HomeMy WebLinkAboutEconomic Development December 2009 Project UpdateCity of Kitchener
Economic Development Project Update – December 2009
The following is a brief update on the current status of major economic development
related projects underway in the City of Kitchener.
City Centre Condominiums
The City Centre Business Liaison Committee (CCBLC) met in mid November to discuss
plans to accelerate the redevelopment of the boutique hotel and plans for ramping up
marketing for the City Centre Condominiums. The heritage buildings have been
surveyed – a necessary precondition to detailed project planning for the hotel. Andrin is
now engaged in detailed site planning. The Development Agreement is in the final
stages of drafting. Marketing will ramp up in February/March and Andrin intends to begin
development of the model suite in April/May 2010. http://www.kitchener.ca/centreblock/
King Street Reconstruction
Work on the extension of the KSMP funded by the Community Adjustment Fund, is
underway. The funding is being used to add items previously excluded from the contract
(benches, bike racks, accent lighting, etc.) and to enhance the street trees/planting beds
along the City Hall sides of Young Street and College Street. New Christmas lights have
now been installed on the Gaukel to Fredrick section. All works must be completed by
March 31, 2010.
http://www.kitchener.ca/city_hall/departments/downtown/downtown_reconstructing_king
_st.html
Downtown Retail/Business Attraction Strategy
City and BIA staff have received a report from Michael Berne of MJB Consulting in
Manhattan – a widely respected urban retail expert – recommending a particular strategy
for retail and restaurant investment attraction in the downtown. Discussions are
underway to determine how to proceed with the marketing effort.
Façade Program
Three façade renovations are complete under the program. Another 6 are in progress.
December 22, 2009 is the application deadline for 2010 funding. $100,000 is available
for 10 projects in 2010.
Digital Media Cluster Strategy
Communitech has been awarded $26 million from the Province of Ontario to facilitate the
development of the downtown Digital Media Convergence Centre. It will be known as the
Communitech Hub – A digital media and mobile accelerator. Detailed site planning is
now underway and The Hub is expected to open in the spring of 2010.
http://www.communitech.ca/uploads/NewsArticle/707_2009-11-
06provincialfundingfordigitalmedia.pdf
Life Sciences Cluster Strategy
Strategic Development Services has completed work on a study to assess the possible
demand for a life sciences incubator. This work included an extensive set of interviews
with private sector and academic researchers. It was released on December 7, 2009.
The analysis will form the basis of a business case for a life-sciences commercialization
facility in Kitchener.
GO Transit
Go Transit has commenced a bus service to the Waterloo with stops in Waterloo,
Downtown Kitchener and Cambridge enroute to Milton Go Station and Mississauga.
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Stops in the Waterloo Region include UW, WLU, the Central Transit Terminal, and the
Cambridge Smart Centre.
Charles and Benton Parking Structure
Work continues on the main structure with the third floor currently being framed. The
delivery and access requirements of adjacent businesses are being coordinated with the
general contractor. http://www.kitchener.ca/charlesbenton/
Civic District Parking Structure
The Civic District Garage is in the design phase. The basic garage layout, circulation
patterns and access points have been agreed upon and more detailed design is
progressing. A traffic impact study along with a phase 2 environmental review is about
to begin. Initial cost estimates are higher than expected, but a redesign is taking place
to minimize the impact.
Festivals and Events
Kristkindle Markt was well attended this year in spite of streetscape construction directly
around City Hall. General attendance was down slightly, but bus tour attendance was
up.
http://www.downtownkitchener.ca/
http://www.kitchenerdowntown.com/ (Kitchener BIA site)
The next major event downtown is the hosting of the Olympic Torch Relay on December
27.
Kitchener Public Library
KPL staff has released the designs for its renovation and addition as well as the
structure for the underground parking garage. Consultations on the plans for the public
square on the surface of the parking garage are underway.
Manufacturing Innovation Network.
On behalf of the MIN Advisory board, the City is applying for funding from Fed Dev
Ontario to support the growth of the Waterloo MIN. In response to interest from other
communities, Excellence in Manufacturing Consortium and IGLOO Software are also
applying for funding to develop a province wide Manufacturing Innovation Network that
will be known as OMIN.
In terms of current status, MIN currently has 500+ Members. The Job Board has
received over 200,000 views, and 8000+ applications sent through the MIN job board. At
any given time more than 120 jobs w/local manufacturers posted. Of the 1000+
manufacturers in Waterloo Region, more than 30% did not have a website. As a result
of the MIN’s company directory, these manufacturers now have a manufacturing
presence and receive over 200 visits a day, from the region, across the province,
country and around the world
Court House
Sidewalk hoarding and construction fencing has been erected around 35 and 39
Frederick Streets. Heavy equipment has been delivered to the site, and we can expect
demolition to commence this week or next. Demo contact is Al Langman Construction
1998 Inc. Site Super is Roger Hall (705-528-2476) and Project Manager is Glenn Hall
(705-528-2620).
Downtown Community Health Centre unaffected - their new location (Francis & Joseph)
under renovations.
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