all the criteria stipulated. Peggy Walshe indicated that they would be having a Tour of Homes on October 5 from 10:00 - 3:00 pm, there will be a tour of 2 homes and tickets will be available at the Library. Grant Nixon mentioned that the item referred to the Kitchener Downtown Advisory Committee a while ago about the Entrance Wall "Welcome to Downtown" is starting work today. The meeting was adjourned at about 9:55 pm. Submitted by Avril Tanner Committee Secretary LIST OF ATTACHMENTS Downtown Festivals - Expressed Areas of Interest/Commitment. King Street Mews Site Development KDBA Report