Check out http://www.downtownkitchener.ca/things/telluswhatyoureallywant for the summary of the public's input into what we'd like for downtown Kitchener, as well as for the preliminary downtown plan based on the input.
Downtown Kitchener
Did you know that 2012 is the 100th anniversary of the city of Kitchener? There will be events held throughout this year to celebrate, check them out at http://kitchener100.ca
We may be a century old, but we’ve still got lots of new developments going on downtown, a health mix of both residential and commercial.
Digital media is one of the world’s fastest growing technologies; we are fortunate that we have companies right downtown focusing on just that area.
The Communitech Hub; Digital Media and Mobile Accelerator is in what’s known as The Tannery District. The Hub features 30,000 square feet of space, with 2,000 square feet devoted to giving entrepreneurs the services they need to succeed; 8,000 square feet is lab space with tools and platforms donated by established partner companies.
The City Centre is going in on King Street, next to City Hall. The building will incorporate condo units ((http://citycentreliving.ca/citycentreliving.html), live-work units, retails space, a hotel, gallery, a café, as well as parking.
We have a new Region of Waterloo courthouse being built downtown, scheduled to open this year (2012), the corner of Frederick, Duke, Scott and Weber is going to look a little different very shortly!
The University of Waterloo Health Sciences Campus on the corner of King and Victoria features the UW School of Pharmacy, as well as the McMaster University Waterloo Region Campus of the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, which features a centre for family medicine, a family health team, and an additional clinic for the School of Optometry.
WLU has a campus downtown as well, for their Faculty of Social Work; the location puts the students near the social-services agencies. Great location for some hands on work experience!
Economic Development Investment Fund (EDIF)
In 2004 after an extensive public and corporate engagement process, the City of Kitchener created a unique and creative economic development strategy to meet the needs of our rapidly growing population; and a significant piece of the strategy is our $110-million economic development investment fund (EDIF).
Additional funding has been committed to strengthening the city's traditional manufacturing industries through the development of new employment lands in other areas of the city.
Downtown Projects Supported by EDIF
As a result of these EDIF investments, a number of other developments have occurred, including:
In addition, since EDIF was introduced, the city has enjoyed significant surges in:
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Assessment growth
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Residential development downtown
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Employment
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Contributions from other sources toward EDIF-supported projects
Information provided courtesy of the City of Kitchener.
We have several new residential developments both ongoing and to be built:
The Kaufman Lofts: formerly the headquarters for the Kaufman Footwear Company, the building has been turned into loft condominiums.
The intowns:formerly a brownfield site of the Canada Blower & Forge, then Howden Fans; 90 Woodside will be turned into 128 townhouses.
Arrow Lofts; formerly the Arrow Shirt Factory at 112 Benton has been converted into 145 loft condominiums. A luxury high rise apartment will also be built.
Icon Condominiums: to be built with over 100 units, varying from loft to 1 and 2 bedroom units.
Le Marche Residences; new condominiums behind the Kitchener Market, features 1 bedroom and two bedroom plus den units.
1 Adam Street: near St Leger and Louisa; to be built; several townhouses and six condo buildings, on the site formerly used by the Breithaupt Leather Company. The design is still I the beginning stages, and may change to include some mixed-use buildings.
30-40 Margaret Ave; to be built, low rise apartments
Call or email me if you would like further information on any of the projects!
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