Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Advisory - 1999-04-08DAC\1999-04-08 KITCHENER DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES APRIL 8, 1999 The Kitchener Downtown Advisory Committee met this date under the Chairmanship of Councillor Mark Yantzi with the following members present: Councillor Karen Taylor- Harrison, Howard Marr, Nancy Brawley, Mary Drandzyk, David Gowland, Ruth Tomlinson, Regis Coladipietro, Peter Walberg, Trudy Beaulne, Mike Peng, Howard Rotberg, Neil Carver, Brian Scott and Arli Klassen. Others Present: David Corks, Debra Rothwell and Nicholas Reese. Regrets: Mayor Carl Zehr, Councillor Berry Vrbanovic, Denise Strong, Anita Petsche Good, Tom Brennand, Peggy Walshe, Mary Coleman, Denise Shelbourne, Greg Kett, and Staff Sgt. Gary Askin. The meeting started with the introduction of new members. Mark also explained the new structure of the agenda so that we can focus more on the Downtown Strategic Plan. 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA- APRIL 8, 1999 The Agenda for the April 8th meeting was approved. Moved by: Trudy Beaulne Seconded by: Ruth Tomlinson 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - MARCH 11, 1999 It was moved that the minutes of the March 11, 1999 meeting be approved. Moved by: Nancy Brawley Seconded by: Arli Klassen CARRIED CARRIED 3. KORARTS CENTRE 36 Debra Rothwell and Nicholas Reese attended the meeting representing the KOR Arts Centre. Debra circulated a copy of an artist's sketch of the new addition to the centre, and a flyer produced by the artists summarizing what the centre is all about. The KOR Arts Centre grew out of the Korova Caf~ which was started by two 18 year olds 5 years ago. Debra has worked with them from the beginning. As these two young men changed and grew, so has the centre. It was decided that the Korova should be given to the young artists it was created for. When these young artists come out of school, they have nowhere to go, no equipment to use, and no business skills. They need to be heard, they need space, and they need access to equipment. A proposal was written to Human Resources Canada for a Youth Service Canada grant. They were granted funding which enabled them to hire 15 local artists for a 6-month period. Following this project a second grant was awarded as well as an additional equipment grant. Now in it's second phase the Federal Government has informed them that they will receive a third grant installment and an additional equipment grant. This allows them to have 6 studios - 2 recording studios, a full print studio, a photo dark room, a picture framing studio, and a computer graphics lab. The centre will be offering a number of programs offering workshops for all ages and they hope to hold "Art in the Park" this summer where the young artists will be able to sell directly to the public. The KOR Art Centre is the gateway to Victoria Park. They would like to establish an outdoor sculpture garden behind the centre displaying industrial artifacts. There is a natural berm to the left of the clock tower that they would like to see become an outdoor amphitheatre. The federal government has expressed an interest in helping to fund this project. If the City is able to acquire the Goldies site, they would like to use the facilities as a studio for glass blowers, potters and the Children's Museum. The centre is a definite benefit to the City and the revitalization of the downtown core. Nicholas Reese mentioned that 6 years ago he noticed that heavy industry was moving out. This created a vacuum. What seems to be filling this vacuum is the cultural aspect. He sees this project as creating a cultural phenomenon right downtown. Kitchener is far enough away from Toronto not to get caught up in their culture. The artists have compiled work displaying their personal artistic visions of Kitchener's downtown. This work will be presented on May 28 in the City Hall rotunda. Brian Scott thought the whole project was excellent, and asked how the Victoria Park Neighbourhood Association could get involved. He also inquired if the art is sold on a commission basis and what percentage goes to the gallery. This is currently under discussion by the group and will probably be about 15% compared to 40-50% elsewhere. 3? Regis was very excited about the spoken word CD's and asked if the centre was accessible to the physically challenged. Debra informed her that it was accessible and has an accessible washroom as well. Regis sits on the Barrier Free Advisory Committee and would like to sit with the architects of the new addition to discuss their plans. She will contact the gallery. Nancy asked if there was the ability further down the road for the young artists to help disenfranchised youth. It has been discussed, and there is a counsellor on staff who has worked with Lutherwood for 5 years. The artists are very interested in art therapy and could offer youth mentoring. Trudy mentioned that the cost for young children to take part in art programs in the community is very expensive. How will these kids fit in to the centre? Debra advised her that there would be affordable art training this summer. Trudy will call the gallery for further information. The KOR Project Introduction and Executive Summary are attached for further information. 4. OASIS UPDATE David brought the committee up-to-date on the OASIS project in the east end. They will be opening a ground floor coffee shop with residential units upstairs. There will be 6-8 units for young people finding their way back into the work force and will be supervised on an informal basis. It was agreed that this is a necessary project but not in the east end as it is a very fragile area. It is a nice idea, but would be nicer somewhere else. The project meets all zoning requirements and they are planning to proceed. Nancy feels that this is counter-productive to what is happening in the east end. There has been no changes with the way OASIS is run - their mentoring and supervision continues to be cause for concern. There is a need for these services but why centralize everything downtown. The kids come from all over the City, why can't the service be offered in a more dispersed manner. Howard Rotberg is very concerned with the project. He is developing housing in the area and is moving to the area himself with 2 teenagers. He read an article in the "Globe & Mail" about a similar facility in Toronto that became a centre for prostitution and crack cocaine. He is very concerned that proper supervision be provided so the same thing doesn't happen here. Once the residents are in the units, how do you stop prostitution from happening? Karen mentioned that in her meeting with the OASIS reps they expressed that they are open to any type of discussions in how best to supervise the tenants. They are prepared to look at any suggestions. We need to start a process to deal with the anticipated problem and look at the whole structure in a legal manner. Can the agreements with the tenants be made tougher to make them feel like they don't have absolute privacy? Trudy mentioned that she read that some cities in the U.S. are developing City contracts with agreements from both parties - we will do this for you, you will do this for us. Howard Rotberg likes the idea of a non-binding contract with expectations. He feels that we should invite someone from the vice squad to the next meeting. We need to put the fear into them. Peter expressed that in order to have a meaningful discussion, we can't attack the representatives from OASIS/Ray of Hope. We should provide samples of case studies where these types of facilities have failed in the past, but we should also provide an escape route of concepts that have worked. David Gowland expressed his concern that this issue is larger than the proposed coffee shop. The whole issue of prostitution and drugs downtown has exploded in the last few weeks with the warmer weather. He has gone to the police. They will try to do something about it. Nancy suggested that once we have dealt with the OASIS issue, we should use the same sub-committee to deal with the broader perspective. It was decided that because OASIS has already begun renovations, the issue could not wait until the next meeting. Two meeting dates were set: 1) Tuesday, April 20 @ 4:00 to discuss all the concerns and develop a strategy on how to approach OASIS; and 2) Thursday, April 22 @ 8:30 with representatives from OASIS and Ray of Hope. 5. OTHER BUSINESS Arli made an announcement regarding 2 Town Hall Meetings. Officials from all 4 levels of government will be in attendance to answer questions - City, Regional, Provincial and Federal. The first meeting "Affordable Housing in Waterloo Region" will be held on Friday, April 16 @ 7:00 at St. Peters Lutheran Church in Cambridge. The second meeting "Supporting Families with Children Ages 0-6" will be held on Wednesday, May 29 @ 7:00 at Zion United Church in Kitchener. Due to lack of time, all other items were deferred to the next meeting. The meeting adjourned at 10:20 Carol Robinson, Committee Secretary LIST OF ATTACHMENTS 1. KOR Arts Centre Information 39