Committee OK’s plan to revamp Queen Street

Design elements to make area more welcoming

KITCHENER — Politicians endorsed an almost $2-million plan to liven up a two-block stretch of Queen Street in downtown Kitchener, but not without hesitation.

City staff ’s proposal to rebuild Queen Street and put in quirky design elements like decorative sidewalks, string lighting and murals will cost $1.4-million, but the plan needs an extra $460,000 in unbudgeted funds.

Some councillors don’t want to shell out the extra cash.

“We’ve had a lot of focus on the downtown, but there are so many other areas in the city,” Coun. Yvonne Fernandes said at a planning and strategic initiatives committee meeting Monday. “We just don’t have the money yet.”

The city already had plans to rebuild Queen Street between Charles and Duke in 2019, but staff thought it could be a perfect opportunity to take that roadwork a step further and add little extras to perk up nearby laneways and parkettes and make the area more welcoming.

Historical globe street lights, heritage markers, murals and decorative sidewalks create a distinct identity for this historic bit of downtown Kitchener, staff explained.

“We’re trying to provide more reasons for people to linger,” said Brandon Sloan, the city’s manager of longrange planning.

While some councillors lamented the extra costs associated with this plan, others feel that heritage-rich section of downtown Kitchener needs a little facelift.

“The downtown to me is the heart of our city,” Coun. Frank Etherington said. “I would really ask council not to nickel and dime this project to death.”

Mayor Berry Vrbanovic agreed and said the downtown core serves everyone in the city.

“This project has been a long time coming. We did King Street years ago with the recognition that over time, we would need to do the side streets.

“This is the historical centre of our region.”

The plan also includes a redesign of the parkette known as Vogelsang Green at the corner of Duke and Queen at a cost of $455,000.

Staff called it the “showpiece” of Queen Street’s proposed revamp. The shady little spot will be redesigned to be an open, visible and safe meeting spot that can also play host to small community events.

“Essentially what the peo-

ple wanted was a more inviting space,” Carol Bacon, a city landscape architect, said.

Another $200,000 each will go to liven up Halls and Goudies lanes as well as another little parkette at Charles and Queen.

Improvements to Queen Street will cost $1 million.

“This is not something totally unattainable,” Coun. Sarah Marsh said.

She said the city can find creative ways to get the rest of the funds by looking to federal grants, the Downtown Kitchener Business Improvement Association as well as nearby businesses and developers.

Let’s get into the “nitty-gritty” of the finances at budget time when it’s appropriate, Marsh added.

Committee voted 8-3 to endorse the plan. Work will begin in 2019 if it gets final approval from council.