The numerous stakeholders that were involved included local residents and ratepayers; City of Kitchener – Engineering, Parks, Facilities, Operations; City of Kitchener Mayor & Council; Region of Waterloo –Engineering and Waste Management, Grand River Transit; Ministry of Environment; Local Utilities; the Kitchener Downtown Business Association, private businesses, and local media with extensive local newspaper, radio and television coverage.  Regular meetings with adjacent business representatives, building tenants, and GRT (Region of Waterloo) were held to address schedule, traffic, air quality and other concerns.

An open house information session was held at City Hall to introduce the project team, proposed construction activities and remediation requirements. Follow-up public open houses were held at City

Hall to provide additional information related to coal tar excavation, testing and engineered controls.

A door-to-door visitation was conducted on several occasions by the City of Kitchener and MTE personnel at residential dwellings along Joseph Street and Richmond Avenue to answer questions, collect signed access agreements and identify the scope of environmental testing on private property.

Information mail outs were also sent regularly to describe the remediation and redevelopment process.

The City of Kitchener and MTE met with MOE and MOL representatives to outline the plans for further environmental investigation and the phased approach to coal tar remediation.  Regular bi-weekly construction meetings were held with minutes from those meetings forwarded attendees and other stakeholders for record purposes.

An important part of the project was to ensure that the community was kept informed about the project, the schedule, the environmental conditions, and the redevelopment plans for the area. The City of Kitchener established a link on its website to view updates, photos and information related to the coal tar cleanup and construction. The webpage was updated by staff on a regular basis during the remediation process. Information packages consisting of background information, maps, frequently asked questions, project schedule and contact information were emailed and hand delivered to the neighbourhood community and stakeholders as described.

A community office was established at 79 Joseph Street for the duration of the coal tar remediation and was staffed during the regular working hours and contained a document file with coal tar related studies, engineering drawings and correspondence for public viewing. A project hotline was established for public use for duration of the project. The purpose of the hotline was to allow callers to register questions, complaints or requests for additional information related to the coal tar project. Additionally, radio, television, and newspaper communications, City of Kitchener council meetings, and door-to-door communication with residents was important.

As previously mentioned, public consultation and communication was an important component of this project. Information mail outs, email bulletins, and Public Information Centres were used to explain the environmental conditions present in the work area, and provide some reassurance that the community was not at risk. Careful attention and emphasis was also placed on the redevelopment plans and neighbourhood improvements that would occur following the remediation activities, such as park amenities, streetscape improvements, improved traffic and pedestrian flow, and public safety.