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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Advisory - 2007-10-11 DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES October 11, 2007 City of Kitchener The Kitchener Downtown Advisory Committee met this date, commencing at 4:10 p.m., Chaired by Glenn Scheels with the following members present: Denis Pellerin, Bernie Neimer, Linda Stewart, Glen Woolner, Karen Taylor-Harrison, Chris Farley, Glenn Scheels, Christina Weylie, Nadine Cybulski City staff present include: Sandy Curzon, Silvia Wright, Cory B, Brenda Grimm, Michael May 1. Minute Approval That the minutes of the September 13, 2007 meeting be approved. Moved by Chris Farley Seconded by Bernie Niemer 2. Business Arising 2.1 Downtown Communications Discussion Michael May, Director of Communications was in attendance to provide the Committee with the approach the City is taking with the Downtown Communications’. What is the overall communication strategy for the downtown and how do we get the message out there? Why do we continue to suffer from negative comments on the downtown and we must be doing something wrong since there are so many good things happening, we are moving forward and we need to get that across. From a development standpoint and what is available in the downtown the development industry does not see it that way – just this year there is a lot of activity and people are moving from waterloo to Kitchener and there is very little left in the downtown. These are issues that are discussed everyday by city staff. Proposed 2008 Budget has several initiatives that will address what we are talking about today and if approved the budget will help. - looking to have a half full time position dedicated to the downtown (planning for and communicating issues for the downtown) - recent revamping of the downtown banners program - downtown ambassadors for the summer months (2 to 4 people) will walk the streets talking to people in the downtown – more of a customer service role - downtown tours – looking to make that a significant focus so that when people come downtown we can show them areas. 2.1 Downtown Communications Discussion (cont’d) At this time our strategy is targeted communications, it is not mass communication. If we can convince people to come downtown now people will not see the changes yet, we need to have them come when there are differences that people can see. In the meantime, we need to be selective on the marketing that we do for the downtown, we don’t think we are there yet. The targeted communications that are being done now, for example the downtown tours, have been very positive. Downtown tours have been very successful – the University students that did the first tours provided testimonials and Brenda Grimm advised that those are available for anyone who would like to read them. The tours can be tailored to any group, seniors, schools, businesses. It is also a wonderful opportunity for local restaurants to join in. The cost to the City is minimal to nil. Are we reacting instead of leading with our communications on the downtown. Where are we now, where should we be now. This new person will be a great help. Communications and marketing for the downtown is the responsibility of the City, KDBA and the local businesses. For example, media releases that have focused on new businesses and not other new businesses have created some negative comments from other areas. At this point, it will be a judgment call in the future as to which will be focused on. Perhaps there is a venue that can look after that from now on and maybe some local papers could look after doing that. Communications focuses on special events so that people will see the action in the downtown. We are in a great place to begin the Communications strategy for the downtown. Michael is now on the board for the communications aspect with the KDBA and that is a very positive thing. KDBA is putting a lot of energy into the marketing of the downtown and they are putting more effort into promoting the new businesses that move into the downtown. They are focusing on that for 2008 and they are going to push the members to be more involved. It is important to insure that communication can be done in terms of all types of businesses that open in the downtown not just having focus on the service groups that move in. Perhaps it is time to drop the term downtown and call it something else, City Centre, perhaps or something like that. It would be good for rebranding, the core. - Negative media – responding to that through the media is difficult, responses are currently communicated through the Your Kitchener publication. We are looking to have city champions that can be our positive voice - As a city we do not spin anything, we provide the real facts and make sure that it is reality – we are not trying to sell the downtown we are trying to get people to come back. 2.1 Downtown Communications Discussion (cont’d) - Renaming the downtown is worth the discussion however it could spin it and try to create something that is not there that is a fresh idea that has not had a lot of discussion yet. - The idea of renaming is an interesting one – we could set up a group to discuss the possibility We suffer a bit from being the biggest city in the region so we need to keep that in mind. We need to find other ways to get the information out there other than the media. We will come back to this discussion in a few months time. Streetscape Presentation Cory Bluhm, Urban Investment Advisor, provided a presentation with the latest drawings of the king street master plan – pedestrian first theme. The presentation provided background information on the process that was taken starting in Summer 2006 up to Fall 2007. The survey showed that people wanted the downtown to be: - Lively – Being Flexible - Livable & Sustainable – Becoming environmentally friendly - Beautifully Designed – Ensuring high quality design - Vibrant Shopping & Dining – Recognize the spending trends of every age group and create the atmosphere for that The downtown streetscape will have to compete with not only suburban malls but with the growing trend of developers creating mini downtowns within the mall. Potential Successes: - deliver what the public wants - increase in opportunities for business attraction - increase commercial spending & foot traffic - increase residential condo uptake - reduce negative fear - King Street can become a catalyst - Environmental leaders – create the first urban green street in North America Next Steps: - Sept. 18 – KDBA / public launch - Sept. / Oct. – stakeholder meetings - Oct. 11 – public meetings - Council oct 15 - Nov – final design and business case development Streetscape Presentation The Committee discussed challenges and positive aspects to the design and provided the following comments: - what would the construction start be – it is spread over 3 years – 2 blocks per year starting in 2008 assuming that Council approves the project - expand the environmental prospect, solar lighting, parking for smart cars - is there going to be commercial promotion to the real estate – they are developing retail attraction strategies - what about the east end of King? That was done in the last few years and the infrastructure is so new that it would be more of a focus on encouraging the businesses to upgrade their storefronts where required – we can help provide the small businesses with the information they need on retail trends and design - new incentive programming - needs to continue to Victoria - that is the entrance to the downtown not Francis Street - provide lots of quick convenient parking – needs to maximize on the side streets to compensate for the summer change Cory advised this is a Phase One and there are other plans for the surrounding streets. ACTION: Moved by Denis Pellerin, Seconded by Glen Woolner “That the Downtown Advisory Committee, having been involved in this project from the outset, wholeheartedly endorse the King Street Master Plan as presented in general to the Committee at its regular meeting of October 11, 2007; And further that; That the King Street Master Plan Project be expanded to Victoria Street; And that; In the longer term, consideration to expand the design elements to the further reaches of King Street.” Moved that the plan be continued from Francis Street to Victoria Street - Bernie, seconded Denis. 2.3 Civic District Update CITS, KPL, Registry Theatre got together – public meeting next Tuesday – check the websites Digital Media – Update The Committee was advised that discussions were still taking place and at this time, there is nothing new to bring forward to the Committee. 2.5 CUI - Award City liveability award. On motion, the meeting was adjourned at 6:00 p.m.