HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Adv - 2005-02-10
DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
February 10, 2005
City of Kitchener
The Kitchener Downtown Advisory Committee met this date, commencing at 4:00 p.m., chaired by Mr.
Doug Hoch with the following members present: Councillor, John Smola, Glen Woolner, Jason Lane
and Michelle Morissetti
City staff present include Rob Browning, Silvia Wright, and Sandy Curzon
1. Approval of Minutes
On motion by Doug Hoch
It was resolved:
"That the minutes of January 18,2005 with indicated changes be accepted."
2. 2005 Appointments
· Safe & Healthy Advisory Committee Representative
o Deferred to March 10, 2005
· Downtown Advisory Committee Vacancies
Committee members were asked to consider candidates for the vacancies. Any applications
received by the City Clerk will be considered at a future Council meeting.
3. Downtown Strate2ic Plan - Action Items:
#23 - Develop park design options and plan events for Civic Centre Park that supports arts related
community events and uses, both active and passive (e.g. outdoor theatre), including artwork and
themes in prominent locations in the District
Fire Fi2hters Memorial
· Randy Kalan, Kevin Schmalz and William Sleeth presented report CSD-04-167 to be received
and supported
· A memorial to fallen Kitchener fire fighters is being built by a local world-class artist Timothy
Schmalz. The bronze sculpture will be approximately 12 feet high by 8 feet wide.
· A conceptual sketch of a fire-themed play structure was also presented. Together, these features
are expected to draw families into the proposed downtown location
· Civic Centre Park, located on Queen Street between Centre in the Square and the Kitchener
Public Library, met the location criteria of visual prominence and pedestrian traffic.
· As the memorial is being sculpted, city staff are reviewing the landscape design and future needs
of Civic Centre Park
· Various stakeholder groups, including DAC will be consulted on the proposal
· Since beginning fund raiding campaign in October $64,000 has been raised towards a goal of
$225,000. A fundraising event is scheduled for later this month.
· It is hoped that the memorial will be in place by Fall of 2005.
DAC Minutes
February 10, 2005
Page 1 of 2
Moved by G. Woolner
"That the Downtown Advisory Committee are in receipt of CSD Report 04-167, as presented on
February 10, 2005, for Kitchener Fire Fighters Memorial Project. Motion was made to support the
memorial structure placement and endorse improvement to a playground with a fire fighter theme".
Carried
#60 - Identify and support business clustering through recruitment, signage and other means
in order to support these emerging areas of "character" throughout the downtown.
Cluster Strate2v Develonment
· Michelle Schurter, Urban Investment Advisor, provided Committee with an overview of current
and emerging clusters.
· Current clusters include automotive and manufacturing are well established and handled by
Business Development
· Emerging clusters include allied health, education, and arts & culture
· Ms. Schurter fielded questions from Committee
I #4 - Develop second storey underused sp-ace along King Street for housing or live-work space.
Unner-Storev Renovation for Residential Use
Silvia Wright, Manager of Downtown Development gave Committee an overview of the current
Fa~ade/Interior Incentive Loan Program. The proposed Upper-Storey Renovation for
Residential Use incentive will provide downtown building owners with:
1. Feasibility Study Grant - 50% of cost to maximum of $10,000 to defray costs
2. Upper floor Renovation Loan - interest free for 15% of project cost
3. Upper floor Renovation Grant - 20% of the loan forgiven
4. Loan and Grant Maximum - $100,000
5. Combine with other incentives - maximum of 20% of project cost
Eligibility for the program include:
1. Located in the Downtown - within CIP boundaries
2. Currently under-used upper floors - in an existing commercial/retail building
3. Minimum unit size -700 sq.ft.
4. Good financial standing - tax and utilities
Tn the event that a building owners has several buildings that meet the criteria, it is recommended
that a 30170 split be considered. 30% of the total yearly amount for smaller buildings and 70%
for larger ones.
G. Woolner recommended that a design standard, in keeping with the downtown streetscape, be
put into place to encourage compliance to a cohesive look.
4. Downtown Strate2ic Plan. Volume III - Action Items
· S. Wright provided Committee with a Draft Action Log Worksheet. It is intended that future
Downtown Advisory Committee agenda items will reference the Strategic Plan including all
future presentations/delegations.
· Action: Committee members to provide feedback on the Worksheet and consider areas of
priorities and individual interest.
DAC Minutes
February 10, 2005
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5. New Business
· Organizational Chart
o Action: R. Browning to provide an departmental organizational chart for DAC members
On motion, the meeting was adjourned at 5:55p.m
DAC Minutes
February 10, 2005
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