HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 2005-09-22
KPL/CENTRE BLOCK PROJECT COMMITTEE MINUTES
September 22, 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:Rosemary Pitfield, Hans Gross, Larry Gordon, Marty Scheriter,
Rod Regier, Craig Robson, Silvia Wright, Jana Miller, Sonia Lewis, Bruce MacNeil
Prior to the start of today’s meeting, one delegation was registered
Approval of Minutes
1.
On motion by: Carla Ladd, it was resolved that the minutes of September 15, 2005 be accepted
2.Centre Block Components
2.1 Request for Proposal
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H. Gross provided an overview of a draft document prioritizing the City’s objectives.
Discussion took place regarding the contents of each of the 4 categories.
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C. Ladd requested that, due to time constraints, the Committee review the document
and prepare for discussion at a future meeting.
Action:
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This item will be deferred for further discussion at the next meeting
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The issue of whether it is essential that an architect with library design experience
be a part of any proponent’s team will be discussed at a future meeting
3.Kitchener Public Library
3.1 Project Updates
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Conceptual design by architects was presented to the Library Board. S. Lewis provided a
follow-up to the presentation. The architects have identified the following as essential;
Ability to service customers efficiently
o
Natural lighting
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Presence on King Street
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Pedestrian linkages
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Greenspace adjacent to the library
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Parking beside or underground
o
Manageable operating costs
o
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S. Lewis walked the Committee through 5 options pointing out both pros and cons of
each option, noting this exercise was not intended to choose one particular design; rather,
understand visually the options for the site.
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S. Lewis noted that the Library will be hosting a Public Open House on October 13 to
showcase the design ideas so far.
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C. Robson requested clarification on the details of the information that is to be
incorporated into the Terms of Reference document. He indicated that he could not
support inclusion of any of the concept sketch plans. He also indicated that he could not
support having an architect with library experience as an essential component but would
have no issue with it being an important component.
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Minutes: September 22, 2005
4.Other Business
4.1 Parking Study
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J. McBride provided the Committee with a presentation on the findings of the parking
study. Some of the highlights include:
Identifying deficiencies, future long term and short term demands, evaluation of
o
solutions and selection of preferred solution / future garage location
If tower garage was to be built cost per space would be approximately $28,000
o
Construction of an underground parking structure is estimated to be in the order of
o
$40,000 per space
The need for a 588 space underground parking structure on the Center Block was
o
identified – 358 spaces to address the public needs and 230 spaces to address the
library’s needs.
This issue will be further discussed at a future meeting.
o
4.2 Delegation Presentation – Dale Holland
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D. Holland, Circa Development provided the Committee with a background presentation
of their past involvement with the Forsyth property located on Centre Block. He advised
that Circa Development purchase the site in July 2000. Circa Development investigated
the feasibility of redevelopment of the site to residential.
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D. Holland advised the Committee that Circa Development had reviewed the report
submitted to the Committee in May 2005 from the Walter Fedy Partnership. Circa
Development wanted to inform the Committee that there is a significant difference in the
number of potential units and cost estimates to rehabilitate the existing building between
Circa’s assessment and Walter Fedy’s assessment. Circa’s assessment indicated that it is
significantly less costly to provide residential units.
5.Project Timeline Schedule
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Due to time restraints, this item was deferred to the next meeting.
Meeting was adjourned at 10:05am
th
NEXT MEETING: THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29
CITY HALL, CONESTOGA ROOM, MAIN FLOOR
8:30 AM – 10:00 AM
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Minutes: September 22, 2005