HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2005-08-04
KPL/CENTRE BLOCK PROJECT COMMITTEE MINUTES
August 4, 2005 City of Kitchener
KPL/Centre Block Project Committee met this date, commencing at 8:30 a.m., Chaired by Carla Ladd
with the following members present: Sonia Lewis; Hans Pottkamper; Ray Robinson; Craig Robson; Rod
Regier; Silvia Wright; Hans Gross; Marty Schreiter; Rosemary Pitfield; Bruce MacNeil; and Jana Miller
Note: Prior to the start of today’s meeting, no delegations were registered
Introductions
1.
1.1 KPL/Centre Block Project Committee
?
Members introduced themselves
?
C. Ladd welcomed those public members in attendance for the first open meeting of the
KPL/Centre Block Project Committee.
1.2 Overview of Meeting Process
?
Meetings will be held bi-weekly on Thursdays from 8:30am-10:00am
?
One week notice will be given of any changes or meeting cancellation, which will be
posted on the city’s website www.city.kitchener.on.ca
?
Delegations are asked to register prior to the meeting and will be given 5 minutes unless
advance arrangements have been made
1.3 Overview of Centre Block Project
?
The original Centre Block Steering Committee was formed in the spring of 2002 with the
focus of finding suitable development for the block bounded by King, Ontario, Duke and
Young Streets.
?
A request for proposal went out in November 2002. Four submissions were received,
which did not meet the criteria set at that time. Through discussions with developers, the
Steering Committee was faced with finding a catalyst to make the development successful.
?
Fast forward to Spring of 2004, Council approved a $110 million Economic Development
Investment Fund, of which $32.5 million has been approved for a new central library to be
located on Centre Block, which brings us to our current situation of developing a Terms of
Reference for a RFP to attract the private sector
1.4 Next Steps/Timelines
?
An updated timeline schedule was provided which details the various components of the
project, such as parking, library, existing buildings, etc. and the timeline for each step of
the process in the development of the Terms of Reference
?
The call for a Request for Proposal (RFP) is targeted for January 2006
2.Centre Block Components
2.1 Draft Vision for Centre Block
?
S. Wright gave an overview of the work that has already been done to create the vision
for Centre Block.
?
The vision statement will ultimately capture the values and direction for the Centre Block
project
?
Various workshops and resources were used, to ensure that the public clearly understands
how the vision was derived
KPL/Centre Block Project Committee Page 1 of 4
Minutes: August 4, 2005
?
Presentation Comments:
The impact of Centre Block will be a major centre of culture in the public realm
o
including public art
Action:
th
?
S. Wright to revise the vision and table it for final approval on August 18.
3.Request for Proposal (RFP)
3.1 Current Status
?
H. Gross presented an update on each of the components that will be addressed in the
RFP, they are as follows:
Parking Study:
o
?Evaluates the demand for short and long term parking incorporating as many
elements as possible to project future parking needs
?Evaluates ways of reducing traffic in the downtown by using alternatives
including the proposed LRT system
?Evaluates the impact of rental demand and future urbanization projects such as the
upper storey residential program
?It is recognized that a parking study, like the current one, is based on current
trends, therefore it was suggested that capital money would need to be put aside to
do a parking study every five years
?The current study uses the Region’s population projections. It was suggested that
the revised provincial population projections be used for the study.
?Of the six sites that were evaluated for a new parking structure, two are being
reviewed in more detail – Centre Block site and property at Charles & Water
Street
?The study is expected to be completed by mid-September
Action:
?That the provincial population projections be reviewed
Forsyth Study:
o
?A structural analysis and cost was done on the Forsyth building to determine the
capability of redeveloping it for office or residential use
?The study was based on three development scenarios for the building @ 31
Young Street: upgrade the existing structure, conserve selected portions of the
building, or demolish and rebuild on site.
Action:
?H. Gross to provide costs for each of the scenarios at a future meeting
Mayfair Hotel:
o
?Based on current market conditions, the developer will make a decision on the
viability of the building
?Interest groups will need to work through solutions to find a new location for the
current tenants
156 & 158 King Street West:
o
?Currently home to the Artery, a student art gallery
?Preference is to maintain and incorporate this property into the overall
development of the block, not to orphan it
Legion:
o
?This property is not contiguous to the rest of the block
?Private interest groups have expressed interest in the property, however rather
than entertain any of the suggested uses, the Project Committee agreed to keep
KPL/Centre Block Project Committee Page 2 of 4
Minutes: August 4, 2005
this building as part of the Centre Block development and defer any independent
proposals
?The building is in reasonable shape – an environmental audit, to be conducted,
will determine the overall condition
Action:
?Include the Legion in RFP with the option to exclude it from any proposal
?Have an environmental audit done on all city owned properties on Centre Block
?When developing proposals, preference will be given to developers who can
incorporate the existing buildings into their proposals
Public/Private Partnerships (P3) Guidelines:
o
?This process will be used to evaluate proposals
?Presentations will be made in a public forum to allow for public feedback prior to
making a recommendation to Council for final approval on the successful
proposal
Financial Incentives & Site Details:
o
?All financial incentives, that apply to the development of Centre Block, will be
included in the RFP along with all site details
4.Kitchener Public Library
4.1 Current Status
?
There are three primary activities that KPL are currently working on which will
compliment the Centre Block project:
i)Architectural Team – the team of Levitt Goodman Architects and Phillip Carter
Architect will provide the framework for the future design of the building and
construction phases – the footprint for the functionality of the building
ii)Fundraising Feasibility Study – Ketchum Canada Inc. (KCI) an international fund
raising consultancy has been retained by KPL to determine what needs to be put
into place for a successful fundraising
iii)Public Consultations – the Library strives to keep the public informed of the
various steps of the project through their website www.kpl.org ; newsletters; and
public forums. Upcoming board meetings, which the public can attend, include:
st
September 21
- KPL main branch - architects interim report;
th
October 13
– an Open House at KPL main branch from 6:30-8:30pm will be
held seeking public input
th
October 19
- in Kitchener Council Chambers, the architect’s final report
th
November 7
– City Council for final approval
?
It was noted that the architects have been hired to provide a building program and cost
estimates for a new main library, not the actual design details of what the library will
look like, but a functional design of the library needs. For example, the components that
need to be in place to support today’s technology; defining floor load capacity; lighting
needs; etc.
5.Other Business
5.1 Public Input
?
Procedures that are clear, will need to be established on how public input is obtained
Action:
?
To be discussed at a future meeting
KPL/Centre Block Project Committee Page 3 of 4
Minutes: August 4, 2005
5.2 LEEDS & Canadian Building Improvement Program
?
A meeting has been arranged to further understand the implications of both programs
Action:
th
?
H. Gross to report back to Committee August 18
5.3 Site Signage
?
KDBA requested a sign be erected on the centre block to identify the site
Action:
?
R. Pitfield to review the most suitable location for the sign
5.4 Centre Block Website
?
The site will include a downtown micro site with links to all current projects including
UofW and KPL. The site is expected to be up and running by mid September
Action:
?
R. Pitfield to circulate components of the site to stakeholders and Committee for
discussion at a future date
Meeting Summary:
C.Ladd, noting that there were no delegates registered, opened the floor to the public for comments
on today’s meeting. Suggestions from the public for Committee’s consideration, while going
forward with the project include:
a) 156 & 158 King St. W. – (T.Boutilier) these two buildings have similar floor plate levels and
should therefore be looked at together when considering them for redevelopment.
b) Culture – (G. Woolner) Centre Block project has the opportunity to create a core of culture and
to bring people off the 401 to discover downtown Kitchener by using the recently approved
Culture Plan II, employment opportunities and heritage.
c) Project Failure - (W. Kennaley) asked if the City would be willing to ‘go it alone’ should the RFP
not produce a successful developer. C. Robson responded that ultimately the next steps will be a
decision of City Council. Downtown Kitchener has become much more vibrant since the first
RFP in 2002, and it would be premature of Committee to think of not obtaining a successful
private partner - Committee would rather stay positive.
Meeting was adjourned at 10:05am
KPL/Centre Block Project Committee Page 4 of 4
Minutes: August 4, 2005