05-26-2021, 12:29 AM
There were at least two major downtown Kitchener plans. (All quotes below from this article: "Downtown revitalization: The Kitchener experience" by George Borovilos, the Director, Economic Development, City of Kitchener, 1992-2002 (or beyond as this article was written in 2002)
This would have been a gamechanger for Kitchener. I also suspect that much of that urban fabric would still be here (especially if the streets had been as radically drawn as planned). Remember that circa 1914 Kitchener barely reached Victoria Park to the west, and only went a similar distance to the east. Trying to find this plan might be tricky online. Anyone up for the challenge?
There was then another study in 1981, a plan in 1987, another study in 1987, a 1995 action plan (including a suggestion to return the downtown to the "good old days"), and a strategic plan 1999-2001. (and there were likely more after 2001, but this article was written in 2002).
I note as well that the 1965 plan expected $50 million in federal support but only received $1 million. ($420 Million in 2021 dollars) I don't know whether it was affected by the 1965, 1968 and 1972 elections. Kitchener was represented at the time by Keith Hymmen (Parliament Bio), a Liberal, when the Liberals were in power (Pearson 1963-1968, Trudeau Sr 1968-1979). History and other demands on federal attention likely played a big factor here. On a side note, Keith Hymmen was also a Kitchener City Alderman, and the Mayor for six months in 1958 and again from 1963 until his federal election in 1965.
Borovilos concludes:
Quote:Thomas Adams plan 1914
This plan proposed major changes. Completed in 1914, this plan was based on a European style layout with radial streets and grand avenues. Civic beauty was the emphasis of this optimistic vision. Unfortunately the plan was abandoned at the onset of the First World War, with few tangible consequences.
This would have been a gamechanger for Kitchener. I also suspect that much of that urban fabric would still be here (especially if the streets had been as radically drawn as planned). Remember that circa 1914 Kitchener barely reached Victoria Park to the west, and only went a similar distance to the east. Trying to find this plan might be tricky online. Anyone up for the challenge?
Quote:The plan – downtown Kitchener 1965
The second and more influential report known as The Plan – Downtown Kitchener was presented in 1965 (The Urban Renewal Committee, 1965). It envisioned turning King Street into a pedestrian covered mall anchored by large department stores. Parking garages would be built on a perimeter ring road system and no vehicles would be allowed in the core. Offices, stores and hotels would surround the mall, interspersed by parking garages and encompassed by a ring of apartments beyond the ring road system.
It was anticipated that government buildings would move to an adjacent Civic Square to augment the existing library, old jail and County buildings. To complete this vision, $50 million in federal urban renewal funding was expected but only about $1 million was actually received. In order to implement this plan, parking was banned on King Street and replaced with the Duke and Ontario Streets parking garage, which opened in 1967. This plan also formed the basis of the 1971 decision to build Market Square and demolish the old City Hall. The second anchor, King Centre Mall, was completed in 1980, with a parking garage on the perimeter road as proposed in 1968.
There was then another study in 1981, a plan in 1987, another study in 1987, a 1995 action plan (including a suggestion to return the downtown to the "good old days"), and a strategic plan 1999-2001. (and there were likely more after 2001, but this article was written in 2002).
I note as well that the 1965 plan expected $50 million in federal support but only received $1 million. ($420 Million in 2021 dollars) I don't know whether it was affected by the 1965, 1968 and 1972 elections. Kitchener was represented at the time by Keith Hymmen (Parliament Bio), a Liberal, when the Liberals were in power (Pearson 1963-1968, Trudeau Sr 1968-1979). History and other demands on federal attention likely played a big factor here. On a side note, Keith Hymmen was also a Kitchener City Alderman, and the Mayor for six months in 1958 and again from 1963 until his federal election in 1965.
Borovilos concludes:
Quote:It has become evident that no single project, no one grand solution will lift downtown from decline and put in on the road to permanent prosperity. Lasting economic and social recovery for a downtown will come only when there is a collective vision implemented through an incremental approach. What has clearly emerged as a result of many studies and approaches to Downtown Revitalization is that the core or the old Central Business District still remains the symbolic centre of the urban community. The reality however, is that the downtown no longer relates directly to the daily lives of the residents except for those who work there or live there. The challenge is to recapture the vitality of the street. A successful street in the downtown has a critical mass of activity and of people. The street is the gathering place for people to interact. In other words, downtown must provide an experience to the visitor and resident alike. Only then will it be able to be a legitimate alternative urban experience.