HomeMy WebLinkAboutCAO-06-046 - Downtown Advisory Committee Recommendation - King St Improvement Priority4
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ChiefAdministratar`s
Office
Report To: Development and Technical Services
Date of Meeting: June 26, 2006
Submitted By: Rod Regier, Executive Director, Economic Development
Prepared By: Silvia Wright, Manager of Downtown and Community
Development
Ward(s) Involved: 1 & 6
Date of Report: August 21, 2006
Report No.: CAO 06-046
Subject: DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE
RECOMMENDATION -KING STREET IMPROVEMENT
PRIORITY
RECOMMENDATION:
"That the City of Kitchener prioritize streetscape improvement plans in the downtown area.
Specifically that the improvements to lighting, sidewalks and plantings be scheduled for King
Street from Frederick to Victoria Streets in 2007. "
REPORT:
The above resolution was put forward by the Downtown Advisory Committee, June 8, 2006.
The Downtown Advisory Committee reviewed progress and prioritized future action plans for the
Downtown Strategic Plan. In streetscape, lighting, planting and sidewalk improvements, it was
noted that the current plans call for improvements budgeted over a 10-year time period, with
$330K allocated for each year (currently in third year of EDIF allocation.)
The committee expressed that King Street in particular should not be delayed further than the
UW School of Pharmacy campus opening in 2007, if at all possible. Prioritizing King Street
would aid in urban design guideline implementation, provide investor confidence, and support
business site selection activities. Additionally, major improvements have not been made to this
portion of King Street in over twenty years.
CONCLUSION:
This DAC recommendation supports a current process in place to develop a master plan for the
downtown streetscape. Engineering is finalizing the terms of reference, after which a consultant
will be selected to create the master plan by spring 2007.
The priorities for construction will be based on the King Street priority put forward through the
Downtown Advisory Committee, as established through the urban design guidelines
development process and subsequent public consultation as part of the planning and design
process.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
None.
The streetscape master plan will be developed through current annual streetscape funding
allocated through EDIF. Approaching the project with a high priority for King Street
improvements, construction funding requirements, feasibility and phasing will be determined
through the planning and design process.
Silvia Wright Rod Regier
Manager, Downtown and Community Development Executive Director