General Urban Kitchener Updates and Rumours

[DK519]

    656 King E. was torn down yesterday.

[ac3r]

Nice /r/hailhortler on the wall.

Is there anything planned for this site, or were they just demolishing old homes? I was unsure of where this was so I looked it up on Google Maps and it seems both 656 and 664 King East had blue fencing around them.

[DK519]

Nice /r/hailhortler on the wall.

Is there anything planned for this site, or were they just demolishing old homes? I was unsure of where this was so I looked it up on Google Maps and it seems both 656 and 664 King East had blue fencing around them.

As far as I'm aware, old tattoo place is going to be doctor's office with pharmacy and other old home on convenience store side is another dental/doctor's office. That was the last I heard.

This lot will be parking in between the two buildings.

[Rainrider22]

Ok cool thanks, So you have a good perspective. I am not going to argue with you at all that there is a lot of room for improvement, and it is coming thankfully. I just get frustrated when people that dont even frequent the area chirp about how crappy it is.. But I respect your comments. Thanks for answering.

[danbrotherston]

Ok cool thanks,  So you have a good perspective.  I am not going to argue with you at all that there is a lot of room for improvement, and it is coming thankfully.  I just get frustrated when people that dont even frequent the area chirp about how crappy it is..  But I respect your comments.  Thanks for answering.

What crazy times we're living in...I'm in complete agreement with Rainrider22....

[dtkvictim]

Ok cool thanks,  So you have a good perspective.  I am not going to argue with you at all that there is a lot of room for improvement, and it is coming thankfully.  I just get frustrated when people that dont even frequent the area chirp about how crappy it is..  But I respect your comments.  Thanks for answering.

Inversely, I get frustrated when I get scolded for speaking negatively about the area I live in by people who visit it, but don't also live here. I'm aware of the great shops, restaurants, and other conveniences. I'm unhappy with the area in spite of these, not out of ignorance of their existence. In fact, that's the primary reason I have an account here, to understand the roots of my problems, and how to make things better, which involves being critical.

I also don't center my life around consumerism (though I know many do), whereas many visitors to the area have a shop as a destination, and so probably place a much higher value on the shops making DTK a "vibrant" place.

Anyways, this isn't directed at you, as you've clearly just stated you're willing to accept or respect alternative first-hand perspective. I just wanted to post my own thoughts on "outside" opinions.

[danbrotherston]

Ok cool thanks,  So you have a good perspective.  I am not going to argue with you at all that there is a lot of room for improvement, and it is coming thankfully.  I just get frustrated when people that dont even frequent the area chirp about how crappy it is..  But I respect your comments.  Thanks for answering.

Inversely, I get frustrated when I get scolded for speaking negatively about the area I live in by people who visit it, but don't also live here. I'm aware of the great shops, restaurants, and other conveniences. I'm unhappy with the area in spite of these, not out of ignorance of their existence. In fact, that's the primary reason I have an account here, to understand the roots of my problems, and how to make things better, which involves being critical.

I also don't center my life around consumerism (though I know many do), whereas many visitors to the area have a shop as a destination, and so probably place a much higher value on the shops making DTK a "vibrant" place.

Anyways, this isn't directed at you, as you've clearly just stated you're willing to accept or respect alternative first-hand perspective. I just wanted to post my own thoughts on "outside" opinions.

I don't know if there is a specific example you are speaking about, but I'll give my perspective on the previous exchange and in general.

It is absolutely the case that people (and I and everyone here are people), can be defensive about things in our lives, especially things which we are used to hearing spoken negatively about, often without merit, or at least, without knowledge or understanding.  It takes trust to have a critical conversation.  I do think we do have that trust here, but one must still be delicate in their conversation.

While I didn't reply, I did have the same response as Rainrider...and while I would try to be open to having a critical discussion, I think describing it as an "armpit" which is not a criticism just a, as Rainrider put it, 'chirp' was rather off putting in terms of having an actual conversation.

Anyway, we're all people and all have our little quirks, faux pas, etc. I'm glad we can have an honest discussion about it.

[ac3r]

IMO one thing that could help liven up this side of downtown would be a park. Something with contemporary landscape architecture like Vogelsang Green has. I'd love to see that Mission Bible Thrift Store (off Scott Street) go and then expand Market Green so it connects with Market Lane.

[danbrotherston]

[Rainrider22]

IMO one thing that could help liven up this side of downtown would be a park. Something with contemporary landscape architecture like Vogelsang Green has. I'd love to see that Mission Bible Thrift Store (off Scott Street) go and then expand Market Green so it connects with Market Lane.

I agree.  And omg, what an opportunity to develope the houses behind the alley with the backyard squares.   Nice wine bar, bistros and of course the vinyl record store

[GarthDanlor]

[danbrotherston]

[tomh009]

Kaufman Park does incorporate the playing fields, tennis courts and the kids play park (tucked in the far corner).  I regularly take the dog there for a run and it is a pretty substantial open area.

How do you get in? It's a wall along Stirling, everything else appears to be walking into the school yard.

Primarily from the school parking lot -- but there is also a small entrance at the end of that wall, close to where Stirling meets Courtland.

[ac3r]

Kaufman Park does incorporate the playing fields, tennis courts and the kids play park (tucked in the far corner).  I regularly take the dog there for a run and it is a pretty substantial open area.

How do you get in? It's a wall along Stirling, everything else appears to be walking into the school yard.

I'm always a little wary of walking onto school property...maybe I shouldn't be, but it's not without cause, I was hassled rather....aggressively, when I was in University but returned to my old school to congratulate a favourite teacher on retirement.

Schools are public property and I believe you're free to go on them and use the facilities (playground, fields) so long as school isn't in. Most have signs that say no fireworks or dogs, but I've never seen one that says you can't be on them for any other reason. Kids and parents near me use the facilities outside of school hours all the time.

[KevinL]

How do you get in? It's a wall along Stirling, everything else appears to be walking into the school yard.

Primarily from the school parking lot -- but there is also a small entrance at the end of that wall, close to where Stirling meets Courtland.

The entrance is here: https://www.google.ca/maps/@43.4419304,-...384!8i8192