HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Advisory - 2002-09-12DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 12, 2002
CITY OF KITCHENER
The Downtown Advisory Committee met this date, commencing at 4:05 p.m., chaired by
Councillor John Smola, with the following members present: Anita Petsche-Good, Glen
Woolner, Const. Mark Neill, Joan Euler, Marty Schreiter.
Others Present: David Corks, Michele Hodgins
1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA - September 12, 2002
On motion by Joan Euler
it was resolved:
"That the agenda for the September 12, 2002 meeting be accepted."
2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
On motion by Joan Euler
it was resolved:
"That the minutes from the June 13, 2002 meeting be accepted."
3. HISTORY OF FA(j::ADE LOANS
D. Corks reported that since 1996 the City has had $3.2 million in private
investment in the downtown related to the faCade loan program. To-date, the
City has granted 111 loans, with a maximum loan of $45,000 per property, of
which 15% is forgiven and interest is charged on the faCade loan to balance out
the difference. Currently, $1.6 million is out on loan through this program. If the
businesses relocate, the faCade improvement remains. The intent of the
program is to encourage and create faCade restoration. There have been some
good investments and good examples of private/public partnership and the
faCade loan program encourages owners to improve their facades. The FaCade
Improvement Loan Program is only offered to property owners and not to
tenants. Once the commercial portion of the FaCade Improvement Loan
Program is completed, the next phase will be to expand to the residential
properties of downtown.
The Fa¢ade Improvement Loan Program is a good program for new businesses
coming into the downtown that are investing more money because of the up-
scaling business competition.
4. CONTROLLED LAND USES
The report on controlled land uses has been deferred to a future meeting for up-
date.
5. SOCIAL ISSUES - KDBA COMMITTEE
The KDBA has created a task force involving approximately 38-40 people from
various sectors consisting of social services agencies, neighbourhoods, and
regional and municipal government representatives to find ways to address
social issues collectively. From this task force, as working group has been
created to investigate various concepts.
6. KDBA UP-DATE
· Cruise night and Blues, Brews & BBQ's were very successful and safe events
this year. KDBA is looking to possibly change Cruise Night to become an all
day event on a Saturday next year.
· Jazzy Fashion fundraiser is no longer a United Way fundraiser, but funds will
go towards the Citizens Action to Restore Downtown Schools.
· The KDBA is helping to sponsor a Systemic Racism event on October 19,
2002. (see attached)
· KDBA News, a supplement in the Record that comes out 4 times per year,
has just been released (Committee members see attached).
· The chess program was successful this year and is being reevaluated.
· The KDBA Mural Committee recently hosted a community BBQ and unveiled
a mural with the volunteer theme, at the corner of Charles and Queen St.
7. DOWNTOWN UP-DATE
· The Still Bar & Grill had their grand opening last week. Targeting the working
clientele of 30+. City staff will meet with Tony DiBatista and his lawyers to
review the liquor license agreement and compliance.
· The Walper Pub restaurant will be opening soon.
· 20 King St. will be opening soon. They are targeting the lunch time crowd
and prices will be comparable to other downtown restaurants.
· Children's Museum facade will be going up at the end October. The grand
opening is planned for early fall 2003.
· The City hosted a market vender recruitment launch.
· September 30th is the date set to launch the Strategic Plan for the Downtown.
· Urban Strategies will also launch plans for the Centre Block in October.
· Public School Board would like to hold a meeting with DAC, KDBA and CURA
to talk about plans for the downtown in early October. They are also holding
a public meeting Oct. 15th at Cameron Heights to deal with Cameron, KCI and
Eastwood and the closing of one of them.
Renovations have begun on the Kaufman building, which will be developed
into half residential, half commercial.
8. EDAC UP-DATE
Joan Euler had no up-date to report from EDAC.
9. SAFE & HEALTHY COMMUNITIES UP-DATE
Doug Hoch was unavailable for an up-date from the Safe & Healthy Communities
Committee.
10. ARTS & CULTURE COMMITTEE UP-DATE
Mike Peng was unavailable for an up-date from the Arts & Culture Committee.
11. NEW BUSINESS/FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
A. Petsche-Good brought up the topic of selling merchandise out of the trunk of
the cars and walking on the street and approaching people. D. Corks advised
he would discuss the matter with June Koppeser from Clerks Dept. and report
back to the Committee at our next meeting.
12. ADJOURNMENT
On motion, the meeting adjourned at 4:45 p.m.
LIST OF ATTACHMENTS
1. Systemic Racism brochure
2. KDBA News (Committee members only)