Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Advisory - 2007-12-13 DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES December 13, 2007 City of Kitchener The Kitchener Downtown Advisory Committee met this date, commencing at 4:00 p.m., Chaired by Glenn Scheels with the following members present: Councillor John Smola, Denis Pellerin, Bernie Nimer, Thomas Seabohm, Glen Woolner, Linda Stewart, Mark Garner; Suzanne Ronald, Scott Hater; Sonja Lewis (KPL); Alf Bogusky (KWAG) City staff present include: Rod Regier, Silvia Wright, Cheryl York, Cory Bluhm and Sandy Curzon (Recording Secretary) On behalf of Committee, Glenn Scheels, Chair introduced and welcomed Mark Garner, Executive Director of Kitchener Downtown Business Association. 1. Minute Approval That the minutes of the November 8, 2007 meeting be approved with changes as indicated below: i) Reference to the discussion around unfavourable press and an invitation to a representative from The Record to attend a future DAC - meeting should be recorded ii) Include service providers (not just retail) iii) Include recommendation to support streetscape program with more events iv) Include recommendation that crime statistics be reviewed as indicator of safety Moved by Bernie Nimer Seconded by Thomas Seabohm 2. Business Arising 2.1 Culture Plan II Cheryl York, Arts & Culture Coordinator provided an update on Culture Plan II which was approved by City Council in 2005 and intersects with the Downtown Strategy Plan. Significant strides have been taken over the past 2 years to implement some of the 61 recommendations such as: ? the continuation of the Artists in Residence program located at City Hall ? Available Space Art Project (ASAP) - displaying public art in downtown locations ? encouraging artists’ live/work spaces ? continuing support for Festival & Events – CAFKA was introduced in 2007 ? Public Art – Victoria Park Entrance feature; Speakers Corner and; potential installation on Centre Block There are four projects identified as priorities for 2008, these include: ? Arts Report ? Community Investment Strategy ? Culture Capital Application ? Digital Media initiatives Civic District Update The Kitchener Public Library, Centre-in-the Square, KW Art Gallery and Registry Theatre have taken an active role in the revitalization of the Civic District - bounded by Weber, Queen, Ellen and Frederick streets. Sonja Lewis, Chief Executive Officer, Kitchener Public Library provided an overview of the progress this group has made in creating a vision for this district made up of cultural institutions and administrative landmarks. What followed was a process, which engaged the public to help define a vision for the block, through numerous public consultations and focus groups. The feedback received included: ? Sustainable design which builds pathways/links to all facilities within the district ? Create a people place that compliments and links to the downtown ? An open public place with outdoor theatre and restaurants During a question & answer period the following feedback was provided: ? Next steps will be to map out and formulate/develop budgets and drawing other partners such as educational institutions to the project ? An application to Trillium to illuminate the area has been submitted ? Timing couldn’t be better – vision of Civic District articulates building a frame around other projects currently in various stages of discussions such as Centre Block, Court House, and Parking needs ? Surrounding neighbourhoods have immersed themselves in the project ? There is potential for the Four Churches Group(Trinity United; St. Peter’s; St. Andrews and; Zion) to bring arts & faith together ? A business model and partners will be needed prior to having an urban design competition for a physical vision/concept ? Parking and transit accessibility will represent a design challenge. It was noted that surface parking can be achieved by making it less visible and blending in with the surroundings as opposed to standing out as a hard surface Action: ? DAC to provide assistance and support as this project proceeds. Streetscape Update On December 10, 2007 Finance Committee accepted the Downtown King Street Streetscape Business Case which will be ratified at City Council on January 7, 2008. By making the decision in early January, allows staff to go through the tendering process in order to start construction in Spring 2008. The downtown streetscape was kick-started as the need to improve downtown lighting became a priority and as an action item in the current Downtown Strategic Plan. The six blocks identified on King Street are between Frederick/Benton and Francis streets. The block from Francis to Victoria has recently undergone an upgrade and the block from Victoria to the railway tracks will be done in the future. Construction is expected to take two years instead of three. Cultural events throughout the summer months will animate King Street during construction, adding vitality to the core. In moving forward, C. Bluhm will be establishing design guidelines for private sector developments. The goal is to have the design guidelines by March 2008 for Council consideration. Thomas Seabohm; Bernie Nimer; Glenn Scheels and Mark Garner volunteered to assist in developing the first draft of façade guidelines. It was suggested, in her absence, that Karen-Taylor Harrison may also be interested in volunteering. Action: ? C. Bluhm & volunteers to meet in January 2008 Downtown Success Stories S. Wright provided Committee with a summary of the various issues that DAC have discussed over the past year. There has been an increase in retail business which has seen an increase th in lease rates; positive feedback from media and now we are the 4 safest community in Canada according to the Conference Board of Canada 2007 report. One of the larger announcements for the downtown was the leasing of 20,000 sq.ft. to Shoppers at 238 King St. W. B. Nimer, property owner advised DAC that it took since April 2007 to negotiate the deal with Shoppers who plan on opening March 2008. A challenge for Mr. Nimer is the 20,000 sq.ft. on the second floor of this building. He has studied various concepts, however with no parking on-site available, his options are limited. It was suggested that IMAX is in a huge expansion mode and may be a good fit. Action: ? Develop testimonials from new businesses to be used in retail attraction packages ? Wilfrid Laurier to host a DAC meeting in 2008 including a tour of their new facility Priority Setting for 2008 S. Wright reviewed 10 top priorities of the Downtown Strategic Plan, set by the Downtown Leadership Group (DLG). Committee discussed additional priorities that will be reviewed in January, some included: ? Social Agencies ? Prosperity council – arts initiative forum in May 2008 – opportunity for input ? Digital media strategy process with U of W – also talks on bio technology – wet lab space is required ? Research, wet lab space and health sciences cluster – Lang Tanning building has potential opportunities th ? Oktoberfest is celebrating it’s 40 anniversary in 2008 – focus will be on Downtown Businesses Action: ? Committee were asked to forward additional agenda items to Tracey DeVille, which will be discussed and prioritized in January 2008 S. Wright thanked DAC members for being Ambassadors for downtown On motion, the meeting was adjourned at 6:00 p.m.