Hi Sam,
I'm the Interim Executive Director at ArtsBuild Ontario, covering Alex
Glass while she is on maternity leave. I just wanted to introduce myself
and say thanks for all the work you've done in making a pedestrian friendly
Gaukel street. I live in Hamilton and so I am just getting to know
Kitchener better now that I'm working in 44 Gaukel Creative Workspace, and
it's very heartening to see such a good idea come to fruition!
Looking forward to crossing paths,
Diana Moser (she/her)
Interim Executive Director
ArtsBuild Ontario
519-880-3670 x.103
diana@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
www.artsbuildontario.ca
On Thu, Jul 23, 2020 at 10:44 AM Sam Nabi <sam@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
I'm sorry everyone, the event is actually TOMORROW at 11:30. Here is the
press release.
Downtown Kitchener streets will be transformed into pedestrian-friendly
social spaces
KITCHENER - Join Mayor Berry Vrbanovic, members of Kitchener City
Council, and members of the Downtown Kitchener BIA to celebrate the
conversion of Gaukel and Ontario Streets into open-air patio. As well as
the closure of King Street between Water and Francis Streets beginning
Thursday, July 30 to allow for expanded restaurant patios and physical
distancing.
Members of the City’s Economic Development and Transportation teams will
be on hand to answer questions about the new space on Gaukel Street,
followed by an opportunity for photos and interviews on Ontario Street,
highlighting the new picnic benches, string lighting and other elements
that have been added to the street to create a welcoming atmosphere. The
will also be able to speak to the planned closure of King Street between
Water and Francis Streets beginning Thursday, July 30.
*What:* Conversion of Gaukel, Ontario and King Streets
*When:* Friday, July 24
*Time:* 11:30 a.m.
*Where:* The tour begins at the corner of Charles and Gaukel. Photos
ops and video interviews will be offered on Ontario Street between Hall’s
Lane and King Street.
*Who: *Mayor Berry Vrbanovic, members of the Kitchener City
Council, the Downtown Kitchener BIA, and members of the City’s
Transportation and Economic Development teams.
On Jul 23, 2020, at 10:01, Sam Nabi <sam@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Hi everyone, I've just heard from City staff that the media availability
will be on Gaukel St. today at 11:30am, not this evening.
I'll still come over at 7:30 as well, if you're able to stroll by at
either of these times.
See you around!
On Jul 23, 2020, at 09:29, Sam Nabi <sam@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
There isn’t an event link because we are not organizing a formal event.
Due to COVID we don’t want to encourage large gatherings.
I invite you out to experience it tonight, there won’t be any official
programMing, just an opportunity to enjoy the street together :)
Sam
On Jul 22, 2020, at 10:07 PM, Dave Steffler <dgsteffler@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Hello Sam,
Is there a web link of any kind promoting tomorrow evening's event?
Thanks.
Dave Steffler
On Wed, Jul 22, 2020 at 12:44 PM Sam Nabi <sam@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Hey everyone,
I want to thank you all so much for your advocacy and enthusiasm over the
last year and a half. Seeing a pedestrian-first Gaukel Street go from idea
to reality has been such a thrilling experience for me.
Tomorrow evening (Thursday), there will be a grand opening at 7:30pm.
Let’s all come out, keep our distance, and make some noise for the evening
news cameras :)
Please bring sidewalk chalk if you have it — it will be great to draw
some art on the street to celebrate a walkable Gaukel!
My deepest thanks goes out to everyone who came out to the original
meeting at Bread and Roses, the pop-up park last September, and the council
meetings to make this a reality. All along, city staff and our city council
has been incredibly supportive.
Here’s a couple photos of Gaukel as the city was putting in furniture
yesterday.
See you tomorrow at 7:30pm!
