What does DTK need?

[westwardloo]

I agree with having a pedestrian only zone - the bigger the better, something like after 3 or 5pm and on weekends

Also have family-friendly zones, parks etc. perhaps pop-up retail, year-round events/concerts - this will draw people, especially if nearby parking is free/cheap at those times

The swimming pool is a fantastic idea, create a world-class sports facility (something like they're doing in the South End) but downtown, that would be very cool

I love the Idea of a Pedestrian only zone, I think the best time to do that would have been to run the LRT down king street and made King from francis to Benton pedestrian only. 

Someone mentioned potentially providing a retail  tax break for retailers in the dt Core. I actually think this could be a clever solution to encourage a larger anchor to set up an urban format store in Kitchener. I wouldn't mind if we looked at a commercial tax break to entice corporations and businesses to establish offices in the core. Losing, Manulife, Sunlife, Rogers radio and Stantec where blows. It would have been nice if CTV had set up shop dtk instead of out near sportsworld. We already "subsidize" suburban office parks/ power centres. 

Obviously I am in the Pro-Arena camp. I have already made my arguments for why I think it could boost the DTK, I understand the counter arguments so please don't respond with them. There are going to be people for or against any idea. 

Coming from a swimming background I would love to see the region invest in actual Olympic sized pool/ aquatic centre. We used to be a national training centre until the mid 00's. I don't know if it needs to be in the DT core though. It could come with the Region bidding on a Canada Games or god forbid we pretend to be world class and bid on the Commonwealth Games.