HomeMy WebLinkAboutFIN-10-005 - Federal Community Adjustment Fund Intake 2 ApplicationsREPORT
REPORT TO:
Councillor Berry Vrbanovic, Chair, and Members of the
Finance and Corporate Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING:
January 11, 2010
SUBMITTED BY:
Dan Chapman, General Manager of Financial Services and
City Treasurer
PREPARED BY:
Jaya Chatterjee, Junior Financial Analyst, Financial Planning
WARD(S) INVOLVED:
ALL
DATE OF REPORT:
January 6, 2010
REPORT NO.: FIN-10-005
SUBJECT:
FEDERAL COMMUNITY ADJUSTMENT FUND (INTAKE 2)
APPLICATIONS
RECOMMENDATION:
THAT staff be directed to submit applications for the following three projects, in order of priority,
for consideration under the Federal Community Adjustment Fund Intake 2:
1. Renovation of 48 Ontario Street ($3.0 million)
2. Redevelopment of Woodside Park ($1.6 million)
3. King Street Master Plan and Civic Square Renovation ($0.75 million)
THAT for projects approved under the Federal Community Adjustment Fund, the City of
Kitchener fund at least 10% of the total eligible project costs;
THAT the General Manager of Financial Services be authorized to sign the applications for
these projects.
BACKGROUND:
On December 15, 2009, as part of the Economic Stimulus plan, the Federal Government
launched CAF Fund (Intake 2) providing $127.8 million in southern Ontario for provincial,
territorial and municipal infrastructure projects. The main purpose of this funding allocation is to
stimulate the economy and at the same time create a more modern and greener infrastructure
that is the foundation of sustainable long-term growth.
The intent of this report is to identify and prioritize a list of projects that would be submitted for
Community Adjustment funding and to secure Council’s commitment for the City’s share of 10%
funding for projects that are approved for funding under CAF. The current list identifies $5.35
million of new construction spending over the next year, which will result in over 87.76 new local
jobs. This report has been developed in conjunction with infrastructure asset managers from
various City divisions and has been reviewed with the Corporate Management Team.
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REPORT:
The City of Kitchener may be eligible for funding through the Community Adjustment funding.
CAF funding of $127.8 million is available to the municipal sector in following categories:
downtown core, waterfront areas, transportation infrastructure, community-owned tourism
facilities, technology and innovation centres, etc.
The key components for funding projects under the CAF program are as follows:
ability to start quickly and be completed by March 31, 2011;
economic impact of the project;
long-term economic viability of the project;
incremental nature of the assistance;
demonstrated evidence that the project meets a recognized need and significantly
contributes to a region’s economic development;
applicant’s management capacity;
incremental (i.e., investment from CAF will allow the work to start sooner, broaden the
scope of the project, or allow the completion of a project that otherwise would not be
completed);
a business plan must be submitted in support of the application; and
Applications for funding must be submitted to the Province by January 18, 2010.
Projects will be assessed based on the degree to which they contribute to the expected
outcomes of: job creation or preservation; the creation, expansion or strengthening of
businesses; and the enhancement of, competitiveness and sustainability of communities and
businesses. Priority will be given to projects that:
create immediate and sustained employment;
create the most jobs per dollar invested;
build on collaborative agreements already in place (e.g., federal-provincial agreements
and existing programs);
provide a legacy of longer-term ecological and/or economic benefits; and
demonstrate leveraging of other sources of financing.
In addition, the infrastructure funds will be allocated to projects located in a southern Ontario
community that has a population of less than 250,000 and priority will be given to communities
that have a population of 100,000 or less and are supported by a single industry. The funds will
cover up to 90% of the eligible projects costs with the balance to be provided by municipal
governments.
The following projects are aligned with the goals of the infrastructure funding.
Priority #1: Renovation of 48 Ontario Street / Downtown Kitchener Community Arts
Incubator
(Cost estimate: $3.0 million; Jobs created: 60)
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Project Description:
The project involves the interior renovation of 48 Ontario St. (Legion Building). The 1,400
square metre space requires extensive demolition and reconstruction. The work includes:
1) Demolition of obsolete interior infrastructure
2) Interior construction
3) Electrical
4) Heating
5) Plumbing
6) Kitchen and bathroom facilities
7) Accessibility features (elevator and lifts)
8) Roof
9) Windows and insulation
Improvement and Corresponding Benefit:
This project will involve the renovation of the former Royal Canadian Legion building at 48
Ontario Street in Downtown Kitchener. The Legion is currently vacant and requires extensive
renovation to support any commercial activity. City of Kitchener staff anticipates significant
investments in the near future to insure the building does not deteriorate. Although a disposition
strategy for downtown properties has not been completed, the proposed use as incubation
facility for the arts industry is broadly aligned with City of Kitchener strategies and documented
demand studies. Proposed uses include visual, performance, and digital media arts related
studios, educational facilities, gallery, performance rehearsal spaces, video and audio
production and editing studios, office and cafe and meeting functions.
The arts and educational community is faced with increasingly limited choices of affordable
space in the Waterloo Region. Commercial rents are rising in the face of increased demand and
decreasing vacancy in both Uptown Waterloo and Downtown Kitchener. These industries are at
risk of loosing critical anchor presence in the downtown if long-term accommodations are not
secured. In addition, arts and business stakeholders have developed a regional consensus that
the arts play a critical role in supporting the creative economy in the Waterloo Region. A
strengthened arts community will support community vitality and improve the ability of firms in
the Waterloo Region and City of Kitchener to attract talent from around the world.
The project will result in the adaptive reuse of an important building in the downtown. It supports
the intensification and re-urbanization strategies of the City of Kitchener and the Region of
Waterloo. It also advances the City of Kitchener's Economic Development Strategy, and Culture
Plan II. This project will also advance the Creative Enterprise Strategy that is supported by the
business and arts communities, as well as local and regional municipalities.
The Downtown Kitchener Community Arts Incubator will result in direct employment in the arts,
improved business performance by artists and arts organizations, audience and market
development, increased event attendance and tourism visitation, and expanded market
opportunities for retailers and restaurateurs in the downtown.
Estimated Project Cost:
$3,000,000
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Funding Source Amount
CAF Fund: $2,700,000
City of Kitchener 2010: $300,000
Total $3,000,000
Staff are confident that the City share could be funded from the contribution of the building
asset, a combination of funding from facility and contingency accounts, funding from
partners/donors or an allocation from the EDIF provision for digital media. Staff will prepare a
,
report with a comprehensive funding recommendation upon approval of the project.
Priority #2: Redevelopment of Woodside Park
(Cost estimate: $1.6 million; Jobs created: 18.86)
Project Description:
The redevelopment of Woodside Park would include the addition of two synthetic turf sport
fields. One natural grass field would be changed to synthetic turf increasing available hours from
450 to 2,000 per season. A second synthetic turf field would be added on this site, adding
another 2,000 bookable hours.
Improvement and Corresponding Benefit:
Addition of two synthetic turf sport fields will impact and enhance the site to accommodate the
current Sport Tourism market while meeting the current and growing demand for field use. This
objective is consistent with three of the five platforms outlined in the City of Kitchener’s Sport
Tourism Strategy by enhancing event impact; having the ability to attract new events and
providing further inventory to explore the opportunity to create new events while maintaining a
sustainable facility that meets public need.
Staff is suggesting that funding be sought out through the Community Adjustment Fund for the
redevelopment of Woodside Park to a multi-surface artificial field complex. Currently, the City of
Kitchener is in a position where sports fields are booked to approximately 95% capacity during
prime time, and there is little additional capacity to accommodate for Sport Tourism initiatives
without impacting current community programming. The redevelopment of Woodside Park to a
high quality sport complex would increase the capacity of the Kitchener Soccer Club (KSC) to
host their International and Recreational Tournaments, as well as, provide access for other
sporting events and emerging sport groups, such as cricket, to develop and increase the size of
their events in the Kitchener community.
It is expected that operating revenues would increase due to the increased bookable hours for
each of the fields. These fields would experience little down time and the season would span
March to December rather than May to October, which is the current schedule.
It would cost approximately $5,000 per year to maintain each synthetic field. This is significantly
less than what it currently costs to maintain the current A1 field that would be replaced, which is
approximately $30,000 per year.
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Staff has met with members of the Kitchener Soccer Club Executive to discuss the possibility of
the Club contributing to this project. The Executive Board fully supports allocating $80,000 to
this project from the Club’s reserve funds. This allocation would be subject to membership
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approval at the Club’s next AGM scheduled for January 23 2010, where this recommendation
would be brought forward
Estimated Project Cost Funding Source
Sr.AmountAmount
No
1 Removal of Existing/New base: $200,000 CAF Fund: $1,440,000
2 New Field: $1,000,000 City of Kitchener PDF $40,000
2010:
3 Parking Lot upgrade: $100,000 City of Kitchener PDF $40,000
2011:
4 Lighting: $250,000 Kitchener Soccer Club: $80,000
Total:
5 Site Furnishings/Stands: $50,000 $1,600,000
Total:
$1,600,000
Priority #3: King Street master plan and Civic Square Renovation
(Cost estimate: $0.75 million; Jobs created: 8.9)
Project Description:
The King Street Master Plan is an innovative streetscape reconstruction project aimed at
stimulating an economic regeneration in downtown Kitchener. The streetscape enhancements
target many of the root causes that have prevented economic revitalization - improved
aesthetics, improved lighting, improved shopping experience and a more liveable urban
environment. These enhancements will help to stimulate increased commercial activity,
increased office employment and the redevelopment of large vacant parcels. Enhancing
downtown Kitchener will help local businesses attract and retain highly qualified employees.
Improvement and Corresponding Benefit:
The original intent of this project was to improve the public’s perception of downtown Kitchener
by addressing safety concerns resulting from lighting deficiencies on King Street. Following a
thorough infrastructure assessment, it was determined (by Engineering and Economic
Development) that greater deficiencies exist and a series of design elements must be taken into
consideration prior to upgrading the streetlights, e.g. Replacement of paving stones, Sidewalks,
street trees, etc.
Potential benefits of this project include, but are not limited to: improved (i) road / streetscape
infrastructure, (ii) traffic functionality / efficiency of parking, (iii) vehicular / pedestrian safety, (iv)
landscaping, and, (v) curb appeal for the local business community.
Phase 1 of the King Street reconstruction project commenced in the spring of 2009 and through
previous funding provided under the Community Adjustment Fund (CAF) construction has
continued around City Hall on Young and College Streets. The completion of this work is
anticipated to be the end of January 2010 although, other areas of the CAF grant are pending
and will completed in accordance with the original agreement with the Federal Government.
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Such items include, separate tendering and award for Civic Square (patio) furniture and a series
of digital kiosks to be placed at strategic locations along King Street.
For Phase 2, the limits of construction and associated timelines to be completed in 2010 are as
follows; these timelines are preliminary and will be defined further over the course of the winter
with the project team.
Stage 1: Young Street to College Street (April – June), including Civic Square renovation
Stage 2: College Street to Water Street (June – July)
Stage 3: Water Street to Francis Street (July – September)
The scope of work to be completed in 2010 (under the CAF, intake 2) generally includes, but is
not limited to, the following
Civic Square renovation - concrete grinding, joint repair, power washing, sealants /
protection
Concrete and paving stone crosswalks at intersections throughout King Street (Phase 1
& 2)
Concrete roadway installation at the entrance features at Frederick and Francis Streets
Concrete curbs and paving stone parking areas on Young and College Streets removed
from the CAF grant in October 2009 due to budget / time constraints
Miscellaneous items such as paving stone sealants, power washing, street furniture,
banners, bike racks, planter pots, event infrastructure and seasonal decorations
Project management, engineering design and professional fees
Estimated Project Cost
Sr. No Amount
1 Civic Square renovation $60,000
2 Crosswalks / paving stones $150,000
Concrete roadway at entrance
3features $90,000
4 Completion of Young/College $175,000
5 Misc. $200,000
6 Professional fees $75,000
Total: $750,000
Staff are confident that the City share could be funded from a combination of funding from an
allocation from the EDIF, road resurfacing and urban design. Staff will prepare a report with a
comprehensive funding recommendation upon approval of the project.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
If all projects are approved, the City of Kitchener will be responsible for a 10% share of the
eligible project costs totalling $0.535 million. The potential funding sources are outlined above.
Staff will report back to Council with specific funding recommendations upon receiving
confirmation of project approval for any or all of these applications.
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COMMUNICATIONS:
n/a
CONCLUSION:
The proposed capital projects will stimulate the local economy through the creation of over
87.76 new jobs while considerably improving the condition of the City’s infrastructure resulting in
long-term benefits for the community.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY:
Dan Chapman, General Manager of Financial Services and City
Treasurer
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