The death of the downtown has been greatly exaggerated: Experts

It was touch-and-go there for a few years, for businesses in Downtown Kitchener and Uptown Waterloo.

Light rail transit (LRT) construction limited foot traffic and made it difficult for visitors to access those shops and services.

Then there was the pandemic.

But thanks to the efforts of both cities and the Business improvement area (BIAs), the downtowns are reinvigorated with new housing developments, new businesses and events nearly every night.

Jeyas Balaskanthan, Executive Director, Uptown Waterloo BIA told The Mike Farwell Show, there was also the determination to stay afloat shown by the businesses that have been there for years.

“Most of our businesses have been resilient. They have survived. Kudos to them! They have been creative and now they are starting to thrive,” he said.

Linda Jutzi, Executive Director, Downtown Kitchener BIA, also speaking to The Mike Farwell Show, said there has been a shift from the traditional daytime “corporate” traffic to a more residential and entertainment based, nightlife vibe.

“We are seeing a more positive trend of more people after 4 o’clock. Way more people living downtown and way more visitors in the evening.”

To take advantage of that, the BIA’s and both cities events teams have focused on events that appeal to a wider audience, including families.

This weekend is a prime example with the Kitchener RibFest & Craft Beer Show in Victoria Park and The Uptown Waterloo Jazz Festival.

The weekday events have also seen incredible turnouts.

Balaskanthan said Salsa in the Square regularly attracts 1,000 people every Thursday. And, the first Uptown Night Market saw over 2,000 people.

Jutzi said she’s very optimistic about the future of the region’s downtown’s.

“I feel more a celebratory experience right now in the evenings, for sure. And I think following the pandemic people were craving these experiences and more music and rich cultural experiences. I feel positive about what’s happening.”