Kitchener councillors put off deciding future of former Mayfair Hotel site

Kitchener councillors had referred a motion about a pop-up park proposal to their June 6 meeting, saying they want more time to consider other options and the costs involved.

Monday night, councillors discussed a staff report that suggested putting a pop-up park on an empty lot at 11 Young St.in downtown Kitchener.

The gravel lot, where the Mayfair Hotel once stood, is currently fenced off and five wooden booths from the Christkindl Market are stored there.

• City staff propose pop-up park to fill empty lot in downtown Kitchener

Staff wanted to work with the property owner who plans to develop the site but likely not this summerto turn it intoa usable space.

Cory Bluhm, manager of downtown development from the city, said business owners and residents have told the citythey'd like to see something done to the lot.

Four options suggested

Staff brought forward four proposals to council Monday night:

1. Leave the lot alone.
2. Grass it over but otherwise leave it in the control of the property owner.
3. Create a pop-up park.
4. Build a more permanent park.

Staff recommended the pop-up park option, because besides laying down alevel, solid surface, everything else used in the pop-up parksuch as planters and chairs could beremoved and used elsewhere.

The cost was estimated at between $60,000 and$70,000.

During Monday night's meeting, councillors seemed uncomfortable with the costs involved and also wanted to get some more feedback from the public and the property's owner, according to Bluhm.

Coun. Kelly Galloway-Sealock also said she'd like staff to consider a low-cost public art solution to help improve the look of the property.