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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Action - 1993-12-02DAC\1993-12-02 KITCHENER DOWNTOWN ACTION COMMITTEE DECEMBER ~, 1993 The Kitchener Downtown Action Committee met this date under the Chairmanship of Councillor Bryan Stortz with the following members present~ Loma Ferguson, Michelle Morissetti, Gerry Graham, Robert Braun, David Ryan, Karen Simonean, Rhonda Russell, Doug Marshman, Nancy Brawley, Brian Hunsberger, Karen Taylor Harrison, and Mayor Cardillo. Others Present: Sam Klapman, Jim Witmer, Tim O'Brien, Tom McKay and Valerie Gibaut 1. Opening Remarks Councillor Stortz reported the Lyric Theah'e on King Sh'eet has been purchased by a local entrepreneur. Tom McKay entered the meeting. The theatre will be offmqng 9nd run movies for $9.95 admission with free movies to childi'en under 16 on Saturday'~ The K-W Record will be doing a feature on downtow~ Councillor Stortz had a walking tour with Catherine Thompson who k writing a Kitchener article which will be titled "Impact By The New City HaH Downtown". This story will be sent to Southam Pubhshing who are doing a series of articles featu~qng downtown areas across Canada~ Councillor Stortz advised that the downtown neighbourhood groups had a meeting last evening to discuss the Comprehensive Zoning proposed for downtow~ He noted he is hopeful a resolution will be forthcoming by December 6tk Resignation: Councillor Stortz reported it is with regret he accepts the resignation of James Richard. Due to personal and business commitments he no longer has time to devote to the Committee. Approval of Agenda On motion by Robert Braun Seconded by Karen Simoneau it was resolved: That the Kitchener Downtown Action Committee agenda of December 9, 1993, be accepted. KITCHENER DOWNTOWN ACTION COMMITTEE - 1~9 - 3. Approval of Minutes On motion by Michelle Morissetti Seconded by Lorna Ferguson it was resolved: That the minutes of the Kitchener Downtown Action Committee of October 7, 1993, be accepteck 4. Visions 93 "Building on Success" Presentation Valerie Gibaut entered the meeting. Councillor Stortz stated this meeting would be spent analyzing results of the Visions Conference. He circulated a package to the members of the Committee which contained notes from each session held at the Conference. These notes where recorded by students and have been passed along to the session facilitators to review for errors or omissions Councillor Stortz directed those present to a letter from Main Street "Heritage Canada" which announced that Jobs Ontario Community Action funding has been approved and the selection process will proceed for 3 communities to be the demonstration projects in the Downtown Strategic Plan Demonstration PI'ogram~ The letter outlined the requirements that must be included when presenting a plan for funding. He noted this could be the resource to implement issues raised at the Vision Conference. Valerie Gibaut noted funding is available now if a project can be identified before year end_ The Committee discussed options on how to proceed with prepa~4ug a project submission under the Jobs Ontario Community Action Plan and where hall' the funding for the project would come from~ No conclusion for hall' the funding was determined at this time. It was suggested that support~ in the form of letters~ should come from the neighbourhood associations and involvement of the Chamber of Commerce as a player would demonstrate community involvement~ It was also suggested that the Housing Coalition might be interested in a partnership on housing issues Nancy Brawley entered the meeting. KITCHENER DOWNTOWN ACTION COMMITTEE - 130- Councillor Stortz called on Nancy Brawley to continue the discussion on how to proceed using the comments documented at the Vision Conference. She suggested a sub-committee meet and digest the inlbrmation gathered from the conference. She requested each Committee member read over the material supplied today and provide her with a summary by December 17t& Michelle Morissetti, Gerry Graham, Nancy Brawley and Councillor Stortz expressed an interest in being on the sub-committee. This committee will compile a summary of the inlbrmation collected and b~qng theh' comments back to this committee to prioritize. City Staff should be provided a copy of these notes to review to avoid duplication of effort. Brian Hunsberger entered the meeting. Nancy Brawley noted that to qualify for funding from the Community Action PI'ogram, a st~'ategic plan must be prepare& As part of this plan both short and long term goals must be identifie& The Committee entered into a lengthy di~ussion on what projects are most important for downtown and put a major emphasis on these. Councillor Stortz stated he beheves relationships need to be st~'engthened and this costs very httle money. He reported he has had discussion with some bank representatives in the core to see ff they would be interested in putting on some sort of session outlining what bank services are available to small businesses and those people interested in purchasing home~ He also suggested perhaps it is time the banks took over the Facade PI'ogram~ Tom McKay suggested a start should be made on those ideas put forth that would result in quick succes~ This sends out a message that action is being taken from the conference. Tackling several little projects gives the image that we are moving forward. He reported that Kitchener's downtown financial community has spent 100,000,000. over the last several years~ This figure represents additions to Bank of Nova Scotia~ Canadian hnperial Bank of Commerce, Bank of Mont~'eal, Toronto Dominion Bank, National Trust~ Fhst City Trust~ Canada Trust Cent~'e and the Laurentian Bank. King St~'eet k now viewed as the banking cent~'e in the area~ Mayor Cardillo entered the meeting. The Committee talked about ways in which the media could play a part in promoting downtow~ Nancy Brawley advised she has been contacted by the K-W KITCHENER DOWNTOWN ACTION COMMITTEE - 131- Record and a panel of KDBA members and the media will be organize& This should come forward in the new year. Several positive stories about the downtown were relayed by Committee members, such az the activity at the City Hall ice rink~ local businessman's lilb saved by City staff's persistence in renovating his premise, new residents who have moved from Toronto and work downtown and enjoy It was felt that any of these would make a good story for the paper. Karen Taylor Harrison entered the meeting. Doug Ma~hman reported his fh~n will be staying in the downtown core. He did, however, point out that du~qng the di~ussions regarding relocation of theh' office the safety factor downtown was an issue which he had trouble defending. When asked to provide proof that crime k down 50% in the core he was not able to do thi~ He suggested there should be hard documents to prove the safety issue. The Committee discussed the perception that lack of safety is still a problem downtow~ Statistics should be put together that will change this perceptio~ This might include improved lighting, comparison to other communities, and the increase in vehicular and pedest~qan traffic downtown and the store front police office on King Street~ Karen Taylor Harrison reported on her experience taJking to students at Resurrection High School She stated the students feel they should take part in reporting activities they consider illegal when they are downtow~ Tom McKay reminded those present that parking is now free on Saturday's and the enth'e week before Chtqstmas in the City HaH facility. 4. Adjournment On motion the meeting adjourned at 10:00 a~n~ Gayle Redgwell, Secretary Kitchener Downtown Action Committee