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  1. Kitchener Market BIA?

    I'm not sure if this was proposed in the past, but what if the market neighbourhood in Kitchener created their own BIA? I'm aware that downtown Kitchener already has a BIA that is responsible for the entire downtown, but I think that a separate BIA solely for the market would help to improve the area.
    I think that by breaking the current downtown BIA into smaller parts (ie: the market area as a separate entity), the market area can work to enhance its own vibe that it has going on, as well as attract business to that section of the downtown. Grouping the entire downtown as one seems a bit strange, given how diverse one area is from another (tannery compared to the market).

    Is there any merit in persuing this?
    2. #1
    YKF
    07-25-2012 11:38 PM
  2. From DOWNTOWN | Member Since Mar 2010 | 1,462 Posts
    #2
    07-26-2012 03:26 PM
    Is anyone in the Downtown east end pushing for this? Given the still fragile state of Downtown, I would have thought a single. larger association would carry more weight. How about a Market District sub-committee within the BIA? Maybe it could be mandated to promote the ethnic dimension of its businesses and advocate for more fresh food vendors in that end of town, among other things.
  3. samnabi's Avatar
    From Kdubs | Member Since Jan 2011 | 11 Posts
    #3
    09-16-2012 07:06 PM
    I think this is a great idea, if only for the benefit of the vendors in the market building itself that are there throughout the week and don't get much foot traffic (due to being removed from the street). Some more focused efforts to market the area as a week-long fresh food and restaurant hub could be beneficial.
  4. 4Kitchener's Avatar
    Member Since Feb 2012 | 42 Posts
    #4
    09-16-2012 07:26 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by samnabi
    I think this is a great idea, if only for the benefit of the vendors in the market building itself that are there throughout the week and don't get much foot traffic (due to being removed from the street). Some more focused efforts to market the area as a week-long fresh food and restaurant hub could be beneficial.
    Market and Dining district!? Sounds appealing.
  5. From Kitchener | Member Since May 2010 | 33 Posts
    #5
    09-17-2012 08:55 AM
    The KDBIA has actually been pretty good at making its east end a priority and is a part of special events for example. The Tannery actually is outside of the KDBIA's zone so it doesn't receive any help (though it should be a part of it). Multiple BIAs may be helpful especially east of Frederick since the BIA is already pretty big by BIA standards according to Mark Garner. I've called for a Community Improvement Plan for east downtown Kitchener (starting probably at Cedar but possibly Frederick): http://kingandottawa.com/2012/04/16/...rovement-plan/ Starting a BIA focussed on east end issues/needs might be a part of that plan.

    Including the Tannery in the current BIA is a must.