[flar]

I'd suggest creating a new thread, but it would inevitably be hijacked by anti-Semites or anti-Palestine factions. In the meantime, I thoroughly enjoyed the synopsis, Ryan.

;)

[SteelTown]

There's a lot of doom and gloom out there but 2009 is shaping up to be an important year for downtown Hamilton. Farmers' Market and Central Library to start renovation, Farmers' Market relocated to the closed section of JS (hopefully that will spur a new market once the Farmers' relocate back), York Boulevard will get a new streetscape (or maybe that's for 2010?), Downtown transit terminal suppose to start construction, City Hall is set to be transformed, and of course the mother of all important downtown Hamilton progress....the Lister Block finally starts the major renovation.

2009 will also be a critical year determining the future of public transit for downtown Hamilton with LRT or BRT for the B-Line from Metrolinx. A plan must be finalized regarding the Education Square (fingers crossed for keeping the School Board), Gore Park redevelopment plan should be near completion, two OMB cases should be resolved one for Setting Sail and McMaster Innovation District, it’ll be known if we win the Pan Am bid which could transform sections of Hamilton, Sheraton might get renovated but I personally believe this economy will harm the hotel business, and finally we will know if the Hamilton Grand is successful.

[adam]

I'd suggest creating a new thread, but it would inevitably be hijacked by anti-Semites or anti-Palestine factions. In the meantime, I thoroughly enjoyed the synopsis, Ryan.

I can't see how this hypothetical new thread could get hijacked by anti-semites seeing as though by definition, Palestinians are Semites!

Sorry everyone, I will try to stay on topic with the downtown thread. I just think it is important to get things straight when it comes to such a serious topic as the bombings in Gaza.

[geoff's two cents]

I can't see how this hypothetical new thread could get hijacked by anti-semites seeing as though by definition, Palestinians are Semites!

Sorry everyone, I will try to stay on topic with the downtown thread. I just think it is important to get things straight when it comes to such a serious topic as the bombings in Gaza.


Main Entry:
an·ti–Sem·i·tism Listen to the pronunciation of anti–Semitism
Pronunciation:
\ˌan-tē-ˈse-mə-ˌti-zəm, ˌan-ˌtī-\
Function:
noun
Date:
1882

: hostility toward or discrimination against Jews as a religious, ethnic, or racial group
— an·ti–Se·mit·ic Listen to the pronunciation of anti–Semitic \-sə-ˈmi-tik\ adjective
— an·ti–Sem·ite Listen to the pronunciation of anti–Semite \-ˈse-ˌmīt\ noun


Got this from m-w.com (merriam webster). Other definitions I've seen are virtually identical. Looks like the dictionaries and I are just plain wrong! (Sorry, but the post invited a friendly retort).;)

[Jon Dalton]

I noticed the King St. Baptist Church eyesore is being renovated by it's new owners, Crossfire Assembly. This is good news. It has windows now.

Crossfire used to operate out of the Tivoli back in the day. As long as I've been around they were in the upper floor of a 70's office building on York Blvd. Horrible location for a church, I guess they caught on.

The funniest thing about churches particularily these kind, is their profession of 'reaching out', of being there for the neighbourhood, while the whole congregation is scattered across the city and are never around during the week.

This group may be whacked as far as their doctrine goes but for fixing up an old building and (hopefully is the case) having a more localized focus, they have my respect.

[adam]

Okay I've created a new thread in General Discussion called Gaza (http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?p=4034338#post4034338) so we can keep the Downtown Update thread on topic...

[ryan_mcgreal]

Somehow this thread became Gaza update instead of downtown update :shrug: but I'm not going to just delete ryan_mcgreal's essay.

Thanks. And sorry for, er, hijacking the thread. 0_o

[highwater]

Got this from m-w.com (merriam webster). Other definitions I've seen are virtually identical. Looks like the dictionaries and I are just plain wrong! (Sorry, but the post invited a friendly retort).;)

Adam is obviously anti-semantic. ;)

[emge]

I noticed the King St. Baptist Church eyesore is being renovated by it's new owners, Crossfire Assembly. This is good news. It has windows now.

Crossfire used to operate out of the Tivoli back in the day. As long as I've been around they were in the upper floor of a 70's office building on York Blvd. Horrible location for a church, I guess they caught on.

The funniest thing about churches particularily these kind, is their profession of 'reaching out', of being there for the neighbourhood, while the whole congregation is scattered across the city and are never around during the week.

This group may be whacked as far as their doctrine goes but for fixing up an old building and (hopefully is the case) having a more localized focus, they have my respect.

Thanks for your words, Jon. I appreciate your perspective is pretty much what people typically think of the church, and its generally correct. The elevator we put in for all four levels took up a lot of the renovation budget, but I'm glad we've got a lot of the other repairs done. (And though I would have liked brick, the stucco's better than more siding, anyways. )

Since I'm on staff there, though, maybe I can explain a bit further? Two of the three pastors live downtown, and quite a few people live downtown also - some in that neighbourhood. (I can't afford to live in that neighbourhood, so I'm at the eastern edge of downtown - while most of my life is centred around where I live, I do make a point of frequenting the businesses where I work as well). Another couple from the church lives just down my street.

Those who live downtown are there throughout the week as well as weekends. (And there's certainly several people who drive in on Sundays and sail back out a couple hours later -- that's true too). Compared to other downtown churches I've worked at though, this one's far, far ahead in its mindset and the proportions of those doing that.

I'll fullly admit the name's scary as anything - I almost didn't bother looking at the possibility of working there because of that. I'm pretty glad I didn't let that form my opinion of it.

As far as doctrine goes, it's nothing I haven't heard from my U and T and McMaster Divinity days, and the denomination they're affiliated with is a century old - they're not an independent church, and they work constantly with other denominations.. again, why I've been impressed working there.

I really don't want to seem confrontational, but I had to search hard to find a place like CF. I moved here from Toronto, and I've really been thrilled with life in downtown Hamilton, and I've been particularly privileged to work at CF --- they're certainly not perfect, but compared to some churches I've worked at, they do a lot of things right, their theology is solid, and they understand what it means to be a downtown church (and not just a bunch of do-gooders who swoop in every so often from their comfortable suburban homes to do a feel-good thing "for" people).

Further downtown updates... :)

In the spring a garden is going to go where the old sign in the CF parking lot was ripped out -- and I've been kicking around the idea of putting in a new, secure "gallery space" sign behind the garden, since we don't need/want another sign. It would be lit, locked, weatherproof free space for artists, like the artists we've met on this stretch of King so far, to rotate work through on a monthly or bimonthly basis.

Though I've been around the art crawls and had a couple conversations with those from James North, I don't know anyone from that area very well -- any thoughts from someone there (Dave Kuruc?) whether a space like that might be appreciated, and if they have some connections to artists who would be interested in that? Though we know some people from our area, giving other artists from other areas space if they wanted it would give a more interesting rotation, and a gallery space there would certainly make that streetfront look better, so I think its an idea worth exploring further.

The meeting regarding expansion of the BIA westward on King is being held at Crossfire (upon the organizer's request) at 6:00 p.m. tonight

(And if anyone from this forum is already attending the BIA meeting, I'll be around for the first half, but I have a weekly gaming session back downtown at 7, and I've gotta be there on time :))

[emge]

Guess a church kills this thread faster than Gaza did, eh?

Oh well.. heard a little bit more on G.P. Grumpy's tonight - the apartments are specifically going to be geared towards students, and they're being renovated with that market in mind.

Lots of other interesting updates and maybes about area buildings at the meeting, most of which I'll let others post about when they hear about it :)

[Jon Dalton]

Well that's kind of embarrassing, I shouldn't have called your doctrine whacked. Anyway, whatever thier particular beliefs are I see your church moving in there as a positive thing. Especially the windows.

Now watch the J.W.'s come out of the woodwork.

[SteelTown]

Bob Bratina said there should be 4 new cranes in the downtown area by the end of 2009. He named them but I missed it.

[matt602]

I can't even think of what one of those would be, aside from possibly the Hamilton Grand if it actually gets off the ground.

[Millstone]

What's happening with the Terraces on King? Looks finished but abandoned?

[flar]

I think I saw someone moving furniture in last week.

[matt602]

What's happening with the Terraces on King? Looks finished but abandoned?

Eh? I've seen plenty of people coming in and out of there since they finished, and it looks like at least half the units are occupied (judging by things in the windows and lights on)

[emge]

Well that's kind of embarrassing, I shouldn't have called your doctrine whacked. Anyway, whatever thier particular beliefs are I see your church moving in there as a positive thing. Especially the windows.

Now watch the J.W.'s come out of the woodwork.

no problem. again, sorry if i came across as overly defensive. speaking of windows, the upstairs windows at Grumpy's are all replaced now as well.

Re: the Terraces, maybe it looks abandoned because there's no retail downstairs yet? The retail spaces are still filled with construction materials and mess... not that attractive.

Re: cranes downtown (if this is "downtown" enough), I heard rumour that the Dundurn lofts across from the LCBO are finally going to start this year (because that project needs to be finished to provide capital for another they want to do)... as well as that something's been firmed up for the School Board property but not announced yet.

It would be nice...
however, especially for the Dundurn property... I'll believe it only when I see it.

[markbarbera]

Bob Bratina said there should be 4 new cranes in the downtown area by the end of 2009. He named them but I missed it.

I can't even think of what one of those would be, aside from possibly the Hamilton Grand if it actually gets off the ground.

One would be the new 15 storey hotel that is going in at the site of the Modern India Buffet at Main and Walnut.

[SteelTown]

Bob Bratina reply....

"In committee right now. 3 hotels and McMaster"

[FairHamilton]

What's happening with the Terraces on King? Looks finished but abandoned?

If you look at the building backside from Main you'll see lots of drapes and items in windows.

I fear, they will have a difficult time filling the front street level retail in the current market turmoil.

[hmagazine]

Its not the friendliest looking stretch of retail. COuld change when they finish the ground floor details off....but I'm afraid that what's there is finished.

The retail at The Gore Building is still empty and its a much more busier stretch than the Terraces...

[FRM]

a new paralegal office opened in the building next to london tap house which was renovated at the same time as LTH. anyone know what's going on on the top floors?

[SteelTown]

Community centre gets the go ahead
Ken Mann
2/3/2009

An important project is moving forward in one of the city's neediest neighbourhoods.

Hamilton's planning committee has approved a zoning change which will allow for the building of a community center in conjunction with construction of the new Dr. Davey School on Ferguson Avenue North.

The center will create a community hub in an extremely multi-cultural neighbourhood, where more than 40 ethnicities are represented.

The project is to be completed by September of 2010.

[SteelTown]

Tonight on CBC there's a doucumentary called "Living City". Christopher Hume takes a cross-country journey to explore the sustainability, viability and liveability of Canada's population centres. Sounds interesting!!

Premiering On: Thursday February 5, 2009 at 8 pm on CBC-TV

http://www.cbc.ca/documentaries/natureofthings/2009/livingcity/index.html

[flar]

I doubt he goes to Hamilton, but still could be interesting.

[adam]

You should send him some links to your Hamilton photo galleries

[block43]

There is a rendering of the new hotel going up where the modern india buffet was at Walnut and Main....looks decent but didn't have a camera with me.

[emge]

I'll take a look on my way by today. Do you remember what names (chain, developer, architects etc.) were on it?

[block43]

Sorry, can't remember

[FRM]

from the bus all i could see was "HOTEL INN AND SUITES" building rendering looked decent.

[Lukey]

And modern India Buffet moved to Caroline and Main, where Hypnotiq used to be.

[emge]

The ugly white brick building at 370 Main Street East (beside the school - its the building where David Christopherson was set up during the last election) has signs and renderings up for a 2009 renovation.

It looks like they're basically putting in more glass at street level and a few awnings up along with a few minor changes. I'll try to snap a picture of the renderings soon.

[SteelTown]

Westside wins zoning fix

February 18, 2009
Rob Faulkner
The Hamilton Spectator
http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/515487

The show goes on at the Westside Concert Theatre, a King Street West entertainment venue that ran into a quirky zoning problem.

The 434 King St. W. theatre, which Loren Lieberman and Colin Lapsley bought in 2005, began life as a theatre but somehow lost that permitted use over the decades.

That meant the pair had to get special-event permits each time they used the theatre as a concert hall. But yesterday brought some relief.

The city's planning and economic development committee passed zoning amendments to add "commercial entertainment" facility to the Westside's allowed uses. It can host cinema, live theatre, dance and cultural events but not adult entertainment or an arcade.

"We are pleased," said Lieberman, who also organizes the Festival of Friends. "But it's not like today fixes everything."

He said the five-month wait was hard due to lost revenue. The zoning decision, which needs final council approval, doesn't guarantee him a liquor licence quickly or speed up city inspections.

Ironically, the site began life as a movie theatre in the 1930s. It became a CHCH TV studio in 1960. Lieberman and Lapsley bought it from Big Bang Studios and invested cash to make it a site for events from weddings to live theatre.

Only when they decided to seek a bar licence, instead of special-event permits, did they learn of the zoning that didn't allow a theatre. The change to the TV studio in 1960 dropped public hall as one of the site's permitted uses.

"We had assumed that because it was a theatre, that we were a theatre," Lieberman said.

He didn't want to guess how long it would take for the Westside to get a bar licence and pass various fire, building and health inspections.

[SteelTown]

Downtown Update........

• The site plan for 62 new residential units in the Lyric Century Apartments, 14 Mary Street, was finalized and approved in 2008.

• A site plan has also been submitted for an outdoor patio at the northwest corner of Bay and King Streets. The current Red Lion Inn is slated to undergo substantial renovations.

• Negotiations continue regarding Education Square, the potential future site of McMaster University’s School of Family Medicine, to be developed in conjunction with the City of Hamilton’s Public Health Department, future commercial/hotel development, and possibly the new administrative office for the Hamilton Wentworth District School Board. This project is on the site of the current School Board head office.

• The development proposed on the south side of Main Street West, between Hess and Caroline streets features Shoppers Drug Mart, LCBO and other retail uses, and a municipally leased parking structure to serve the adjacent Hess Village Entertainment District. Ongoing negotiations include the possibility of introducing residential units to this mixed-use development concept.

• The Staybridge Suites Hotel at 118 Market Street is proposed to relocate to a new facility to be built at 137 Main Street West. The sale of the existing hotel to new owners who will convert it to a seniors residence was negotiated in 2008, prompting construction at the new site.

[emge]

I've always thought it was insane the Red Lion Inn hadn't been redeveloped a long time ago - that's the perfect corner to put a great hotel with a street-level tourist shop for those coming in and out of Copps, and a Starbucks or something of the like - a decent cafe wouldn't want for customers between the businesses during the day and Copps' events at night.

I wonder what the actual renovation will consist of, however.

[oldcoote]

I've always thought it was insane the Red Lion Inn hadn't been redeveloped a long time ago - that's the perfect corner to put a great hotel with a street-level tourist shop for those coming in and out of Copps, and a Starbucks or something of the like - a decent cafe wouldn't want for customers between the businesses during the day and Copps' events at night.

I wonder what the actual renovation will consist of, however.

agreed

some developer should buy up the entire block.

[highwater]

Got anyone in mind? ;)

[adam]

I am sure the city would attract many more commercial tenants to fill empty buildings if they put in street parking along Main and King. How can potential shoppers/clients stop anywhere if there is no street parking? Its absolutely bizarre. Street parking also provides a buffer between buildings and traffic. Nobody wants a shop next to a highway.

[Jon Dalton]

There's also the parking lot behind that row of buildings, and the huge one across the street. But yes, street parking is usually a positive thing.

[emge]

I remember hearing from a few businesses on King West a month or two ago -- how the pay street parking works well for their businesses, but when it becomes free on-street parking over the holidays it gets taken up by the residents of the surrounding apartments because it's now free... and their customers who would normally park on the street parking now have to try and find a lot, and it really hurts business.

I also remember when we first moved here, before we sold our cars -- it was much, much easier to just pull over downtown (I'm thinking King East now), even if it was pay parking, than try to find a lot, even if it was just across the corner. When you're talking about customers who drive (and depending on the business you'll have more or less of those) it does make it so much easier for them to stop.

[adam]

And the street parking signs that say "No parking 4-6pm" do nothing but kill business for shop owners. All the people driving home from work could stop at a local shop on the way home and pick something up. You see a business you'd like to go in, and you think "that looks interesting" or "i'd like to check that out" but there is no parking in front of the store so you just keep going home.

[crhayes]

Downtown Update........

• The site plan for 62 new residential units in the Lyric Century Apartments, 14 Mary Street, was finalized and approved in 2008.

• A site plan has also been submitted for an outdoor patio at the northwest corner of Bay and King Streets. The current Red Lion Inn is slated to undergo substantial renovations.

• Negotiations continue regarding Education Square, the potential future site of McMaster University’s School of Family Medicine, to be developed in conjunction with the City of Hamilton’s Public Health Department, future commercial/hotel development, and possibly the new administrative office for the Hamilton Wentworth District School Board. This project is on the site of the current School Board head office.

• The development proposed on the south side of Main Street West, between Hess and Caroline streets features Shoppers Drug Mart, LCBO and other retail uses, and a municipally leased parking structure to serve the adjacent Hess Village Entertainment District. Ongoing negotiations include the possibility of introducing residential units to this mixed-use development concept.

• The Staybridge Suites Hotel at 118 Market Street is proposed to relocate to a new facility to be built at 137 Main Street West. The sale of the existing hotel to new owners who will convert it to a seniors residence was negotiated in 2008, prompting construction at the new site.

Did you mean the north side? The south side already has buildings there... unless they are doing a retrofit?

[matt602]

It should be the North side, yes. Where the giant parking sea is.

[urban_planner]

I just wanted to point out that that have be doing some asthetic work on the brick building along hunter across from the GO Station then have been working on a light green sheet metal pyramid style room. Its a minor thing but i think it looks great so far.

Also do any of you guys know who owns the piggot building?

I think it would be a good idea to contact them about spot lighting the top of the build with some flood lights maybe green or blue or white or something like that. I think it would look great looking out there at night.

[Hammer Native]

The Piggot Building would be a registered condominium corporation and anything about the property decided by their board of directors. Funny, Harry Stinson said something similar about the building during his first visit to Hamilton. Said it was dark and suggested LED lighting. It would be great to see it at night that's for sure.

[urban_planner]

How can we contact them?

[Lukey]

I live in the building and I'm sure there would be a few things stopping this from happening at the moment.

First, the upper portion of the building is the two story penthouse and I'm not sure they'd enjoy the light coming from the LED's. Second, is cash flow issues. We've just been told a special assessment is coming our way, I believe for restorations and maintenance of the building. So, the LED would not rank high up on the list of priorities. Last, the board is comprised of unit owners who would feel a greater responsibility to the unit owners than to display the building. The building gains a fair amount of attention. Sales of units are generally quick and rentals filled promptly, so attracting people to the building isn't an issue.

While displaying sights like my building is a good thought, it doesn't offer anything tangible to the board, nor does it seem practical to me at this point in time.

[urban_planner]

maybe true still I think something that could be done at some point.

There would be ways to work around the light coming in the window. I don't think LED would be best for Piggott I think just simple flood lights would do the trick.

Also I don't think I have ever seen any lights in the top 2 floor windows.

[Millstone]

Sales of units are generally quick and rentals filled promptly,


You've had the same 4 units for sale for like 6 months. And they're at bargain basement prices.

[Millstone]

And the street parking signs that say "No parking 4-6pm" do nothing but kill business for shop owners. All the people driving home from work could stop at a local shop on the way home and pick something up. You see a business you'd like to go in, and you think "that looks interesting" or "i'd like to check that out" but there is no parking in front of the store so you just keep going home.

A lot of these businesses close at 5pm anyway, no?

[coalminecanary]

I for one am open til 7pm. And any time of day I'd appreciate a few parking spaces out front of my shop instead of a high speed truck lane. And perhaps the reason many business owners close at 5pm is because they've learned over time that nobody stops once rush hour begins, since all of the storefronts become a blur from the commuters' moving car windows. Even people I know as friends just honk as they drive by - if the flow allows them enough time just for honking! A lane of parking would mean not only more drivers stopping but a more friendly pedestrian experience - and you gotta be a pedestrian to be a customer. Traffic is not business, unless you are at a drive-thru window.

[adam]

:previous: +1. Street parking is a must. Many commuters would stop at shops if they could pull over to the side of the road and peek their head in.

[omro]

Just out of curiosity, I'm used to pedestrianised town centres which are usually very busy with foot traffic. Why is being able to drive by a shop and park in front of it essential? Pedestrianised town centres in the UK seem to do very well.

[matt602]

The concept of pedestrianised town centres kind of died in the automobile boom of the 1960's and 1970's in North America, and in Canada it never really returned. Following that, people value convenience of parking over getting off your ass and walking places.

[urban_planner]

I searched around to try and find an answer but I could so here is my question.

What are they build at St Joes at James and St Josephs Dr?

[Millstone]

Just out of curiosity, I'm used to pedestrianised town centres which are usually very busy with foot traffic. Why is being able to drive by a shop and park in front of it essential? Pedestrianised town centres in the UK seem to do very well.

They have to compete with big boxlands in suburbia where land is/was cheap and you're able to do such things.

[flar]

Just got back from the market and it appears they have pushed back their move to Jackson Square until mid April.

[ryan_mcgreal]

They have to compete with big boxlands in suburbia where land is/was cheap and you're able to do such things.

I wish they'd stop at some point and ask, "So how's this working for us?"

[realcity]

can someone tell me what's going on the arts group thing at the former Jerry's Man Shop?

They're just as bad as Vranich. They shouldn't have torn it down then. What does the by-law say? Torn-down building must be replaced in one year?

[block43]

I think it is two years

[FairHamilton]

can someone tell me what's going on the arts group thing at the former Jerry's Man Shop?

They're just as bad as Vranich. They shouldn't have torn it down then. What does the by-law say? Torn-down building must be replaced in one year?

Good question. I had the same think pop into my head the other day. What's going on?

[highwater]

Damn. I saw a status report somewhere.

Paging Hmag....

[hmagazine]

I think I posted this under James North - but:

Hamilton Artists Inc. Building Project Update

The Building Project has been in a period of waiting for news about funding. We have now heard from the Federal Government and their willingness to participate in the Building Project. However, due to further funding applications that are required to follow the Federal criteria, the Building Project will be done in stages. The first stage and priority is to create a gallery and complete the interior of the corner building. Further stages will include the refacing of the front of the buildings, the courtyard and to address the connection between the two buildings.

The Board of Directors, Staff and The Building Project Committee
Hamilton Artists Inc.

[highwater]

Thanks!

Should have tracked that down myself, but couldn't for the life of me remember where I'd seen it.

Any timelines that you know of?

[hmagazine]

Sounds like things hope to be moving soon.

There is a good young board in place and they are hoping to really move the Inc. forward.

I've heard some neat ideas - I do agree things look bad right now. But hopefully this Spring and Summer produces some noticeable changes.

[Millstone]

What just got knocked down on James near Shoppers' Drug Mart that exposed a cigarrette ad from years past?

[MsMe]

What just got knocked down on James near Shoppers' Drug Mart that exposed a cigarrette ad from years past?

I love the old ads like that. Along with the other on King of the Coke ad that popped up too lately. The good old days. :)

[matt602]

What just got knocked down on James near Shoppers' Drug Mart that exposed a cigarrette ad from years past?

How recently did this building come down and where?

[block43]

It was that building that was falling down between Acclamation and Threshold School of Business. I think there was discussion on here for a six story building to go in there soon with a ground floor martini bar/hall rental but haven't heard much lately. Hoping that something starts soon.

[drpgq]

Street Meat BBQ is finally open on John St S.

[jgrwatson]

Hey guys and gals,

I created a new Wikipedia page for Victoria Hall on King St.. There is not a lot of information about it out there, but with recent renovations, etc. (and a family tie to the purchase), I have compiled a lot of information.

Wikipedia, Victoria Hall, Victoria Hall (Ontario) - A commerical Building.

Check it out!

BTW, the Reason why it was painted white (I read in another post), as this was the original facade color in 1888.

Cheers!

[omro]

Cool page, very interesting.

What a pretty building! :)

[drpgq]

Apparently the Last Call bar at John and King William will actually open, although I'm not sure when.

[SteelTown]

It's not downtown but at the corner of Longwood and Main the old 2 storey Indian restaurant appears to be getting demolished. It's currently completely gutted and the empty lot next to it appears to be sold.

So it appears something is being cooked up for that corner lot at Longwood and Main St.

[markk]

I doubt many of you were thinking Remedy for an after work beer tonight... but just in case


For Immediate Release

Remedy Nightclub's Licences Revoked

HAMILTON, ON – April 3, 2009 – Remedy Nightclub (35 King Street East) had its Establishment Licences revoked as a result of a City of Hamilton Council decision and Licensing Tribunal Hearing, arising from findings of a Multi Agency Task Force (MATF) inspection in late October 2008. The City of Hamilton’s Municipal Law Enforcement (MLE) Section requested a hearing with the Licensing Tribunal who heard from the business operator and witnesses before recommending that the licences be revoked for one year.

“Municipal Law Enforcement issues several kinds of municipal licences including Establishment Licences. If a licence holder breaks the law or contravenes the municipal By-law we will request the appropriate action be taken in order to protect the health and safety of the public. In this case it meant making a request to revoke the operator’s licences. Operators should be aware of the consequences of carrying on a licensed business without fully complying with the applicable laws,” says Marty Hazell, Senior Director, Parking and By-law Services Division.

The City's Municipal Law Enforcement Section (licensing) is just one of MATF’s members. Hamilton Emergency Services – Fire, Police, and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) attended the location at approximately 12:35 a.m. on the morning of October 31, 2008. Fire Prevention officers confirmed that the facility was well beyond capacity (more than double the number of patrons legally allowed in the facility) and Hamilton Police and the AGCO Inspector’s deemed that it was an unsafe environment due to the number of patrons crowded into the area. There are additional charges before the courts regarding the Liquor Licence Act and Fire Code violations.

“These results were due to proactive enforcement. This should serve as a reminder to all licence holders that they must comply with the Licensing Code and other laws, especially those affecting the health and safety of the public, or their licence to operate may be at risk,” says Hazell. “We continue to see positive results from our proactive and complaint-based enforcement and education efforts.”

If businesses require more information about licences or if residents want to register a complaint, they can contact MLE via phone at 905-546-2782 and press three for licensing, or email us at mle@hamilton.ca, or check us out online at www.hamilton.ca/mle

[matt602]

That place is horrible. I'm glad this happened again, and even gladder because it will probably result in the place being permanently shut down/sold.

[jgrwatson]

I sorta disagree with ya Matt.

As bad as the club is, as much as they exploit underaged people. It actually brings people downtown.

In this market, do you really thing the RightHouse is going to be sold and a new venue actually start up? Look at PepperJack. I went to a concert there recently on a Friday night and there was me, my friend and another group.

I say, keep it alive just to support Ginos! and give people an actual option on a Friday night that isn't Hess.

[matt602]

I'm of the opinion that if it leaves, something better will come along. I do understand your point of view, and I support it 100% even still.

[jgrwatson]

Double-edged sword eh?

[Millstone]

YES. Thank god. Now I won't have to listen to them violate noise by-laws on Saturday nights.

[matt602]

YES. Thank god. Now I won't have to listen to them violate noise by-laws on Saturday nights.

I thought you were moving anyway though?

[Millstone]

I thought you were moving anyway though?

True, but not immediately

[oldcoote]

Maverik on James N. appears to be closed permanently due to a break in.

A sign in the window says they will re-open in a different location.

[matt602]

That really sucks. That store had a nice look to it (though it totally didn't sell anything I'm interested in).

[SteelTown]

Starting 6am on Sunday the City will either shut down or close sections of King St West from James to Bay so the Art Gallery can re-install AGH sign.

[FRM]

Starting 6am on Sunday the City will either shut down or close sections of King St West from James to Bay so the Art Gallery can re-install AGH sign.

how many times has that thing fallen down like that

[SteelTown]

Once.

[Millstone]

what is AGH sign

[SteelTown]

Art Gallery of Hamilton sign that went up after the completion of the renovation of the building.

http://www.artgalleryofhamilton.on.ca/images/aa/sign.jpg
Hangs directly above King St. Should be interesting if King St goes two way in the future, HGA.

[urban_planner]

HGA, Hamilton Gallery of Art Problem Solved!!!!

[northender98]

I don't feel it is such a big issue but for those that want the eastbound view to make sense, how about writing the letters "oes" or "evoted to" on the back of the G which looks like a D on that side. That way you would have either "Hamilton Does Art" or "Hamilton Devoted to Art". Just a suggestion to make everyone happy.
Northender

[SteelTown]

Art gallery gets its sign back

May 04, 2009
John Kernaghan
The Hamilton Spectator
http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/559680

http://media.hamiltonspectator.topscms.com/images/0c/cf/fe864891414dbeff6ab47f0d85f5.jpeg

No one was calling out, "Give me an A, give me a G, give me an H," but everyone at the Art Gallery of Hamilton was cheering yesterday.

The distinctive AGH sign was remounted over King Street West more than three years after a windstorm scrambled the letters.

"There was no wind today, it was perfect," said AGH president and CEO Louise Dompierre. "We're delighted because we feel the sign symbolizes a new Hamilton. People say they identify with it."

The nearly two-metre-tall anodized aluminum letters again stand out distinctively against the sky thanks to a $100,000 do-over, most of it covered by insurance.

The 90-kilogram letters tumbled Feb. 5, 2006, when the system fastening the beam holding them to the roof failed. Two letters, the A and H fell. The G dangled.

Dompierre said it took a long time to determine how to remount them because several parties were involved and "we wanted to get a lot of opinions and make sure it was going to be safe."

The letters, which are lit at night, are fastened to a triangular steel beam that is 20 metres long and weighs 30,000 kilograms.

About four metres of the beam juts out over King West. Three lanes of the street were closed down for four hours yesterday morning to accommodate reconstruction.

The Art Gallery of Hamilton had to pick up some "minimal" costs, Dompierre said, for a design that would beef up the stability of the beam and the letters.

It consists of a cable system and a bar to back up the primary fastening to the roof, plus cables as a precaution for the letters attached to the beam.

The original sign was the crowning glory of the $18-million gallery makeover in 2005.

In the meantime, the old letters were stored at the yard of Sunset Neon of Burlington, which created them. Thieves made off with the A and H, though they were too badly damaged to be reused.

[emge]

We were walking by in the morning and saw it going up.. and as I walked back home at night I kept looking back, because the sunset and the sign together was stunning.

I can't wait to walk westward again on King and see the sign from farther away. I like how it looks good from different distances, not just one perspective X distance away.

[SteelTown]

Tivoli - 108 James Street North,

Councillor McHattie advised that the same demolition contractor currently working on the Lister Block suggested the front of the Tivoli property be freed of debris and the fence be moved back to the original theatre and the area be converted into a parkette. He will speak to the Hamilton Ballet Youth Ensemble with respect to this proposal.

[matt602]

I think that's actually a good idea, which should be pursued (since any re-development plans seem to be lost now)

[thistleclub]

Tivoli - 108 James Street North,

Councillor McHattie advised that the same demolition contractor currently working on the Lister Block suggested the front of the Tivoli property be freed of debris and the fence be moved back to the original theatre and the area be converted into a parkette. He will speak to the Hamilton Ballet Youth Ensemble with respect to this proposal.

Bob! Ward 1 Insurgents!

[highwater]

I know you're just having a laugh, but let's not forget that the Lister Block would be a pile of rubble now if it hadn't been for McHattie's 'insurgency'. ;)

[SteelTown]

Got some really surprising news!

It appears Century Theatre will finally get redeveloped this year. Lyric Century Apartments has applied for a building permit worth $2,500,000.00 for an addition.

[adam]

I wish they would take one of these old theatres and make it into a boutique movie theatre. People would pay more money to see a movie and get an authentic old fashioned experience.

[matt602]

Got some really surprising news!

It appears Century Theatre will finally get redeveloped this year. Lyric Century Apartments has applied for a building permit worth $2,500,000.00 for an addition.

Will be interesting to see how much they plan to restore of the existing structure.