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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEcon Dev Adv 2009-08-26 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE MINUTES August 26, 2009 City of Kitchener The Economic Development Advisory Committee met this date, chaired by Jeremy Auger; with the following members were in attendance: Councillor Christina Weylie, Alan Anderson, Steven Voll, Ian Cook, Brian Bennett, Peter Benninger, Mark Bingeman, Bob Denton and Mayor Carl Zehr The following people sent their regrets: Dan Piedra, Howie Budd, Bernie Nimer, Adrian Conrad, Rebecca Short The following people were absent: Mark Collins, Len Carter, Brent Richardson Staff in attendance: Rod Regier, Tracey DeVille, Janette MacDonald, Terry Boutilier, Valerie Bradford, Cory Bluhm, Robert Morgan, Kim Feere Minutes – The minutes of the June meeting were unavailable at this meeting. Item 1.1 Corporate Visitation Preliminary Results Janette MacDonald and Valerie Bradford provided the members with the preliminary results of the 2009 Corporate Visitation. The program, which focused on the Finance and Insurance Industry, also included key companies in Cambridge and Waterloo. The Committee provided the following feedback: How many participants were there? We visited 48 businesses, with 8 of those in Waterloo. Are the results being shared with Cambridge and Waterloo? The full results are being shared with the neighbouring cities as well as CTT since they were part of the interview process; however, the majority of the answers apply to Kitchener only. Since GO Transit was mentioned as a comment from one of the participants, what is the status of that project? The GO schedule has not been released yet, but there is talk that VIA will be adjusting their schedule as well. Staff advised that a recurring theme of providing coordinated services with the Region; members were asked for feedback and ideas. What about street / storefronts in downtown and possible incentives? There is currently a grant program that will match up to $10,000 per property. There are currently about 12 projects underway with a potential for up to 60 projects. Restaurants need the right mix and clustering, we can’t hope they will just come there needs to be a good mix of competition as well. We need to have uniqueness to the stores, variety of pricing, start off with some kind of restaurant festival. The BIA and the City have been working together to market the area and this will be something we can investigate. What about the safety perception issue? There is work being done to continue to education everyone that the safety perception issue is just that. The businesses that we visited did tell us that their clients need to feel safe to come to evening appointments and we are hoping that the improvements to the streetscape will help with that, through improved lighting etc. Rod Regier advised the members that the industry supports this area and with Kitchener and the Region being an industry leading environment, he asked for feedback on how we can continue to nurture that. Committee members provided the following: - we need to do more than we are to advertise and showcase this industry’s presence - there are space limitations here, some companies will need 30,000 sq. ft. of space or more – that needs to be addressed Mr. Regier advised that staff are working with Canada’s Technology Triangle (CTT) to see how we can do more to attract this industry and that is part of the detailed study that they are conducting later this year. Item 1.2 Project Updates Rod Regier provided the Committee with a brief project update on the status of the following: - Centre Block - King Street Reconstruction - Downtown Retail / Business Attraction Strategy - Downtown Vitality Strategy - Digital Media Cluster Strategy - Life Sciences Cluster Strategy - Kitchener Public Library - Region of Waterloo Rapid Transit - GO Transit - Consolidated Court House - Charles and Benton Parking Structure - Significant Property Transactions - Manufacturing Innovation Network - Festivals and Events In response, the Committee provided the following feedback and questions: When is the deadline date for the sales office to be erected for Centre Block? It has to be built no later than August 31, 2010 Are there things happening outside the core? Disposal of strategic properties are underway, preliminary engineering work is being done on the Strasburg lands, the Elmsdale property is a priority for redevelopment as a result of the Consolidated Maintenance Facility. The Bramm Street yards will be the last vacated from that process. What about Centennial Stadium and the track? There are currently no plans, we occasionally have inquires for events there; however, due to the current conditions, it will not accommodate so the question is to decide to invest in upgrades and repairs or investigate other possibilities. What about sports tourism, has the City put any thought / work into that? We are working on that since there is potential for major sports facilities in the City as our demographics are changing we need to keep that in mind for the correct focus. We need to ensure that we keep the future ideal of the large scale, what do we do with the stadium, what is the expectation of the industry, it is important to remember that we can’t do everything but let’s choose what we can do well. What is happening with the Kitchener Frame site? We have not been informed of anything as of yet; however, we do know they have been working on potentials. We do have 2 leased sections of that property, as well as a City owned portion and we anticipate those will stay that way. The current industrial zoning would more than likely stay that way as well. Would the City consider acquiring the Kitchener Frame site and develop it themselves? Potentially, we would have to look at all options. What is the current status of the former Arrow Shirt Factory redevelopment? The permits are underway; the developer did face some challenges with the clean-up but have finished that portion of the development. On motion The meeting was adjourned at 1:00 p.m.