Queen Street Placemaking Plan moves one step closer to approval
Posted Aug 22, 2017 07:44:27 AM.
Last Updated Aug 22, 2017 07:44:35 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
The City of Kitchener appears ready to move ahead with a plan to give Queen Street a long awaited makeover.
The Queen Street Placemaking Plan passed a committee vote yesterday and is pending council approval next week.
The plan hopes to revitalize Queen Street between Charles Street and Duke Street and spur greater investment and development in the area.
Kitchener City staff says the unique history and design of the area makes it ideal for retail and restaurants.
The proposed upgrades include wider sidewalks, new street lightening and improved green spaces.
Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic says the city needs to invest in key areas to keep attracting development,
“We are seeing significant investment come to our community, and if we want to continue to attract leading companies into the Region it’s important that we make some of these investments.” Said Vrbanovic.
The total cost of the plan is $1,845,000 but the city only has $1,385,000 in capital funding.
Mayor Vrbanovic says he is hopeful the Federal Government and private partnerships, including the Downtown BIA, can help fill the $460,000 gap.
If approved construction will not begin until 2019.
