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HomeMy WebLinkAbout11. November 21, 2023 ACAC Minutes ARTS AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (ACAC) MINUTES NOVEMBER 21, 2023 CITY OF KITCHENER The Arts and Culture Advisory Committee met at city hall on November 21, 2023, commencing at 4:00 p.m. PRESENT: All members present, except A. Girard, I. Bhattacharjee, C. Altinkas, E. Wainaina and Councillor Schnider; M. Melo and I. Stefanescu joined virtually. STAFF: E. Rumble, Coordinator, Arts & Creative Industries K. Varin, Program Administrator, Arts & Creative Industries GUESTS: none 1. Acceptance of agenda Carried 2. Approval of minutes Carried 3. Declaration of conflict of interest None DELEGATION/PRESENTATIONS: 4. Bramm Yards Community Engagement: J. Brown The city of Kitchener is planning to redevelop city-owned lands known as Bramm Yards into a mixed-use business park. The city is currently in the process of an engagement strategy seeking community input on the proposed vision and four development principles that will support creating a Master Plan for the re-development. Committee input will compliment a survey done through the Engage Kitchener platform with citizens. Once the input is summarized, Council and city staff will establish the final vision and principles in a Master Plan. The second step is for Council to determine the best way for this vision to come to reality such as: 1. The city redevelops the lands themselves. 2. Partners with a developer where the city remains as owner of the lands. 3. An RFP (Request for Proposals) will be issued, and the city remains owner of the lands. The site is currently an eight-acre parking lot, with some residential towers and small businesses in the vicinity. The lands fall under higher density development, and due to the proximity of the University of Waterloo School of Pharmacy, Google Health and Communitech, present an opportunity to attract businesses focused on health innovation. In its vision for the redevelopment, the city is proposing to include: 1. Health innovation focused employment. 2. New housing. 3. A vibrant streetscape with high quality public spaces. 4. Built using leading sustainability practices. Members shared feedback on the vision: Include programmable space for arts and culture events to take place making sure it supports evening activation, such as a theatre or gallery space that would encourage visitors to visit after hours, November 2023 - ACAC Minutes 1 ARTS AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (ACAC) MINUTES NOVEMBER 21, 2023 CITY OF KITCHENER Consider including a central outdoor space for people to congregate, recreational spaces and spaces to accommodate concerts or festival – all these spaces contribute into creating a neighbourhood, Consider housing geared to income rather than discount on rent approach, Consider creating spaces lost during the redevelopment for artists/artisans/small business owners: can micro/specialized spaces for retail be included? Or co-working spaces? As a “mixed-use” proposal, consider expanding the focus away from medical/tech uses only, to encompass health innovation on a broader scale, allowing for opportunities for interaction, How would you showcase the innovation? How would you raise awareness around health? Include outdoor spaces for health such as outdoor exercise equipment, playgrounds, for creating displays. Further, members shared input on the four redevelopment principles: 1. Bramm Yards will become a vibrant mixed-use community. Focus on broad public health innovation and healthy communities, for example mental health or child development – a more wholistic approach than solely medical technology innovation. Important to include all types of health practitioners such as family doctors as tenants. 2. Bramm Yards is sustainably designed by integrating leading-edge technology to reduce impact of heating and cooling systems and to strive for emerging industry standards. It is important to have sustainable practices in the buildings. Consider the budget allocations carefully to include those practices. 3. Bramm Yards integrates community spaces through vibrant streetscape, high quality community space and introduction of active transportation modes and connections through the site. Consider pick-up and drop-off zones and pedestrian-only spaces. Showcase arts; include coffee spaces, a community garden; think of activating rooftop spaces. Create numerous areas with varied seating to encourage use and gatherings. 4. Bramm Yards will be designed with expectation of high-quality architecture and finishes, with a well-designed public realm, high quality landscaping and with integration of active transportation. Architectural aesthetics and well-designed public spaces, including natural spaces, are important as they contribute to placemaking; incorporating bike lanes and ample parking will ensure easier access. Summary of findings is expected to be ready by early January 2024, but the redevelopment itself will take 10 to 15 years to be completed. Members can subscribe to the Engage Kitchener/Bramm Yards page to receive updates. DISCUSSION ITEMS: 5. All Committees Meeting highlights: M. Lam November 2023 - ACAC Minutes 2 ARTS AND CULTURE ADVISORY COMMITTEE (ACAC) MINUTES NOVEMBER 21, 2023 CITY OF KITCHENER M. Lam attended the second meeting of chairs from all city committees organized by Compass Kitchener. Read more about Compass Kitchener on the city’s website . The purpose of this latest meeting was to share the city’s Strategic Plan which outlines aspirational actions to be started in the next one to two years. Each committee is asked to identify key actions that relate to their mandate and that members are interested in pursuing in their workplan. Compass Kitchener will share a summary in the new year. ACAC members identified the following: Housing for All Implementation: specifically consider live/work arrangements for artists; build up to create more housing. Corporate Climate Action Plan 2.0: let’s look at the connection to public art-making. Clean Energy Transition Strategy Strategy for Events and Festivals: prioritize local talent. Implement Arts and Culture Master Plan Advance Truth and Reconciliation Community Centre Operating Model Community Grants Review: how can ACAC’s discussion of fair compensation to artists be included? Implement city-wide Data Strategy: there is a lack of arts and culture data, thus how can that be incorporated and what type of data would be useful? Procurement Innovation: rethinking the RFP process; invite partnership proposals and artist involvement. Members can access the Strategic Plan on the city’s website. INFORMATION ITEMS: 6. Standing items city updates: E. Rumble Environics is close to completing their report with findings from community consultations for all municipalities and region. Information will inform next steps in creating city’s next Arts and Culture Plan. Economic Development hopes to have a new manager of the Arts and Creative Industries team, in place, in the new year. 7. Downtown Action and Advisory Committee: A. Girard Postponed till next meeting. 8. Economic Development Advisory Committee: M. Lam Postponed till next meeting. 9. Public Art Working Group: K. Varin No November meeting. 10. Council report: Councillor D. Schnider Postponed till next meeting. 11. Member updates: none. The meeting was adjourned at 6:02 p.m. th NEXT MEETING: Tuesday, January 16 at 4 p.m., city hall, Pipe Room, 6 floor. November 2023 - ACAC Minutes 3