HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-02-22 EDAC Minutes
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
February 22, 2023 City of Kitchener
A virtual meeting of the Economic Development Advisory Committee was held at 11:00 a.m. on
February 22,2023. Chaired by Chuck Howitt.
Present:Ali Akbar, Mark Bingeman, Ben Campbell, Joe Curto, Chuck Howitt, Oanh Kasperski,Paul
Kreutner, Matt Kruschack, Jason Malfara, Barclay Whittaker
Absent: Srikanth Desikackar, Margaret Johnston, Laura Rodriguez Reyes, Keean Sarani, Dave
Schnider, Paul Singh, Graham Trusler,
Staff:
Darren Becks, Brian Bennett, Cory Bluhm, Cameron Dale, Katelyn Remus, Emily Robson
DiscussionItems
1. Welcome and Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof
No pecuniary interests disclosed.
2. 44 Gaukel Progress Report
Eric Rumble shared an update on 44 Gaukel(44G) and the report that will be going to Council in
2023. Questions for the committee that were asked:
1. What questions does the committee have about the project?
2. What questions & answers should staff anticipate when the report goes forward to Council?
A virtual tour of the 44 Gaukel building can be found here: https://44gaukelarts.com/virtual-tour/.
Tours of the building can be accommodated by reaching out through www.44gaukelarts.com.
Questions/comments from committee:
- Show costs as percentage of overall budget
- Discuss how unique44G is in the City/Region and that if it is removed from the budget, there
isn’t anything else like it
- Keep building repairs separate from budget ask
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
February 22, 2023 City of Kitchener
-Turnover measurement rates-what’s the plan to rotate through tenants to give everyone a
chance to be successful?
- Cultural integration strategy
- What is intention of the building? Provide space for new artists or create an entity that takes a
leadership position in City? Getting a better sense of the intent helps provide a better
understanding of partners
3. Retail Attraction
Darren Becks spoke to the Downtown Retail Attraction Strategy. This strategy is a multi-pronged
approach to grow and enhance bricks & mortar businesses.
Phase one: Receive baseline information by working to identify, build an inventory and catalogue
all commercial spaces in DTK. To be completed by end of Q2 2023.
Phase two: Retail consultations, analysis, and implementation. Gain intel from multiple sources to
ensure diverse opinions. To be completed by end of Q2 2023.
Phase three: Reimagine This Space. Using the Retail Commercial Inventory, work with property
owners with empty viable storefronts. Host a public pitch night that community shareholders can
attend. To be completed Q4 2023-Q1 2024.
Phase four: DTK Activations. Partner with Conestoga Retail Merchandising program to animate
and support small businesses in DTK, relaunch 220 King pop-up space, and more.
Questions for the committee that were asked:
1. Any missing components to working strategy?
2. Local vs. National- what does that look like?
Committee questions/comments:
- With new buildings going up, do you anticipate adding retail will help?
- Where are there spaces for a national retailer?
- How is this new since before the pandemic?
- Is the City stipulating what we want to see to big developers (framework/guidelines) and
providing incentives? What is the proposition we need to offer?
- Should the focus be on a large-scale development to actually move the needle?
- Is the City factoring in the large online presence in area? Is there an ability to compete?
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
February 22, 2023 City of Kitchener
4.Proposed EDAC 2023 Workplan
Cory Bluhm presentedthe proposed 2023 EDAC workplan. Workplan to be circulated to the
committee to review and provide input.
5. Roundtable Question: What impacts are you seeing within your industry as a result of the
current economic conditions?
Committee members shared perspectives from their industries. Industries that were spoken to:
- Hospitality/tourism
- Banking
- High Tech
- Housing
- Post-Secondary
- Tech and engineering
- Media
Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 12:38 p.m.
Next meeting: March 22, 2023
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