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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Advisory - 2000-04-13DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE Thursday, April 13, 2000 The Kitchener Downtown Advisory Committee met this date under the Chairmanship of Councillor Mark Yantzi, with the following members present: David Corks, Molly Green, Debbie Schlichter, Peggy Walshe, Councillor Karen Taylor-Harrison, Brenton Toderian, Ruth Tomlinson, Denise Shelbourne, Mike Peng, Howard Rotberg, Tom Brennand, Doug Hoch, Nancy Brawley, Donna Kuehl Others:Frank Pizzuto, Marie Morrison, Tammy Schertzer, Catherine Heal, Jeff Bannon Regrets:Howard Marr, Denise Strong, Anita Petsche-Good, Donna Kuehl, Regis Coladipietro, Peter Walberg, Trudy Beaulne, Neil Carver, Barry Zehr, Chris Cowie, Mary Drandzyk 1.APPROVAL OF AGENDA – APRIL 13, 2000 One item was added to today’s agenda, St. Mary’s High School. It was moved that the agenda for the April 13, 2000 meeting be approved. Moved by:Karen Taylor-Harrison Seconded by:Mike Peng CARRIED 2.APPROVAL OF MINUTES – MARCH 9, 2000 Peggy Walshe asked to have the minutes from the previous meeting reflected that she was a “regret”. Moved by:Ruth Tomlinson Seconded by:Brenton Toderian CARRIED 3.COMPASS KITCHENER Marie Morrison gave a presentation on Compass Kitchener. A summary is attached to these minutes. Discussions took place as follows: rdthth There will be a new meeting on May 3, 4 and 5for those wishing to add further input and help refine the survey. 1 COMPASS KITCHENER cont’d The final vision and monitoring plan will be available on May 27, 2000. Marie Morrison asked the Committee for a list of “likes” and “dislikes” from the plan. Likes ndrd The 2 and 3 sections of the vision say something to me · Feels “all-inclusive” – community ownership of the vision · Like “equitable access to personal development and well-being” – like the · balance between the community and individual focus “Healthy and safe neighbourhoods” – this is important · Like the image of healthy core and surrounding neighbourhoods – cohesive and · interactive The sense that each individual person has responsibility for the vision (i.e. “As · citizens” and “All citizens contribute”) “Contribute to” - like this idea (to them means access to make a contribution or · obliged to contribute) Dislikes The first section of the vision doesn’t say much (i.e. well-planned means · different things to different people - perhaps use intentional or proactive planning – to demonstrate not reactive) Would prefer “downtown core” rather than just core · Not very dynamic · Difficult to remember · Social welfare focus – more reactive than proactive - does not seem to be a · vision of forward or proactive thinking or looking to future Needs wording like “enhance” (improve on what we already have) · Other Discussion on use of words “downtown and core” · - perhaps “downtown community” instead of “downtown core” - someone mentioned that may want to be careful the word “community” is not overused or confusing the term - someone brought up that “community” is how we interact not a geographical boundary - someone felt the term “downtown” is a downer and has negative connotations - some responded that they like “downtown” because people know what it means and that the negative image of the word “downtown” is changing. - Perhaps use “vibrant downtown” rather than “vibrant core” - Like Toronto’s “city of neighbourhoods” – we can’t use because not unique - Like “identifiable” or “distinct” neighbourhoods. 2 COMPASS KITCHENER cont’d - People think about the downtown in two parts or two ways (1) Commercial Centre and (2) Neighbourhoods Doug Hoch wanted to note the four points about what the vision should be which he found to be important, they were: 1. Inspiring 2. Unique 3. Express values 4. Easy to remember and communicate The vision statement should reflect what the people want in order to force politicians to listen to the people. The people on this committee need to get out and let people know about the Compass process to make them aware and invite their response and comments. 3.UP-DATE BY DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT TEAM (City and KDBA) · Doug Hoch asked about the Chess tables. The proposal will be considered on st May 1 by the Community Services Committee. The report will address a number of issues raised by Management Committee. · David Corks said that the buildings in the downtown that were damaged by fire will be demolished as soon as possible, due to their unsafe condition. Grass will be put in on the lots at this time until the owners decide how to proceed. · Molly Green asked about the building located at 72 Victoria St. at Joseph St. David Corks mentioned that it is 70% leased for high tech. This is a good sign, as it may encourage owners of similar buildings to follow this example. · A consultant has been selected for a garage study with regards to new parking in the downtown. A recommendation on the size and location of the new structure will be ready late this summer. · Molly Green advised that a $30,000 grant for the Graffiti Busters program has been approved. The program will be split into three parts. They are: 1. Photographing and documentation 2. Removal of the Graffiti 3. Protective coating to prevent future vandalism · Molly Green announced that the meeting for the Kitchener Downtown th Networking Social will be held on April 26, 2000 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Four Points Sheraton Hotel. 3 UP-DATE BY DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT TEAM (City and KDBA) cont’d th · Molly added that the Sears Department store will be opening on April 30 in Market Square. It will employee about 80 people. · David informed the Committee that a demolition permit has been applied for the buildings gutted by fire on King St. E. It is not the intent of the owners to rebuild. Grass will be laid and the property will likely go up for sale. It is hoped that it will attract someone to rebuild or it will perhaps be the future location of a parking structure. 5NEIGHBOURHOOD ASSOCIATION UP-DATES Mill CoutlandHave received a $500 grant from the golf tournament held by the Police and Fire Departments for Youth Initiatives. The monthly meeting is to be held next week. Civic CentreThe Civic Centre meeting had 80 people at the meeting. The meeting focused on History. Guest speakers included Susan Hoffman, Leon Bensason, etc. It was a well attended meeting. The History Group is discussing a walking tour. This would include presentations on heritage homes, etc. within the community. 6.HOMELESSNESS UP-DATE Action report – an Affordable Housing Working Group (from Homelessness Forum) th is holding a seminar, which is being held on April 25. See the attached flyer for details. The action plan isn’t necessarily dependent on gaining funding but may include as part of it. Look at problem landlords and problem properties. Poor planning sometimes determines the destiny of a neighbourhood, i.e. – Weber Street widening was poorly thought out. This contributed to some negative factors in this neighbourhood with landlords and renting. The old fire building will be the future location for affordable housing. This is a government sponsored program. 7.ST. MARY’S: A Group called CHOICE has issues with the way the board notified the public about St. Mary’s moving from downtown to Homer Watson and Block Line Rd location. They feel that this is not a good decision for the downtown retailers, especially 4 ST. MARY’S cont’d restaurants such as Pizza Pizza, etc. CHOICE feels this closing will have a negative long term effect on the downtown. Right now the students do not feel the downtown is unsafe. These students are our future downtown shoppers because they do feel comfortable in the downtown and will not discourage their kids from spending time there. If we take students out of this area they are not seeing the downtown anymore and may in the future discourage their children from coming downtown for shopping. To notify the public, letters were sent home with the students. As in a lot of cases, for instance – newsletters – this notification probably did not make it to most parents as a lot of them were probably tossed out or lost. CHOICE mentioned that they would like the City’s support to legally challenge the process that occurred in the closing of St. Mary’s School. The process would be like the challenge made in Seaforth. This is a Municipal interest as it won’t end with the closure of St. Mary’s, it will move on to other neighbourhoods/communities. The following motion was proposed: That the Downtown Advisory Committee request the City’s Legal Department to advise Council as to the appropriateness of Council joining CHOICE in legal action against the closure of St. Mary’s. Moved by:Brenton Toderian Seconded by:Tom Brennand CARRIED This would have to be brought to Council right away. The Legal Department’s study is required immediately. An additional motion was proposed: That the short term and long term effects of the St. Mary’s move with regards to demographics, social structure / stability, the long term effects on economics and healthy communities be studied. Moved by:Peggy Walshe Seconded by:Tom Brennand CARRIED 5 8.NEW BUSINESS Brenton Toderian passed around a booklet out with regards to Project 2007, from the City of Waterloo – please see attached copy. Anyone who has information on the website for IDA, Downtown Idea exchange and Mainstreet Newsletter / Journals is to bring the website address information to the next meeting. rdth Anita sends her regrets for the 3 and 4 meeting of the Commercial Policies Review. She asked that someone represent the downtown on her behalf. It was nd moved that Tom Brennand represent her on May 2. Moved by:Brenton Toderian Seconded by:Mike Peng CARRIED Meeting adjourned. LIST OF ATTACHMENTS 1. Compass Kitchener Summary 2. Affordable Housing Meeting 3. City of Waterloo – Project 2007 – Report of the Uptown Vision Committee 6