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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Advisory - 2001-03-08DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE March 8, 2001 The Kitchener Downtown Advisory Committee met this day under the vice-chairmanship of Howard Rotberg, with the following members present: David Corks, Trudy Beaulne, Fred Bishop, Tom Brennand, Chris Cowie, Doug Hoch, Donna Kuehl, Howard Marr, Mike Peng, Anita Petsche-Good, Denise Shelbourne, Debbie Schlichter, Marty Schreiter, Karen Taylor- Harrison Others:Mike Teppo, Maureen Atkinson, John Archer, Kathryn Dever Regrets:Councillor Christina Weylie, Councillor John Smola, Councillor Berry Vrbanovic, Neil Carver, Mary Drandzyk, Con Papenhuyzen, Denise Strong, Peggy Walshe, Barry Zehr 1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA An amendment to the agenda was made to add Kathryn Dever, from the Economic Development Division, to give a quick review of the 2000 Downtown Monitoring Report, which had been attached to previous minutes and agenda. A motion was made to approve the agenda for the meeting of March 8, 2001. Moved by:Tom Brennand Seconded by:Deb Schlichter CARRIED 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES A motion was made to approve the minutes from the meeting of February 8, 2001. Moved by:Fred Bishop Seconded by:Howard Marr CARRIED 3. DOWNTOWN MONITORING REPORT 2000 – KATHRYN DEVER Kathryn Dever, from the City of Kitchener's Economic Development Divison, presented a brief overview of the Downtown Monitoring Report 2000. 1 DOWNTOWN MONITORING REPORT 2000 cont’d. The report has been given to the press to report on, and will be put on the City of Kitchener's web-site. Kathryn and David commented on the difficulty in drawing chain retail stores into the downtown, we are still trying to recruit them, but they don't seem to want to come, and we are working on the right environment to encourage them to come. Comments were made regarding the map of the downtown area, and that it doesn't correctly reflect the surrounding area north of Victoria St. The boundaries were used to collect data for indicators such as building permits and housing units, but significant projects impacting the downtown and not located in these boundaries were also mentioned in the report. The downtown boundary will be expanded for next year, and the boundary used for the Monitoring report will also expand to coincide with this change. Kathryn noted that the total employee numbers as shown in the Appendix were transposed - 2000 should have a higher number than 1999. Howard Marr suggested the closure of schools in the downtown is significant and should have been included in the report, he feels we still need to keep this in the spotlight and include it in next year's report. Donna Kuehl expressed concern with the high density infill housing development proposed and noted that neighbourhoods might have concerns regarding what style of housing will be developed, with the hope that it can be integrated into the existing older streetscape. 4. NEW KITCHENER MARKET – URBAN MARKETING COLLABORATIVE Maureen Atkinson and John Archer, from Urban Marketing Collaborative, the consulting team retained by the City to conduct public consultations for the new market, came to DAC to give an overview on what the public's vision of the new market should be. They have had one public consultation already, February 21, 2001, with 63 participants, and a second public meeting is scheduled for April 4, 2001 at City Hall in Council Chambers starting at 6:00 p.m., everyone is welcome to st attend. (A copy of the summary of the February 21 meeting is attached) Once both public meetings have been held, the consultants will be reporting back to Council in May with the results of these meetings. The objective of these meetings is to get as much input from as many interest groups and citizens as possible to assist in formulating a vision for the market and providing a basis for the design and operation of the market. The public can give their input in various ways, through the public meetings set up, as well as through a telephone line set up (519) 896-3580, a web-site or through FAX (519) 741- umc@jcwg.com 2 NEW KITCHENER MARKET – URBAN MARKETING COLLABORATIVE cont’d. 2892. Posters have been put up at the Market and at City Hall as well as questionnaires on what the public wants to see in the new market. A design charette involving Market vendors, architects, developers was held to find out what size, shape and feel the building should have. One more charett is planned as well as a second public meeting. Members of DAC feel that the market is important, that they want and need a market. People see it as an opportunity for good things to happen in the downtown. Some ideas already evolving from the public meeting is that they would like to see the market be full-time, with multi-cultural/ethnic feel to it. Discussions took place regarding housing as a possible component for the market, to have more people living in the area. We need to think about the neighbourhood as well as the market, consider their needs, and recognize that there are homes on surrounding streets. Further discussions took place regarding parking as an important component too. Many members felt that parking could help with the revitalization of this area. The market could also be viewed as opportunity for events to take place, not just open not during the day time, but in the evening too. Maureen explained the City is applying for the market to the Superbuild Funding, which is a Government of Ontario fund related to culture and recreation, which every community is allowed to make an application to. The fund will not exceed more than half of the anticipated budget, and in the application, we have to advise what the money will be used for, include potential partners, i.e. direct investments in the building, if any social agencies would be participating, in there are any “anchor” tenants on for the long-term. The Superbuild money is for infrastructure only. Howard Marr wondered if the input they receive could cause confusion as to the outcome of the new market, has there been any research done of what a successful market is from other cities? Maureen replied that the City hired their consulting firm because of their experience with other markets. There is information on other successful markets, but the reality is there is no formula for a successful market. Maureen did comment that we should be true to our community roots. Doug Hoch expressed concerned that we'll loose the local grower if we start putting a bunch of chain stores into the market, similar to what happened with Market Square. Discussions took place about residential properties surrounding the proposed market site. Concern was raised over the impact of the vision for the market district and the 3 NEW KITCHENER MARKET – URBAN MARKETING COLLABORATIVE cont’d. new market and surrounding residential properties. Lands that were designated for high-density redevelopment twenty years ago are now stable residential areas that need to be protected from land speculation. The Committee put forth the following resolution: That Council directs the Planning Department to immediately review the land uses around the new market site, as part of the official plan up-date, in conjunction with the new market process. Moved by:Mike Peng Seconded by:Marty Schreiter CARRIED The consultants once again reminded DAC members to attend the public meeting on th April 4, as well as to visit the web-site set up. DAC members then asked that the consultants report back to DAC for review of their final report. 5. UP-DATE BY DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT TEAM (City and KDBA) Bids on the Kaufman building will be closing tomorrow (March 9, 2001). § April 5, 2001 at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers, City Hall will be the site for the § meeting on proposed school closings in the inner-city, all DAC members are encouraged to come. Congratulations to nominees and winners from the Celebrating Success event, § Fred Bishop was nominated for Downtown Leader, and Anita Petsche-Good was nominated and won for Innovative Retailer, Merchandise. SCIPI funding announcements made soon. With homelessness in the downtown § increasing, Marty Schreiter recommends we have an open dialogue with social agencies and police in this regard. 6. NEIGHBOURHOOD ASSOCIATION UP-DATES Civic CentreDonna Kuehl reported that there is a symposium on Shaping Ontario’s Urban Neighbourhoods, May 5 – 6, 2001 in Hamilton. An exchange of information with over 70 neighbourhoods involved. If anyone is interested in going, please see the attached flyer. Information item – a debating seminar competition, focusing on downtown revitalization is coming up, if anyone is interested, please contact George Peppal at 893-4209. 4 As time was running out, it was moved to adjourn the meeting. Moved by:Tom Brennand Seconded by:Donna Kuehl CARRIED LIST OF ATTACHMENTS 1. New Kitchener Market Town Hall Meeting, February 2001 2. Kitchener Market Input Form 3. Shaping Ontario’s Urban Neighbourhoods 2001 Symposium Form 4. 2001 Event Downtown Listing 5