HomeMy WebLinkAboutEcon Dev Adv - 2007-04-25
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES
April 25, 2007 City of Kitchener
The Economic Development Advisory Committee met this date, chaired by
Councillor Christina Weylie, commencing at 11:10 a.m. with the following
members in attendance: Adrian Conrad, Mark Collins, Jeremy Auger, Ian Cook,
Gerry Remers, Peter Benninger, Glen Woolner, Sherryl Petricevic, Len Carter,
Bob Denton, Willy Heffner, Paul Singh and Dan Piedra
The following people sent their regrets: Lawrence Bingeman, Don Zehr, Howie
Budd
The following people were absent: Paul Allen
Staff in attendance: Rod Regier, Kathy Weiss, Sandy Curzon, Cory Bluhm,
Shelley Adams, Tracey DeVille
Approval of Minutes
Economic Development Advisory Committee approved the minutes with changes
to reflect the understanding that staff were to further refine EDAC’s suggestions
on the vision statement.
1. Discussion Items
1.1 Member Resignation
Tracey DeVille advised the committee that Paul Allen, representative for the
consultant sector, has resigned due to work commitments. Mr. Allen forwarded
the name of a colleague that would be willing to take his place. Ms. DeVille
asked if any member of the Committee was apposed to Mr. Steven Voll taking
over for Mr. Allen. The Committee was in support of the change.
Action:
Ms. DeVille to submit a report to Council for approval of Mr. Steven Voll as a
member of the Committee.
1.2 Centre Block – Update
Mr. Regier provided the Committee with an update on the Centre Block process.
He advised that Andrin Homes were the only proponent that would be providing a
proposal on the Centre Block site.
The committee posed questions on:
Residential affordability - housing on the site include affordable but not
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subsidized
Phases of the project
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Project phasing
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Availability of downtown incentives
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Plans for the Mayfair and Mayfair residents
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Façade along King Street
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Members of the Committee suggested the facade should replicate the
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historic King Street facade
Reuse of materials salvaged from the Forsyth building
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Parking
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Greenspace
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Mr. Regier advised of the next steps:
Andrin to develop the detailed design over the next 2 months
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Presentation to Council on June 25, 2007
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6 Week public consultation
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Mail out information package to all households
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Launch on-line survey, phone and email
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End of July, Centre Block Evaluation Committee will negotiate details
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with Andrin and prepare recommendation to Council
The Committee requested an opportunity to review the proposal in a joint
meeting with DAC on June 27.
Action:
Rod to coordinate with DAC.
1.3 King Street Streetscape Master Planning Process
Mr. Cory Bluhm provided the Committee with an overview of the process in place
for the King Street Streetscape Master Plan.
Members of the Committee identified the following areas of concern:
The condition of the streetscape determine in large part by the facades of
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adjacent store fronts. Any effort to improve the streetscape also needs to
encourage store front owners to improve their own buildings
The Committee was advised of the Financial Incentives packages that are
available to property owners in the downtown
The appearance of the street from upper stories also needs to be
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considered
Pedestrian downtown?
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Ensure street is flexible
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Development Charges
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Victorian Street Façade / Maintain Heritage
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Include façade repair as part of the redevelopment
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Address the negative elements of the downtown
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Redevelop an entire block to test out the look
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Pulling the plan forward ensure that it is done right the first time
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City to be a catalyst
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Effective lighting
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Eclectic atmosphere
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1.4 Talent Attraction
Ms. Silvia Wright provided an information presentation on talent attraction. (see
attached)
The Committee provided the following comments:
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Increased effort to promote Kitchener and Kitchener Downtown
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Attract work that ties into and builds on the strengths of the new university
campuses
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Showcase businesses with success stories
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Prove that safety is not an issue
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Create the big city feel
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Maintain infrastructure
Ms. Wright advised that this is an on-going process and it is essential to the local
economy to attract talent.
On motion, the meeting was adjourned at 1:10 pm.