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S 13206 You No. tt Chronicle Staff Waterloo's uptown development scheme has cleared its tirgt hurdle with flying cglors. A - -- - A - Unveiled to the public last Thursday at a Maniand Centre open house, the- Preliminary development plan of Toron- to-based Arcop Associates received a major vote of confidence from those in attendance: That, of curse, is not to say there weren't concerns. But the majority of comments were similar to those of Henry Klawitter of 325 “It looks like Waterloo (council) is 2',,eLet2,'ga,.t,%'gu"glfli,g something positive. They (the plans) very good." he said. bell Gemche. public relations direc- torattheseagramMuaeumanda member of the Uptown Waterloo Busi- ness Improvement Area, said the prelim- Imry plans amused a number of BIA concerns, such as beautifleatimt and 7'an wants a certain type of Big Brother Sunll Kuruvilla of Waterloo gives his Little Brother Eddy a tew tips on the proper bowling torm at a spe- cial Big Brother and Little Brother Day held Saturday at Kitchener’s Towne Bowl to kick on Big Brother‘s Bowl For Millions. Bowl For Millions is the major fund-raising event for Big Brothers, which helps more than 200 Little Brothers in this community. Celebrity day fea- turing local groups and media challenges takes place Satur- day from 1-5 p.m. at Twin City Bowl in Waterloo Towne Square. Metodqe Imam photo BOWLING BROTHERS Plan gets public ‘thumbs up' uptown image yet no one has really done anything to achieve it. These plans however, portray a distinct Waterloo flavor," said Gamache. Hind says he has tried unsuccessfully since 1m to get something done about the "sorry shape” of the current band- stand in Waterloo Park. Ader Hind, a Waterloo resident for most of his 81 years, said he was "very disappointed" in tht pins. - . - "ifiev're too revohitiorutry. There's so many other things we need first," said Hind, a resident of 170 Ertt St. “I'll have to take a closer look at (the plans)." he said, "but as it stands I'm afraid of them." Ben er of 201 Erb St. W. was also Qdt'get about the "progressive" Despite the odd negative comment, the overwhelming majority of those in atten- dance approved Arcop's plans whole- heartedly. nature of the project, In particular the uptown‘park concept and underground parking. 7 7 - 7 - The consulting firm will now go back to Toronto with an array of comments and report back by May with a final report. Highlights of the plan include a two- level parking garage underneath a “vil- lage green" where the current Waterloo Town Square lot ls located. a new civic recreation complex on the property currently known as the Canbar lands. landscaping and street improvements along King and Regina Streets, the enlargement of Silver Lake and a major hotel on Its shores. “Personally. I refuse to shop it I have to pay for parking," he wrote on I comment sheet. Moat of the comments received by Arcop used adjectives such " "exciting, imaginative, excellent and comprehen- sive." response to the 1081 Woods Gordon Study; bringing King Street to Waterloo Square rather than bringing the mall to King Street, the increase in green space on King Street, Improved pedestrian paths and the highlighting of Laurel Creek as a pedestrian link rather than "burying" it. Philip Bast of " Ellis Cr. N. called the plans "a pleasing design that shows imagination and creativity." Bast was particularly pleased that Arcop expanded on themes first proposed by the Uptown Residents’ Association in Numerous people raised concern about the possible loss of free parking. many making similar statements to those of Kevin Martin, 112 Jackplne Place.