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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDTS-07-076 - King St & City Centre District: Streetscape Master Plan - Project UpdateREPORT Report To: DTS Committee Date of Meeting: May 7, 2007 Submitted By: Larry Lynch Manager, Engineering Infrastructure Engineering Services Prepared By: Eric Saunderson Design & Construction Project Manager Engineering Services Ward(s~ Involved: Ward 1 & 6 Date of Report: May 1, 2007 Report No.: DISC 07-076 Subject: KING STREET & THE CITY CENTRE DISTRICT: STREETSCAPE MASTER PLAN -PROJECT UPDATE RECOMMENDATION: That City staff continue with the master plan process and project schedule outlined for King Street & the City Centre District That City staff and the project team present streetscape alternatives to the public and determine the preferred streetscape solution for King Street and strategies for the City Centre District That City staff report back and recommend the preferred streetscape solution to Development & Technical Services Committee on June 18, 2007 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: In accordance with the requirements of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment Act (Class EA Act), it is the intent of City staff to continue with a comprehensive streetscape master plan process for King Street & the City Centre District. The Class EA and Master Plan process will consolidate the many ongoing public /private downtown initiatives and provide the City with a strategy to redevelop the downtown streetscape. This process shall establish the framework for the City to fulfill its obligations to the public, including all applicable stakeholders and interest groups. As such, the public will be welcomed and encouraged to participate in a thorough public consultation process. As part of the Class EA and Master Plan, the public consultation process will establish a decision-making mechanism and/or model to evaluate the technical, social, economic and environmental effects of each streetscape alternative. The Consultant, the IBI Group, in conjunction with City staff shall present potential opportunities and streetscape alternatives for public comment. The feedback from this process will ultimately determine the preferred streetscape solution for King Street and strategy for the City Centre District. BACKGROUND: In accordance with DISC Report 07-055: King Street & the City Centre District -Project Schedule, shown below is a general outline of the scope of work and phasing process to be completed as part of this project: Concept Phase (present to June 2007} streetscape concept development (renderings to be presented for public comment) Public Consultation Centre -City Hall Rotunda on May 22, 2007 1St public centre) streetscape concept evaluation and selection for King Street Feasibility Phase (June to August 2007} streetscape selection presented to Centre Block Evaluation Committee, Kitchener Downtown Business Association and Corporate Management Team on and/or prior to June 12, 2007 streetscape presentation and recommendation to Development & Technical Services Committee on June 18, 2007 and Council/Committee of a whole on June 25, 2007 Capital budget estimate and cost feasibility analysis Concept changes and modifications cif required} • Prioritization of projects and capital works planning streetscape strategy development for the City Centre District Design Phase (August to September 2007} • Preliminary engineering design and drawings X50% complete} for King Street -Capital budget estimate and cost review • Public Consultation Centre (2nd public centre} -Functional design drawings for King Street and strategies for the City Centre District • Functional engineering design and drawings (90% complete) for King Street -Capital budget estimate and cost review • Functional design drawings for King Street and strategies for the City Centre District presented to Kitchener Downtown Business Association, Corporate Management Team and Development & Technical Services Committee Tender Phase (September to December 2007 -winter 2008} • Functional design drawings for King Street and strategies /guidelines for the City Centre District complete Contract document preparation for construction Construction Phase (+2008 - to be confirmed} Schedule and phasing of work to be determined REPORT: On April 24, 2007, the project team conducted a streetscape design workshop /charrette and consulted downtown stakeholders from a broad range of interest. Areas of interest included; culture, events, education, law enforcement, tourism, insurance, finance, architecture, consulting, communication, development, accommodation, retail, restaurant and government. The workshop commenced with a presentation by the Consultant on a general overview of the project followed by an approach for the stakeholder charrette. The approach included stakeholders to assemble into five (5) separate groups and comment on a series of questions centered on King Street. Each workgroup was based on a design theme to help guide the discussion. These design themes included; Arts & Culture Theme -embrace arts and culture first by creating a diversity of cultural experiences Sustainability Theme -approach sustainable and/or green design first which is not only limited to trees and has emphasis on other forms of vegetation, permeable surfaces, storm-water technologies, renewable resources and energy sources Pedestrian Theme -consider pedestrians as the ultimate user and respect their safety, convenience, comfort and interests first Business Theme -aimed at businesses, their customers, clients and staff first with emphasis on service, visibility, accessibility, parking and convenience Status Quo -remain functionally as it is today with maintenance of roads and sidewalks The theme approach was used as a starting point and the basis for discussion although, each working group had an opportunity to comment every theme as they deemed fit. The philosophy of this approach was to work towards a final goal and to look at the big picture with one area of focus leading the discussion. Although the workgroup discussion was focused around one theme, it is important to emphases that this was a visioning exercise and it is anticipated that the final design for King Street shall include a potion of each of the five ~5} themes in one shape or form. With that in mind, the workgroups were asked a series of questions centred on King Street and for information purposes, enclosed is a brief summary of these results. 1. What is the purpose of King Street Today? Arts & Culture Theme Diverse destination place -heart and soul of city Unique businesses -alternative to shopping malls (changed since 70's} Unique activities -urban recreation corridor, stage for special events, dining, design industries, theatre, museum Sustainability Theme Place for people to live, shop, eat and do business Gathering place for events -daytime use vs. nighttime use Main artery for transportation and transit Pedestrian Theme Vibrant and interesting destination -special events, shopping, restaurants, entertainment Location of educational facilities -School of Social Work, Pharmacy /Medical Sciences Sight seeing -drive through for "cruising", traffic jams marrow roadway}, draw for people Business Theme Reflection of Kitchener -respect history, maintain traditional facades Rendezvous for local residents -shopping, workplace, home, social services Access, movement of vehicular & pedestrian traffic -alternative types of parking Status Quo Main street infrastructure -public transportation corridor Business -retail, administration, politics Meeting place -entertainment 2. What are the best and worst attributes on King Street today? Best: Lots of small stores -unique shops and restaurants with residential above Unique personality -sense of community City Hall Square -heart of the City, great public space, special events, open square Presence of diversity, Arts & Culture -does attract people point of interest} museum, Theatre Historical architecture -heritage, historic gems Safety - Perception vs. Reality Main street infrastructure -public transportation corridor, varied topography Business -retail, administration, politics Meeting place -entertainment Worst: Lack of residents -not pedestrian friendly Overall impression -looks bad, flavour of the 1980's. Safety concerns -media and public perception, reputation Lighting -inconsistent lamp standards, lights on trees, laneway lighting Narrowness of sidewalks at crossing areas -not accessible Debris on streets, especially on weekends Lack of commercial marketing Deteriorated buildings -many vacancies Lack of colour /movement -does not flow Parking locations 3. What will improve King Street the most? Arts & Culture Theme • Residential capacity -pedestrian flow, support small business investment • Design Standards (excellence} - signage, parking, lighting • More frequent, smaller events -improve perceptions ~P.R. Campaign) Sustainability Theme • Plan for retailing side - increase in retail (long term v. short term} • More people living downtown -street life • Rapid transit -environmental impact Pedestrian Theme • People -growing population will shop downtown • Sustainability -greening, trees, planters in front of stores • Marketing -heritage aspect of core, parking is a problem Business Theme • Marketing to everyone, more active Business Association • Accessibility for different modes of transportation • Aesthetics and safe atmosphere Status Quo • Discovery & Learning Industry School of Pharmacy/ Social Work} • Vitality/residential development -high quality urban design • Incentives for businesses to come to the core 4. Based on your group's theme, describe your vision of King Street in the year 2015. Arts & Culture Theme • Different place according to season, day of week and time ofday -flexible spaces, showcase, programmable pockets, street closures • Infrastructure to support arts/culture activities -cross section of diversity, evenings and weekends • Green clusters - parkettes, second storey plants, roof gardens, water features, coniferous and deciduous trees Sustainability Theme • Low emissions downtown/region -improving air quality, public transit and cycling • Leader in sustainable development -green architecture, recycled/renewable materials • Pedestrian malls onweekends/holidays -businesses that draw people downtown Pedestrian Theme • Destination place -designing King Street as a unique entity • New buildings designs pedestrian friendly -atriums, walk through areas, connections to pedestrian trail • Bicycle access/parking -racks /posts with a lock feature, bicycle lanes on Charles and Duke Business Theme • Unique public space - not a linear downtown core, better access • Eclectic group of decision makers - 24/7 business culture vs. existing gam to 5pm • Sense of pride -tourism destination Status Quo • Permanent features and archways -main entrances to City • Improved infrastructure -full range of services • Heritage Light Posts -embrace history 5. What are you as a stakeholder willing to make this happen? What do you expect the City of Kitchener to do? Arts & Culture Theme -workgroup did not have time to complete this question Sustainability Theme • Encourage people come downtown and spend money - become a destination • Support strict licensing, policies and financial incentives -work with businesses • Promote healthy food/living, cycling and pedestrian traffic Pedestrian Theme • Signage overhanging sidewalk - fagade improvement program, upper storey program • City must take on leadership role -create awareness thorough public workshops • KDBA and DNA should participate -downtown neighbourhoods are key Business Theme • Marketing to a broad community -action based plans with vision • Business supportive rules & regulations -build-in incremental changes • Working together actively -identify problems and solve them Status Quo • Partnerships with KDBA -attract businesses and essential services • Increased awareness as to what type of funding is available • Relationship with all levels of government to share the vision COMMUNICATIONS: Stakeholder design workshop / charette (completed May 24, 2007) Public consultation centres (May 22 and August 2007) Direct Mail (downtown businesses, neighbourhood associations, etc.) Newspaper and media advertisements Your Kitchener Articles (May/June and July/August editions) Special feature in the Record Webpage (downloadable resources, on-line survey, educational video, etc.) Key Message: The streetscape master plan is building on what was heard through previous public processes and residents will have the opportunity to provide input on design concepts for King Street and strategies for the City Centre District. Project Team: Larry Lynch, Project Principal (CofK}, DTS -Engineering Services Eric Saunderson, Project Manager ~CofK), DTS -Engineering Services John McBride, DTS -Transportation Planning Ryan Mounsey, DTS -Planning Silvia Wright, CAO -Downtown Community Development Cory Bluhm, CAO -Economic Development Colleen Allan, CAO -Communications/Marketing Cheryl York, CS -Arts & Culture Dan Ritz, CS -Design & Development Christina Weylie, Office of the Mayor and Council Kitchener Downtown Business Association Trevor McIntyre, Project Director Consultant}, IBI Group Don Drackley, Project Manager Consultant}, IBI Group Kelly Cobbe, IBI Group Jay Cheon, IBI Group Deanne Mighton, IBI Group Russel Brownlee, IBI Group John MacDonald, John MacDonald Architect Inc. CONCLUSION: That City staff continue with the master plan process and project schedule outlined for King Street & the City Centre District That City staff and the project team present streetscape alternatives to the public and determine the preferred streetscape solution for King Street and strategies for the City Centre District That City staff report back and recommend the preferred streetscape solution to Development & Technical Services Committee on June 18, 2007 Eric Saunderson Design & Construction Project Manager Larry Lynch Manager, Engineering Infrastructure