HomeMy WebLinkAbout2023-10-25 EDAC Minutes
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
October 25, 2023 City of Kitchener
A virtualmeeting of the Economic Development Advisory Committee was held at 11:00 a.m. on
October25,2023.Chaired by Chuck Howitt.
Present:Ali Akbar, Joe Curto, Chuck Howitt,Oanh Kasperski,Paul Kreutner,Matt Kruschack,Ayo
Owodunni, Laura Rodriguez Reyes, Graham Trusler
Absent:Mark Bingeman, Ben Campbell, Srikanth Desikackar,Jason Malfara,Margaret Johnston,
Dave Schnider, Barclay Whittaker
Staff:
Darren Becks, Brian Bennett, Cory Bluhm, Cameron Dale, Katelyn Remus
Discussion Items
1. Welcome, Approval of Minutes, Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature
Thereof
No pecuniary interests disclosed.
Minutes were approved unanimously by the committee.
2.DTK Vision
Darren Becks shared the Downtown Kitchener Vision & Guiding Principles that was developed
through deep engagement and a community led process. He shared that Downtown Kitchener is
at a critical point in its evolution due to unprecedentedgrowth,housing affordability challenges,
social factors and the lingering effects of the pandemic on businesses.As a result of these
converging factors, it is an opportune time for the community to shape a new vision for downtown
Kitchener. The three guiding principles of the vision are:
1.Radiating Vibrancy;
2.Cultivating connection; and
3. Belonging
Read the full report here.
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
October 25, 2023 City of Kitchener
3.Conrad Centre
Cory Bluhm provided an overview of the Conrad Centre and the situationrelating to the insolvency
of the KW Symphony. C. Bluhm noted that the operations of the Conrad Centre now fallentirely to
the City of Kitchener. Staff are developing an interim operating arrangement to ensure previously
booked rentals can continue to proceed. Staff will be developing a long-term operating model in
Q1/Q2 of 2024.
4. Committee Round Table
Committee members were invited to speak to what is occurring in their respective industries.
Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 12:25 p.m.
Next meeting: November 22, 2023
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