Wish List for Waterloo Region - 2010 Edition

[UrbanWaterloo]

What are 10 things you'd like to see happen in Waterloo Region during 2010?

http://images.google.com/url?source=imgres&ct=tbn&q=http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Nli4O4ibZMY/STAM-DqAO0I/AAAAAAAABB0/aS0cXP-Apmw/s320/Wish-upon-a-star.jpg&usg=AFQjCNEbkK7QmMgaLXGscuak2JDdF8ggww (http://itssdenergysecurity.blogspot.com/2008/11/ambitious-uk-parliament-climate-change.html)

[UrbanWaterloo]

Here's my first draft:


LRT Fed/Prov funding agreements signed
10,000+ seat arena is proposed by the rangers + city(cities)/region
Model suite opens at City Centre Condos (Centre Block)
144 Park hits their sales target to begin construction
RIM grows to 15,000 local employees
Our Body - The Universe Within becomes the best exhibit so far at the Children's Museum
CTV's series "Dan For Mayor" becomes a national hit
Stephen Hawking visits Waterloo (and I get a ticket to his speech)
New Waterloo Region Consolidated Courthouse is proposed as high-quality with some height (min 6 floors) and begins construction
25-storey tower at King & University is well under construction

[YKF]

In no particular order:
-LRT funding approval from Feds & Province
-Completion of Arrow Lofts
-Beginning of City Centre Condo's sales
-Increased GO service, with buses continuing on to York U & Finch Terminal
-Improved GRT service in East Kitchener and south Kitchener
-Increased GRT frequencies throughout the system
-Westjet makes YVR a year-round destination
-Property Taxes don't rise
-The King St. reconstruction is successful
-VIA increases service from 3 trains per direction, to 6.

[Spokes]

Here's mine...


An announcement on LRT
Progress at the Arrow Lofts site (the building not just the parking garage)
Successful sales campaign for Centre Block
A go ahead for GO transit
King/University tower gets underway
Increased sales for 144 Park
Groundbreaking of BarrelYards (hopefully more than just the hotel too)
Transit station to be announced for King/Victoria
Successful start to the Kitchener Public Library parking garage/renovation
Groundbreaking on the Consolidated Courthouse

[Spokes]

I'll add one more to mine: Re-alignment of GRT routes prior to LRT being implemented

[RangersFan]

order is not important
1- LRT funding announced
2- Barrel Yards well under construction, and condo sales office open
3- 144 Park under construction with a strong sales campaign
4- Centre Block sales centre open
5- Arrow lofts far further along than the current state. Maybe some news about the proposed second tower.
6- 247 King st North well under construction
7- Regional Courthouse renders released and look amazing with some decent height to add to the downtown skyline.
8- Walmart backs out of the Ira Needles Commercial Centre (I know I dream)
9- Westmount Grand Condos are heavily under construction
10- A new development announcement that really has the opportunity to change a section of the city (like a Barrel Yards or Centre Block)

[Spokes]

order is not important
1- LRT funding announced
2- Barrel Yards well under construction, and condo sales office open
3- 144 Park under construction with a strong sales campaign
4- Centre Block sales centre open
5- Arrow lofts far further along than the current state. Maybe some news about the proposed second tower.
6- 247 King st North well under construction
7- Regional Courthouse renders released and look amazing with some decent height to add to the downtown skyline.
8- Walmart backs out of the Ira Needles Commercial Centre (I know I dream)
9- Westmount Grand Condos are heavily under construction
10- A new development announcement that really has the opportunity to change a section of the city (like a Barrel Yards or Centre Block)


There's nothing wrong with dreaming :)
(you're not the only one - maybe a redesign of Ira Needles Development to not accomidate big box stores)

for #10, were you thinking of a specific location?

[RangersFan]

No real specific location, but I would certainly perfer to see more large developments land in Uptown or Downtown. I am also curious to see what will happen at the recently sold lot of King and Lodge st in Waterloo.

[Spokes]

No real specific location, but I would certainly perfer to see more large developments land in Uptown or Downtown. I am also curious to see what will happen at the recently sold lot of King and Lodge st in Waterloo.

Me too. I always expected WLU would buy it, but it'll be interesting to see what happens.


Since we're on the topic of "wishes" my wishes for land to be developed:
Waterloo: The triangle shaped piece of land at King/William where Quiznos is. I think this could be an awesome development with a really cool shape to it. It'd make for a great entrance to uptown.
Kitchener: Charles/Ontario (behind the TD building) or the lot in the block of King/Water/Charles/Francis.
Kitchener/Waterloo: The Sunlife lot

Unfortunately I don't know Cambridge enough to pick something.

[RangersFan]

On the topic I did think of a couple locations where I'd like to see some major development. Both at the intersection of King and Victoria. I would really like to see a new state of the art transit hub for GRT, LRT, GO, greyhound and VIA at the northeast corner of King and Victoria. I would love to see a big mixed use development happen at the southwest corner of this intersection with some real height(where the trios college was and the uhaul building resides). I really think this corner has big time potential.

[Spokes]

On the topic I did think of a couple locations where I'd like to see some major development. Both at the intersection of King and Victoria. I would really like to see a new state of the art transit hub for GRT, LRT, GO, greyhound and VIA at the northeast corner of King and Victoria. I would love to see a big mixed use development happen at the southwest corner of this intersection with some real height(where the trios college was and the uhaul building resides). I really think this corner has big time potential.

It's definitely got potential, thats for sure.

I think though when that uhaul block gets redeveloped it's going to be a number of separate developments rather than one big one. I can't imagine the city would allow a developer to develop over Hall's lane.

I'm ok with that though. It'll provide better hight/appearance variety.

Too bad it won't be as easy(cheap) for development as some of the empty parking lots.

[cambridge-city-boy]

My wish list for KW region:

1. Completion of the Water-scape towers in downtown Cambridge
2. Construction starting on the LRT
3. Completion of Highway 7-8 Expansion to the 401
4. Construction beginning on Conestoga Colleges Cambridge location (opposite of Doon/401)
5. Extended GO bus service, instead of ending at Square one having it end at Union Station
6. Longer hours and more frequent bus departures for the GRT
7. Demolition of the Flee Market and Shell gas station on Hespler road in Cambridge (they are an eye sore)
8. Construction on Hespler road, and Franklin Blvd. (proposed roundabouts for those roads)
9. More funding on improving roads, and increased beautification of parks/tourist areas
10. Completed Upgrade on King Street (Ideal is to have it improved from Waterloo North to Cambridge Delta)

[Spokes]

Great list!


My wish list for KW region:

1. Completion of the Water-scape towers in downtown Cambridge


Does the second tower start when the first one is done? Or do they have to sell that one too?



4. Construction beginning on Conestoga Colleges Cambridge location (opposite of Doon/401)


It's already underway. Not sure where they're at though.

Here's the thread: http://www.wonderfulwaterloo.com/showthread.php/60-Conestoga-College-Cambridge-Campus-Expansion-|-m-|-3-5-fl-|-U-C

[Advance]

My Wish list for 2010: (in no real order)
1. Completion and opening of the new Doon Valley GC expansion and renovation
2. Much more progress on the Arrow Lofts
3. Ground Breaking on Centre Block (ok this is #1)
4. Plans for a new arena/event centre (bigger than JLC)
5. Progress on the new Doon Campus across the 401
6. Plans for a new RIM Park-like facility in the south plains area (Heard Rumors)
7. More Development announcements (maybe some bio tech)
8. Ground Breaking on the New Courthouse (taller is better)
9. A Westbound ramp where HW 7/8 meets cambridge
10. A Major sports franchise to come the the Area (AHL, NHL, CFL, NLL)

[1231]

First Post !

My wish list for 2010 (no order):

1. GRT East Kitchener Service Improvments
2. 10 minutes iXpress service (during rush hours)
3. More GO Bus service
4. Succesfull reconstruction of King Street
5. Conestoga College Cambridge Campus construction
6. Replace The Aud
7. Building at King & Univerisity

[UrbanWaterloo]

Voting Ends January 15, 2010.

http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:oDSf-OMwDCbR2M:http://www.toronto.ca/council/images/voting_yellow.gif
http://www.toronto.ca/council/taxi_election.htm


Consolidated List: January 7, 2010
Here are the top choices so far.

5: LRT
5: City Centre Condos
4: Courthouse
4: 247 King Street North (25-Storey Tower)
4: Arrow Lofts
4: GO Transit
3: Arena
3: 144 Park
3: GRT System-wide
3: King Street Streetscape
3: Conestoga College - Cambridge


Look forward to a recap of hit and misses at the end of the year.

[Waterlooian4Life]

First Post!!

Thank you WaterlooInvestor..... I was Tired of the Crap at SkyscraperPage and the lack of progressive thought.

Here are my Wishes for 2010

1. 247 King Street Construction to Start
2. RIM New World Headquarters building to start Construction at Westmount and Bearinger
3. Barrel Yards Construction to start -- 3 buildings were submitted for permit in december so fingers are crossed.
4. Wilfrid Laurier Global exchange centre to go ahead.
5. Gound breaking on Consolodated Courthouse
6. Ground Breaking on Centre Block
7. Conestoga College Cambridge
8. LRT announcements
9. Region to announce proposal for new central transit hub like the one designed by Robertson Simmons for the corner of Victoria and King
10. Rim's current 5 buildings submitted for building permit to start construction
11. Money is announced for all 3 phases of the Balsillie school
12. New Waterloo Public Library is announced.
13. 144 Park construction Starts
14. Region announces more roundabouts - including at the DELTA!
15. Doug Craig is NOT re-elected
16. 3 VERY Progressive Mayors are elected and 1 Extremely Progressive Regional Chair is Elected.

Crazy Wishes.
1. City of Waterloo to overhaul its current zoning regulations for King street University Ave and all of Northdale
2. A development Proposal for the Midtown district at Union and King or near Wellington and King
3. University of Waterloo to recieve money to finish all its developments proposed for East Campus
4 . Rim to propose a master redevelopment of its Philip street campus... including underground parking and 6 storey buildings.
5. Shops at waterloo town square development to be completed and new development to be proposed along erb side of property
6. West of Caroline parking lots to be redeveloped.
7. Proposal to redevelop Univerity Plaza
8. Major larger scale retailer announces a new urban strategy and locates in the downtown area with a major mixed use development
9. Ken Seiling announces he is running again
10. Major announcement for development in downtown hespler
11. Major announcement for development in downtown Galt



Really Crazy Wishes.....p.s no one is to get hurt
1. all the Walmarts in town burn down.
2. all of hespler road is destroyed by fire
3. the monstrosity on king burns down
4. A permenant irreversable Development Ban on protected country side around all three cities as well as all the smaller communities.
5. Government announces funding for the entire LRT route into cambridge

[Spokes]

First Post!!


Welcome Waterlooian4Life, and all the other new members!


3. Barrel Yards Construction to start -- 3 buildings were submitted for permit in december so fingers are crossed.


Are these documents out there? Do they provide any details to what buildings will be built? If you've got them can you post them, or a link to them?
I assume the hotel is one of them.


9. Region to announce proposal for new central transit hub like the one designed by Robertson Simmons for the corner of Victoria and King


Do you have an image of the Simmons proposal? I'd love to see it posted, and in the future in the soon-to-come Waterloo Region Rapid Transit thread (It's on the way...but it'll be a big one so it'll take some time)


10. Rim's current 5 buildings submitted for building permit to start construction


See #3

[RangersFan]

Great first post Waterlooian4Life, it also prompts a couple questions from me some were already asked by Spokes, Rim is building a new headquaters at Westmount and Westmount and Bearinger?

[Waterlooian4Life]

Thank you for the Welcome Spokes


Are these documents out there? Do they provide any details to what buildings will be built? If you've got them can you post them, or a link to them?
I assume the hotel is one of them.

My Understanding from my sources at city hall is that it is the two 21 storey apartment buildings and the office building...but I can't confirm the office building for sure so it may be the hotel. but thats the best info I have right now.


"Do you have an image of the Simmons proposal? I'd love to see it posted, and in the future in the soon-to-come Waterloo Region Rapid Transit thread (It's on the way...but it'll be a big one so it'll take some time)"

Actually if you want you can Check it out yourself at www.rsarchitects.ca under the Urban design section of their Website. Also on their website under their current work is Rim's new headquarters, Building D at the Northfield Develpment, the new Building for the Tech Park. and the redevelopment of the Factory on Breithiept Street.


Great first post Waterlooian4Life, it also prompts a couple questions from me some were already asked by Spokes, Rim is building a new headquaters at Westmount and Westmount and Bearinger?

Yea this one is going to be very interesting. It is going to be located on the sliver of land were Northfield used to curver to meet Bearinger. See the Robertson Simmons Website under current work for an image.

[mpd618]

Crazy Wishes.
... 2. A development Proposal for the Midtown district at Union and King or near Wellington and King ...

There's nothing crazy about that. Kitchener has already approved its new mixed-use zoning for the King Street West corridor.

[RangersFan]

Looks like there is alot of work left to do at the Northfield Corporate Campus, the design layout shows like another 5 buildings. I wish they had more information on the transit hub but it looks really promising. I wonder if there has been any offical talk towards making that transit hub a reality.

Is the centre for corporate excellence a University of Waterloo project? Is it currently under construction?
If you goto R & T park on the UW map http://www.uwrtpark.uwaterloo.ca/about/maps.html 375 Hagey Blvd shows an under construction sign. I wonder if this is the development on Robertson Simmons Website titled Tech Park III.

So far I haven't been able to find the Rim's new headquarters render.

[Spokes]

Actually if you want you can Check it out yourself at www.rsarchitects.ca under the Urban design section of their Website. Also on their website under their current work is Rim's new headquarters, Building D at the Northfield Develpment, the new Building for the Tech Park. and the redevelopment of the Factory on Breithiept Street.

Yea this one is going to be very interesting. It is going to be located on the sliver of land were Northfield used to curver to meet Bearinger. See the Robertson Simmons Website under current work for an image.

Wow he's got some fantastic ideas. Thanks for posting that. I assume some of those are just ideas, not projects that have been commissioned to be designed (ie. transit hub) What redevelopment is that on Breithaupt Street? There's a few potential factorys that it could be and I couldnt tell from the drawing

[RangersFan]

I was thinking it might have been International Automotive Components Plant redevelopment.

[Waterlooian4Life]

Is the centre for corporate excellence a University of Waterloo project? Is it currently under construction?
If you goto R & T park on the UW map http://www.uwrtpark.uwaterloo.ca/about/maps.html 375 Hagey Blvd shows an under construction sign. I wonder if this is the development on Robertson Simmons Website titled Tech Park III.

So far I haven't been able to find the Rim's new headquarters render.

Leaffan, the Centre for Corporate Excellence is infact the RIM headquarters. Unfortunately it doesn't show the whole building but it is actually much bigger than what is shown.

The Tech Park III building is what Is about to start at 375 Hagey Blvd

[RangersFan]

Thanks I was wondering, so the centre for corporate excellence will be at bearinger and westmount, do you know what corner? The NW and NE corners don't seem suitable as they are both natural areas. The SE corner is University of Waterloo property, and the SW corner is a field so I am assuming it must be there. I really had herad nothing of RIM building a new head office. So many developments pass through in Waterloo Region without much press.

[Waterlooian4Life]

Thanks I was wondering, so the centre for corporate excellence will be at bearinger and westmount, do you know what corner? The NW and NE corners don't seem suitable as they are both natural areas. The SE corner is University of Waterloo property, and the SW corner is a field so I am assuming it must be there. I really had herad nothing of RIM building a new head office. So many developments pass through in Waterloo Region without much press.

I agree, RIM has done a very good Job of Keeping their major Construction Projects Quiet over the last number of years. The only time that there is any press is when a new parcel of land is purchased in a public process. The Centre for Corporate Excellence will be located on the North East Corner of Bearinger and Westmount. Both the South East and North West Corners of that interstection are protected from Development. It is a rather awkward site but in my opinion it was likely a cheap property and ultimately the upper floors of the building will have an amazing view of Laurel Creek.

[RangersFan]

Do you know the number of floors the building is supposed to have?
http://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&q=westmount+and+bearinger+waterloo&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Westmount+Rd+N+%26+Bearinger+Rd,+Waterloo,+W aterloo+Regional+Municipality,+Ontario&ll=43.48371,-80.564717&spn=0,359.998281&z=19&layer=c&cbll=43.48371,-80.564717&panoid=OI1vjw5DesHo_K_JneimzQ&cbp=12,299.24,,0,8.96

[Duke-of-Waterloo]

Here's mine - in no particular order

1. 25 Storey tower @ King & University begins construction (and maybe, just maybe the City and developer agree to add another 5 storeys :p)
2. SOMETHING starts construction with good urban design @ the BarrelYards Site (ie. hotel or apartment towers)
3. The Region gets a proposal for a convention/conference centre, preferably in Downtown Kitchener (because honestly, Bingemans doesn't cut it...)
4. Funding is committed by Feds and Provs for the LRT
5. Center Block has positive sales to commit to construction
6. There is a proposal for a consolidated transit terminal in Downtown Kitchener (GO bus, GO Train, LRT, GRT, VIA, Greyhound, Coach Canada), and UW gets a proper bus terminal to accommodate the skyrocketing ridership levels (something like the University of Guelph has).
7. 144 Park sales pick up to commit to construction
8. Westin Hotel changes their mind and brings back their proposal for a hotel across from Waterloo Square & an attractive water feature is added to the Waterloo Public Square
9. The new Highway 7 to Guelph gets a construction date by MTO (the EA has long been approved)
10. There are absolutely no new proposals in 2010 for any more multi-coloured stucco boxes in Northdale, and a solid and realistic mixed-use plan for the neighbourhood is implemented
11. The City of Waterloo places a higher priority on new residential development for full-time residents rather than students and more employment lands (and yes, this might mean building a new subdivision or two in the City because the market supports it - not everyone wants to live in condos, particularly families with young children)
12. The Province agrees to let Kitchener and Waterloo engage in amalgamation talks in the upcoming election
13. Balsillie makes another proposal to buy an NHL team that the league is favourable of!

That's all for now...

[Spokes]

10. There are absolutely no new proposals in 2010 for any more multi-coloured stucco boxes in Northdale, and a solid and realistic mixed-use plan for the neighbourhood is implemented


Or anywhere for that matter! In the whole region!

But you're right. Northdale in particular. I'm not 100% opposed to the stucco, if used in moderation, with high quality supplies, and not 4+ colours. They need a concrete vision moving forward though.

[UrbanWaterloo]

http://bp1.blogger.com/__AuwUApfRb4/SI6Ry7e-xXI/AAAAAAAACYw/ZZmJLiWRaIU/s400/lastcall.jpg
http://nathanhellman.blogspot.com/2008_07_01_archive.html

[mpd618]

I might as well:

Light rail gets provincial and federal funding
GO Transit starts work on Kitchener extension
GO Transit starts train-bus service between Toronto - Guelph - Kitchener - Stratford, and expands service to GTA
Plans for new highway 7 are mothballed
Waterloo adopts the green/urban vision for Northdale
Minimum parking requirements in zoning start being replaced with maximum parking limits
The 2011 budget reallocates the $8 million of Gas Tax Funds to pedestrian and cycling infrastructure instead of roads
GRT publicly releases route data and real-time bus locations (from newly GPS-outfitted buses)
Waterloo bell is removed, perhaps to the Waterloo Town Square rooftop or something
Laurel Trail through Waterloo Park gets paved with permeable pavement

[UrbanWaterloo]

Voting as part of the group list has now closed. Thanks to the 10 people who participated, there's been some real interesting discussion! :cool:

Now for 2010 this is just for "fun"; it's a place to discuss things we'd like to see happen, and take a review over what actually occurred at the end of the year. However as we move forward by adding new members (would be nice to have 100 participants next year), and hopefully from 'hobbyists' to 'lobbyists'; this list should gain more weight --> something which will get emailed to local politicians and media in the years ahead.


Final Consolidated Wish List For 2010

8: LRT
7: City Centre Condos
6: 247 King Street North (25-Storey Tower)
5: Courthouse
5: GO Transit
4: Arrow Lofts
4: 144 Park
4: GRT System-wide
4: Conestoga College - Cambridge
4: BarrelYards

[Spokes]

Were there any others that 4 people wanted? (I know it would extend the list past 10, but still curious)

[UrbanWaterloo]

Nope, this year it worked out perfectly where the 5-way tie with 4-votes made an exact top 10. Likely with more contributors going forward (bringing more diverse opinions) there will be fewer ties. For interest sake, the three projects which received 3 votes were: Arena, Streetscaping and an Integrated Transit Hub.

[Urbanomicon]

In no particular order:

- Construction on the LRT begins.
- The highway 8 widening gets finished.
- A new 10-12 thousand seat arena for hockey/concerts/etc.
- All of the cities/townships in Waterloo Region amalgamate into a single city with a single level of government.
- The Provincial Government finds funding for the proposed highway 8 / 401 interchange improvements.
- Go Transit rail service comes to the region.
- Change the proposed Ira Needles development to a real mixed use lifestyle center (read: no big box stores).
- Doug Craig resigns.
- Kitchener-Waterloo gets a complete highway circle.
- Downtown Kitchener redevelopment.

[Spokes]

Kitchener-Waterloo gets a complete highway circle.

That was originally the plan with the Conestoga Expressway right?

[UrbanWaterloo]

Mid-Year Check-In
Green = Occurred
Red = Partially Occurred




LRT Fed/Prov funding agreements signed
10,000+ seat arena is proposed by the rangers + city(cities)/region
Model suite opens at City Centre Condos (Centre Block)
144 Park hits their sales target to begin construction
RIM grows to 15,000 local employees [Continued growth with 517 (https://rim.taleo.net/careersection/americas/jobsearch.ftl?lang=en&location=4101430233)local jobs currently open, not sure if they've hit the target yet.]
Our Body - The Universe Within becomes the best exhibit so far at the Children's Museum
CTV's series "Dan For Mayor" becomes a national hit [Not completely, but it was picked up for Season 2]
Stephen Hawking visits Waterloo (and I get a ticket to his speech)
New Waterloo Region Consolidated Courthouse is proposed as high-quality with some height (min 6 floors) and begins construction
25-storey tower at King & University is well under construction




-LRT funding approval from Feds & Province
-Completion of Arrow Lofts
-Beginning of City Centre Condo's sales
-Increased GO service, with buses continuing on to York U & Finch Terminal
-Improved GRT service in East Kitchener and south Kitchener
-Increased GRT frequencies throughout the system
-Westjet makes YVR a year-round destination
-Property Taxes don't rise
-The King St. reconstruction is successful
-VIA increases service from 3 trains per direction, to 6.




An announcement on LRT
Progress at the Arrow Lofts site (the building not just the parking garage)
Successful sales campaign for Centre Block
A go ahead for GO transit
King/University tower gets underway
Increased sales for 144 Park
Groundbreaking of BarrelYards (hopefully more than just the hotel too)
Transit station to be announced for King/Victoria
Successful start to the Kitchener Public Library parking garage/renovation
Groundbreaking on the Consolidated Courthouse




1- LRT funding announced
2- Barrel Yards well under construction, and condo sales office open
3- 144 Park under construction with a strong sales campaign
4- Centre Block sales centre open
5- Arrow lofts far further along than the current state. Maybe some news about the proposed second tower.
6- 247 King st North well under construction
7- Regional Courthouse renders released and look amazing with some decent height to add to the downtown skyline.
8- Walmart backs out of the Ira Needles Commercial Centre (I know I dream)
9- Westmount Grand Condos are heavily under construction
10- A new development announcement that really has the opportunity to change a section of the city (like a Barrel Yards or Centre Block)



1. Completion of the Water-scape towers in downtown Cambridge
2. Construction starting on the LRT
3. Completion of Highway 7-8 Expansion to the 401
4. Construction beginning on Conestoga Colleges Cambridge location (opposite of Doon/401)
5. Extended GO bus service, instead of ending at Square one having it end at Union Station
6. Longer hours and more frequent bus departures for the GRT
7. Demolition of the Flee Market and Shell gas station on Hespler road in Cambridge (they are an eye sore)
8. Construction on Hespler road, and Franklin Blvd. (proposed roundabouts for those roads)
9. More funding on improving roads, and increased beautification of parks/tourist areas
10. Completed Upgrade on King Street (Ideal is to have it improved from Waterloo North to Cambridge Delta)



1. Completion and opening of the new Doon Valley GC expansion and renovation
2. Much more progress on the Arrow Lofts
3. Ground Breaking on Centre Block (ok this is #1)
4. Plans for a new arena/event centre (bigger than JLC)
5. Progress on the new Doon Campus across the 401
6. Plans for a new RIM Park-like facility in the south plains area (Heard Rumors)
7. More Development announcements (maybe some bio tech)
8. Ground Breaking on the New Courthouse (taller is better)
9. A Westbound ramp where HW 7/8 meets cambridge
10. A Major sports franchise to come the the Area (AHL, NHL, CFL, NLL)



1. GRT East Kitchener Service Improvments
2. 10 minutes iXpress service (during rush hours)
3. More GO Bus service
4. Succesfull reconstruction of King Street
5. Conestoga College Cambridge Campus construction
6. Replace The Aud
7. Building at King & Univerisity



1. 247 King Street Construction to Start
2. RIM New World Headquarters building to start Construction at Westmount and Bearinger
3. Barrel Yards Construction to start -- 3 buildings were submitted for permit in december so fingers are crossed.
4. Wilfrid Laurier Global exchange centre to go ahead.
5. Gound breaking on Consolodated Courthouse
6. Ground Breaking on Centre Block
7. Conestoga College Cambridge
8. LRT announcements
9. Region to announce proposal for new central transit hub like the one designed by Robertson Simmons for the corner of Victoria and King
10. Rim's current 5 buildings submitted for building permit to start construction
11. Money is announced for all 3 phases of the Balsillie school
12. New Waterloo Public Library is announced.
13. 144 Park construction Starts
14. Region announces more roundabouts - including at the DELTA!
15. Doug Craig is NOT re-elected
16. 3 VERY Progressive Mayors are elected and 1 Extremely Progressive Regional Chair is Elected.



1. 25 Storey tower @ King & University begins construction (and maybe, just maybe the City and developer agree to add another 5 storeys :p)
2. SOMETHING starts construction with good urban design @ the BarrelYards Site (ie. hotel or apartment towers)
3. The Region gets a proposal for a convention/conference centre, preferably in Downtown Kitchener (because honestly, Bingemans doesn't cut it...)
4. Funding is committed by Feds and Provs for the LRT
5. Center Block has positive sales to commit to construction
6. There is a proposal for a consolidated transit terminal in Downtown Kitchener (GO bus, GO Train, LRT, GRT, VIA, Greyhound, Coach Canada), and UW gets a proper bus terminal to accommodate the skyrocketing ridership levels (something like the University of Guelph has).
7. 144 Park sales pick up to commit to construction
8. Westin Hotel changes their mind and brings back their proposal for a hotel across from Waterloo Square & an attractive water feature is added to the Waterloo Public Square
9. The new Highway 7 to Guelph gets a construction date by MTO (the EA has long been approved)
10. There are absolutely no new proposals in 2010 for any more multi-coloured stucco boxes in Northdale, and a solid and realistic mixed-use plan for the neighbourhood is implemented
11. The City of Waterloo places a higher priority on new residential development for full-time residents rather than students and more employment lands (and yes, this might mean building a new subdivision or two in the City because the market supports it - not everyone wants to live in condos, particularly families with young children)
12. The Province agrees to let Kitchener and Waterloo engage in amalgamation talks in the upcoming election
13. Balsillie makes another proposal to buy an NHL team that the league is favourable of!




Light rail gets provincial and federal funding
GO Transit starts work on Kitchener extension
GO Transit starts train-bus service between Toronto - Guelph - Kitchener - Stratford, and expands service to GTA
Plans for new highway 7 are mothballed
Waterloo adopts the green/urban vision for Northdale
Minimum parking requirements in zoning start being replaced with maximum parking limits
The 2011 budget reallocates the $8 million of Gas Tax Funds to pedestrian and cycling infrastructure instead of roads
GRT publicly releases route data and real-time bus locations (from newly GPS-outfitted buses)
Waterloo bell is removed, perhaps to the Waterloo Town Square rooftop or something
Laurel Trail through Waterloo Park gets paved with permeable pavement




- Construction on the LRT begins.
- The highway 8 widening gets finished.
- A new 10-12 thousand seat arena for hockey/concerts/etc.
- All of the cities/townships in Waterloo Region amalgamate into a single city with a single level of government.
- The Provincial Government finds funding for the proposed highway 8 / 401 interchange improvements.
- Go Transit rail service comes to the region.
- Change the proposed Ira Needles development to a real mixed use lifestyle center (read: no big box stores).
- Doug Craig resigns.
- Kitchener-Waterloo gets a complete highway circle.
- Downtown Kitchener redevelopment.