HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Advisory - 2004-11-18November 18, 2004
DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
City of Kitchener
The Kitchener Downtown Advisory Committee met this date, commencing at 4:00 p.m., chaired by
Sally Gunz with the following members present: John Smola, Christina Weylie, Denis Pellerin, Doug
Hoch, Many Schreiter, and Anita Petsche-Good
City staff present included Frank Pizzuto, Greg Hummel, Carla Ladd, Silvia Wright and Sandy Curzon
Introduction
F. Pizzuto introduced Silvia Wright, Manager of Downtown Community Development. S.Wright,
although not officially a staff member until November 29th, gave members a summary of her
background. Committee members welcomed Ms. Wright.
°
Approval of Minutes
On motion by Marry Schreiter
It was resolved:
"That the minutes of September 9, 2004 as received by committee members be accepted."
o
Leisure Facilities Master Plan
· Greg Hummel provide Committee members with an overview of the Leisure Facilities Master
Plan (Draft), a 10-15 year plan that will review all leisure facilities focusing on recreation, arts &
culture, sports fields and trails. The last study was done in 1991. Recommendations of the Plan
fall under three categories:
a) Plan Foundation
b) Leisure Service Policies and Delivery Strategies
c) Specific Leisure Facility Initiatives
Cameron Height Pool - The City of Kitchener has a long standing (50/50) arrangement with the
school board as to the operation of the facility. Current issues are: Lack of exposure to drive-by traffic
An aging facility that requires major upgrades
School requires expansion space currently used by pool
Challenge for the City will be to maintain an indoor pool within the downtown boundary to
attract families
Action:
Downtown Advisory Committee to formulate their thoughts on what needs to be done i.e.
decommissioning of Cameron Heights pool; public skating venues and send a motion for
inclusion of the final report due before Council mid January 2005.
°
Unsafe Downtown Properties
Committee members were provided a list prepared by T. Ruggle, Fire Department of buildings
that are currently listed as unsafe.
Action:
· None required by DAC
DAC Minutes Page 1 of 3
November 18, 2004
o
DAC Sub-groups
a. Market/East End
F. Pizzuto provided an update on Your Kitchener Market.
Additional incentives and marketing money have been allocated to bring more focus to the
full-time vendors who have experienced some challenges.
Weekly meetings with vendors are taking place to address issues as they arise
KDBA have allocated marketing monies as well to assist the vendors
Barrel Works have signed agreements from 3 tenants - Dave FM; a hair salon and;
shoe/handbag store.
· Additional agreements currently in the works are a residential sales suite for the market
condominiums and a real estate office
Market Village properties currently owned by Shawky Fahel are looking at converting 3 or 4
of the units to residential
b. Retail Health
KDBA has set aside $7,000 for business recruitment in their 2005 budget - a collaboration
with Economic Development
In order for retail to survive, institutions/industry and people have to be put into place first
The Record, moving into Market Square, will have approximately 350 employees embarking
on the downtown in January 2005 followed by future plans of the Catholic District School
Board, WLU and U of W
There is a growing need to support retail through the transitional stage
Challenge with the current 12,000 employees in the downtown is walk-by traffic
It was noted that there are very viable and active pockets of retail within the downtown
boundary that are doing well. Concern now is how to assist others areas that are not doing
well
Action:
M. Schreiter will discuss the results of a survey recently undertaken by the KDBA on the
impact that events have on retail in the downtown at DAC meeting of December 9th.
c. Arts
ASAP projects are on budget and have proven to be successful with artwork being sold out of
storefronts
Hoarding on King (Ackers site) has been completed by KCI students. S. Curzon, on behalf
the Downtown Interdepartmental Resource Group (DIRG) congratulated ASAP for
beautifying this piece of downtown
· Barrel Works site at the Market will have its hoarding painted, Spring 2005
There was an unfortunate incident recently, whereby contractors working on the Multi
Cultural Centre interior removed the 'storefront' artwork and put it in the dumpster.
Negotiations are taking place to provide the artist with some kind of remuneration.
Action:
· None required by DAC
d. Housing/Neighbourhood Associations
· Deferred
DAC Minutes Page 2 of 3
November 18, 2004
e
ge
Collaborative
Three year funding has been approved for Outreach Worker
Sock & Boot program is underway
10 new business in the downtown in the past 2 months
KDBA working with City of Waterloo in establishing their own Outreach Program
Committee updates
· Minutes of the Arts & Culture Advisory Committee, the Economic Development Advisory
Committee, and the Safe and Healthy Advisory Committee were provided for Committee input.
New Business
Healthy Community Plan - C. Ladd, Chief Administrative Officer provided members with an
overview of the plan that will go before Council on November 29th. A working group made up
of representatives of the City' s Advisory Committees, Council and various sector interest groups
will study the impact of various initiatives, ultimately creating a healthy public policy practice.
The Plan will identify opportunities and initiatives existing within environmental, economic and
social areas. It is expected that this project will take 12 months, starting January 2005.
Motion
On motion, the meeting was adjourned at 5:30 p.m
Next Meeting:
Thursday, December 9th
4:00 pm - 6pm
Schmalz Room, 2'~a Floor, City Hall
DAC Minutes
November 18, 2004
Page 3 of 3