General Urban Kitchener Updates and Rumours

[ijmorlan]

I think this is basically what Reitzel owns (and presumably what they are selling. A bit of an odd shape as they clearly have not been able to buy everything.

Thanks for the map. Does anybody have any idea what is up with the tiny apparent plots behind 205 Duke?

[OntMtbr]

I think this is basically what Reitzel owns (and presumably what they are selling. A bit of an odd shape as they clearly have not been able to buy everything.

Thanks for the map. Does anybody have any idea what is up with the tiny apparent plots behind 205 Duke?

I'm thinking they are associated with the eight townhouses at the corner of Cedar and Duke, being used as their parking.  I would assume there is an easement associated with the end unit on Cedar that is part of this sale.

[westwardloo]

I'm too lazy to look up the address to find a corresponding thread, but I noticed that vacant plot of land beside the midtown McDonald's has signs on the fencing for a project by Crescent Homes.

Can anyone tell me more about this project? Looking for any information from Crescent or any dev apps/ builder licenses but to no avail. Think they are calling it "The Core" based on hoarding.

Any leads would be appreciated, seems weird there is nothing about this anywhere...

If they are sticking to what they proposed 5 or so years ago it is a stacked townhouse project, which is unfortunate. This would have been a perfect location for the regions first flatiron building. I will try to find the old proposal its been awhile since i've seen it.

[tomh009]

Can anyone tell me more about this project? Looking for any information from Crescent or any dev apps/ builder licenses but to no avail. Think they are calling it "The Core" based on hoarding.

Any leads would be appreciated, seems weird there is nothing about this anywhere...

If they are sticking to what they proposed 5 or so years ago it is a stacked townhouse project, which is unfortunate. This would have been a perfect location for the regions first flatiron building. I will try to find the old proposal its been awhile since i've seen it.

There is a 15-unit stacked townhouse development approved for the corner of King and Wellington. However, wasn't McD at the corner of King and Breithaupt, the other corner of that block? There are no current building permits for that property.

[panamaniac]

Just wondering - has there been an announcement of what's to be done with the former police station on Frederick St?

[KevinL]

Office space for Regional staff, I think.

[westwardloo]

Just wondering - has there been an announcement of what's to be done with the former police station on Frederick St?

There is no concrete plan yet and with the current budget talks I would not be surprised if the building is used for "storage" for the foreseeable future. The Region does not need any additional office space, the administration building has been sitting half empty since Covid. 

Really we should probably repurpose the building as the police communications building, but no we need to spend $173 million on a purpose built building, because police need new shiny things every couple years.

[Silie]

Just wondering - has there been an announcement of what's to be done with the former police station on Frederick St?

Really we should probably repurpose the building as the police communications building, but no we need to spend $173 million on a purpose built building, because police need new shiny things every couple years.

Especially gross against the backdrop of a severe housing/homelessness crisis, and the proposed cuts to transit and social programs to trim the budget.

[danbrotherston]

Really we should probably repurpose the building as the police communications building, but no we need to spend $173 million on a purpose built building, because police need new shiny things every couple years.

Especially gross against the backdrop of a severe housing/homelessness crisis, and the proposed cuts to transit and social programs to trim the budget.

It really is remarkable how the "fiscal conservatives" who scream about a single penny misspent haven't a word to say about the gluttony of the police.

[timio]

I believe public health has some usage in the building. I was going to book a vaccine and saw it would be at 20 Weber instead of Regina.

[taylortbb]

I believe public health has some usage in the building. I was going to book a vaccine and saw it would be at 20 Weber instead of Regina.

20 Weber is the old courthouse that the region took over for office space a ~decade ago. It's not the old police building.

[tomh009]

The cladding is on for 293 King E, across the street from the market. Looks like a nice solution for the very small footprint that was available--but still waiting for a buyer.

   

[tomh009]

The framing is going up for the narrow space on Cedar N, across the street from the market.

   

[Acitta]

The City of Kitchener wants to know what you think about parking downtown

The City of Kitchener is launching a new survey, asking about your personal experiences parking downtown. We’re asking everyone who works, lives or visits downtown to give us your feedback about how parking currently works in the core and how it could be managed differently in the future.

We invite residents, business owners and visitors who park in downtown Kitchener to share their experiences and concerns. Your feedback will directly influence the development of new parking policies in the downtown.

The survey, which will take approximately 15 to 20 minutes to complete, is your chance to make your voice heard.

The survey asks key questions such as:

• Has your travel behavior to/from downtown Kitchener changed since the COVID-19 pandemic? 
  
• Where do you typically park in downtown Kitchener? 
  
• What is the maximum distance you are willing to walk from your parking spot to your destination?
  
• How long do you typically park when visiting downtown Kitchener?
  
• Would you support converting some two-hour parking spaces along King Street to 15-minute parking spaces for quick trips?
  

We also want to understand the general parking challenges you face, including availability, enforcement, signage and safety concerns.

The survey will be open until Friday, January 31. Your participation is crucial in helping us develop a parking strategy that supports a dynamic and accessible downtown Kitchener.

Take the survey by visiting engagewr.ca/parking.

[ac3r]

63 Courtland East is boarded up. I wonder if they're selling this. It's a big property and could host a large development. A number of houses next to it have also been demolished.