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4 Ways to Fix the Market District
#1
4 Ways to Fix the Market District

I think the Market District in downtown Kitchener has a ton of potential.


If done the right way our “market” could be a smaller version of Ottawa’s Byward Market.



The Market District is an area bordered by King Street East, Frederick Street, Weber Street and Cedar Street.  According to the City of Kitchener’s Downtown Strategic Plan, the Market District is “the downtown’s gateway in the East.”

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If done the right way our “market” could be a smaller version of Ottawa’s Byward Market.

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Anchored by the Kitchener Market itself, the market district could have lots of restaurants, bars and shops and be something that draws people to the core. And drawing them in shouldn't be too hard since there will be an LRT stop at the corner of Charles and Cedar.


In order for the Market District to be a success, a number of changes need to take place.

#1.  Get an Anchor Tenant 

The biggest change that needs to take place has to do with the Market District’s anchor tenant, the Kitchener Market.  The Market currently does well on Saturdays, but outside of that, it leaves a lot to be desired.  For the Market District to be a success, the Kitchener Market has to be a success.  One thing that would help to fix the Market would be to address the tenants of the market.  This is a controversial issue for many people.  I love the diversity that the small food vendors in the upper market bring, but as of right now they truly help the Market.  A larger anchor restaurant would serve the Market’s interests much better.  One with a proven record of success through the Region, or elsewhere.  A patio could easily flow onto the front of the Market giving life to King Street, something that currently doesn't exit.  This would provide life and draw both people, and new business into the district. 

#2.  Better Hours of Operation

The Market’s hours of operation need to be addressed as well.  Currently the Market is open Tuesday to Friday, 9am to 5pm & Saturday, 7am to 2pm (with the Farmers Market itself only open on Saturday).  Improved hours will come with increased popularity of the market on days it is open though, but would immediately come with an anchor restaurant.

#3.  Grow the Population

The next issue that needs to be addressed is population growth.  For the Market District to thrive, there needs to be population growth nearby.  Over time I think this will happen, but the City of Kitchener needs to be more aggressive with this.



Fusion Homes has already bought the block bordered by King, Cameron, Charles and Madison Streets.  Their development plans include a podium containing both commercial space and brownstone units.  Rising above this will be two condo towers totaling close to 300 units.  The people living in these units will likely be customers of the Kitchener Market and surrounding businesses.  


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For the Market District to thrive, there needs to be population growth nearby.



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#4.  Market Lane Overhaul

The final thing that should be addressed to help the Market District is the most exciting.  I think Market Lane has a boat load of potential.   If it were up to me, the little street between Scott and Eby would become a pedestrian only block.  Doing this and adding a number of small restaurants with patios would make this a very warm feeling part of the district.  There are already a number of houses facing a courtyard on market lane.  If you added patios on all of these, they would all fit into the potential makeover.


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If it were up to me, the little street between Scott and Eby would become a pedestrian only block.

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King Street is a mixed use corridor which means it’s prime for redevelopment. In the Market District buildings are held to lower heights.  Once you reach Cedar Street, buildings can become higher, which would ideally provide the population base to support the district.



Side streets flowing off of King Street should be a mix of new development housing the aforementioned bars, restaurants, shops and older homes being reused.


All of these areas are ripe for change.  Change that would go a long way to reshape the Market District into a lively, fun area.



What do you think?  Share your comments below.


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Messages In This Thread
4 Ways to Fix the Market District - by administrator - 10-01-2014, 12:22 AM
RE: 4 Ways to Fix the Market District - by Spokes - 10-02-2014, 03:31 PM
RE: 4 Ways to Fix the Market District - by dano - 10-15-2014, 10:59 PM
RE: 4 Ways to Fix the Market District - by Spokes - 10-16-2014, 10:42 AM
RE: 4 Ways to Fix the Market District - by plam - 10-16-2014, 12:47 PM
RE: 4 Ways to Fix the Market District - by Spokes - 10-21-2014, 10:47 AM
RE: 4 Ways to Fix the Market District - by Spokes - 10-21-2014, 06:04 PM
RE: 4 Ways to Fix the Market District - by mpd618 - 11-19-2014, 10:40 AM
RE: 4 Ways to Fix the Market District - by Spokes - 11-19-2014, 11:34 AM
RE: 4 Ways to Fix the Market District - by mpd618 - 11-20-2014, 12:09 AM
RE: 4 Ways to Fix the Market District - by Spokes - 09-14-2018, 09:36 PM
RE: 4 Ways to Fix the Market District - by KevinL - 09-14-2018, 10:23 PM
RE: 4 Ways to Fix the Market District - by darts - 09-15-2018, 10:04 AM
RE: 4 Ways to Fix the Market District - by Spokes - 09-15-2018, 11:50 AM
RE: 4 Ways to Fix the Market District - by darts - 09-15-2018, 05:14 PM
RE: 4 Ways to Fix the Market District - by Spokes - 09-15-2018, 05:34 PM
RE: 4 Ways to Fix the Market District - by Spokes - 09-15-2018, 12:40 PM
RE: 4 Ways to Fix the Market District - by Spokes - 09-15-2018, 12:39 PM
RE: 4 Ways to Fix the Market District - by Spokes - 09-15-2018, 05:33 PM

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