[LikeHamilton]

Discover dining at the centre

Nicole O'Reilly September 20, 2011

A year after the Hamilton Waterfront Trust took over management of the shuttered Discovery Centre, the arms-length city agency has found an anchor tenant.

Two new restaurants that will consume 8,000 square feet of the waterfront building are expected to be open by spring 2012, said trust chairman Bob Charters, adding that details are still being finalized.

One restaurant will be Italian “elegant dining,” while the other will be a more casual smokehouse grill equipped with a stage for live entertainment and a dance floor, said Arthur Boiago, of Hamilton-based Arthur Entertainment Inc. The space will also have a 13,000-square-foot patio.

“It’s a fabulous location,” for a concept Boiago’s worked on for some time, he said.

Parks Canada closed the Discovery Centre last fall amid dwindling attendance. That’s when the Waterfront Trust signed a 43-year lease to manage the site.

The restaurants are “adding a dimension to the waterfront,” Charters said.

The trust would not disclose financial details, but said “it’s very much in line” with the anticipated budget. The negotiations took place over the past few months.

“We had one shot and wanted to do it right,” said board member and area Councillor Jason Farr, adding that they were keenly aware of the amount of time that has passed and are relieved to have finally found the right tenants.

Farr said he’s confident the board will announce another “very proper” tenant for a different section of the building soon.

noreilly@thespec.com

905-526-3199

PS I used up one of my 35 views!

[SteelTown]

Excited to test out the Italian restaurant. Hopefully it'll turn out great like Williams.

From what I heard they want to retrofit the current threatre to an IMAX. The Feds might be willing to fund it.

[thistleclub]

From what I heard they want to retrofit the current theatre to an IMAX. The Feds might be willing to fund it.

That'd be neat but weird: The federal government under Harper’s Conservatives move out of a facility that was a legacy of the Chrétien Liberals and then bankroll the conversion of its existing 65-seat theatre to IMAX?

[SteelTown]

Funding is tied with the upcoming War of 1812 anniversary. If funding is approved I'm sure they'll expand the size of the theatre, plenty of space East of the building.

[thistleclub]

Good to know! (Battle of Stoney Creek would be great in IMAX 3D.)

[north 42]

Windsor just got an IMAX this year, haven't been there yet though. They put it in our Silver City.

[SteelTown]

Same here, Ancaster Silver City will get an IMAX.

[bigguy1231]

It's funny that we don't have an Imax theater here, since most of the guys that install the systems live here in the Hamilton area. A relative of mine who lives here travels all over the world installing the projection systems. He installed the Imax at all of the Disney theaters world wide.

[SteelTown]

Proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the City of Hamilton

http://www.hamilton.ca/CityDepartments/CorporateServices/Clerks/AgendaMinutes/Council/2011/October192011CouncilAgemda.htm

hmmmm

[SteelTown]

Dead zone

http://www.thespec.com/news/local/article/613285--dead-zone

There’s been a series of grand plans for this West Harbour community. Now, just four homes and piles of rubble remain after the mass expropriation for a failed Pan Am stadium project. What’s next for this deserted neighbourhood?

Mark Marsden’s home no longer stands in the way of a West Harbour football stadium.

But soon, it will stand virtually alone.

The Hamilton contractor hired a lawyer and held out for more cash when the city bought out his neighbours on Tiffany Street and Barton Street West to make room for a Pan Am Games venue. The expropriations stopped when the stadium plan died — but the dismantling of Marsden’s now-ghostly neighbourhood is well under way.

When the demolition dust settles in November, his white, siding-clad two-storey will be one of only four neighbourhood survivors of the ill-fated Pan Am plan. He’s not sure if that’s a good thing or not.

“They’ve destroyed this area. They took our gas station, took our neighbours away. Now, it’s like a dead zone,” said Marsden, who still mows the lawn of the boarded-up building beside him out of stubbornness. “It would be nice to know what the city (council) is doing here, because from where I stand, it doesn’t look like they know.”

The short-term plan, at least, is clear.

The 13 homes and 7 businesses on the city’s 11 acres of West Harbour property, purchased with $10 million from the Future Fund, will be mostly demolished, cleaned up and seeded with grass by the end of the year, said city buildings manager Rom D’Angelo. A council decision is pending on a special contract to tear down and recover steel from the massive Rheem factory on Barton.

Residents on the south side of Barton say they’re relieved the long row of abandoned buildings across the street is coming down — for safety and aesthetic reasons, but also to erase the evidence of a lost community.

.......

Once upon a time, residents thought the long-term neighbourhood plan was to import families — up to 700 of them. The city’s Setting Sail Secondary Plan, finished in 2005, would have rezoned the land bordered by Barton, Queen, Bay and Stuart streets for new medium-density housing, with a bit of commercial in the mix near Barton and Hess Street North.

But now, the city is proposing to alter Setting Sail — a plan born of years of community consultation — in an effort to end an Ontario Municipal Board appeal by CN, which owns a waterfront rail yard north of the neighbourhood.

A recent city proposal to end CN’s OMB appeal, obtained by The Spectator, shows a 150-metre “buffer zone” surrounding the CN rail yard that would make much of the neighbourhood off-limits for homes. Instead, the land would be zoned commercial. The city’s proposed compromise appears to leave only a small L-shaped swath of land along Barton and Bay zoned residential.

It’s a secretive process. The city, CN and other OMB appellants recently met in a private mediation session, but an actual public OMB hearing isn’t scheduled until December. The main Setting Sail objector — CN Rail — declined to speak to the Spectator, citing the ongoing private negotiations.

The city’s apparent compromise, pitched without public input and discussed by council behind closed doors, frustrates Ellaline Davies even as she welcomes the demolition of abandoned buildings across the road from her Barton Street home.

“We asked for residential. You need people to have a vibrant community,” said Davies, who was part of a community liaison committee that helped shape the neighbourhood’s secondary plan. “I’m just deeply disappointed to see such a collaborative community process go awry. How did we get from community involvement to shutting us out completely?”

.............


The city isn’t working against residents, said Ward 2 Councillor Jason Farr. “This is a legal matter so I have to tread carefully, but I completely understand the frustration of residents … councillors are also frustrated that we have to stay mum,” Farr said, adding he expects public discussion of the neighbourhood’s future will resume “sooner rather than later” after the OMB process.

Farr said he can’t comment on specific city OMB proposals. But he said “meeting halfway” with Setting Sail opponents such as CN could be the fastest route to the rejuvenation of the neighbourhood south of the tracks.

“If we fight (the CN appeal) and lose, what do we end up with? An industrial zone,” he said. “If we compromise, maybe we win and get some of (the homes) we’re aiming for.”

Mayor Bob Bratina also wouldn’t comment specifically on OMB negotiations.

But the former ward councillor said any plan for the future of the West Harbour needs to be updated to reflect “new realities” like pending all-day GO Service, which he argued may change the city’s land-use priorities. The mayor has also warned the development opportunities associated with the city-owned properties in Barton-Tiffany may also be affected by historic contamination. Preliminary testing suggests remediation costs range from $3 million to $37 million.

Those costs are the reason why the city’s OMB compromise won’t work, said Marino Rakovac, a Hamilton developer who has tried for more than a decade to turn his old autowrecking property on Bay Street into a mid-rise housing project.

The city’s compromise appears to zone Rakovac’s property for low-density housing. “That would be impossible for us,” said Rakovac before the pre-OMB hearing mediation. “You need height and density in a project to pay enormous remediation costs.”

Rakovac, who was also turned down by the city on a last-minute adaptable stadium pitch for West Harbour, still believes he’ll get the go-ahead to build 300 housing units in an eight-storey development. “After so many years I shouldn’t be saying this, but I’m hopeful,” he said. “I think we’re seeing some movement from all parties.”

[durandy]

This writer doesn't seem to understand zoning. Zoning that land 'commercial' doesn't mean it will be "off limits for homes". There are like five commercial designations. Most allow varying degrees of residential. We don't know what exact zoning has been attached. In fact if we want the land to be mixed use then we should be calling for a change to residential zoning, since residential means no commercial at all. It makes sense that CN would fight against residential, since pure residential is more likely to get into battles over the rail yard. But there's nothing to say that a mixed use 8 story tower like White Star is proposing would be opposed by CN.

The only thing that seems accurate and puzzling in this story is that the city is maintaining residential in exactly the area Whitestar wants to build. Why keep putting them through this? And why leave Barton and Bay of all streets residential? It doesn't make sense.

[thistleclub]

there's nothing to say that a mixed use 8 story tower like White Star is proposing would be opposed by CN.

Maybe it's apples/oranges, but there certainly seems to be ample precedent for high ( http://g.co/maps/juhva), mid ( http://g.co/maps/7msm4 ) and low-elevation residential fairly close to CN lines. ( http://g.co/maps/djjuz)

[durandy]

that demolition was fast - walked by today and it's almost all gone (http://maps.google.ca/maps?q=43.257694,-79.879366&hl=en&ll=43.266179,-79.874347&spn=0.001088,0.002642&num=1&vpsrc=6&gl=ca&t=m&z=19&layer=c&cbll=43.266146,-79.874196&panoid=Hx2rhy_doS5m3dilJCgvTA&cbp=12,74.21,,0,4.25) - just the auto shop remaining.

it's also hard to avoid noticing how offensive that rail yard really is - loud and smelly with diesel fumes. I can see why there wasn't all that much fuss over the expropriations.

[markbarbera]

Maybe it's apples/oranges, but there certainly seems to be ample precedent for high ( http://g.co/maps/juhva), mid ( http://g.co/maps/7msm4 ) and low-elevation residential fairly close to CN lines. ( http://g.co/maps/djjuz)

There are plenty of examples of developments near rail lines, but in this specific case, it is the proximity to a rail yard and the associated shunting, loading and offloading of heavy freight that is at issue.

[durandy]

they're demolishing the Rheem plant! Drove by today and heavy machinery is on site and the roof is gone on one of the northern wings.

[SteelTown]

Dirt and grass seed after that.

[CaptainKirk]

they're demolishing the Rheem plant! Drove by today and heavy machinery is on site and the roof is gone on one of the northern wings.

Drove by just now. Saw the now vacant lot between Hess and Caroline. Was that Rheem there as well?

I still see the big Rheem building standing between Caroline and Tiffany

[durandy]

no, between Hess and Caroline was a set of row houses, gas station and auto wreckers. As partly seen here (http://www.wrecovery.com/hamiltonstrip/picview.php?filename=..%2Fhamilton%2Fhamilton_strip_19.jpg&name=West+Harbour%2C+Hamilton%2CON&size=20%22+by+64%22).

You have to see it from Stuart st to see the demolition.

[flar]

Yes, the factory was behind the row of houses

[SteelTown]

Construction begins at Discovery Centre

http://www.thespec.com/news/local/article/657941--construction-begins-at-discovery-centre

Construction has begun on two new restaurants at the water’s edge.

The former Parks Canada Discovery Centre on Pier 8 is being transformed into two restaurants. Officials from the Waterfront Trust, who took over the building last year, have officially signed a lease for the venues but say it’s too early to give any further details.

The two new restaurants are expected to be open by spring 2012. One restaurant will be Italian fine dining, while the other will be a more casual smokehouse grill equipped with a stage for live entertainment and a dance floor. It will also have a 13,000-square-foot patio.

Parks Canada closed the Discovery Centre, dubbed “Canada’s first virtual urban national park,” in 2010 amid dwindling attendance. After the closure, the Waterfront Trust took over the building and signed a 43-year lease to manage the site.

[Duckyboy]

Construction begins at Discovery Centre

http://www.thespec.com/news/local/article/657941--construction-begins-at-discovery-centre

Construction has begun on two new restaurants at the water’s edge.

The former Parks Canada Discovery Centre on Pier 8 is being transformed into two restaurants. Officials from the Waterfront Trust, who took over the building last year, have officially signed a lease for the venues but say it’s too early to give any further details.

The two new restaurants are expected to be open by spring 2012. One restaurant will be Italian fine dining, while the other will be a more casual smokehouse grill equipped with a stage for live entertainment and a dance floor. It will also have a 13,000-square-foot patio.

Parks Canada closed the Discovery Centre, dubbed “Canada’s first virtual urban national park,” in 2010 amid dwindling attendance. After the closure, the Waterfront Trust took over the building and signed a 43-year lease to manage the site.

Private investment?!?! Non-taxpayer funded venture?!?! Well color me excited!

Can't wait to check them out!

[SteelTown]

Looks like the City's latest plan for Setting Sail should be public within a few days.

[SteelTown]

Council approves Setting Sail amendment. Should be public any moment.

[durandy]

what is the result? Did they just vote on it but not discuss it? Do you know how it will be made public?

[SteelTown]

Lots of retail, looks like the White Star proposal is approved which is residential.

[SteelTown]

Setting Sail gets a green light

http://www.thespec.com/news/local/article/668137--setting-sail-gets-a-green-light

City councillors have settled a long-running debate about the future of the west harbour lands.

At Wednesday night’s council meeting, councillors approved a settlement proposal for Setting Sail, the controversial guideline that maps out a plan for the Barton-Tiffany corridor. The entire plan for the west harbour neighbourhood was released Wednesday night.

The settlement still needs to go back to the Ontario Municipal Board for final approval. That’s expected to happen within the next several weeks.

“I think we have a very positive precinct now. It’s going to be attractive to a developer or two,” said Councillor Jason Farr, who represents the area. “I’m really happy tonight that we have what we have. I truly feel it’s going to be an attractive spot.”

According to the settlement, residential buildings up to four storeys will be permitted along Barton Street, east of Queen Street. West of Queen is zoned as parkland. The lands along Stuart Street will be zoned for a variety of commercial uses.

The plan also allows for a condo proposal for up to eight storeys on Bay Street, a long-standing plan of the White Star developer group. It includes a wide trail that will run from the intersection of Stuart Street and Bay Street, through the Barton-Tiffany area to Barton Street.

The issue dates back to 2005, when CN appealed the plan to the Ontario Municipal Board. The railroad objected to the city’s plan to convert the neighbourhood into a new residential enclave, arguing it was too close to the waterfront rail yard.

[SteelTown]

creamed: Water heater factory flattened for future development

http://www.thespec.com/news/local/article/668159--rheem-creamed-water-heater-factory-flattened-for-future-development

Rheem is gone.

After a week of smashing through glass and concrete, a contractor finally has levelled the long vacant water heater factory to make way for the city’s plans to develop the west harbour lands.

“The demolition process was to make it appealing and attractive for some would-be developer or developers who might come along,” said Councillor Jason Farr.

“I am hopeful and feeling optimistic that a number of people will step up and purchase all or some parts of that land and build according to the zoning that’s in place.”

The Ministry of Environment says it was not involved in the demolition. A spokesperson said whoever develops the property will likely have to do soil remediation. The developer will have to present proof that the soil meets the government standard for the zoning.

[durandy]

sounds pretty great to me. Great news for Whitestar, finally they'll get their tower on Bay st. This whole area is going to come to life now. We'll see what a 'variety of commercial uses' on Stuart means, but most likely it will be mixed use with residential possible above the first floor. There is only one commercial designation in the new zoning bylaws that prohibits residential and I can't see that being in place. So the door will be open for condo towers and supermarkets....sweeeeeeeeet!!!!!!

Setting Sail gets a green light

http://www.thespec.com/news/local/article/668137--setting-sail-gets-a-green-light

City councillors have settled a long-running debate about the future of the west harbour lands.

At Wednesday night’s council meeting, councillors approved a settlement proposal for Setting Sail, the controversial guideline that maps out a plan for the Barton-Tiffany corridor. The entire plan for the west harbour neighbourhood was released Wednesday night.

The settlement still needs to go back to the Ontario Municipal Board for final approval. That’s expected to happen within the next several weeks.

“I think we have a very positive precinct now. It’s going to be attractive to a developer or two,” said Councillor Jason Farr, who represents the area. “I’m really happy tonight that we have what we have. I truly feel it’s going to be an attractive spot.”

According to the settlement, residential buildings up to four storeys will be permitted along Barton Street, east of Queen Street. West of Queen is zoned as parkland. The lands along Stuart Street will be zoned for a variety of commercial uses.

The plan also allows for a condo proposal for up to eight storeys on Bay Street, a long-standing plan of the White Star developer group. It includes a wide trail that will run from the intersection of Stuart Street and Bay Street, through the Barton-Tiffany area to Barton Street.

The issue dates back to 2005, when CN appealed the plan to the Ontario Municipal Board. The railroad objected to the city’s plan to convert the neighbourhood into a new residential enclave, arguing it was too close to the waterfront rail yard.

[durandy]

I requested a copy of the amendments. The results are a site specific amendment for whitestar lands, as well as what I think looks like a removal of hotels and dwelling units from the 'mixed-use' designation fronting Stuart, which extends south about 3/4 of the way down Hess, Queen, Caroline and Tiffany. So essentially an ad hoc new zoning designation called 'mixed-use' but not really. However the rest of the mixed use designation is the same: no drive-throughs, maximum size 6000 Sq m, maximum building height 15 m.

The rest of the area along the north side of Barton is now multiple residential, which allow commercial uses so long as residential is also included, with a strip of conservation land west of Queen.

Plus the addition of a recreational path all the way through.

My enthusiasm is dampened. What's the point of a zoning scheme if you can just rewrite it. I'm happy to see Whitestar approved but really the whole area should be allowed to build up and mixed use. But there will be no big box - more likely a supermarket, doctors offices, other good stuff.

[SteelTown]

Neighbours iffy about commercial zoning in west

http://www.thespec.com/news/local/article/668920--neighbours-iffy-about-commercial-zoning-in-west-harbour

The city’s latest idea for the contested west harbour lands is making nearby residents uneasy.

The long-running dispute over the future of the Barton-Tiffany corridor is inching closer to a conclusion after city council approved a new vision for the area at Wednesday night’s council meeting.

But the revised proposal for the west harbour is disconcerting for neighbourhood residents, says Shawn Selway of the North End Neighbours Group. They’re worried that the plan — which initially called for the land bordered by Barton, Queen, Bay and Stuart Streets to be filled with housing — has been changed to zone most of that area for commercial properties.

“We don’t know what that means. We don’t know if the city has done any investigation about what kind of commercial might be viable down there without damaging the existing businesses on James Street,” Selway said.

“We think that in order for existing businesses to thrive, we need more people living downtown.”

The Setting Sail plan faces its final hurdle at the Ontario Municipal Board on Feb. 21. That’s when the city hopes to settle with the North End Neighbours and CN, both of whom had appealed the first version of Setting Sail. If all parties don’t accept the proposal, those dates could be used for a regular hearing.

The settlement proposal approved by council Wednesday includes a 150-metre commercial “buffer zone” surrounding the CN rail yard that would create a visual and acoustic barrier between the train tracks and residences along Barton. The plan was altered as a compromise with CN, which initially requested a 300-metre buffer.

The city’s proposed compromise leaves only a small L-shaped parcel of land along Barton and Bay zoned residential. Part of that residential zone will include an eight-storey condo on Bay Street near Stuart.

The commercial zoning along Stuart allows for a “full spectrum” of uses, said Michelle Sergi, the city’s manager of community planning and design. It could wind up as office space, private recreation businesses (such as gyms), services (restaurants or banks) or retail.

“We’re looking for more of a mix,” Sergi said.

What it won’t include are big-box stores. The maximum size for commercial buildings in that area will be 6,000 square metres, or about the size of a Shoppers Drug Mart or a small grocery store.

The revised Setting Sail plan also calls for a five-metre-wide trail that would wind through the neighbourhood between Crooks and Bay streets. Selway points to the trail as the North End Neighbours’ greatest success throughout their involvement in Setting Sail.

Once the city finishes at the OMB, the first step the city would have to complete before any shovels go into the ground is a comprehensive urban design study. That document would map out the specific vision for the neighbourhood and will begin as soon as possible after matters are settled at the OMB.

“Once that’s happened, it will become a priority,” Sergi said.

[pEte fiSt iN Ur fAce]

Gonna have to wait to see the plans but conservation land west of Queen and a trail? Not sure about that. I think it's a case of people being so used to sh*t getting built that they'll do anything to retain a little green space. That area should be developed full stop. Perched high above the West Harbour, great views, great location; that's some valuable land right there.

[SteelTown]

OMB okays West Harbour development plan

http://www.thespec.com/news/local/article/674418--omb-okays-west-harbour-development-plan

The Ontario Municipal Board has accepted a settlement proposal to end a decade of conflict over the city’s plans to revamp the West Harbour.

The city’s original secondary plan for the area called for hundreds of new homes in the largely industrial Barton-Tiffany neighborhood.

CN Rail appealed the plan, arguing the new homes would be too close to its waterfront rail yard.

On Monday, a joint settlement proposal was presented in an OMB hearing by the city, CN, development company Whitestar and community group North End Neighbours.

The plan calls for a 150 metre commercial “buffer zone” around the rail yard, but provides a special allowance for an eight-storey condo development east of the CN property on Bay Street.

A small, L-shaped band of residential zoning will also be allowed along Barton and Bay streets.

Shawn Selway of the North End Neighbours said the OMB chair accepted the settlement in principle, but will delay formally closing the appeal for 60 days while the parties “dot the ‘i's and cross the ‘t’s” on the settlement.

The secondary plan also faced a second appeal over traffic management by NEN.

The OMB is expected to render a decision on that appeal sometime in the near future.

[SteelTown]

There will be an open house for the setting sails environmental assessment.

June 12
6 until 8pm
Bennetto Elementary School

[SteelTown]

Paul Wilson: That rail yard on the waterfront - maybe it's not situation hopeless

http://www.cbc.ca/hamilton/talk/story/2012/06/12/hamilton-rail-waterfront-cn.html

The Stuart Street rail yard, down at the water's edge, is as old as Hamilton itself. For a long time, the city was pleased and proud to have it there. The railroad was progress.

But for decades now, many in Hamilton have wished the railroad would go away. Not the GO trains. And freights flying through are generally OK too. But that marshalling yard on Stuart, a dozen tracks or more, has laid claim to the West Harbour long enough.

This week, in an architect's office downtown, a small band of citizens heard from a man who said there's fresh hope for Hamilton to get those lands by the water back.

Not tomorrow. Not next year. But how does six years sound?

There's no rail yard in this design, just CN's main-line tracks. Condos, houses, shops and green space would take over the waterfront. (Courtesy Thier + Curran Architects Inc.)
Host for the night was well-known city architect Bill Curran. He lives in the North End.

He and others who live there have been watching the drama unfold on the lands north of Barton, between Bay and Queen. It began a couple of years ago, when the city started buying up land there, with the idea of erecting a Pan Am stadium.

But in midstream, the Ticats announced they would never, ever play there. So the city was left with three big, empty city blocks, for which it had paid $10 million. What to do with it?

As always, the CN rail yard looms large. The city is not allowed to put housing near it.

So now commercial uses are under study. Zoning allows for structures up to some 60,000 square feet. That's the size of the big Sobey's at Meadowlands.

But it's unlikely retail would locate there. Perhaps it would be something with office space out front and a big warehouse out back. The view of Curran and friends on that - what a waste of waterfront.

At the meeting this week, Curran scored an interesting guest. He spoke on condition of anonymity.

This businessman has been well-acquainted with aspects of CN operations for many years. Indeed, he was helpful a dozen or so years ago in bringing CN and the city together on an agreement for the Waterfront Trail along the edge of the rail lands.

The CN yard is now leased to a large Florida-based outfit called RailAmerica, operating here as Southern Ontario Railway. That lease, says the man, expires in 2018. And he believes CN would be quite willing to talk to the city about what happens after that.


Intermodal transportation, where freight can be switched between trucks and trains, is important today. Hamilton is not that kind of yard. In fact, it's been steadily downsized. At one time, it included maintenance facilities, warehouses, offices. All that's gone now.

Your hair must be silver to have gathered as much experience as the man who spoke to the small group. But he said he expects to be alive to witness houses and condos and shops on those railway lands.

The CN main line, of course, would continue to run through Hamilton. Architect Curran doesn't see that as a problem at all. He and his staff have donated time worth about $10,000 on thematic plans for the waterfront area.

The important thing, he says, is to hold onto that precious land. Don't be selling it off right now to commercial developers. "We have here an essential part of Hamilton's identity that could be squandered."

CN confirms in an e-mail that it has leased the Stuart yard to RailAmerica, but won't say for how long.

Once the lease does expire, whenever that may be, would CN entertain an offer from the city to purchase that waterfront land?

The company's written response: "The Stuart Street Yard is, and will continue to be an essential part of a rail network which supports service to local Hamilton area customers. The needs of these customers will remain and may grow over the next several years."

So that CN's official stance. Doesn't sound very promising.

But Jason Farr, councillor for the ward, was interested to hear about the man who stepped forward. "My God, if that's true, we'd have to rethink the whole concept... 2018 is just around the corner."

Farr says he's never spoken to CN. He thinks the feeling around City Hall is that CN is generally "not willing to budge and difficult to work with. But I'd want to start from square one."

Farr asked if the man in the know would be willing to make contact with him. He is, and they will talk soon.

[SteelTown]

Hamilton’s newest waterfront attraction is planning a hiring fair.

http://www.thespec.com/news/business/article/744197--waterfront-eatery-holding-hiring-fair

Sarcoa Restaurant and Bar, which is taking over the old Discovery Centre on the waterfront, will be interviewing potential staff this weekend between noon and 3 p.m. at the restaurant, 57 Discovery Dr.

Resumes can also be submitted online at http://www.sarcoa.ca/

The new eatery will offer a 350-seat waterfront patio overlooking Pier 8, a patio bar seating 40, and outdoor stage for live music and five private cabanas.

The planned menu runs to steak and smoked meats such as brisket and sausages. It will change with the seasons.

The new restaurant is owned by three Hamiltonians who so far have not identified themselves. They are in the midst of redeveloping 8,000 square feet of interior space and a 12,000-square-foot patio to create two restaurants at the centre. The other is to feature Italian cuisine in a fine-dining environment.

Sarcoa is one of a number of developments along the waterfront, including an expansion of the existing Williams Fresh Café, an ice cream stand, a display area for the Bay Area Restoration Council and Green Venture.

[SteelTown]

City on track to reclaim waterfront?

http://www.thespec.com/news/local/article/746404--city-on-track-to-reclaim-waterfront

A new citizens’ group has pitched a radical rethink of the city’s West Harbour development plan — including talks with CN to relocate the Stuart Street rail yard.

The plan, featuring a three-dimensional blueprint by local architect Bill Curran, calls for parkland, stores and condos on waterfront lands now dominated by the rail yard and vacant city-owned properties in the Barton-Tiffany area.

Curran said residents were upset to learn the city agreed to ban residential development near the rail yard this spring to settle an Ontario Municipal Board dispute with CN.

“This area … is an essential bridge between our downtown and prime waterfront land,” said Curran. “We can’t afford to just throw up (commercial) buildings and surround it with a sea of pavement.”

The OMB settlement, negotiated in secret, calls for the majority of the neighbourhood south of the rail yard to be rezoned for commercial use, including most properties expropriated and razed by the city for its ill-fated Pan Am stadium plan. The settlement nixes the Setting Sail secondary plan that envisioned 700 new families in the area.

Most Hamiltonians weren’t involved in the OMB decision, said retired engineer Bob Carr.

“I’m hoping they’ll get involved now, get excited about this vision,” said the North End resident, who added the group has stayed true to the Setting Sail goals endorsed by residents.

One reason to get excited: Group members believe a decades-old dream to relocate the waterfront rail yard could become a reality within 10 years.

Curran said a rail yard lease between Canadian National and an American-owned rail company, Southern Ontario Railway, will run out in 2018.

“We think this is the perfect opportunity for the city to talk about the future of this land with CN,” he said. “Other cities have moved rail yards, so why can’t we?”

General manager Blake Jones confirmed the RailAmerica-owned company has six years remaining on its lease of the Stuart Street yard.

“We’d like to renew, but we haven’t had that conversation yet,” he said.

Spokesperson Lindsay Fedchyshyn said CN is not planning to move or abandon the rail yard and is not engaged in any related discussions with the city.

The OMB settlement also discourages relocation planning, thereby axing a reference in the old Setting Sail document “encouraging” relocation of the rail yard.

Mayor Bob Bratina called relocating the rail yard “key to the future of the development of the waterfront in Hamilton.”

He’s just not sure how or when it will happen.

“We would have to demonstrate to them that we have a viable (alternate) site that’s worth considering,” said Bratina, who noted a 1990s pitch to relocate the rail yard to Aldershot failed for lack of funding. A 1995 study by the city pegged moving costs at $100 million.

Bratina said he proposed using old industrial lands near Centennial Parkway as a home for the rail yard several years ago, but council opted to rezone them for commercial use.

Jason Farr, councillor for the ward that includes the Barton-Tiffany area, said he’s interested in hearing more from the group.

“In the past, it appears like we gave up on CN,” he said. “Maybe it’s time to restart the conversation because if there’s an opportunity to reclaim that waterfront, that would be big news.”

Curran said the group’s first goal is to convince the city to protect the vacant Barton-Tiffany lands, rather than sell them off to developers.

The city could sell the 11 acres of expropriated former homes and industrial buildings at any time, but no development can take place until after the city completes a planned $350,000 urban design study, said planning director Paul Mallard.

“We’re saying, don’t sell it yet, because once the box stores are built, the potential of that property is gone forever,” Curran said. “Let’s stop, catch our breath and talk as a community about a long-term vision.”

[NuclearNerd]

“We’re saying, don’t sell it yet, because once the box stores are built, the potential of that property is gone forever,” Curran said. “Let’s stop, catch our breath and talk as a community about a long-term vision.”

My prediction - the CN rail yards are going nowhere, and the Big Box stores (or medium-box strip malls, same difference) will come in exactly as warned thanks to the OMB settlement. This is what we get when we turn down good redevelopment money (the west-harbour stadium) for bad (the stillborn "Setting Sail" plan). Yay Hamilton.

[realcity]

When real football and sports fans go to Ivor Wynne the view for us is on the gridiron to watch the game. If you wanted a stadium at Stuart/Tiffany Streets just to get a good view of the harbour then save $35/ and go for a free walk on Bayfront walk.

Maybe we can build a WH viewing tower platform for all the bitter WH people, pretend that's a football game below you -- that you don't care about anyway -- and look around at the scenery, that is, over the train yards.

[CaptainKirk]

When real football and sports fans go to Ivor Wynne the view for us is on the gridiron to watch the game. If you wanted a stadium at Stuart/Tiffany Streets just to get a good view of the harbour then save $35/ and go for a free walk on Bayfront walk.

Maybe we can build a WH viewing tower platform for all the bitter WH people, pretend that's a football game below you -- that you don't care about anyway -- and look around at the scenery, that is, over the train yards.

With all due respect, I consider myself a real football/Tiger-Cat fan and wanted the stadium at WH. It's not about my view, it's more about promoting the city in the best possible light for out of towners as well as hundreds of thousands and perhaps millions of TV viewers across the entire country.

[Pearlstreet]

Brian Hinkley shares my own vision and I know most of ours, thankfully published as a strong opinion made about the Spec article 'Grassroots group on track to take back West Harbour lands' (http://www.thespec.com/news/local/article/758672--grassroots-group-on-track-to-take-back-west-harbour-lands)

Reading this makes my captialist fire inside burn and gives me goosebumps! When I first moved to Hamilton I thought it was growing, but wow - this is astonishingly huge! Go Hamilton go! Nice letter Brian Hinkley, we need more positive banter about this from people like you!

Find the will to get rid of harbour rail yards

Grassroots group tracks future of west harbour lands; Promotes development, seeks political action on CN rail yard lands (July 11)

The time has come to move the railway yards away from the waterfront park. There is no debate necessary. Get on with it. Find the will and the way to make this happen.

They said it would never happen when we changed the industrial designation on the former Lax property to parkland and expropriated the land. Many loud voices said it was too expensive to buy and clean up the contaminated lands. They said we could never negotiate a deal with the ever litigious Harbour commissioners.

I was chairman of the city’s parks and recreation committee when they said it couldn’t be done. It was accomplished and we turned a toxic dump and designated industrial site into a lovely waterfront park. I was later appointed to the Harbour Commission and we struck a deal with the city for the west harbour to be used for recreational purposes. It wasn’t easy, and it took a long time, but we made it happen.

The removal of the rail yards can be done. If the powers-that-be want it to happen, they can make it happen. The potential to further develop the waterfront as a people place with substantial economic benefits is enormous, let alone the increase in our civic pride that will result.

Brian Hinkley, Hamilton

[bigguy1231]

The railyards, unfortunately, aren't going anywhere soon.

Unless the city comes up with the cost for the yards and the expense of moving them there is no chance CN will give them up. Add to that the cost of remediation and we are probably looking at a billion or so dollars. Even if the city got their hands on the lands they wouldn't be able to sell them off to make their money back. The land just isn't that valuable from a market value perspective, because of the costs for remediation.

Then we'd have all the Nimby's in the North end trying to tell the developers what they can or cannot build making it impossible for them to make any money. At the price the city would have to pay turning it into parkland would be a non starter, there's just too many other priorities that need to be tended to in this city, before we pay that kind of price for greenspace.

You can dream all you want, but then reality sets in and it becomes a nightmare.

[pEte fiSt iN Ur fAce]

That's all true. However, I'm not sure the rail yard would actually require remediation because building on that site isn't really the focus. It has more to do with moving it so some decent residential can get built on Stuart etc. It's true, though, cleaning the CN yard would be cost-prohibitive; an astronomical sum of money.

People also talk about - someday - building on the brownfields of the NE industrial sector. To clean that land would be mind-blowingly expensive. It'll never happen.

[Pigeon]

That's all true. However, I'm not sure the rail yard would actually require remediation because building on that site isn't really the focus. It has more to do with moving it so some decent residential can get built on Stuart etc. It's true, though, cleaning the CN yard would be cost-prohibitive; an astronomical sum of money.

People also talk about - someday - building on the brownfields of the NE industrial sector. To clean that land would be mind-blowingly expensive. It'll never happen.



http://www.investinhamilton.ca/incentives-programs/municipal-programs/#Brownfields




With all of the granting available for remediation work, It will become a lucrative business to clear these sites. Buy em cheap, clean em up, cash in.

[durandy]

The railyards, unfortunately, aren't going anywhere soon.

Unless the city comes up with the cost for the yards and the expense of moving them there is no chance CN will give them up. Add to that the cost of remediation and we are probably looking at a billion or so dollars. Even if the city got their hands on the lands they wouldn't be able to sell them off to make their money back. The land just isn't that valuable from a market value perspective, because of the costs for remediation.

Then we'd have all the Nimby's in the North end trying to tell the developers what they can or cannot build making it impossible for them to make any money. At the price the city would have to pay turning it into parkland would be a non starter, there's just too many other priorities that need to be tended to in this city, before we pay that kind of price for greenspace.

You can dream all you want, but then reality sets in and it becomes a nightmare.

There are nimbies in every neighbourhood, if a developer knows what they're doing they'll negotiate that. It wasn't the NEN that made Setting Sail nonresidential, it was CN. Look at the Witton Lofts, I believe that's in the North end, and White star finallyy has a green light for their condo on Bay. Condos don't need to remediate, they can encase the dirt in concrete.

The real obstacle is the value CN places on the land. But if Bratina et al care as much about this as they say then it might not be that outlandish to think that they swap this for another parcel. Insert some sweeteners in the deal.

I don't know what NuclearNerd means about 'bad redevelopment money' in Setting Sail. There's no money in setting sail. It's a secondary plan. It would have seen the whole area turned into condos and medium density streetfront retail, with maximum 2 metre setbacks and no drive-thrus, had CN not blocked the mixed use.

[markbarbera]

Setting Sail has not been changed to non-residential. CN's appeal has only changed the zoning for the land between the yard as far south as Murray Street. Granted, this accounts for a large portion of the land covered in Setting Sail, but not all the land. The land on the north side of Barton as far north as Murray between Bay And Queen remains zoned median density residential, and Bay between Murray and Stuart is low density residential (the White Star property)

The obstacles to moving the rail yards are cost and the availability of an alternate site somewhere in Hamilton along the CN line, bearing in mind the yard needs to be in close proximity to the heavy industry and the port that it currently serves. Unfortunately there was a suitable alternate site on Centennial by the QEW but council had a civic vision for a Walmart there. Anything further east wouldn't be very practical in serving the port or the Harbour's industrial sites, and it's doubtful that enough land could be assembled for a replacement yard in between Centennial and it's present site.

[flar]

I wonder if there's anywhere more central to put the rail yard, maybe in the Sherman to Gage area. There seem to be a lot of abandoned/semi-abandoned industrial lots around there.

[markbarbera]

The difficulty is finding contiguous land the same size as the current yard, which is about 1km long and 150m wide (plus 150m buffer from residential).

[SteelTown]

Interior and patio photos of the new restaurants at Pier 8

http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.361557800580119.78298.122710564464845&type=3

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/524190_361557940580105_804507223_n.jpg

http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/562870_361557877246778_719486364_n.jpg

[matt602]

Not bad at all. Looks like we're starting to really put together a nice waterfront destination. I was down at Spencer Smith in Burlington a week ago before seeing all of this and was thinking that Hamilton is woefully behind on the waterfront but I definitely take that back now.

[Pearlstreet]

I walked through this area today and was blown away! IT IS GORGIOUS! Look out Spencers in Burlington, get ready for competition!

http://i47.tinypic.com/2nrg22a.jpg
http://i45.tinypic.com/35akbyb.jpg

I couldn't stop taking pictures!!!
http://i48.tinypic.com/xofwyf.jpg

:worship::cheers:

[pEte fiSt iN Ur fAce]

Add a few palms and it'll have the feel of a sexy, tropical oasis. It's gonna be great.

[thistleclub]

More coverage in today's Spec (http://www.thespec.com/news/business/article/766060--waterfront-eatery-hopes-to-be-a-hamilton-game-changer):

"Werner Plessl, executive director of the Waterfront Trust, says Sarcoa is the first significant private investment in the waterfront.... The partners have a 20-year lease on about half of the building. The Waterfront Trust, in turn, has a 43-year lease from the federal government, which closed the high-tech parks museum at the end of 2010."

I'm glad this venue has been refreshed & am interested to see where it goes from here, but what will really be a "significant" "game changer" is not a sublet from the feds but a private sector from-scratch development of comparable calibre.

[pEte fiSt iN Ur fAce]

Seeing what's happening down at Pier 8 puts me in mind of Toronto's Sugar Beach. That would be an amazing addition to these new restaurants.

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa121/the_dude1974/SugarBeach2.jpg

[SteelTown]

http://www.thespec.com/photozone/765974

[Berklon]

I'm very impressed.

[realcity]

I hope they get rid of all the bees/yellow jackets that swarm that area and ruin the patio at Williams

[realcity]

I don't like the name.

[realcity]

Sarcoma. is a skin cancer diseasese,
http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/Sarcoma-AdultSoftTissueCancer/DetailedGuide/sarcoma-adult-soft-tissue-cancer-soft-tissue-sarcoma

[pEte fiSt iN Ur fAce]

Some really good pics from the Spec. It looks like they've added some palms; it really sexes things up.

This location is a licence to print money, even though it's not the waterfront, as some like to go on and on and on about.

I hate to say it but whatshisname is right. The name Sarcoa isn't great and does put one in mind of bad things: sarcoma, sacrasm, sarcoidosis, sarcophagus, Sarnia etc. ;) Anyway, it'll succeed in spite of that but it should probably be addressed.

[SteelTown]

http://www.cbc.ca/hamilton/news/story/2012/07/24/hamilton-sarcoa-restaurant.html

[realcity]

.

[CaptainKirk]

http://www.cbc.ca/hamilton/news/story/2012/07/24/hamilton-sarcoa-restaurant.html

Ah, here's the scoop on the name.

“Sarcoa” is a play on the owners’ names: Sam and Marco, Destro said. But on UrbanDictionary.com it’s also defined as “to do what’s unexpected,” said Adam Hall, the restaurant’s general manager,

[markbarbera]

Sarcoa is also the acronym for the Southern Alabama Regional Council on Aging.

[realcity]

.

it still sounds like a type of cancer to me.

[mishap]

The co-owner is named Destro, and not a single GI Joe reference yet? For shame. With all the talk in other threads about businesses fronting for the mob, I think we're overlooking the obvious Cobra connection here.

[pEte fiSt iN Ur fAce]

^Hehe. Maybe they should have called it Zartan's Zesty Zabaglione Zoo...that's lame. Sorry. I never really liked GI Joe anyway. More of a She-Ra kinda guy.

[Roy Hay]

Actually, speaking of Sarcoma, a few weeks ago, The Spec ran a small article in their weekend paper and called it "SARCOMA" throughout the entire thing!! So much for proofreading!

Can you imagine the reaction of the owners, seeing their brand-new eatery mistakenly referred to as a type of cancer all through an article??

Terrible name regardless.

[realcity]

that's funny. And I think that name will stick with people.

[bornagainbiking]

Went down to the Discovery Centre area last night.
Wow: Honestly I saw a side of Hamilton that calls for more. I thought I was elsewhere.
So all you zoomers, baby boomers and others that remember the roller gardens or skating rinks we used to use the hockey arena in the summer but I understand you had several separate venues here. Roller gardens near Nebo and Stonechurch and another across from the Visitors inn near the 403.
Well, last night I saw people roller skating around the pad next to Williams. It was nice to see some people with gray hair strut their stuff and for a time return to their youth. Not many at first around 6:30 but by 9 filling up nicely. Even had a DJ with songs mostly from the 80s. This is a gold mine and I foresee someone cashing in on this with a converted warehouse or grocery/department store for the winter. They say that people from here have been going to Mississauga.
So check it out, skate rentals are available. I strongly suggest bring a folding chair and some water. This is the start of a good thing.
The new Sarcoa was starting to fill up at 9. Looks fantastic and like from a tv movie. Not my cup of tea, but will steal business from Hess street, not rowdy and more refined and secluded with plenty of FREE parking.
Not to be negative but what could enhance the image.
1. Clean up the East side of the Discovery Centre it robs from the work and effort of the improvements.
2. Mark off the parking lot for buses for cars as it was haphazard and not designed for maximum use. A Honda Civic in the middle of the painted lines intended for a bus left no idea where to park and not block someone off.
3. For the love of God, power wash the deck at Scoops, it looks like crap and starting to rot. A coat of stain would do wonders. This is the first place you see.
4. Rethink the prices for ice cream. I know it is a tourist destination but over $3.50 plus tax for a regular cone. I saw some families uncomfortable with this.
Have a small cone for the kids and families will come for a walk. Seems like gouging.

The new parking lot to East is a welcome relief.
So thanks for lifting the image of the area and don't stop yet.
Maybe have the bike police down there to monitor as booze with kids was the downfall of the rinks and I saw some coolers and people drinking in the park. This would be OK but there were a few drunks going to ruin it for the families.
Williams is right there with a patio and maybe Sarcoa can set up a drive thru.

[mattgrande]

Yes! I meant to mention the roller dancing when I was there a couple weeks ago! It was amazing seeing all those people at the waterfront. Williams was packed, and there was a party on the Harbour Queen as well. I was really pleased.

[pEte fiSt iN Ur fAce]

maybe Sarcoa can set up a drive thru.

You lost me with this one. Not sure if it was meant to be tongue-in-cheek.

I'm not a big drinker but I don't have a serious issue with drinking in public places. It would be nice to be able to take a bottle of wine to the park without being hassled by neo-prohibitionists.

[bornagainbiking]

Yes, it was a bit of sarcasm, I too agree that it should be OK to have a picnic with a beer or a bottle of wine. But, like everything there has to be some common sense.
I seem to recall that part of the demise of the roller rinks was that some underage drinking and other issues were going on in the general area. So there has to be some form of monitoring as if not it will drive away the families and people who just want to go to the park and roller skate. It really looked good there the other night hate to see a good thing ruined.

[arch100]

There is now a petition up to support residential, not commercial for the Barton-Tiffany Lands. Please sign!

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/126/046/161/bring-residential-not-commercial-to-hamiltons-west-harbour-barton-tiffany-area/

[Duckyboy]

There is now a petition up to support residential, not commercial for the Barton-Tiffany Lands. Please sign!

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/126/046/161/bring-residential-not-commercial-to-hamiltons-west-harbour-barton-tiffany-area/
Just curious, but what is wrong with commercial/business around that area?

Is it because the residents want to keep that area residential? Or is there some other reason that I'm not seeing here...

[durandy]

Just curious, but what is wrong with commercial/business around that area?

Is it because the residents want to keep that area residential? Or is there some other reason that I'm not seeing here...

I think the NEN wanted the Setting Sail mixed use designation. That was kiboshed near the railyards by CN. By the looks of the picture in that petition site, they want condos, mixed use buildings. I'm not so sure the area will go 'low quality commercial' like they warn - the value of the lands should command a higher class of commercial.

In any case the result will be a vibrant commercial area paying far more taxes than a stadium...bet none of the WH supporters will acknowledge that when it happens.

[pEte fiSt iN Ur fAce]

In any case the result will be a vibrant commercial area paying far more taxes than a stadium...bet none of the WH supporters will acknowledge that when it happens.

What in blazes are you talking about? If a referendum had been issued to 'WH supporters' asking whether they preferred a stadium or a wonderful mixed-use development for the area, there would have been no question as to their answer. But that wasn't the question at hand, was it?

There was also the very real question of whether those lands would ever be developed without a major infusion of public monies, like from a major sporting event, etc. That was the issue.

I don't think any WH supporter would take umbrage with a vibrant, mixed-use development in the WH. That's just a little insane.

[durandy]

What in blazes are you talking about? If a referendum had been issued to 'WH supporters' asking whether they preferred a stadium or a wonderful mixed-use development for the area, there would have been no question as to their answer. But that wasn't the question at hand, was it?

There was also the very real question of whether those lands would ever be developed without a major infusion of public monies, like from a major sporting event, etc. That was the issue.

I don't think any WH supporter would take umbrage with a vibrant, mixed-use development in the WH. That's just a little insane.

yeah that was pretty much the question at hand, by inference. By supporting a stadium they were precluding the mixed use. You're still singing the tune of a "very real question of whether those lands will ever be developed." And what I'm saying is when those lands are developed, you'll be the one somehow trying to wiggle your way out of the crazy hole you dug for yourself. But fine: if this plan goes nowhere, then I'll happily eat crow. Let's talk in two years.

[pEte fiSt iN Ur fAce]

I suppose so...

But what I'm suggesting is that few WH supporters were entirely comfortable with the decision to put the stadium there. Of the few options on the table, though, it was the preferred one. Anyway, that's the impression I got from other supporters.

I just hope we're still not discussing this in 15 years.

[arch100]

Just curious, but what is wrong with commercial/business around that area?

Is it because the residents want to keep that area residential? Or is there some other reason that I'm not seeing here...

It's the difference between the currently approved plan that does not permit any residential within 150 m of the rail yards and calls for commercial of up to 6000 square metres (the size of the Sobey's in the Meadowlands), compared to the vision this group has put forward for a vibrant downtown neighbiourhood that engages the water's edge.

The currently approved plan can be viewed here: http://raisethehammer.org/static/images/rethinking_waterfront_current_commercial_zoning_plan_lg.jpg

While the envisioned plan supported by the petition can be viewed here:
http://raisethehammer.org/static/images/rethinking_waterfront_concept_neighbourhood_plan_lg.jpg

If you prefer the first, then don't sign the petition. Otherwise, please sign!

[SteelTown]

Hamilton negotiating for key waterfront lands

http://www.thespec.com/news/local/article/777020--hamilton-negotiating-for-key-waterfront-lands

The city is in negotiations with the Port Authority to take back key sections of waterfront land – a move that opens up integral pieces of the water’s edge to new development.

City Manager Chris Murray has made an offer to the Port Authority for control of Pier 7 and Pier 8, which are being held by the Authority under a long-term lease. Though negotiations are still ongoing, sources say both sides are feeling positive about a deal.

Pier 7, which is slightly to the east of Discovery Drive, was set to come back into the city’s hands in 2015. Pier 8 wasn’t scheduled to come back under city control until 2025.

The move would be a huge victory for the city. One of the main concerns about waterfront development was that the city’s development agency, the Waterfront Trust, was running out of land.

“For me, the biggest obstacle not only for the waterfront trust, but for the city, is that we have no land to develop,” Councillor Chad Collins told the Spectator in early 2010. “We're trying to develop land where there's little development opportunity.”

If the deal is successful, the city would regain control of one of the ripest development parcels in Hamilton.

[realcity]

I think the City should focus efforts on the Lake side waterfront. That's where people want to be. Fresh, big, open waters. There should be 10 Baranga's there, has anyone visited Port Dalhousie? Look at Burlington... tons of people all the time, condos, vibrant commercial. The low hanging fruit to me is at the real waterfront, which is the Lake, just like all the other Great Lake Cities, from Chicago to St.Catharines. The focus of their waterfronts was the Lake Side, if you had a river or harbour or wetland -- great -- but that should not be the focus of a 'waterfront' development. It would be like Miami ignoring the Ocean and focusing it's waterfront development on the bit of water between the sandbars. That's what we are doing. We're focussing on the wrong waterfront.

BTW, the water in WH is now toxic -- as it is every summer at this time -- green slime that will kill a medium sized dog if swallowed. The WH is doing what nature made it to do, as a wetland/swamp transition it is meant to filter the gew from the water before the clean water makes its way to the Lakes.

[pEte fiSt iN Ur fAce]

I appreciate your attempt at explaining how wetlands work: filter...gew [sic]...sesspool and so on. Truly craptacular.

A fair bit of development has happened along the strip in recent years - mostly residential - including a decent, little place called Lakeland Bistro. It's probably too lame for you, though.

Anyway, the last time I checked, the water was foul on both sides of the Beach Strip so...

[NortheastWind]

Anyway, the last time I checked, the water was foul on both sides of the Beach Strip so...

Actually, the lake is quite a bit cleaner. There is monitoring and the beach on the lake side was safe for swimming as of August 7th (maybe not after the rain though).

http://www.hamilton.ca/HealthandSocialServices/PublicHealth/SafeWater/Beaches.htm

[SteelTown]

VIDEO: On the waterfront

http://www.thespec.com/videozone/778038--video-on-the-waterfront

[pEte fiSt iN Ur fAce]

[QUOTE=NortheastWind;5794577]Actually, the lake is quite a bit cleaner.QUOTE]

Yeah, thanks for that. You wouldn't drink from it, though, would ya? :cool:

[mishap]

The low hanging fruit to me is at the real waterfront, which is the Lake, just like all the other Great Lake Cities, from Chicago to St.Catharines.
Big city also on a bay: Toronto. Their waterfront isn't perfect, but it's doing pretty well. To be fair though, if they were allowed to develop on the lake side, it'd get built up in an instant.

[SteelTown]

Council approved it. A deal should be wrapped up by the end of the year.

[SteelTown]

Citizens call for residential on west-harbour lands

A grassroots push for residential development on the west harbour is gaining traction at City Hall.

North End residents Bob Carr and Kathy Renwald made a delegation to the planning committee today to present their new vision for the west harbour to council.

The citizens’ group envisions townhouses, condos and shared public green space on the vacant west harbour lands, arguing it’s a vast improvement over the commercial-heavy vision approved by the city earlier this year. The crux of that plan involves convincing CN to move the Stuart Street rail yard to make room for residential development on the water.

Carr and Renwald asked council to hold off on a $350,000 study that would put the city-approved west harbour plan in motion.

Instead, Councillor Chad Collins successfully introduced a motion asking staff to move forward with the study with the assumption that the rail yards could move. In tandem, as a “Plan B,” the study would continue with its original intent of working around the rail yard.

“That way we’re prepared for an either/or scenario,” Collins said. “If there is additional cost, I think it’s money well spent.”

Mayor Bob Bratina said he’s meeting with CN officials within the next few weeks about another issue and will add the group’s proposal to the agenda.

http://media.mmgdailies.topscms.com/images/0a/0e/9f528c5241ce892982084ea3329b.jpg
Special to the Hamilton Spectator

[CaptainKirk]

Hamilton citizens' group wants to keep West Harbour on the radar

http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/images/news/photos/2012/08/14/hi-harbour-852-8col.jpg

A citizens' group is one step closer to seeing its plan for the West Harbour come to life.

Hamilton's planning committee has agreed to include the group's plan in the West Harbor Urban Design study.

The group, lead by Hamiltonian Bob Carr with Thier + Curran Architects, met with the committee on Tuesday.

The plan incorporates mixed-use residential and commercial space, expanding on central and north neighbourhoods. It uses Caroline Street as a connecter between downtown and the waterfront.

It includes the CN-owned Stuart Street rail yard.

“It's an incredible amount of land,” Carr said. “There is so much potential.”

Mayor Bob Bratina said he will raise the future of the rail yard when he meets with CN executives in the next few weeks.

Chris Phillips, advisor to the city manager, told councillors at Tuesday's meeting that staff had been in touch with CN in June about relocating the rail yard. CN said it was not interested, Phillips told councillors.

But CN's stance shouldn't be an obstacle, said architect Agata Mancini, who is working with the group to develop the vision.

“Once they see the potential [in real estate], they'll see they can profit,” she said.

"The main thing is to keep moving forward and keep people thinking about it.”

The group has created an online petition that Mancini said they hope to present at a meeting with CN.

http://www.cbc.ca/hamilton/news/story/2012/08/14/hamilton-west-harbour.html

[CaptainKirk]

http://whitestargroup.org/Video_Tour.html

[markbarbera]

Given the stance that CN has maintained, I fear the city continually hounding CN to relocate is about as productive as a dog chasing its tail. The more aggressively we pursue this the more desperate we seem, and the cost to the city is artificially inflated.

Ms. Mancini would be better off not mentioning her petition at any future meeting with CN. After two weeks of availability and excessive media coverage surrounding it, as of 7:30 this morning the petition has only managed to collect 89 signatures, far short of the stated goal of 1000 signatures.

[flar]

CN must know they have some valuable property there. Or perhaps not, given the potentially huge cleanup costs. I'm sure liability issues and who pays what would be addressed in the conditions of sale.

[SteelTown]

If there's ANYONE that can negotiate with CN it's Bob Bratina, being a train fanatic that he is.

[arch100]

Huge progress yesterday with the city adopting the Carr/TCA vision as plan A for the Barton-Tiffany lands!

Feel free to join the facebook group to be kept updated on the progress: https://www.facebook.com/?ref=tn_tnmn#!/AWestHarbourVisionToBeProudOf

And sign the petition if you haven't already!

[pEte fiSt iN Ur fAce]

^Yeah, that's great news fer shiz.

However, for the CN yard to get moved, a monumental effort - at all levels of government - will be required. If anybody associated with the City has any favours to call in with CN, now would be the time.

I do agree, though, that pressure - perhaps gentle at first - must be applied. Sitting back and playing it cool won't get it done.

[thistleclub]

Now that the North Enders and the City are cool with height and density, maybe we can bide our time waiting to finalize the CN deal by developing comparable height and density of residential development along the Harbourfront area east of Bay and north of the tracks.

[Duckyboy]

It's the difference between the currently approved plan that does not permit any residential within 150 m of the rail yards and calls for commercial of up to 6000 square metres (the size of the Sobey's in the Meadowlands), compared to the vision this group has put forward for a vibrant downtown neighbiourhood that engages the water's edge.

The currently approved plan can be viewed here: http://raisethehammer.org/static/images/rethinking_waterfront_current_commercial_zoning_plan_lg.jpg

While the envisioned plan supported by the petition can be viewed here:
http://raisethehammer.org/static/images/rethinking_waterfront_concept_neighbourhood_plan_lg.jpg

If you prefer the first, then don't sign the petition. Otherwise, please sign!

Thanks for the info!

[pEte fiSt iN Ur fAce]

Now that the North Enders and the City are cool with height and density, maybe we can bide our time waiting to finalize the CN deal by developing comparable height and density of residential development along the Harbourfront area east of Bay and north of the tracks.

You mean this strip along Strachan?
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa121/the_dude1974/NCNtracks.jpg
It would be nice to see something get built there.

There were homes there at one point and I believe the City razed them for the proposed highway connection to the 403 (I forget the name of that thing).

[CaptainKirk]

http://www.cbc.ca/hamilton/news/story/2012/08/17/hamilton-pier-8-motion.html

A Hamilton city councillor wants to get the ball rolling on developing Pier 8.

Councillor Chad Collins said council should start thinking about creating a solid vision for the area.

“There is a lot of positive buzz around the waterfront,” he said. “We should capitalize on that buzz.”

Collins wants council to seek guidance from municipalities that have already developed their waterfronts.

“With all the recent developments in place with the city, the port authority and community groups, now is the time to start developments for Pier 8,” he said.

Council passed a motion this week to include a citizens' group plan for West Harbour in the city’s existing study on the waterfront.

Collins would like to see Pier 8 become a mixed-use space, with residences and businesses. He cites Halifax as an example to follow.

“There is residential, commercial and open public space,” he said. “And it’s walkable and pedestrian friendly.”

Collins said he expects to put his motion on the table at the Sept. 12 council meeting.

[Pearlstreet]

I was surprised to see multiple loads of soil being dumped on the site of the old Rheem factory today. More Vrancor site shinanigans again I presume. The city likely allows this as working within the confines of the tight downtown core I am sure is difficult.