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HomeMy WebLinkAboutDowntown Advisory 2008-02-14 DOWNTOWN ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES February 14, 2008 City of Kitchener The Kitchener Downtown Advisory Committee met this date, commencing at 3:05 p.m., Chaired by Glenn Scheels with the following members present: Denis Pellerin, Bernie Nimer, Glen Woolner, Karen Taylor-Harrison, Mark Garner, Thomas Seebohm, Nadine Cybulski, Christina Weylie City staff present include: Sandy Curzon, Silvia Wright, Don Chapman, Tracey DeVille 1. Business Arising 1.1 Advisory Committee Review – Focus Group Session Ms. Shelley Adams, Director of Community and Corporate Planning held a focus group session with members of the Committee to discuss the advisory committee review that is currently taking place. Staff members of the Downtown Advisory Committee were not present at this meeting. Focus Group Session adjourned at 5:00 p.m., regular Downtown Advisory Committee meeting reconvened. 2. Minute Approval That the minutes of the January 10, 2008 meeting be approved Moved by Mark Garner Seconded by Glen Woolner Advisory Committee Updates – Economic Development Advisory Committee – detailed report on the Manufacturing Innovative Network – Corporate Visitation Arts & Culture Advisory Committee – No report at this time Safe and Healthy Advisory Committee – presentation from Joe Mancini for outreach program requesting funding, Christiane Sadler presented on their role in safety and what they can do, little black book, diversity stats based on cultural Oktoberfest 2008 Update – Work is coming along for the 2008 Festival 3. New Business 3.1 Vitality Strategy Update ? Digital Media Project – securing 3 projectors from Christie Digital with 2 to be installed on City Hall with a o rd complete program on the building 365 days a year, 3 projector is portable and intended use at street level and made available to user groups, formed subcommittee of stakeholders from the downtown with city staff and this o group is in the process for forming the guidelines for securing the content and programming (festivals, events, live streaming, no intended commercial use for this) showcasing downtown video etc, digital art gallery, events of community interest, memorial cup game possible, summer Olympics feed possible ? Vender cart program (similar to European style) fresh fruit, flowers, etc., KDBA is working closely with staff to see this through (Committee members suggested working with the folks at Your Kitchener Market), what about the east end? These programs all extend from the Market District to Victoria street, the working group is working towards a plan to communicate these things ? A film night in the East End would help bring more people to that district where some negative perceptions are maintained ? As streetscape evolves downtown is becoming more defined and the concept is to have people move from destination to destination and the event pads are designed to promote that as well, we need to create a reason for people to come out of the buildings and we will slowly work our way down the street to link these various destinations that people will go to staff recently spoke with staff in new York and Chicago recently and what has worked for them – developed best practices for this to come into light. ? Key times – street performance programs – opportunity to attract audience from 11:00 am to 1:30 pm for example, need to develop opportunities from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm as well, to keep people downtown after work etc., focusing a level of activity with street performers – supporting local artists and local entertainment Need to ensure diversity in the music – we do need to look at that working group o is helping us KW symphony drew the largest number of people when they played in the park o can we get them? We are going to work with them to try and bring something to the downtown. What is the timing? Looking for May to August for these once the streetscape is complete Can we look at something for Oktoberfest time? These projects are showcasing the downtown and gives people a reason to come downtown: ? showcase the public space this could be the hub for the activity and the rest radiate out from here – discussions on gong with KPL and Hong Kong Bank(HSBC) for a reading program here at City Hall ? existing events making sure they are taking advantage of the new technology that is going to be available 3.2 Downtown Ambassador The Downtown Ambassador Program has been approved by Council, and we are sharing costs with KDBA to have students from May to august. 4. Business Arising 4.1 Updates – Streetscape / Downtown Downtown Updates Committee requested that these updates are done on an ongoing bases and staff agreed – which staff advised that this will be kept light and not overly statistical Streetscape update: Next month still working out fine details On motion, the meeting was adjourned at 4:50 p.m.