Call for ideas for Kitchener’s creative hub nets only two responses

KITCHENER — The City of Kitchener has received just two proposals in response to its call for plans to develop a creative hub that would support the arts.

The deadline was Monday for interested parties to submit initial proposals for the hub, which the city envisions as a centre that would support artists — mainly in the music, film, theatre and digital media industries — providing such things as rehearsal space, entrepreneurial and promotional support.

The hub will be located on the first floor of a former post office at 44 Gaukel St. , now owned by the city.

Although the city’s initial plan was to receive submissions and narrow those down to a short list of up to five proposals, staff isn’t surprised or disappointed that only two proposals were received, said Emily Robson, Kitchener’s interim manager of downtown community development.

“I’m not super-surprised. It’s a pretty niche and specific project,” Robson said. “We weren’t really sure who would be interested.”

The plan to allow for up to five proposals to move forward to a second stage was designed simply to ensure that there was enough money set aside for the more complex second stage, Robson said. The city is providing $3,500 for every proposal that moves to the second stage, to help cover the costs of things like technical expertise.

Robson said she couldn’t provide much detail about who put in proposals or what sort of things are envisioned for the creative hub, since the process is confidential until a successful applicant is chosen.

“We’re super excited about this project, but unfortunately we can’t say too much right now,” Robson said.

An evaluation committee made up of city staff from several departments and a couple of outside evaluators will now consider the two proposals and decide whether one, both or neither should proceed to a second stage.

The second stage, which runs from mid-April to mid-June, requires a more detailed proposal for how the space at Gaukel would be used to provide studio and performance space, as well as a business plan.

City staff hope to have a report to council by the end of August, recommending a preferred operator.

The city hopes to have the creative hub up and running possibly as early as November.