HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-06-28 EDAC Minutes
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
June 28, 2023 City of Kitchener
An in-personmeeting of the Economic Development Advisory Committee was held at 11:00 a.m. on
June 28,2023.Chaired by Chuck Howitt.
Present:Ali Akbar, Mark Bingeman, Joe Curto, Chuck Howitt, Matt Kruschack,Ayo Owodunni, Dave
Schnider, Graham Trusler, Barclay Whittaker
Absent:, Ben Campbell, Srikanth Desikackar,Jason Malfara,Oanh Kasperski, ,Margaret Johnston,
Paul Kreutner, Laura Rodriguez Reyes
Staff:
Darren Becks, Brian Bennett, Cory Bluhm, Cameron Dale, Katelyn Remus, Emily Robson
Discussion Items
1. Welcome, Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof
No pecuniary interests disclosed.
2. Charles Street Terminal Visioning Lab: A Thriving Economy
Mistie Brown, Sarah Millar, and Ashley Graham from the Region of Waterloo held a Visioning Lab
with Kitchener’s Economic Development Advisory Committeearound the Charles Street
Terminal. They provided a project overview, activity/methodology overview, and a worksheet that
the committee completed and discussed as a group.
Overview page and visioning lab worksheet appended below.
Questions asked:
1. What was your initial reaction/though when you heard that Charles Street Terminal was being
redeveloped?
2. The theme of “a Thriving Economy” is a broad term that could mean different things to different
groups. How would you define the theme of “a Thriving Economy” as it applies to this site in
downtown Kitchener?
3. What are some site-specific features we should work towards to meet this definition?
4. What excited you about the possibilities for this site?
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
June 28, 2023 City of Kitchener
5.Who else do we need to speak to?
3. Kitchener Utilities Transition Strategy & District Energy
Kate Daley and Tim Donegani shared a presentation on the Kitchener Utilities Transition Strategy
and District Energy. Presentation is appended below.
Questions asked:
1. What excites you about these changes in our energy systems? What possibilities do they
raise?
2. What worries you about these changes to our energy systems? What potential barriers or
challenges do you see that need to be overcome?
3. How should we communicate and market De benefits and opportunities to the business
community, and what barriers should we consider?
4. What does the energy transition mean for Kitchener’s economy, and how can we set ourselves
up for success?
5. Do you have any thoughts on benefits and drawbacks of private or public leadership of a
District Energy System?
Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 1 p.m.
Next meeting: September 27, 2023
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CHARLES STREET TERMINAL VISIONING
The Charles Street Transit Terminal has been a foundational element of the downtown Kitchener community
for more than 30 years.
Located at 15 Charles Street West, the property occupies a key location in downtown Kitchener with close proximity
to the new King Victoria Transit Hub and ION LRT. With a footprint of 11,870 square meters (1.187 Ha / 2.94 Acres)
in an Urban Growth Centre, this site is owned by the Region of Waterloo (88%) and the City of Kitchener (12%). The
size and location of the property make the future use of this site an important discussion point for the community.
On November 5, 2019, the Region of Wa
visioning strategy for the future use of site.
Consulting with the community on the vision for future use(s) of the Charles Street Terminal site, in coordination with
the City of Kitchener, presents an opportunity to advance four shared priorities:
1. Affordable housing
2. Climate action
3. Equity, diversity and inclusion
4. A thriving economy
Background + History
The Charles Street Terminal located in downtown Kitchener, Ontario is a settler development built on the Haldimand
Tract and the traditional territory of the Attawonderonk, Haudenosaunee and Anishinaabe Peoples. The stewardship
and contribution of First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples is a living history and culture that the Region of Waterloo is
committed to learning, celebrating and integrating.
1880s 1950s
From 1882 until 1958, the Berlin Gas Commission operated a coal gasification plant on Gaukel Street between
Charles and Joseph Streets. The majority of the facility was located on the west side of Gaukel Street but the main
gas-holding tank was located on the Subject Site. The environmental contamination caused by the former coal
gasification plant required significant remediation efforts led by the City of Kitchener on surrounding sites beginning
in 2007. Regional staff led environmental assessments of 15 Charles St W in 2022.
1940s 1980s
department store on the site as the anchor for the Bullas Building. This mixed-use development was used for
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commercial, residential and innovative placemaking features, including a public fountain and two concrete and
quartz statues created by artist Helen Waimel depicting sea goddesses riding dolphins, which are now on display at
Centre in the Square. The brothers and their visionary development contributed to the eventual expansion of
Charles Street from a laneway into the main urban corridor it is today.
1980s 2000
The site was left vacant in 1987, and by 1988 local modernist architect John Lingwood created the design of the
new Terminal building for the City of Kitchener's transit service which operational by 1992.
2000 2019
On January 1, 2000, ownership of the
Transit (GRT), when Kitchener Transit and Cambridge Transit merged. It became the GRT Transit Hub and
Greyhound Bus Terminal.
2019 2022
s Light Trail Transit System shifts the centre of transit in Waterloo
Region, ending operations of the Charles Street Bus Terminal. The central Victoria Park ION Station is located 130
meters from the terminal. From 2020-2022, the site was temporarily used by Grand River Hospital as a COVID
Testing and Vaccination Centre.
2022
Filming site and subject of documentary, Recollections and Imaginings, created by Niara Van Gaalen, Bangishimo,
Technical Considerations
MTE Consultants Inc. were engaged to complete both Environmental and Geotechnical analysis of the site in the
summer of 2022. The work program commenced on site in September 2022, with final on site sampling and analysis
completed in November 2022. Draft reports issued have identified environmental concerns in both soil and
groundwater at the site. These results are not considered dissimilar to other urban infill sites with former industrial
uses either on, or in proximity, but do verify the complexity of the redevelopment program, and the need for a
Remediation Action Plan.
Environmental & Geotechnical Findings to date include:
Shallow soil contamination related to lead and hydrocarbons, generally at depths of less than 1.5m below
surface.
Deeper soil contamination at one location attributed to waste from past demolition of buildings.
Road salt impacts also present in soil throughout site.
Excess soil management during future construction will need to involve disposal of contaminated soil to
landfill.
Groundwater contamination related to chlorinated solvents (no on site source
identified) as well as localized metals and acid/base/neutral compounds.
Geotechnical Considerations
The MTE report provided recommendations related to site preparation, excavations, dewatering, foundation design,
site servicing, and pavement structure. These recommendations will inform future design analysis. The final report
will be provided to plan takers through the formal RFP process, to inform submissions.
Technical Study Work Plan
Technical design and landscape studies, along with financial modelling, disposition strategy, and market analysis
will commence in the spring to help guide the path toward re-development. This work will occur concurrent to the
ongoing Multi-stakeholder and community engagement work over the course of the spring and summer. Regional
staff will bring back recommendations to Council at key milestones including the approach to environmental
remediation, and disposition to the market in 2023.
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Visioning the future use of Charles Street Terminal: a community-informed approach
Community-Inspired Engagement
Following community-led dialogue and visioning, Indigenous community leaders and co-founders of Land Back
Camp Amy Smoke and Bangishimo Johnston presented a proposal to Regional Council on Nov. 21 2021 outlining
the Terminal redevelopment as an opportunity to invest in an Indigenous community hub based on current
Indigenous community space needs. In addition to the presentation at council, the group created a short
film, Recollections and Imaginings, featuring stories from community members about their memories, experiences
and future vision of the Charles Street Terminal.
The Region of Waterloo acknowledges and thanks the community leaders who continue to support and enable
discussion on the future of the Charles Street Terminal. All community feedback that is shared with the Region
of Waterloo will be considered in this visioning process.
Community-Wide Engagement
have received over 1500
community responses to date.
A community-wide survey launched in winter 2021 determined the project's four main guiding priorities: 1. affordable
housing, 2. climate action, 3. equity, diversity and inclusion, and 4. a thriving economy. Community feedback also
emphasised the importance of equity, and a desire for community-based, community-driven engagement
opportunities.
On-the-ground outreach teams in summer 2022 engaged community members at festivals and in community spaces
in Downtown Kitchener, along with an online survey. The summarized insights indicated the desire for affordable
and supportive housing options; space for Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ peoples groups; community
space with indoor and outdoor options (with a majority of responses emphasizing need for an Indigenous
Community Space); creation of a multi-use site with housing, healthcare services, retail and community space.
Upcoming Engagement Activities
Community Connectors
As described in the June 2022 report to Council, the Region of Waterloo is currently accepting applications for
community representatives to work alongside staff to strengthen community involvement in the Charles Street
Terminal visioning process, and create space for residents to help inform future engagements. These community
connectors will join the Charles Street Terminal Working Group, and should represent a diverse mix of expertise
and people with lived experiences in priority communities. An evaluation committee is currently reviewing applicants.
Community Facilitator
In 2023, also described in the June 2022 report to Council, the Region of Waterloo will onboard a community-based
facilitator(s). This facilitator will help foster conversation with historically excluded communities (Indigenous, Black
and racialized communities, and youth) to help guide the public consultation that will contribute to the
recommendation made to Council(s) on the future of the site.
Visioning Labs & Community Roundtables
In depth Visioning Labs and Community Roundtables will be conducted throughout 2023 with identified groups
Decision Making Process
Staff will bring forward a recommendation to both Regional and City council for further direction in 2023. Technical
and environmental studies, community engagement findings, stakeholder interviews and financial modeling will
inform the recommendation with guidance provided by the Charles Street Terminal Working Group (consisting
of Region and City of Kitchener planners, senior leadership, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion change-makers,
and Community Connector members).
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Project Timeline
Community Engagement Phase 1 -Broad Community Survey on Values
Late fall 2021
The public engagement campaign for the redevelopment of 15 Charles Street began in late 2021 with the launch of
an online, broad public survey to determine the project's guiding principles.
Community Engagement Phase 2 - Identifying Needs by Community
Summer Fall 2022
The second phase of the Region-led community engagement took place in in summer 2022 and included on-the-
ground outreach teams at community members at festivals and in community spaces in Downtown Kitchener, along
with an online survey.
Environmental and Engagement Findings (to-date) - Report to Regional Council
Spring 2023
https://pub-regionofwaterloo.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=2774(External link)
Call for Community Connectors to join the Charles Street Terminal Working Group
Late Spring 2023
Region of Waterloo is currently accepting applications for community representatives to work alongside staff to
strengthen community involvement in the Charles Street Terminal visioning process, and create space for residents
to help inform future engagements.
Community Engagement Phase 3- Visioning Labs & Community Roundtables
Spring-Summer 2023
Priority communities have been identified for visioning activities throughout spring 2023. These groups include:
Local business community
Residents of Downtown Kitchener
Environmental Groups
Housing Groups and partners
Arts & Culture Groups
Youth & Post-Secondary Students
Members of local Indigenous communities, and other equity-deserving communities
Community Engagement Phase 4 - Design Workshops and Activations
Fall 2023
While specific next steps will be determined shaped on the feedback collected through both the stakeholder
meetings, and through ideation with the newly expanded Working Group members, future engagement will likely
include dynamic applications like design workshops and place-making activations. Examples may include historical
walking tours, on-site installations, design competitions, charrette workshops.
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