HomeMy WebLinkAboutEcon Dev Adv - 2005-12-14
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
December 14, 2005 City of Kitchener
The Economic Development Advisory Committee met this date, commencing at 11:15 a.m.,
Chaired by Hans Pottkamper with the following members present: Glen Woolner, Sunshine
Chen, Lawrence Bingeman, Bob Denton, Peter Benninger, Adrian Conrad, Donald Zehr,
Henrik Noesgaard, Len Carter, Dan Piedra, Christina Weylie
City staff present include: Rod Regier, Kathy Weiss, Valerie Bradford, Patricia Bacon,
Bernadette Lowry, and Tracey DeVille
1. NEW BUSINESS:
1.1 Downtown Retail Trends Presentation
Mr. Cory Bluhm, Planner, provided the Committee with an in depth presentation on the current
and future development of the Downtown Retail Trends. The presentation focused on the path
the retail environment could be taking and theories surrounding the successes of downtown
environments. The current myth of downtown success is that there is a need to create a place
where everyone can live, work, shop and plan; the reality is that not everyone wants to live,
work, shop and play in the downtown core and that downtown success is simply economics.
The success of a downtown core is to know your audience and creating the right environment
for that audience.
Mr. Bluhm provided an overview of the research that he has been working on to assist the City
in developing and understanding the current and future trends of the residents.
He explained the demographic theory that our population is broken into 5 segments of
common habits:
Population Segment Trends % of Kitchener’s
Population
Youth (0-19) Music, clothes, unhealthy food
Live at home
Lots of time & money
27%
Name brand conscious & peer-
oriented
Love the malls
Student/Young No children
Professional (20-34) Rent or live in condos
Have time & money
23%
Eat & drink downtown
Shop downtown
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December 14, 2005
Population Segment Trends % of Kitchener’s
Population
Family/Parent (35-54) Children
Own home & 2 cars
No extra time or money
31%
Eat & drink at home
Shop at big box
Empty Nesters (55-64) Mortgages paid off
Extra time & money
8%
Go to restaurants regularly
Hate shopping mall & big box
Seniors (65+) Pensions & retirement funds
Lots of time & very active
Wants to live near activity 11%
Cautious with their money
Wants to trust retailer
The past trends have shown that most cities have been focusing their downtown developments
towards the Parent/Family segment, and studies have shown that the lifestyle of this group
traditionally does not use the downtown. Mr. Bluhm noted that this theory has been around
since the mid 90’s.
Current trends are showing that by 2016 the City will see a growth of 82,000 more non-family
residents; therefore, the need to place focus on that segment is greater. Trends also show
that Kitchener should be more balanced in 2016, with a closer non-family to family ratio.
The Committee agreed with the theory that Mr. Bluhm presented, noting that they are able to
identify with the characteristics of each segment. It was cautioned that problems could arise
from focusing too greatly on one segment, possibly creating empty areas that have been
designed for a specific population segment.
Discussion took place on the value of comparing Kitchener to a European city. One concern
was that the reality of differences in lifestyle would not provide an accurate comparison, and if
comparisons are going to be used, they should be with cities such as Toronto or Ottawa. The
concern that the focus may not be on what we can do if we are looking to Europe for solutions,
rather, look at solutions that cities in similar situation have accomplished. It was suggested
that research be done on Salt Lake City, considering that their preparations for the arrival of
the Olympics could possibly have parallel comparisons to the obstacles Kitchener is facing
within the downtown.
It was noted that capital investment must stand the test of time, considering that there could
possibly never be a baby boom again the retail market needs to focus on the current trends
and be adaptable to the trends of the future. Mr. Bluhm noted that there is not necessarily a
need to recruit certain retail chains but rather, it is important to educate the retailers and
provide information on market trends.
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December 14, 2005
1.2 V
olunteer Thanks
Mr. Rod Regier, Executive Director, Economic Development, thanked the volunteers of the
Committee for their commitment and feedback they have provided over the past year. He
noted that the New Year will provide even more excitement and success with the Committee.
Councillor C. Weylie introduced the newest member of the Committee, Mr. Dan Piedra. Mr.
Piedra is the Director of Continuing Education and Associate Director of International
Education at Conestoga College.
1.3 Corporate Visitation
Valerie Bradford, Business Development Officer, provided the Committee with an update on
the next phase of the Corporate Visitation, which will focus on automotive related industry.
She advised that the draft version of the revised questionnaire will be sent out to the
subcommittee members later this week for their comment. She advised that all members of
Council will be encouraged to attend the visitations that occur in their wards. The visitations
will start on February 6, 2006 and are scheduled to end by March 30, 2006. A sign up sheet
was passed around to the Committee members.
These visitations are extremly important to the business community because they provide the
Committee with critical intelligence on this important industry. They also provide small and
large business owners information on the City’s Economic Development strategies programs
and services. The feedback that has been received to date has been very positive and
encouraging.
1.4 Regional Land Inventory Update
Ms. Kathy Weiss, Director of Business Development, provided the Committee with an update
on the Industrial Land Inventory. Discussion took place regarding the position that the Region
of Waterloo has on the issues surrounding Regional Growth Management in comparison with
the issues that the City of Kitchener is currently facing. Ms. Weiss advised the Committee that
she will provide more details of the Regional direction following further meetings with the
Regional Land Inventory Committee.
DISCUSSION ITEMS:
2.
2.1 Minutes
Minutes of the November 23, 2005 were approved as amended.
Moved by: Glen Woolner
Seconded by: Henrik Noesgaard
Carried
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December 14, 2005
2.2 LRT Presentation - January
It was advised that the Rapid Transit presentation scheduled for January 25, 2006 has been
confirmed. The Downtown Advisory Committee will be joining the Committee for the
presentation. Location still to be determined.
2.3 Overview of 2006 Agenda Items
The Committee was advised that Tracey DeVille will be forwarded a list of potential agenda
items for 2006 to the Committee as soon as possible. It was asked that comments be returned
to Tracey for discussion at a future meeting.
UNFINISHEDBUSINESS:
4.
4.1 Motion for Tourism
It was noted that the motion for promoting the formation of a regional tourism destination
marketing organization, approved by the Committee at the November 2005 meeting will be
presented to the Finance and Corporate Services Committee on January 9, 2006 and to
Council for final approval on January 16, 2006.
Meeting Adjourned 1:05 pm
Next Meeting: Wednesday, Janaury 25th - 11:00 am – 1:00 pm
Conestoga Room
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