(10-30-2018, 12:16 PM)Spokes Wrote:

(10-30-2018, 11:38 AM)clasher Wrote: Closing Market Lane to cars would be quite the blow to New City Supermarket; the lane is basically just overflow parking for them as it stands.

But that's part of the problem.  Market Lane isn't their parking lot, but it's treated as such.

(10-30-2018, 12:46 PM)kps Wrote:

(10-30-2018, 11:46 AM)panamaniac Wrote: That parking lot behind New City is a problem, imho.  On Saturdays, the whole laneway is blocked by cars waiting to use the lot.  There has be be a better way.

Once I've seen bylaw ticketing people blithely sitting in front of the ‘No stopping’ signs. If they did that every weekend, Kitchener could do without property taxes.

On the other hand, the bylaw officer was parked on the sidewalk on Eby.

(10-30-2018, 12:17 PM)tomh009 Wrote:

(10-30-2018, 11:46 AM)panamaniac Wrote: That parking lot behind New City is a problem, imho.  On Saturdays, the whole laneway is blocked by cars waiting to use the lot.  There has be be a better way.

There is (1) street parking on King St, (2) a parking lot on the other side of King St, (3) Market Square parking garage and (4) Benton/Charles parking garage. There really is no shortage of parking.

(10-30-2018, 06:17 PM)Pheidippides Wrote: Conveniently, Kitchener is surveying at the moment on how to improve the market itself (not the district).

(10-30-2018, 09:49 AM)Rainrider22 Wrote: How interesting and timely your post is. This past Saturday my daughters (7 and 9) and myself decided to put backpacks on and go for an adventure DTK. We parked at the Charles/Benton garage. Our first stop was Darlise Cafe for breakfast. WOW, unbelievable food. Service was amazing and the atmosphere was great. We then walked around the core, checking out construction sites and taking in what the future is going to look like (very positive). We stopped for coffee and perhaps the best hot chocolate in the city at Matter of Taste. We sat there for a while drying out and warming up. Wonderful friendly people coming and going. People actually acknowledging one another with smiles and hellos, how refreshing. We set off to walk toward the market. We passed a guy having an episode yelling at no one and talking to himself. (likely some mental health issues) My daughters questioned his behavior so we discussed mental health issues and how some people are disadvantaged and need assistance. The walk was nice looking into different shops and taking notes of restaurants we want to come back to. A stop in the New City Supermarket for treats and watching live fish. We got to the market and spent lots of time there buying from vendors and listening to buskers. Oh, and I was able to get a 2 dollar parking coupon for the Benton Street parking garage, how cheap is that !! As we exited the marked we were facing our favorite Vietnamese restaurant, Pho Dau Bo, and we were in for our next meal. Then we started walking back to the parked vehicle only to see the LRT go by at Charles onto Frederick, we all thought the same thing. We cant wait till the day that we can ride the LRT into the DTK and do it all over again.

I agree, the East end has lots of potential to further develop around the market. I believe that as the new residential units come on stream, we will see many great improvements. I think it will end up being a destination point. What I think people need to do in the interim is look closer at what is there. There is a great diversity of culture that offers much. Sure it doesn't always look very polished and perfect like Uptown Waterloo, but my kids get an experience that opens their eyes more, and will make them more diverse.

Just my thoughts.....

(10-30-2018, 06:22 PM)panamaniac Wrote:

(10-30-2018, 06:17 PM)Pheidippides Wrote: Conveniently, Kitchener is surveying at the moment on how to improve the market itself (not the district).

Your link is to a survey for the 2018 budget.

Quote:Kitchener is holding a public consultation to get ideas on the future of the east end of the downtown.

Much of the surging interest in downtown Kitchener has been concentrated in the west end, said Hilary Abel, Kitchener's manager of downtown development.

"There's been less focus on the east end," she said. "We're just looking to shift our focus."

(11-05-2018, 09:16 AM)Spokes Wrote: Looks like the city wants to focus on the East end of Downtown Kitchener too:  https://www.therecord.com/news-story/9005358-kitchener-seeks-ideas-on-the-future-of-the-east-end-of-downtown-/
 

Quote:Kitchener is holding a public consultation to get ideas on the future of the east end of the downtown.

Much of the surging interest in downtown Kitchener has been concentrated in the west end, said Hilary Abel, Kitchener's manager of downtown development.

"There's been less focus on the east end," she said. "We're just looking to shift our focus."

The public consultation is tomorrow night.

The city really dropped the ball on this one.  It's TOMORROW.  How is this the first time people are talking about this?

(11-05-2018, 02:41 PM)panamaniac Wrote: Istm that the Record article touches on the key strengths of the East End - ethnic/multicultural and food.  This is a solid base upon which to build a vibrant neighbourhood.