[SteelTown]

Here's a list of shovel ready projects for Hamilton, which totals $1.6 billion....

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a382/hammer396/shovelready.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a382/hammer396/shovelready1.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a382/hammer396/shovelready2.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a382/hammer396/shovelready3.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a382/hammer396/shovelready4.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a382/hammer396/shovelready5.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a382/hammer396/shovelready6.jpg

[omro]

Wow...

How many of these things will go ahead without federal funding?

If the federal government funds some of these, will they actually use the money saved for anything useful, like: LRT, City Hall, etc?

Having read the other article on the Spec about the sewage treatment plant, I'm liking it on two fronts - one it cleans up harbour water and two it saves everyone money on everyone's future bills, so it's a project that does have benefit to all.

[Blurr]

I am glad to see that there are many energy efficient projects in there. Lights for example in some cases have paybacks of less than one year. The city should be able to save a considerable amount of money by considering which have the highest return. Newer higher efficient boilers also have attractive paybacks.

[matt602]

"Lister Block District - Cooling and Heating"

Huh?

[SteelTown]

So based on my calucations Hamilton should get $63,842,172 from the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund. With the other 50% from Queen's Park it's $127,684,344.

For Social Housing it's $15,960,543. I don't know if Queen's Park will double the fund.

[SteelTown]

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a382/hammer396/infrastructure.jpg

[SteelTown]

Federal Infrastructure MInister Highlights A Need For Speed
Ken Mann
2/27/2009

You can expect to see a surge in construction in Hamilton in the coming months.

That commitment comes from both Mayor Eisenberger and federal Infrastructure Minister John Baird who met to discuss the city's "shovel ready" priorities on Friday afternoon.

Baird acknowledges that there is a "need for speed" in terms of getting shovels in the ground and providing a "shot in the arm" to the local economy.

He hopes to see work begin on the first of the projects that would qualify for federal infrastructure funding within weeks, adding that there are a "wide array" of opportunities.

Mayor Eisenberger says he's pleased to see the way things are moving along and says their list of projects is ready to go once the money arrives. He adds water and sewer, roads, social housing and recreational facilities are all on that list.

Hamilton's share of the federal infrastructure fund has been pegged at upwards of 200 million dollars.

[omro]

Do we know what they plan to spend that money on?

[Gurnett71]

So based on my calucations Hamilton should get $63,842,172 from the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund. With the other 50% from Queen's Park it's $127,684,344.

For Social Housing it's $15,960,543. I don't know if Queen's Park will double the fund.

It will be interesting to see if the funding from the upper levels of gov't will mirror your projections based solely on the the population of each city. I have an uneasy feeling that there will be all sorts of porkbarrelling going on here providing some centres with a much larger proportion of funds, such as the high speed rail proposal from TO to Peterborough (http://www.thestar.com/News/FederalBudget/article/307725). I think this was eventually shelved due to the bad optics of the proposal.

Anyway, if the city receives funding anywhere near your projections, we will all benefit.

[drpgq]

Does Hamilton really need additional social housing units? I think we have plenty as it is and if there is to be new units in the overall region, they could go in Burlington, Oakville and Milton.

[omro]

http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/522182


City in line for stimulus money

February 28, 2009
The Hamilton Spectator
(Feb 28, 2009)

Federal Transport Minister John Baird paid a visit to Mayor Fred Eisenberger yesterday to tell him Hamilton is on Ottawa's radar to receive money from its $40-billion plan to kick-start the economy.

The city is looking at more than 100 projects worth $1.6 billion to see if they qualify for infrastructure funding.

Baird said his government hopes to make decisions "within weeks" and has unveiled "a major action plan" to cut red tape. He said shovels could be in the ground by June, depending on the projects. The mayor was pleased by the talk.

Meanwhile, Baird is set to travel to Washington in March to meet Transportation Secretary Ray Lahood. He said they will discuss the Detroit-Windsor bridge, the Peace Bridge and other border issues.

Baird also talked to President Barack Obama when he visited Ottawa. He saw him off at Air Force One. He called him a "very impressive guy" and said, "you bet" when asked if he was an Obama fan.

Wasn't $1.6b the price tag for LRT?

[SteelTown]

Nope, the chart below are projects worth $1.6 billion.

Here's a list of shovel ready projects for Hamilton, which totals $1.6 billion....

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a382/hammer396/shovelready.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a382/hammer396/shovelready1.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a382/hammer396/shovelready2.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a382/hammer396/shovelready3.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a382/hammer396/shovelready4.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a382/hammer396/shovelready5.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a382/hammer396/shovelready6.jpg

[omro]

It's a good list and if all or most get the go ahead, could have a HUGE positive impact upon the city.

[SteelTown]

We definitely won't get $1.6 billion from the Infrastructure fund. We be lucky to get $130 million. It's likely we'll get the money once Queen's Park submit their budget in March.

That list of projects worth $1.6 billion will be elevated after we get the figure how much we'll get. If we get $130 million a committee will narrow the list down worth $130 million.

[omro]

What would people like $130, spent on? How would you divy it up?

Personally, though it's unglam, I think the sewage system is important and stops it being used as a reason not to do other more glam things in the future.

[SteelTown]

There's a bunch of different Infrastructure funds. It's likely the City will get a different type of funds for the new sewer system.

The $130 million is likely going towards roads, recreational centres, business parks, etc. There's also another separate fund for social housing, should get $16 million.

[realcity]

Glad to see Auchmar is getting a good amount $

What's the 'Dundurn Renaissance'?

[SteelTown]

Mayor pushes for stimulus spending — now

March 04, 2009
By Nicole MacIntyre
Hamilton Spectator
http://www.thespec.com/News/BreakingNews/article/523746

The city is convening high-level strategy meetings to help Hamilton weather the shutdown of one of its major employers.

“It’s been a bee hive of activity,” said city manager Chris Murray, who is pulling together the senior management team for a meeting today.

As soon as the city learned U.S. Steel Canada was temporarily closing its local operations, Murray asked his staff to develop a response plan.

“Anything that can be done will be done.”

Mayor Fred Eisenberger has also been busy, alternating between calls with high level politicians and answering media requests from across the country.

Premier Dalton McGuinty personally called the mayor yesterday to talk to him about the province’s response.

“They understand our position and plight,” Eisenberger said, adding he urged the government to move as quickly as possible on stimulus spending.

The mayor said he also took the opportunity to remind McGuinty that the city is seeking a $16 million grant or loan to help cover special social services in this year’s budget.

“That need is greater than ever.”

In a conversation with federal Industry Minister Tony Clement, Eisenberger continued his campaign to have the newly announced Southern Ontario Development Agency located in Hamilton.

He also spoke with provincial ministers Michael Bryant and Dwight Duncan and local MPPs. Next week the city is holding a caucus meeting with all local politicians to continue planning.

Eisenberger said he’s confident after his many phone calls that the senior governments understand swift action is necessary.

“They understand the need for speed here.”

Murray is expecting every senior manager to report today on how the shutdown will impact each city department from taxation to economic development. While the city is mindful of the potential impacts on its revenues, Murray said the first priority is helping the steel workers.

“They turn to us for services in these situations.”

For example, Murray said he wants the city’s social services department to be ready to participate in information sessions that Service Canada will hold for the laid-off employees.

Eisenberger added his own office is gathering information on the shutdown to help the widowers and pensioners who have already started calling his office looking for help.

“We want to be sure we don’t turn them away and let them know what we know.”

[SteelTown]

Federal minister says stimulus money on its way

By Kevin Werner, News Staff
News
http://www.hamiltonmountainnews.com/news/article/165846

Federal Transport Minister John Baird assured Hamilton officials last week the city will quickly see the benefits from the Conservatives $40 billion economic stimulus package. But Mayor Fred Eisenberger remains concerned about how the federal funds will flow to the city.

Mr. Baird, who was touring southwestern Ontario municipalities, including Windsor Feb. 27, spent about an hour meeting with city officials explaining how the stimulus package will assist Hamilton and the surrounding communities.

“The meeting was positive,” said Mr. Eisenberger. “They expressed a strong commitment to provide the funding for shovel-ready projects.”

The city is looking at about $1.6 billion for an estimated 100 projects. Mr. Eisenberger said Hamilton will be accessing funding from both the recently approved stimulus package and the Build Canada fund.

Hamilton will apply to the Build Canada program to fund the city’s top infrastructure priority: the $700 million water and wastewater expansion. The stimulus funding will provide the necessary “quick jolts” of job creation for the city; said Mr. Eisenberger. He estimates the stimulus program could create for Hamilton between 2,000 to 3,000 jobs.

“It’s all about jobs,” he said. “With Hamilton at an 8 per cent unemployment rate, the (projected jobs) would be significant for the city.

“There will be a brilliant benefit for us from both funding sources,” he added.

The federal government stated one of the criteria for the stimulus package is to fund projects that will begin within two years. Mr. Baird suggested the federal government could accelerate the funding if the shovel-ready projects are ready by June, 2009.

Mr. Baird has been defending the federal government’s proposal to kick-start the stimulus package by releasing about $3 billion in emergency funding for the country. Liberals have argued without the proper checks and balances, the money could be wasted on useless projects.

Mr. Eisenberger expects the stimulus funding will be distributed to municipalities on a per capita basis.

“That may not be fair to older municipalities, but it is something we will live with,” he said.

There remains a few questions to be answered, including how funding will flow to municipalities and what will the criteria be for cities to access the money. The federal government will be sending the stimulus money to the provinces. It will be up to provincial officials to disperse the funding to cities. There also remains the sticking point of the federal government requiring municipalities to pay one-third of the cost of some projects. Mr. Eisenberger told Mr. Baird Hamilton can’t afford to pay for any of the infrastructure projects costs. The transport minister hinted there may be ways municipalities like Hamilton can avoid paying the extra cost for the projects.

[SteelTown]

Ontario to spend $27.5 billion on roads, schools

Canadian Press
http://www.thespec.com/News/BreakingNews/article/535362

Ontario will spend $27.5 billion on roads, schools, hospitals and public transit over the next two years in effort to create 300,000 new jobs, Premier Dalton McGuinty said Monday.

McGuinty said the huge infrastructure investment - which will be detailed in Thursday's provincial budget - will be topped up with another $5 billion from the federal government.

"We've been asked globally to find a way collectively to respond to this worldwide recession," McGuinty said as he announced the funding at a Toronto hospital.

"We're doing our part here in Ontario to stimulate the economy: $32.5 billion is the single largest two-year investment in infrastructure ever."

Transportation projects will get the biggest chunk of the infrastructure money at $9 billion, followed by health care at $7 billion and education at $4 billion.

The investment is expected to translate into 146,000 jobs in the first year and 168,000 in the second.

The federal Conservative government came under fire for inadequate oversight as it tried to get infrastructure spending out the door quickly to stimulate the economy, something McGuinty vowed won't happen in Ontario.

"It's a lot of money and we want to get it out the door in short order," he said.

"Obviously we're going to be as rigorous as we possibly can be to ensure that taxpayers are being served well, the money's being used wisely, and it's creating the jobs we want to have created."

Finance Minister Dwight Duncan has already indicated that this week's budget will include a deficit of about $18 billion over two years.

[hamiltonguy]

Of course they won't be under fire for "lack of oversight". McGuinty is too slick to ever have stuff stick on him when it should. The fact that he won last election without so much as a sweat really worries me. He is neither fiscally responsible, nor effective at achieving success in changing Ontario to a more sustainable future.

[SteelTown]

Ontario bumps up stimulus spending

March 24, 2009
The Hamilton Spectator
http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/535735

The Ontario government says it is doubling its commitment to infrastructure projects over the next two years.

Premier Dalton McGuinty announced the $27.5-billion infusion -- up from a previously promised $13.7 billion -- for roads, schools, hospitals and public transit yesterday during a visit to a Toronto hospital.

"It's a big number but, you know what? It needs to be done. Inaction is not an option," said McGuinty.

Add in Ottawa's $5-billion contribution to infrastructure projects and the total comes to $32.5 billion.

There are no specifics attached to the cash aimed at creating or supporting 300,000 new jobs in Ontario, which has been hit hard by a slumping manufacturing sector. But when the province previously announced its $13.7-billion commitment, a spokesperson said it would cover the Metrolinx transit projects in Hamilton and the GTA.

Other projects awaiting funding in Hamilton include plans to build a new elementary school in Waterdown and construction of a 300-bed hospital at the site of the Centre for Mountain Health Services.

The new funding includes $9 billion for transportation, $7 billion for hospitals and health projects, $4 billion for education and $850 million for municipal infrastructure.

[SteelTown]

With funding in place Hamilton could have LRT construction starting in 2011. B-Line is in the top 15 priorities from the Big Move recommendation. That along with Lakeshore line electrification.

[highwater]

When's the final decision on whether it's LRT or BRT for B line?

[ryan_mcgreal]

When's the final decision on whether it's LRT or BRT for B line?

Metrolinx is currently conducting a full benefits analysis. They're supposed to release their recommendation in July. Given their criteria, I would be extremely surprised if they decided against LRT for the B-Line.

[matt602]

The city is officially pushing for LRT, but ultimately it's up to Metrolinx. As ryan said though, it would be pretty surprising if they went against LRT at this point.

A-Line is a little harder to say. That one could still go either way.

[omro]

The city is officially pushing for LRT, but ultimately it's up to Metrolinx. As ryan said though, it would be pretty surprising if they went against LRT at this point.

A-Line is a little harder to say. That one could still go either way.

When the B-Line is a success, it will be harder to justify BRT for the A-Line.

[coalminecanary]

What would people like $130, spent on? How would you divy it up?

Personally, though it's unglam, I think the sewage system is important and stops it being used as a reason not to do other more glam things in the future.

I have a better idea - start by making it illegal to connect your downspout to the sewers (especially in lower city). Conduct inspections when the water company comes to take their readings. Encourage rainbarrel use. An ounce of prevention....

[omro]

I have a better idea - start by making it illegal to connect your downspout to the sewers (especially in lower city). Conduct inspections when the water company comes to take their readings. Encourage rainbarrel use. An ounce of prevention....

Great idea!

Better yet, a combination of the two.

[SteelTown]

Apparently a list of specific projects to be funded as an infrastructure project will be detailed in the upcoming budget, Thursday. I hear there are a few goodies for McMaster.

[ryan_mcgreal]

A-Line is a little harder to say. That one could still go either way.

It's also at least a decade away on the current timetable, so a lot could change by the time they get around to their analysis on the A Line.

When the B-Line is a success, it will be harder to justify BRT for the A-Line.

Quite true, but the horizon is very far off, in terms of provincial politics, and a lot can happen either way in the meantime. We could end up with a neo-Harris government that decides to kill Metrolinx entirely in favour of corporate tax cuts. 0_o

That's why it's disappointing that Metrolinx and the Province essentially decided to put off figuring out a long-term funding framework (e.g. through the use of highway tolls). Instead they're just going to build projects until they deplete their current funding envelope (~$16 billion) and sort of hope something else comes along by the time they run out of money to pay for the rest of the RTP (another ~$35 billion).

[SteelTown]

Infrastructure Stimulus Fund: $496 million worth
http://www.myhamilton.ca/NR/rdonlyres/189B9413-0AB6-42BD-BB53-99847CD56828/0/Apr27FCS09052InfrastructureStimulusFund.pdf

A few winners I see:

Hamilton Airport
Road Reconstruction
Energy Retrofit especially HECFI venues
Auchmar - Curatorial Centre
Dundurn Castle - $10 million
A new Westmount Recreation Centre (YAY!)

[highwater]

Thrilled to see Auchmar on the list, but how much? $10 million seems like an awful lot for Dundurn. I'd like to see that more evenly split between the two.

[SteelTown]

$8,470,00 for Auchmar - turn the place into a Hamilton Civic Curatorial and Welcome Centre.

Also another good thing on the list is 95 King St East (former stripper joint) - $4 million to renovate the building for housing.

For Dundurn I hope it involves fixing and improving the trail and the green space around the Castle.

[adam]

What kind of road reconstruction does it include? Is it just resurfacing? What about 2 way conversions? There would be a lot more successful businesses along Main and King if they were converted to 2 way. Resurfacing on the other hand, won't create any extra jobs except for the repavers themselves...

[SteelTown]

Both resurfacing and reconstruction. Examples of reconstruction:

Beach Boulevard $2.5 million
Concession St $3.4 million
King St (Dundas) $3.2 million
Linc (I imagine that's to repair the road from the 403 ramp to the Linc - $5 million)
Mountain Brow Boulevard $2.5 million
Queenston $2.4 million
York Road $2 million.

No major road construction for downtown Hamilton area.

[SteelTown]

Hamilton Politicians Hope To Stimulate Economy
Ken Mann
4/27/2009

The City of Hamilton is submitting a 220 million dollar wish list.

Local politicians have finalized a series of projects which they will be requesting as priorities for federal and provincial economic stimulus money.

The upper levels of government are expected to pay two-thirds of the cost of the projects. The city will cover its portion through reserves, development charges and debt.

The list is heavy on road rehabilitation and water plant upgrades, but it also includes softer services like the construction of a curatorial center at Auchmar House and a new EMS training center for police, fire and ambulance personnel.

Mayor Eisenberger hopes to start recieving approvals to move ahead with the projects in the coming weeks. He notes that city staff developed the list with federal and provincial funding criteria in mind.

The goal is to create thousands of short-term construction jobs and to support the economy as soon as possible.

[adam]

All the money needed to resurface roads should come from gas revenues and subsidies from the companies that produce the vehicles. Why should someone who walks to work or ride their bicycle have to subsidize something they don't use?

There should be an option as to what kind of public space you'd like your tax dollars to go into... public spaces for automobiles, or public spaces for people and communities.

If the roads are in bad shape and everyone who uses them wants them redone, make a toll road. Or better yet, increase tax at the gas pump. What about the auto industry subsidizing roads for their products?

[SteelTown]

City drafts $400m wish list
150 projects in the offing for stimulus cash

April 28, 2009
Nicole Macintyre
The Hamilton Spectator
http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/556098

Hamilton council faces the dilemma that perplexes children every Christmas: Do you ask Santa for everything you want or just your top picks?

You don't want to appear greedy, but what if there's a little extra room on the sleigh?

The city is banking on Santa, or rather senior levels of government, feeling generous this year. By Friday, municipalities must submit their wish lists for infrastructure funding as part of the economic stimulus plans.

Hamilton has no idea how much it could get, but estimates it may be around $130 million in total from the federal and provincial governments, based on population.

"It could be less, it could be more," said Tony Tollis, acting head of finance.

Just to be safe, the city is submitting a prioritized, $400-million list that ranges from water projects to road repairs.

Several councillors debated yesterday if the city should shorten its list to avoid senior governments selecting projects that are less of a priority, but look better politically.

"I'm really worried we are going to see some picking and choosing," said Councillor Terry Whitehead.

Tollis said staff don't want to risk the city losing out on additional funding and plan to send a priority list with nearly 150 requests.

Other councillors questioned why staff ranked neighbourhood road repairs lower than projects such as $10 million for restoring the Auchmar mansion to create a curatorial centre, and $10 million for upgrading traffic lights.

Councillor Scott Duvall noted some residents have been waiting more than a decade to see their streets fixed. It's inexcusable, he argued, to place those projects as a lower priority on the request list.

"I'm not sure this is a list the public would put together," agreed Councillor Lloyd Ferguson.

Mayor Fred Eisenberger urged council not to politicize the list, noting staff were forced to work with the governments' criteria.

"This is a golden opportunity," he said. "I hope we don't trade it off for parochial projects."

Council agreed to move smaller road projects up the list, however they still fall below the cutoff if Hamilton only gets $200 million.

The city will be required to contribute one third of the funding, and projects must be completed within two years. Hamilton's estimated $65-million share would be on top of projects already planned. Tollis said the city will be able to afford the extra cost through reserves, rates and "rejigging" its capital budget.

The city expects to know within a few weeks which projects are selected. An additional opportunity to apply for recreation funding is expected soon.


Top 10 priorities

Hamilton is submitting nearly 150 funding requests. Here are the top 10 priorities:

1. Water treatment plant upgrades --$42 million

2. Extending Trinity Church Road -- $10.5 million

3. New emergency services training facility and operations centre -- $25 million

4. Renovations to First Place seniors' housing -- $5 million

5. Road repairs, Beach Boulevard -- $2.5 million

6. Road repairs, Concession Street -- $3.4 million

7. Road repairs, the Linc -- $5 million

8. Road repairs, King Street, Dundas -- $3.2 million

9. Road repairs, Gray Road -- $4.2 million

10. Road repairs, Mud Street -- $2 million

[ryan_mcgreal]

Hamilton is submitting nearly 150 funding requests. Here are the top 10 priorities:

Talk about vision: of the top ten priorities, seven are roadwork. :P

[SteelTown]

They are good roads to repair, King, Concession, Linc (they really need to repair the 403 exit to the Linc) and Beach Boulevard.

I think we all know why they want to extend Trinity Church, two words...........Summit Park.

The priority list is worth $130 million which is what the City thinks Hamilton could get based on population.

[thistleclub]

Talk about vision: of the top ten priorities, seven are roadwork. :P

Partly local car culture, partly political pragmatism -- stimulus spending is usually aimed at creating an immediate bounce in employment numbers, and probably nothing except greenfield construction is as ready to go as roadwork. The feds will probably put money where it can have a fast payoff, so in that sense although the list is a drag, it may have a logic to it: Make it easy for them to throw piles of money our way.

[thistleclub]

A bit surprised, however, that the Linc is on that list. How old is it?

[SteelTown]

The road repair only accounts 20% of the $130 million.

The Linc from the 403 exit ramp and along the Meadowland badly needs to be repaved. Potholes after potholes and not these tiny potholes they are bigger than a large pizza and deep.

[ryan_mcgreal]

They are good roads to repair, King, Concession, Linc (they really need to repair the 403 exit to the Linc) and Beach Boulevard.

Other countries are using their stimulus money to build forward-compatible infrastructure. We're using ours to fix up yesterday's road network.

I think we all know why they want to extend Trinity Church, two words...........Summit Park.

Why not? It was enough reason to build RHVP.

A bit surprised, however, that the Linc is on that list. How old is it?

It opened in late 1997.

[SteelTown]

Other countries are using their stimulus money to build forward-compatible infrastructure. We're using ours to fix up yesterday's road network.

Other countries don't include so many strings attached to their infrastructure fund, must start construction within 30 days after receiving funds, must finish construction March 2011 if not return the money ASAP, 1/3 funding a must, etc.

Because of this municipalities can't go with large and ambitious projects.

[ryan_mcgreal]

Other countries don't include so many strings attached to their infrastructure fund

You're quite right - though I'd argue that more progressive countries have attached different strings to their infrastructure funds, requiring that they be invested in forward-thinking projects.

[SteelTown]

Not all cities in Canada will apply for this infrastructure fund, mostly because of the 1/3 mandatory funding and all the strings attached. Because of this the pot of cash could be more and therefore Hamilton could get more than $130 million.

[FairHamilton]

Talk about vision: of the top ten priorities, seven are roadwork. :P

And even still some councillors aren't happy that non-road projects get higher billing then some other road repairs................ One trick ponies.

[adam]

Throwing money into potholes won't help us get out of a recession any more than bailing out auto manufacturers.

[thistleclub]

Other countries are using their stimulus money to build forward-compatible infrastructure. We're using ours to fix up yesterday's road network.

http://yglesias.thinkprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/energy_graph1.jpg

More details and context here (http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2009/04/global_competition.html).

[Jon Dalton]

Throwing money into potholes won't help us get out of a recession any more than bailing out auto manufacturers.

Right. But we have to do whatever we can to keep people buying cars while we we pay the big 3 to keep making them.

[SteelTown]

Here's the list based on priority................

No. Department / Division / Section Capital Project Description Project Type: Rehabilitation / New Construction / Expansion Costs

1 Public Works - Water/WasteWater Water Treatment Plant Upgrades Rehabilitation $ 42,000,000

2 Planning & Economic Development Road Urbanization - Trinity Church Road New Construction $ 10,500,000

3 HES Emergency Services Training Facility /Emergency Operations Centre New Construction $ 25,000,000

4 Community Services - Housing Seniors Housing - First Place Rehabilitation $ 5,000,000

5 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - Beach Boulevard - Woodward to Eastport Rehabilitation $ 2,500,000

6 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - Concession Street Rehabilitation Rehabilitation $ 3,400,000

7 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - LINC - Hwy.403 to Dartnall Road Rehabilitation $ 5,000,000

8 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - King Street - Downtown Dundas Rehabilitation Rehabilitation $ 3,200,000

9 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - Highway No 8 - Gray Road to Dewitt Road Rehabilitation $ 4,200,000

10 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - Mud Street - Paramount Drive to Upper Centennial Pkwy Rehabilitation $ 2,000,000

11 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - Queenston Road - Pottruff to Donn Rehabilitation $ 2,400,000

12 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - Paramount Drive - Mud to Winterberry Rehabilitation $ 1,200,000

13 Public Works - Roads Program Road Reconstruction - Governors Road & Davidson Roundabout Rehabilitation $ 1,400,000

14 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - Fennell Avenue - Upper Ottawa to Mountain Brow Rehabilitation $ 1,300,000

15 Public Works - Roads Program Road Reconstruction - Highway No.8 - Hillcrest to Park Rehabilitation $ 3,900,000

16 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - York Road - Newman Road to Valley Road Rehabilitation $ 2,000,000

17 Public Works - Roads Program Road Reconstruction - Mountain Brow Boulevard Rehabilitation $ 2,500,000

18 Public Works - Energy Energy Retrofit - 700 Woodward Ave Rehabilitation $ 4,500,000

19 Public Works - Energy Energy Retrofit - Lister District Energy Expansion Rehabilitation $ 1,200,000

20 Public Works - Energy Energy Retrofit - Hamilton Convention Center Rehabilitation $ 1,500,000

21 Public Works - Energy Energy Retrofit - Hamilton Place Rehabilitation $ 1,500,000

22 Public Works - Energy Energy Retrofit - Copps Coliseum Rehabilitation $ 1,700,000

23 Public Works - Energy Energy Retrofit - Fire Station #24 - 252 Parkside Dr. E Rehabilitation $ 26,500

24 Public Works - Energy Energy Retrofit - Fire Station #23 - 19 Memorial Square Rehabilitation $ 26,000

25 Public Works - Energy Energy Retrofit - Fire Station #05 - 1000 Limeridge Road E Rehabilitation $ 23,000

26 Public Works - Energy Energy Retrofit - Central Public Library - 55 York Blvd. Rehabilitation $ 608,000

27 Public Works - Energy Energy Retrofit - Terryberry Library - 100 Mohawk Road W Rehabilitation $ 88,500

28 Public Works - Energy Energy Retrofit - Sherwood Library - 467 Upper Ottawa Rehabilitation $ 61,000

29 Public Works - Energy Energy Retrofit - Wentworth Ops Ctr. - 330 Wentworth Rehabilitation $ 800,000

30 Public Works - Energy Energy Retrofit - Gage Park Green House - 1000 Main St E Rehabilitation $ 1,000,000

31 Public Works - Energy Energy Retrofit - LightSaver LED Pilot - TH&B Tunnel Rehabilitation $ 55,000

32 Community Services - Culture Curatorial Centre at Auchmar Rehabilitation $ 10,000,000

33 Community Services - Housing New seniors building - 690 Stone Church Road West, New Construction $ 3,600,000

34 Planning & Economic Development Road Urbanization - Rymal Road East - from Dartnall Road to Upper Centennial Road Expansion $ 33,000,000

35 PW - Parks Open Space Victoria Park redevelopment Rehabilitation $ 900,000

36 PW - Parks Open Space Glanbrook Sports Complex, Artificial Turf Soccer Field Rehabilitation $ 1,650,000

37 PW - Parks Open Space Courtcliffe Park, permeable parking lot 300 vehicles Rehabilitation $ 1,200,000

38 PW - Parks Open Space William McCulloch Park, redevelopment ball diamonds Rehabilitation $ 1,000,000

39 PW - Parks Open Space Billy Sherring Park, Artificial Turf Soccer Field Rehabilitation $ 1,650,000

40 PW - Parks Open Space Turner Park Ball Field Sports Field Lighting & Servicing Rehabilitation $ 1,100,000

41 Community Services - Housing Social Housing - 95 King Street East, Rehabilitation $ 4,000,000

42 PW - Traffic Traffic Signal Control Systems Technology Upgrade Rehabilitation $ 10,000,000

43 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - Bryna Avenue - Huntsville to Upper Wellington (Greeningdon Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 130,200

44 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - Coronet Court - Luscombe to end (Greeningdon Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 25,000

45 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - Deschene Avenue - Luscombe to June (Greeningdon Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 580,000

46 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - Greeningdon Drive - Hester to Manning (Greeningdon Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 383,000

47 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - Huntsville Street - Deschene to June (Greeningdon Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 203,000

48 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - June Street - Manning to Huntville (Greeningdon Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 158,000

49 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - Limeridge Road East - Ridge to Upper Wellington (Greeningdon Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 725,000

50 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - Luscombe Street - Hayden to Upper Wellington (Greeningdon Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 560,000

51 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - Maitland Avenue - June to Limeridge (Greeningdon Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 77,600

52 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - Manning Avenue - Luscombe to end (Greeningdon Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 655,000

53 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - Purdy Crescent - Greeningdon to end (Greeningdon Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 400,000

54 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - Ridge Street - Hester to Limeridge (Greeningdon Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 380,000

55 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - Victor Boulevard - Ridge to Ridge (Greeningdon Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 500,000

56 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - Washington Street - Purdy to Deschene (Greeningdon Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 110,000

57 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - Astra Court - Jaunita to end (Westcliffe East Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 46,700

58 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - Bendamere Avenue - West 26th to Upper Paradise (Westcliffe East Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 225,000

59 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - Brenlyn Court - Sanatorium to end (Westcliffe East Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 118,009

60 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - Elmwood Avenue - Garth to Upper Paradise (Westcliffe East Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 790,000

61 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - Fisher Crescent - Bendamere to Bendamere (Westcliffe East Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 330,000

62 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - Juanita Drive - Brenlyn to Mohawk (Westcliffe East Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 355,000

63 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - Leeward Place - Juanita to end (Westcliffe East Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 12,270

64 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - Sanatorium Road - Garth to Upper Paradise (Westcliffe East Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 579,000

65 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - West 22nd Street - Fisher to Sanatorium (Westcliffe East Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 205,000

66 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - West 23rd Street - Leslie to Sanatorium (Westcliffe East Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 530,000

67 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - West 24th Street - Leslie to Sanatorium (Westcliffe East Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 729,900

68 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - West 25th Street - Leslie to Sanatorium (Westcliffe East Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 275,000

69 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - West 27th Street - Price to Sanatorium (Westcliffe East Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 930,000

70 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - Burns Place - East 38th to end (Raleigh Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 75,350

71 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - East 31st Street - Concession to Fennell (Raleigh Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 599,934

72 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - East 32nd Street - Concession to Crockett (Raleigh Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 155,325

73 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - East 33rd Street - Concession to Queensdale (Raleigh Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 186,150

74 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - East 34th Street - Fennell to Queensdale (Raleigh Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 330,000

75 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - East 35th Street - private road to Crockett (Raleigh Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 225,000

76 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - East 36th Street - Crockett to end (Raleigh Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 245,000

77 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - East 38th Street - Queensdale to Fennell (Raleigh Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 530,000

78 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - East 39th Street - Queensdale to Crockett (Raleigh Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 156,100

79 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - Mountain Park Avenue - Upper Sherman to Concession (Raleigh Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 600,000

80 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - Patricia Place - Est 38th to end (Raleigh Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 62,000

81 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - Upper Sherman Avenue - Concession to Mountain Park (Raleigh Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 149,000

82 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - Virginia Court - Brucedale to end (Raleigh Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 135,000

83 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - Bendamere Avenue - Upper Paradise to West 35th (Westcliffe West Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 347,750

84 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - Elmwood Avenue - Upper Paradise to West 33rd (Westcliffe West Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 173,900

85 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - Leslie Avenue - Upper Paradise to West 35th (Westcliffe West Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 260,350

86 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - Sanatorium Road - Upper Paradise to Rice (Westcliffe West Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 319,430

87 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - Kings Gate - Monarch to Pleasant (Pleasant Valley West Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 71,550

88 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - Monarch Court - Kings Gate to end (Pleasant Valley West Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 207,880

89 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - Orchard Avenue - Turnbull to Pleasant (Pleasant Valley West Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 197,790

90 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - Rhodes Court - Turnbull to end (Pleasant Valley West Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 43,980

91 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - Terrace Drive - Turnbull to Turnbull (Pleasant Valley West Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 547,600

92 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - Turnbull Road - Autumn Leaf to end (Pleasant Valley West Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 586,500

93 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - Valleyview Court - Pleasant to end (Pleasant Valley West Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 97,570

94 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - Whitfield Court - Turnbull to end (Pleasant Valley West Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 38,970

95 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - Adams Street - Cannon to end (Gibson Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 40,650

96 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - Arthur Avenue North - King to Wilson (Gibson Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 136,200 $ 317,519,658
97 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - Chestnut Avenue - Wilson to Barton (Gibson Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 298,200

98 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - Earl Street - Barton to end (Gibson Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 246,000

99 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - Farleigh Avenue North - King to Wilson (Gibson Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 141,000

100 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - Fife Street - Chestnut to Sherman (Gibson Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 88,200

101 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - Fullerton Avenue - Barton to Princess (Gibson Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 136,200

102 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - Gibson Avenue - King to end (Gibson Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 640,000
103 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - Greenaway Avenue - Wilson to Cannon (Gibson Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 79,680

104 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - Harvey Street - Sanford to Birch (Gibson Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 180,000

105 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - Hazel Avenue - Wilson to Cannon (Gibson Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 73,180

106 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - Holton Avenue North - King to Wilson (Gibson Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 105,000

107 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - Huntley Street - Cannon to end (Gibson Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 50,950

108 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - Huron Street - Sanford to Stirton (Gibson Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 160,785

109 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - Kinrade Avenue - Cannon to Barton (Gibson Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 220,000

110 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - Madison Avenue - Wilson to end (Gibson Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 153,447

111 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - Milton Avenue - Barton to Princess (Gibson Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 181,100

112 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - Princess Street - Milton to Sherman (Gibson Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 420,000

113 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - Stirton Street - King to Cannon (Gibson Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation $ 194,000

114 Public Works - Roads Program Road Rehabilitation - Westinghouse Avenue - Barton to Mylar (Gibson Neighbourhood) Rehabilitation

115 City New Visitor Orientation Centre for the Westfield Heritage Village (Flamborough) New Construction $ 1,500,000

116 Planning & Economic Development Road Urbanization Binbrook Road West/Hwy 56 Expansion $ 19,000,000

117 Community Services - Housing Social Housing - 4 Bridgewater Court New Construction $ 1,900,000

118 Community Services - Culture Dundurn Castle Renovations Rehabilitation $ 10,000,000

119 Public Works - Water/WasteWater Bio Gas/ Digester (Energy Recovery) Rehabilitation and New Construction $ 30,000,000

120 Public Works - Water/WasteWater Ferguson Pumping Station Upgrades Rehabilitation $ 20,000,000

121 Public Works - Water/WasteWater Kenilworth Water Reservoir and Pumping Station Upgrades Rehabilitation $ 6,800,000

122 Public Works - Water/WasteWater Stone Church Water Reservoir and Pumping Station Upgrades Rehabilitation $ 4,500,000

123 Public Works - Water/WasteWater Hillcrest Water Reservoir Upgrades Rehabilitation $ 8,600,000

124 HECFI Copps Coliseum - Replacement of Roof Rehabilitation $ 1,500,000

125 HECFI Hamilton Place - Rehabilitation of Exterior Concrete Walls Rehabilitation $ 250,000

126 Community Services - Lodges Macassa Lodge Kitchen & Dietary Refurbishment Rehabilitation $ 1,400,000

127 Community Services - Lodges Wentworth Lodge 1989 Wing Refurbishment Rehabilitation $ 900,000

128 Community Services - Lodges Macassa Lodge Resident Care Equipment and Facility renovation Rehabilitation $ 1,000,000

129 Community Services - Recreation Westmount Recreation Centre New Construction $ 21,000,000

130 Community Services - Recreation Lower Stoney Creel Recreation Centre - Phase One New Construction $ 13,000,000

131 Community Services - Recreation Morgan Firestone Arena Twinning Expansion $ 10,275,000

132 Community Services - Recreation Sir Allen MacNab Rehabilitation Project Rehabilitation $ 3,000,000

133 Community Services - Recreation Hill Park Rehabilitation Rehabilitation $ 2,000,000

134 Community Services - Recreation Sir Wilfrid Laurier Rehabilitation Rehabilitation $ 1,500,000

135 Community Services - Recreation Winona Seniors Expansion Expansion $ 900,000

136 Community Services - Recreation Scott Park Arena Expansion Expansion $ 2,000,000

137 Community Services - Recreation Parkdale Arena Retrofit Rehabilitation $ 1,650,000

138 Community Services - Recreation Inch Park Arena Retrofit Rehabilitation $ 1,500,000

139 Community Services - Recreation Rosedale Arena Retrofit Rehabilitation $ 1,650,000

140 Community Services - Recreation Carlisle Arena Retrofit Rehabilitation $ 970,000

141 Community Services - Recreation Rosedale Outdoor Pool Retrofit Rehabilitation $ 2,000,000

142 Community Services - Recreation Green Acres Outdoor Pool Retrofit Rehabilitation $ 2,000,000

143 Community Services - Recreation Parkdale Pool Retrofit Rehabilitation $ 2,000,000

144 Community Services - Recreation Inch Park Pool Retrofit Rehabilitation $ 2,000,000

145 Community Services - Recreation Birge Outdoor Pool Retrofit Rehabilitation $ 2,000,000

146 Community Services - Recreation Chedoke Twin Pad Floor Replacement Rehabilitation $ 1,050,000

147 Community Services - Recreation Beemer Park Washroom Facility New Construction $ 300,000

148 Community Services - Recreation Redemeer College Soccer Complex New Construction $ 8,000,000

149 Community Services - Recreation Coronation Arena Public/Private Partnership $ 3,000,000

[SteelTown]

Hamilton's $400 million wish list
Top proposals for Friday funding deadline

April 29, 2009
Nicole MacIntyre
http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/556680

Emergency services training facility: $25 million

The training facility at Nebo and Stone Church roads, built for firefighters, is overdue to be replaced. A year ago, an engineer estimated the outdoor structure had two years left. Emergency workers want to build a state-of-the-art indoor facility that can be used year-round. It will also offer training space for paramedics and police, including a shooting range. The project has been on the books for several years, but there's never been funding available. The facility would also become the city's new operations centre in emergencies. The fire service is considering relocating a station to the site.

Artificial soccer turf: $3.3 million

Demand for prime soccer fields is increasing. Natural fields need breaks to keep the grass healthy, which can be a scheduling nightmare. Recreation staff want to install artificial turf on two fields at Billy Sherring Park and the Glanbrook Sports Complex. The pricey fields can handle continuous play and activity during the shoulder seasons.

Restore Auchmar to create curatorial centre: $10 million

The city has been struggling for years to find the money and plan to save the historic Mountain estate that has fallen into disrepair. Cultural staff have also been searching for a new conservation lab to work on the city's collections and for a storage facility. The new plan calls for Auchmar to be restored as a curatorial centre that will house more than a million artifacts. It could also host city events.

Renovate First Place and build a seniors' apartment: $8.6 million

The housing department wants to meet the growing demand for seniors' accommodation. First Place is overdue for $5 million in renovations to repair roof leaks, replace elevators and buy new boilers. On Stone Church Road West, the city also wants to build a new seniors' apartment with 30 units. It's on the site of a former apartment project demolished because of unstable ground. The city has fixed the problem and says there is major demand for seniors' housing on the Mountain.

Energy retrofits: $13.1 million

The city is proposing 14 projects to help it get closer to its goal of reducing energy consumption by 20 per cent by 2020. From replacing aging lighting in libraries and fire stations to expanding the city's downtown district energy system to the Lister Block, the projects promise to save the city $1.5 million a year in energy costs. The proposal also includes $4.5 million for a major energy retrofit of the city's water operations on Woodward Avenue.

New roads on the southeast Mountain: $43.5 million

The city has been waiting for funding to extend Trinity Church Road and expand Rymal Road from Dartnall to Upper Centennial Parkway. The environmental studies and planning are done. The projects are part of a larger plan to reduce congestion and eventually connect the Glanbrook Industrial Park to the airport.

Traffic signal upgrades: $10 million

Improving the timing of Hamilton's traffic lights could save residents $3.5 million a year in fuel. It would also cut car emissions while making signals more sensitive to pedestrians. The city wants to install high-tech sensors to upgrade the system.

[emge]

Traffic signal upgrades: $10 million

Improving the timing of Hamilton's traffic lights could save residents $3.5 million a year in fuel. It would also cut car emissions while making signals more sensitive to pedestrians. The city wants to install high-tech sensors to upgrade the system.

Seriously?
The pedestrian thing sounds nice, but even "better" timing to speed faster through our streets and not have to stop...

[drpgq]

Hamilton's $400 million wish list
Top proposals for Friday funding deadline

Emergency services training facility: $25 million

The training facility at Nebo and Stone Church roads, built for firefighters, is overdue to be replaced. A year ago, an engineer estimated the outdoor structure had two years left. Emergency workers want to build a state-of-the-art indoor facility that can be used year-round. It will also offer training space for paramedics and police, including a shooting range. The project has been on the books for several years, but there's never been funding available. The facility would also become the city's new operations centre in emergencies. The fire service is considering relocating a station to the site.


I have to say this isn't a priority for me at all. Where's the value for money in building a $25 million Taj Mahal? I can think of a lot more productive uses for this money. Two way streets, bike lanes, buying Treble Hall and fixing it up, fixing up the strip club they bought, fixing up the old Sandbar, investing in energy efficiency for city facilities, new buses.

[matt602]

I agree, $25 Mil for that just sounds absolutely ridiculous. That's only $5 Mil shy of the total price of the Lister project, which is also grossly overpriced.

[SteelTown]

Peeling back the past at Dundurn

May 02, 2009
Nicole Macintyre
The Hamilton Spectator
http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/558962

Turns out Sir Allan MacNab had better taste than historians gave him credit for.

Conservationists peeling back the wall coverings of Dundurn Castle have uncovered the historic mansion's original decor dating back more than 150 years.

In the foyer, hidden beneath bold, thistle wallpaper and more than half a dozen other finishes, there is evidence of a faux marble facade that would have greeted guests at the wedding of MacNab's daughter.

With time and money, the city hopes the same finish will soon welcome new visitors.

"We have the opportunity to make the experience here richer," said Kenneth Heaman, Dundurn's curator.

"We can increase the level of authenticity and accuracy."

Recreating the rooms will be just one step in a massive renovation that will cost $10 million and also include needed structural repairs. Two years ago, the plaster ceiling in the dining room nearly collapsed. It has since been fixed, but there are fears other ceilings are at risk.

The city has applied for federal and provincial infrastructure money for the so-far-unfunded project.

A conservation specialist recently spent hours at the national historic site uncovering old finishes. Using solvents, she peeled back each layer of wall covering to find MacNab's original selections.

In the drawing room, now a bright mauve, she found the original paint was a light bronze accented by metallic flecks. In other rooms, walls samples analyzed in a lab have revealed early wallpapers that can be recreated.

When the property was restored in 1967, researchers used tools they had available to recreate Dundurn. Technology has come a long way in the four decades.

"They did get a lot of it right, but time marches on," explained Therese Charbonneau, senior conservator with the city.

"We can find out a lot more now. They laid the groundwork ... we're building on it."

Once the finishes have been uncovered, the city wants to restore the home to how it looked in 1855 when MacNab, then prime minister of the Province of Canada, hosted his daughter's wedding. It's likely that his home would have been in prime condition to impress guests.

Furniture and accessories throughout the home are also showing wear, Heaman said, pulling back a blanket to reveal the decaying arm of a chaise.

"We've done a good job of hiding the problems."

Dundurn's tour guides have started to prepare visitors for the planned changes by pointing out test patches in the walls.

Heaman believes the castle's admirers may be sad to see the iconic foyer redone.

"Everyone has a memory of that wallpaper and we're going to remove it," he said, noting that for decades people have loved, criticized and sometimes replicated Dundurn's style.

"We are sensitive to how people perceive the present decor."

Still, both Heaman and Charbonneau say, as stewards of the historic jewel, they have a duty to ensure it accurately reflects the past. "We're calling it the Dundurn renaissance," said Heaman.

Visitors can see the initial conservation discoveries today and tomorrow when Dundurn offers free admission from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for Doors Open Hamilton.

[SteelTown]

Hamilton is starting to get some of the infrastructure money from the federal and provincal government........

$35 million from the feds
$15 million from Queen's Park
$41.6 million from City Hall
$91.6 million in total.

All of that funding going towards Hamilton Harbour Clean Up project.

Dechlorination of Wastewater in Dundas - $3.4 million
Hamilton Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Control - $82 million
Naturalization of Windermere Basin - $6.2 million

The money from the feds is from the Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund. NOT the stimulus money. We're still waiting for that.

[SteelTown]

City is going to submit a $84 million funding request for the Recreational Infrastructure Stimulus fund. Must be completed by March 31, 2011.

Noticeable projects:
Gage Park Softball Field Rehabilitation
Victoria Park Redevelopment, Phase 3
Scott Park Arena Rehabilitation
Westmount Recreation Centre (YAY!!!)
Lower Stoney Creek Recreation Centre
Morgan Firestone Arena Twinning

[SteelTown]

Looks like the feds will start to parading around the province announcing what will get funded with the stimulus money soon.

I'm going to guess we'll get around $120-170 million worth of stimulus money.

[realcity]

You know what's effedup?

Harper was criticized early on in the recession for not spending money.... basically for not having a stimulus package. After Canadians had a vocabulary from George Bush then Obama, what was formerly called by Bob Rae, 'spend your way out of a recession' is now called a much better 'stimulus'.

Now Harper made a massive deficit for stimulus spending and the same critics are now saying that he's spending too much money.

I'm not a huge fan of Harper, I'm just saying, get your play right. Now that the recession has bottomed out without the stimulus spending, when that hits we might be looking at massive inflation.

[BrianE]

Much of the outrage to the $50 Billion deficit it not being communicated very well I think. We all knew the Feds were going into the red this year and we knew money earmarked for stimulus spending was going to be ~$35 Billion. But what's the deal with the extra $15 Billion on top of that, Flaherty and crew don't seem to be dealing with that portion of the deficit very well.

It would be nice if Ignatieff and company would clarify their outrage a bit instead of looking like fools going on about $50 Billion when we all know they would be spending at least $35 Bills themselves if they were in power.

[drpgq]

Much of the outrage to the $50 Billion deficit it not being communicated very well I think. We all knew the Feds were going into the red this year and we knew money earmarked for stimulus spending was going to be ~$35 Billion. But what's the deal with the extra $15 Billion on top of that, Flaherty and crew don't seem to be dealing with that portion of the deficit very well.

It would be nice if Ignatieff and company would clarify their outrage a bit instead of looking like fools going on about $50 Billion when we all know they would be spending at least $35 Bills themselves if they were in power.

Isn't part of the $15 billion to do with increased costs for the auto bailouts?

Actually the federal government deficits don't concern me that much. With oil rocketing up again, they will disappear faster than predicted. I am very concerned about Ontario's deficit. A higher dollar won't help Ontario at all, plus higher gas prices will gouge the sprawlers, leading to a very feeble economy and pathetic tax revenues.

[adam]

Gas prices may have gone up, but consumption has gone down.

[drpgq]

Gas prices may have gone up, but consumption has gone down.

Source?

[adam]

Consumption has decreased. Consider:

Products are not being produced or consumed at the rate they were. If they aren't being consumed or produced, they aren't being shipped at the rate they were previously. This includes freighters from China, etc.

Also companies are shutting down so there are fewer corporate trucks/vehicles on the road. Unemployment rates are going up - so there are fewer commuters on the road.

Sorry I don't have time to cite or source these things. But let me know if I've overlooked something.

[drpgq]

Consumption has decreased. Consider:

Products are not being produced or consumed at the rate they were. If they aren't being consumed or produced, they aren't being shipped at the rate they were previously. This includes freighters from China, etc.

Also companies are shutting down so there are fewer corporate trucks/vehicles on the road. Unemployment rates are going up - so there are fewer commuters on the road.

Sorry I don't have time to cite or source these things. But let me know if I've overlooked something.

I read somewhere (unfortunately I can't remember, I'll have to hunt for it) that the number of miles driven in the US is only down a measly 1% year over year. Since oil in North America is mainly for personal vehicle use compared to natural gas or coal for industrial uses (and natural gas prices are in the toilet), it is a reasonable bet oil is going higher. And so the commuters in Ontario will suffer. Especially next year when the PST kicks in on gas.

[ryan_mcgreal]

I read somewhere (unfortunately I can't remember, I'll have to hunt for it) that the number of miles driven in the US is only down a measly 1% year over year.

The distance driven dropped 5% from 2007 to 2008, and is down again slightly in 2009, despite the relative respite in fuel prices.

Of note, however: despite the sharpest, deepest global recession since the Great Depression, oil is still trading around $60/barrel. When all the bajillions of dollars in Keynesian counter-cyclical spending kick in and the economy recovers, oil prices will skyrocket again. I wouldn't be surprised to see oil hit $200 by the peak of the next price swing.

Incidentally, the absolute best thing we could do across North America would be to impose a fairly stiff gas tax. This may sound counter-intuitive, but please read on:

High, volatile oil prices are bad for everybody: bad for consumers (personal and corporate) because it's difficult to budget for fuel expenses when the price swings 150% over a six month period; bad for producers because they can't get the stable demand necessary to justify investing in expensive, non-conventional sources; and bad for the economy as a whole by fomenting instability in secondary and tertiary industries.

High, stable prices are much better. A tax accomplishes several things at once:

1. When tax is a bigger share of the total price of fuel, swings in the price of oil have a smaller impact on the overall price.

2. When consumers come to expect a reasonably stable high price, they're more willing to adjust spending decisions to take those prices into account.

3. It's long been understood by economists that high energy prices drive innovation in fuel efficiency that more than offset the higher cost. For example, Europeans pay double what North Americans pay for fuel, but drive about as much as North Americans do (17,000 km/year in Europe to 18,000 km/year in North America) while consuming only half as much energy per capita. It's no coincidence that the best-performing cars and the most consistently profitable car companies in the world have their home bases in countries with very high fuel prices.

4. Over time, high prices push the economy as a whole toward reduced reliance on oil, which means volatile swings in the oil price and even supply disruptions have less capacity to disrupt economic activity.

The auto industry understands this. In recent months we've had the CEO and Chairman of Ford Motor Company both point out that the price of gas in the US has to double so that the auto companies can make a living selling small cars.

[FairHamilton]

I read somewhere (unfortunately I can't remember, I'll have to hunt for it) that the number of miles driven in the US is only down a measly 1% year over year. Since oil in North America is mainly for personal vehicle use compared to natural gas or coal for industrial uses (and natural gas prices are in the toilet), it is a reasonable bet oil is going higher. And so the commuters in Ontario will suffer. Especially next year when the PST kicks in on gas.

From February 2009; http://money.cnn.com/2009/02/19/autos/miles_driven.reut/index.htm?postversion=2009021906.

Also, note that decrease was still continuing even though the price of gas was well off it's 2008 highs.

[drpgq]

From February 2009; http://money.cnn.com/2009/02/19/autos/miles_driven.reut/index.htm?postversion=2009021906.

Also, note that decrease was still continuing even though the price of gas was well off it's 2008 highs.

Thanks for that info. Although in my defence:

Driving Season in U.S. May Beat Forecasts, IEA Says (Update1)
Share | Email | Print | A A A

By Ben Sharples

June 1 (Bloomberg) -- Fuel demand during the U.S. summer driving season may prove stronger than projected as consumers recover from the shock of the global financial crisis, an International Energy Agency official said.

“It wouldn’t surprise me if it was a better driving season than some people have forecast,” IEA Deputy Executive Director Richard Jones told reporters at the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association conference today.

The peak U.S. gasoline consumption period lasts from the Memorial Day holiday until Labor Day in early September, as Americans take to the highways for vacations. New York benchmark oil rose beyond $67 today for the first time since November, as China’s manufacturing expanded for a third month and the nation raised fuel prices.

“People are getting over the shock of the economic data, the financial crisis and the recession, and you are starting to see what are still anecdotal reports I think more than anything else of these so-called green shoots,” Jones said at the conference in Darwin. “It’s changing attitudes in the market -- I think that’s what it is.”

U.S. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke used the term “green shoots” in March to describe positive signals he saw in some financial markets.

[drpgq]

I checked the DOT website and the last info they have for March is -1.2% (year over year), which isn't far off from 1%. Which is interesting considering the state of the US economy.

[markbarbera]

The price of oil is higher than expected during this recession for the same reason gold is, and it has more to do with the US dollar than supply/demand issues. The financial crisis in the US has led to an unprecedented move away from the US dollar on the currency market. Jittery investors are looking for safe havens for their funds, and are moving their US dollars into commodity markets, thereby driving up the price of oil and gold, as well as the value of the currencies of commodity-based economies like the Canadian dollar.

Once the US economy is firmly in recovery (or more specifically, once the banking sector has overcome its crisis), confidence in the American dollar will return, and investment will shift back from commodities to the US dollar, bringing some relief to the price of oil and gold. Consequently, while there will be some upward pressure on the price of oil as a result of increased demand, it will be offset by this shift out of commodities and back into the greenback.Given these conditions, oil will climb upwards, but it certainly won't skyrocket.

[ryan_mcgreal]

Given these conditions, oil will climb upwards, but it certainly won't skyrocket.

You're ignoring what happens when demand returns to the level it hit in mid-2008 (~86 mbpd) and the global oil infrastructure cannot step up to supply what the market demands. The marginal cost (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marginal_cost) to produce an additional barrel of oil beyond the industry's peak production rate will explode and the price will skyrocket again in the next cycle of peak oil's bumpy plateau (http://raisethehammer.org/blog/1183).

As tempting as it is to blame last summer's high prices on speculators, the evidence does not bear that hypothesis out.

If speculators were bidding up the futures price beyond straight market demand, suppliers would sit on inventory and wait to sell it later at higher prices. However, inventories did not increase (http://raisethehammer.org/article/811) during the 2008 run-up in oil prices.

[adam]

Its quaint to think that oil and gold prices are determined by supply and demand.

[ryan_mcgreal]

Its quaint to think that oil and gold prices are determined by supply and demand.

OPEC is basically powerless to fix prices and has been for nearly 30 years. The publicly traded oil companies, much as they benefited from windfall profits over the past few years, have to take the good with the bad and make very slim profit margins even when prices are high.

Kindly note that oil traded around $15/barrel through the late 1990s. If the oil industry can fix prices, why did they let prices languish so low for so many years that they could barely break even and couldn't afford to invest in new production capacity?

On the other hand, the price of oil has risen steadily over the past decade as demand has steadily crowded closer and closer to the peak production rate of around 85 mbpd and capacity cushions (particularly in Saudi Arabia) have evaporated.

Allowing for seasonal fluctuation (higher prices during the "summer driving season" and temporary supply shortages during hurricane season), the price of oil has very closely tracked the balance of supply and demand over the past decade.

Edit: to re-word the unpleasantly-written second paragraph (thanks, highwater, for making me see the light!).

[highwater]

If you dispute this, please explain why...

Nooooo! You've been arguing with A Smith for so long, you've picked up his unpleasant habit of rhetorically demanding explanations from people. :yuck: Please return to your usual generous, yet professorial style. :D

[adam]

no he's right. i should be able to back up my claims... but i don't have the time to do the fact checking... so i'm just going to keep my mouth shut. take care guys!

[ryan_mcgreal]

Nooooo! You've been arguing with A Smith for so long, you've picked up his unpleasant habit of rhetorically demanding explanations from people.

Yikes! I'll have to watch for that (and adam, please accept my apologies if a rude tone came across - it wasn't my intention).

In my defence, the question wasn't rhetorical. There may be a perfectly good reason for the low oil price through the latter 1990s that is consistent with the hypothesis that oil price is not mainly a function of supply and demand. I do try to be willing to change my mind when the facts change. :)

[adam]

No need to apologize, your response was informative and thought provoking.

[astroblaster]

pffftt come on guys, i don't lurk here to witness this kind of civility


;)

[adam]

pffftt come on guys, i don't lurk here to witness this kind of civility

;)


Errr, care to provide a full bibliography that PROVES that you don't lurk here to witness civility or retract your statement? :haha:

[realcity]

Ryan... first rule in PR/Politics

1. Never answer a rhetorical question.

2. Is never answer 'no comment'

Rhetoricals ?s are a setup.

[ryan_mcgreal]

1. Never answer a rhetorical question.

Do you seriously expect me to follow this?

[adam]

Shovel ready -------> http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/images/smilies/goodnight.gif

[SteelTown]

Looks like the feds will start to parading around the province announcing what will get funded with the stimulus money soon.

I'm going to guess we'll get around $120-170 million worth of stimulus money.

How much infrastructure cash will Hamilton get?
Ottawa, province, set to release projects

June 05, 2009
Nicole MacIntyre
Hamilton finds out this afternoon what it’s getting from the provincial and federal infrastructure goodie bag.

John Baird, Canada's Minister of Transport, Infrastructure, and Communities, and George Smitherman, Ontario's Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and Infrastructure, are in Oakville at 1 p.m. to announce a joint federal and provincial stimulus investment for Ontario communities.

Half an hour later, local politicians will gather at Bayfront Park to reveal Hamilton’s share of the pot.

The city submitted a prioritized, $400-million wish list that ranges from water projects to road repairs. Staff estimate the city could receive about $130 million based on population.

Mayors across the country have complained the government has taken too long to roll out the program that was meant to create jobs in rough economic times. 

[LikeHamilton]

Hamilton gets $122 million for infrastructure

Nicole MacIntyre

Hamilton is getting $122 million in infrastructure funding from the province and federal government.

Local politicians gathered at Bayfront Park this afternoon to announce the funding envelope that is meant to stimulate the economy.

The money will be used for 14 projects, including $42 million for the water treatment plant and $25 million for a new emergency training facility on the Mountain.

No road projects were selected.

“This is not about filling potholes,” said Mountain MPP Sophia Aggeloniti. “This is about building legacy priorities.”

The city will also contribute a third of the funding, for a grand total of $183 million in projects. The work must be completed within two years.

[SteelTown]

$62 million dollars worth of upgrades will be made to the Woodward Water Treatment Plant and Ferguson Pumping Station

$25 million dollar training facility.

Five of the city's recreation and community centers will receive a facelift worth over $40 million dollars, the largest share of it going into the Westmount Recreation Center.

[SteelTown]

Hearing there's money for a VIA/GO Station as James St North. With the ferderal budget they did announce improvements to Hamilton's VIA service and I believe GO Transit got $90 million-ish today as well.

[SteelTown]

Projects selected for stimulus infrastructure funding

* Upgrade of Woodward Avenue water treatment plant -- $42 million

* Sewage biogas project -- $30 million

* Emergency training facility and operation centre -- $25 million

* Westmount Recreation Centre -- $21 million

* Ferguson Avenue pumping station upgrades -- $20 million

* Lower Stoney Creek recreation centre -- $13 million

* Hillcrest Reservoir upgrades -- $8.6 million

* Kenilworth Reservoir and pumping station upgrades -- $6.8 million

* Stone Church Reservoir and pumping station upgrades -- $4.5 million

* Woodward plant energy retrofit -- $4.5 million

* Coronation Arena, public-private partnership -- $3 million

* Sir Wilfrid Laurier Recreation Centre rehabilitation -- $1.5 million

* Sir Allan MacNab Recreation Centre rehabilitation -- $3 million

* Lister Block energy retrofit$ -- 1.2 million

[realcity]

it's awesome the province said NO to filling all the stupid potholes. I love how it makes our council look like morons.

[BrianE]

Me too. I know the roads are bad... they're bad everywhere. But they will be addressed in time through regular yearly budget alotments.

[SteelTown]

Hamilton gets $120 million in stimulus funding

By Kevin Werner
News
Jun 08, 2009

Christmas has come early for the city of Hamilton.

In an announcement June 5, the federal and provincial governments will be giving the city about $120 million in infrastructure funding. The money is part of the Conservatives $4 billion infrastructure stimulus funding announced this January, and the $408 million from the Build Canada fund.

“I am delighted,” said Mayor Fred Eisenberger. “It’s an important job producer and it will knock down the infrastructure deficit in Hamilton and across Canada. This is a major accomplishment.”

Hamilton, Mr. Eisenberger confirmed, received between $120 million and $130 million.

Ontario municipalities are expected to receive about $3.4 billion, which will translate into nearly 1,400 infrastructure projects.

But Mr. Eisenberger said he had “no idea” when the money will flow to municipalities.

Government officials didn’t indicate when the fund will be provided to communities.

“Hopefully, as soon as possible,” he said.

Hamilton’s portion of the money will help fund about 40 projects, including $42 million for water treatment upgrades, traffic signal controls, a curatorial centre at Auchmar Estates, $25 million for an emergency services training facility at the corner of Stone Church and Nebo roads, energy retrofits of city facilities, including libraries, Hamilton Place, Copps Coliseum, upgrading First Place, Westmount Recreation facility renovations. No road projects were identified, even though councillors last month added millions of dollars of road upgrades to the city’s stimulus wish list.

Hamilton’s will have to pay about $65 million as the municipality’s share of the program. Each level of government contributes a one-third funding.

The city’s treasure, Tony Tollis, has said the city can afford the money without adding any debt to the municipality’s already high load.

The projects are expected to employ about 2,000 people, said Mr. Eisenberger.

Hamilton politicians had asked for almost 150 projects at a cost of about $408 million.

Municipal officials are also questioning the strict timeline criteria for the projects’ funding.

Projects are suppose to be shovel ready and completed by the end of 2011.

Mr. Eisenberger said the other big city mayors want the criteria change so that projects can be funded when the projects are completed, including if they go past 2011. He said because the money was announced in the middle of 2009, it doesn’t give the projects enough time to be finished under the 2011 deadline.

“The completion date is a barrier,” he said.

Hamilton politicians have also applied for about $84 million in stimulus funding for recreation facilities. Mr. Eisenberger said government officials did not indicate when the recreation and cultural funding will be announced.

[SteelTown]

Projects selected for stimulus infrastructure funding

* Sewage biogas project -- $30 million

City fleet to run on ‘poop power’

June 09, 2009
Nicole MacIntyre
The Hamilton Spectator
http://www.thespec.com/News/BreakingNews/article/580464

Soon every flush of a local toilet will help fuel a city vehicle.

Hamilton is set to become the first Canadian municipality to produce biofuel for its fleet from human waste, thanks to a $30-million infrastructure grant.

“We can solve environmental problems and make money at the same time,” said Jim Harnum, senior director of water and wastewater. “Hamilton is being a leader.”

The technology, used in several European countries for decades, will allow the city to harvest methane gas from sludge instead of wasting the valuable resource.

The city must have the project done by March 2011.

Last week, the federal and provincial governments each committed $10 million to the new system. Hamilton will contribute the final one-third.

To start, Hamilton plans to increase its holding capacity for decomposing waste.

The city will also invest in technology that will crack open dead bacteria that have been used to break down solid waste.

Forcing the bacteria open allows energy to escape. The process will increase the energy recovery from 5 per cent to nearly 70 per cent.

After the additional gas is collected, a new purification system will separate the methane.

The biofuel will then be used to supply 110 water and wastewater vehicles.

Retrofitting vehicles will cost about $6,000 each, but Harnum expects $1 million in annual fuel savings will pay back the expense quickly.

The city also hopes to generate $1.5 million to $2 million from the operation at the Woodward plant, by expanding the existing biogas cogeneration facility that saves $1 million to $2 million yearly. The electricity and heat produced are used to power the facility.

Harnum said the long-term goal is to accept more materials, such as food waste and oils, to produce more energy for the power grid and fuel additional vehicles, such as city buses and garbage trucks.

“There are really economic and environmental benefits to it.”

Vladimir Mahalec, head of the Centre for Engineering Design at McMaster University, suspects more cities will invest in biogas systems as public pressure grows to reduce greenhouse gases.

“It’s going to become a very good solution for cities,” he said, noting the immediate benefits for Hamilton. “It will certainly help the city reduce its carbon footprint.”

Environment Hamilton executive director Lynda Lukasik applauded the initiative, jokingly describing it as “poop power.”

“It sounds to me like a positive investment in green technology.”

Lukasik added she hopes the city will be mindful of the neighbourhood around the Woodward plant as it implements its plan.

Hamilton is still trying to determine what to do with the sludge that’s left when the bacterial digestion process is complete. There’s been growing backlash to the current process of spreading the material on farm fields.

Lukasik said her organization is still advocating for the city to adopt a pollution prevention policy to limit contaminants in wastewater that comes to the plant for processing.

A city study has recommended a sludge incinerator, though council has yet to sign off on the proposal. A public meeting on the plan will be held June 22 at the Lakeland Centre from 7 to 9 p.m.

[SteelTown]

Federal and provincial governments team up for $10.5 million for Hamilton
'Will make significant dent in our recreation deficit': Mayor

By Kevin Werner/News staff
News
Jul 02, 2009
http://www.ancasternews.com/news/article/180323

The federal and provincial governments announced Thursday a combined $10.5 million recreation infrastructure money for a dozen projects across the city.

“We are making a significant dent in our recreation deficit,” said Mayor Fred Eisenberger.

The funding, from the federal government’s Recreational Infrastructure Canada program and Recreation Ontario includes almost $600,000 for a new soccer turf at Redeemer College, $1.1 million for replacing Chedoke’s Twin Pad floor, $209,404 for the YWCA Hamilton’s fitness and aquatics renovation, and $1.1 million to retrofit the Rosedale Arena.

“This is so much more than bricks and mortar,” said Sophia Aggelonitis, Hamilton Mountain Liberal MPP at the YMCA in Waterdown. “It brings people together.”

Altogether, the city of Hamilton received funding for six recreation projects, with the Inch Park community centre receiving the largest funding allotment of $2.4 million for an arena retrofit and pool upgrades. Also part of the funding will be $1.1 million for new lighting and washrooms at Turner Park Sports field; and the Carlisle Area is scheduled for a $1.1 million arena retrofit.

“It will not only give this generation infrastructure they will benefit from, but the next generation as well,” said David Sweet, Conservative MP for Ancaster-Dundas-Flamborough-Westdale.

Hamilton is contributing $3.4 million in matching funds for the projects. The federal and provincial governments contributed $5.25 million each.

City Recreation Director Diane Lapointe-Kay, said the city will begin construction on the recreation projects as soon as possible. She said any projects that did not receive funding will be moved up on the city’s priority list.

Councillors in May approved an $84 million wish list to fund 26 projects, including high priority items such as upgrading Sir Allan MacNab Recreation Centre, Sir Wilfrid Laurier Recreation Centre, Hill Park Recreation Centre, Scott Park Arena, William McCulloch Park and expanding the Winona Seniors centre.

Ms. Aggelonitis, and Mr. Sweet, said the projects were selected by Hamilton city officials, and officials from the federal and provincial governments.

Other projects that received funding were $389,500 to expand and upgrade the Fifty Point Conservative Area’s campground project, and $609,680 for the East Mountain trail and public washrooms, both projects pushed by the Hamilton Conservation Authority; and $680,400 to improve the Sklodowska Community Recreation Centre, for the non-profit Marie Curie Sklodowska Association.

Under the funding criteria, a project had to be “shovel ready”, and must be completed by March 31, 2011.

Mrs. Aggelonitis said the money will start to flow from the provincial government by next week, while Mr. Sweet said the federal government will start immediately to pay for the invoices on the projects.

“ The main thing is we are creating jobs for the area with this stimulus money,” said Mr. Sweet. “We have (released) this money pretty quick to municipalities.”

Larger urban mayors, including Mayor Fred Eisenberger, have asked the federal government to extend the March 31, 2011 deadline since the money is only now being announced during the first week of July.

“That is still a concern,” said Mr. Eisenberger. “Everyone, and not just in Hamilton, will be challenged to get the projects completed.”

He said the Conservative government may be under pressure to extend the time frame for projects to get done.

Mr. Sweet said he could ask his government for an extension if a project seems to be having problems finishing on time. But, he said the projects should be ready to start construction almost immediately.

[highwater]

The annual List of Words to Be Banished from the Queen's English by a Michigan university included such gems as “tweet,” “czars,” “sexting” and “app”


JEFF KAROUB

Detroit — The Associated Press Published on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2009 12:13PM EST Last updated on Thursday, Dec. 31, 2009 12:19PM EST

In its annual effort to protect the Queen's English, a Michigan university is insisting that “shovel ready” be buried, “tweet” be tossed and all “czars” be banished.

Lake Superior State University shamed those and several other words and phrases Thursday when it released its 2009 List of Words to Be Banished from the Queen's English for Mis-use, Over-use and General Uselessness.

It insists that “shovel ready,” incessantly invoked by the Obama administration to sell its $787 billion federal stimulus bill, dug its own grave. It forced its way into speeches and out of the mouths of the president and too many other politicians in past months.

“Stick a shovel in it. It's done,” seethed Joe Grimm of Bloomfield Hills, Mich., in his nomination to the university's Word Banishment Committee. Grimm is a visiting journalist at Michigan State University and a former recruiter and editor at the Detroit Free Press.

The exact age of the phrase isn't known, but it had been a quiet favourite of economic development types for at least a decade — a fondness that led a utility company in upstate New York to secure the shovelready.com Web site in the late 1990s.

“Shovel ready” became a clarion call for the White House during the past year as shorthand for the kind of taxpayer-funded work projects that had been through the design and permitting process and were ready to launch.

Still, its vigour waned from verbal wear and tear in recent months. It didn't help that some of the projects weren't quite ready for a shovel, the literal or figurative kind.

“When something dies, it, too, is 'shovel ready' for burial and so I get confused about the meaning,” wrote Jerry Redington of Keosauqua, Iowa. “I would suggest that we just say that the project is ready to implement.”

The phrase was joined in dialectical death on the Michigan school's 35th banned words list by, among others, “transparent/transparency,” “czar,” “sexting,” “tweet,” “teachable moment” and “app.” App — as in the iPhone's “there's an app for that” ad referring to the device's various applications — was preceded in death by “killer app,” which was banished in 2002.

Many other terms related to the federal stimulus — or the failing economy that inspired it — have been thrown into the semantic scrap heap for 2010, including “stimulus” (the more blunt “bailout” bit the dust last year), “toxic assets” and “too big to fail.” Apparently, failure was an option.

“Shovel ready” is survived by many other scrutinized phrases, including “death panel,” “low-hanging fruit” and “door-buster,” and none should assume immortality. The Word Banishment Committee doesn't shy away from executing its duties.

Mourners of fallen phrases can take heart. Those previously banished don't necessarily remain in the lexiconical hereafter. There is still life left, deserved or not, for “24/7” (which made the list in 2000), “it is what it is” (2008), “happy camper” (1993), “LOL” (2004) and “state of the art” (1993).

[SteelTown]

I heard somewhere that "shovel ready" got it's root from Hamilton.

[realcity]

"Cougar" was invented in Hamilton too.

[highwater]

I heard somewhere that "shovel ready" got it's root from Hamilton.

Not surprised. They've been 'shovellin'' that shit since the DiIanni days.

[SteelTown]

Looks like the feds and the province will pay to help Hamilton expand the Woodward Avenue treatment plant, total bill $1.2 billion. This mean there won't be any development freeze. By 2015 we should be having the best drinking water in Canada.

http://top100projects.ca/?s=woodward

Hamilton Membrane Bioreactor Facility
$500 million

Sector: Water/Wastewater

Location: Hamilton, Ontario

Key Players: CH2M HILL, AECOM (design)

Owner: City of Hamilton

Financing: Public – Canadian Ontario Infrastructure Program, Public Infrastructure Renewal Office, Canadian Strategic Infrastructure Fund.

Status: Scheduled for completion in 2014.

Project Details: The City of Hamilton has several challenges with respect to wastewater treatment including meeting future growth needs, managing wet weather flows from a large combined sewer system, and providing a very high level of treatment performance to meet requirements to delist Hamilton Harbour as an Area of Concern by the International Joint Commission. The existing activated sludge facility, Woodward Wastewater Treatment Plant, is being converted to a membrane bioreactor facility. When constructed, the membrane bioreactor facility will be the largest in the world by a factor of at least three times.


Woodward Avenue Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion and Upgrades
$700 million

Sector: Water/Wastewater

Location: Hamilton, Ontario

Key Players: AECOM, CH2M HILL (design)

Owner: City of Hamilton

Financing: The city is hoping for $100 million in federal funding and another $100 million from the province. It can finance the rest of the cost through increased wastewater development charges (they are proposed to double) and by continuing to increase water and sewer rates over the next several years.

Status: Scheduled for completion in 2014.

Project Details: Woodward Avenue WWTP, Hamilton’s main sewage processing station, will be expanded with a new 1,700-millilitre-perday pumping station and a new membrane bioreactor facility, which will be one of the largest in the world.