HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Advisory - 2006-09-14DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
September 14, 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: John Smola, Glen Woolner, Denis
Pellerin, Jim Jansen, Phong Tran
City staff present include: Silvia Wright, Shelley Adams, Cory Bluhm, Sandy Curzon, Jen
Walter and Tracey DeVille
1. Business Arising
1.1 Healthy Communities Strategic Plan
Ms. Shelley Adams provided an overview of the Strategic Plan as well as providing information
from the Who Are You? Kitchener campaign. Some of the highlights are as follows:
^ Look to ensure that all advisory committees have clear mandates and look at the
possibility of all committees meeting at least once a year
^ Volunteers -need more support
^ Diversity -ensure that the City of Kitchener hiring practices include this
^ Development -ensure new technology is available, balanced infrastructure, support
infill
^ Environment support
1.2 Help Design Downtown -Results Update
Mr. Cory Bluhm provided the Committee with an explanation of the proposed design of
downtown. Questions were raised by the Committee as to whether or not the work that has
been done through the Design Downtown survey has been compared to the results of the Who
Are You? Kitchener results. Mr. Bluhm advised that there are differences in the results and
most likely because of the different mindset of people. Mr. Bluhm then provided the
Committee with information on the demographics of the people who filled out the survey.
Some of the concerns that were raised through the survey are as follows:
^ On-street parking
^ Reconstruction of King Street -concern that it needs to be done correctly the first time
The Committee discussed the on-street parking issue and generally agreed and also
suggested that the on-street parking be included in the design as a flexible tool, for example,
there could be more parking during the daytime hours to accommodate shopping and those
parking spots could then turn into patios for the night life.
1.3 Downtown -Update
Ms. Silvia Wright provided an update of the status of the Upper Storey Renovation Program.
She noted that of the 13 applications that were received a total of 8 were eligible in the
program. There are currently 3 projects on the go, the other projects should be starting soon.
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Ms. Wright also provided an update on the status of the wireless Internet project within the
downtown. She advised that Marty Scheriter and herself met with Atria and there is a package
being put together to present to the Kitchener Downtown Business Association Board.
Ms. Wright also provided an update on the King Street Streetscape motion. The Downtown
King Street Master Plan Letter of Interest has gone out for Expressions of Interest. She will
have more information towards the end of the month.
2. Approval of Minutes
The minutes of the August 10, 2006 meeting were approved.
On motion, the meeting was adjourned at 6:05 p.m.
Next Meeting: Thursday, October 12 - 4:00 pm - 6pm Conestoga Room, Ground Floor
City Hall
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DAC Minutes
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