[SteelTown]

Lister Block restoration project in dark: heritage activist

Kevin Werner, Mountain
(Nov 2, 2007)

At least one heritage activist is worried about the lack of action being done publicly to restore the Lister Block.

Grant Head, a member of Heritage Watch Hamilton, and a member of the Lister Block working group, told members of the city's heritage committee last week he is "quite concern" there is no information" being released about the restoration process of the Lister Block.

"The details of what is to be done have not been fleshed out," said Mr. Head.

Mr. Head's issues include the minimal information being made public about the city appointing a person to oversee how the province's $7 million, is being spent, and the hiring of a heritage architect to make sure the restoration plans include details on how to preserve the building's historical significance.

The Lister Block working group, which was formed to save the Lister Block, said Mr. Head, specified the Lister Block's arcade would be preserved, and the facade was to be protected. In addition, the two buildings on either side of the Lister Block, one on James Street and the other on King William, have yet to be subjected to a heritage impact assessment, he said.

Last June, Prime Minister Dalton McGuinty announced to a room full of Hamilton dignitaries the province was providing the city with a $7 million grant for the Lister Block. At the time, Mr. McGuinty said the one-time grant will flow as soon as council agrees to changes to the lease arrangement with the owner of the building, the Laborers' International Union of North America (LIUNA).

The province has pressed the city to re-write its lease agreement with LIUNA for a 20-year lease. The city had agreed in May 2005 to a controversial 15-year, $30-million lease arrangement with LIUNA. The idea is for the city to relocate its public health department into a re-developed Lister Block building.

Joseph Mancinelli, vice-president of LIUNA has stated it could cost about $8 million to renovate the Lister Block.

Mr. Head said the $7 million, which has not been given to the city yet, is not supposed to pay for any restoration work, but to help the city overcome the cost of the lease.

"I'm concerned about the $7 million," said Mr. Head. "(The money) would more than cover the rehabilitation of the Lister Block."

Mr. Head said monitoring any cost overruns protects the city from criticism about wasteful spending.

"If there are any (cost overruns) it doesn't do our cause any good," he said.

Mr. Head said he has met with Mayor Fred Eisenberger twice to discuss the issue, but he was not comforted by the mayor's attitude.

"He was very cordial, but said he had not heard what has happened," said Mr. Head.

Mr. Head's plea was echoed by committee members, including councillors Maria Pearson, who was also a member of the working group and Brian McHattie.

"I share all of your concerns," said Mr. McHattie, who admitted he doesn't know what is happening behind the scenes with the Lister Block negotiations.

David Cuming, acting manager of community planning, said heritage staff have not received any plans from the Lister Block project to be submitted to the city for review.

"We are waiting just like everybody else," he said.

Mr. Cuming also pointed out there is no requirement by the city for the owners to conduct a heritage assessment on the two buildings located beside the Lister Block.

"The assessment is discretionary," said Mr. Cuming.

The heritage committee did pass a motion urging council to request the province designate the Lister Block under the Ontario Heritage Act.

"I don't think there would be any problem," said committee member Michelle Stark. "Everybody is on the same page