HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Advisory - 2006-06-08DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
June 8, 2006 City of Kitchener
The Kitchener Downtown Advisory Committee met this date, commencing at 4:05 p.m.,
Chaired by Doug Hoch with the following members present: Glen Woolner, Chris Reid, Marty
Scheriter, Phong Tran,
City staff present include: Silvia Wright, Sandy Curzon and Tracey DeVille
1. Business Arising
1.1 Downtown Strategic Plan Update
Ms. Silvia Wright, Manager Downtown Community Development, provided an update on the
Downtown Strategic Plan. She advised the committee that the possibility of the downtown
going wireless is a priority. The committee agreed that a wireless downtown would be an
attractive feature and they would like to see that happen sooner rather than later.
Action: Marty Scheriter and Silvia Wright to meet with Atria to discuss the possibility of a
wireless downtown
Discussion surrounding the streetscape schedule for King Street took place. The Committee
general felt that with the arrival of the 2 universities, the streetscape should be complete as
soon as possible. The Committee agreed to put a motion forward to Council for the
acceleration of the streetscape project.
"That the downtown streetscape and lighting improvements on King Street East from
Frederick Street to Francis Street be accelerated to 2007."
Action: Silvia Wright to create report to Council for the August 21, 2006 standing committee
meeting.
1.2 Centre Block /Library Public Forum Update
Mr. Michael May, Senior Public Affairs Officer provided an update on the Centre Block /Library
Forum. He advised that Council had requested staff to do a public consultation. Mr. May
discussed some of the highlights of the forum:
^ 18.4% of responses support a new Library facility on the Centre Block property whereas
the remaining responses are against the current proposal
^ A large number of people support an expansion of the current library at its current
location
^ Support for development on Centre Block was obvious
Mr. May noted that this is a three phase approach and there will be a report to Council on the
results of the forum at the June 26, 2006 standing committee meeting.
1.3 Upper Storey Renovation Program -Update
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June 8, 2006
Ms. Silvia Wright provided an update of the status of the Upper Storey Renovation Program.
Questions were raised regarding the limit of $100,000 for the program and Ms. Wright noted
that that is the limit of funding available for this year. Councillor John Smola noted that the
Committee could put forward a recommendation to Council for an increase in the funding. It
was noted that since this is the first year this program has been offered, the interest may
increase over the next couple of years and create a ripple effect once other building owners
have seen the results of the current projects.
2. Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the May 11, 2006 meeting will be approved at the August meeting.
3. Appointments
Doug Hoch provided the new members with a background on the reason for having a
representative on the other Advisory Committees and suggested that the new members think
about the current openings that we have.
• Safe & Healthy Community Advisory Committee Representative
No nominations were put forward. It was noted that the request for appointment to the
Committee will be on future agendas until such time that the position is filled. Updates from
the Safe & Healthy Community Advisory Committee will be done through receipt of the
minutes.
On motion, the meeting was adjourned at 6:05 p.m.
Next Meeting: Thursday, August 10 - 4:00 pm - 6pm Conestoga Room, Ground Floor
City Hall
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DAC Minutes
June 8, 2006