Hamilton City Hall has a severe PR problem. Last year to much media hype and cost to the tax payers, our civic leaders launched their marketing campaign Reach, dream, rise. The plan would see to the restoration of the downtown landmark Lister Block back to it's previous splendor, providing a corner stone to the revitalization to the much needed economy.
Yesterday council decided their plan was too expensive. Instead they have decided to let another landmark die in an undignified way. Along with a city hall that is crumbling, and the forced demolition of the Tivoli Theater, letting our Lister Block await the same fate is not effective advertising.
It's sad that we let McMaster University pursue a campus in Burlington, rather than our own downtown. Instead Hamilton hangs on to a thirty plus year pipe dream of a sprawling culs-de-sac and big box stores. The "Red Hill Creek" has already cost tax payers a half billion dollars and all we have to show for it is enough legal red tape to choke the life out of every proud Hamiltonian.
I came across a great article from Trevor Shaw of Hamilton in which he shares a "dream" that he had.
"In a dream I am Christmas shopping at Robinson's, Eaton's, and Kresge's. I take a walk in The Right House, just to look at the high-end, expensive clothing. I am enjoying walking from store to store, the street alive with people, musicians, carolers, and families. Gore Park is decorated and lit up - the core of the city, like a giant beating heart. I stop to get a hot chocolate at little café, resting for a while. Then I cross the street and get on the bus that is waiting to take me home."
Like Mr. Shaw and myself every person of our generation had this dream of our downtown, not that long ago. It was one of the best shopping experiences ever had. Each destination was different, far from the vanilla boxes that make up every store in every mall, each the same except for the logo above its entrance. It's too bad an entire generation doesn't even know this existed, instead what's left of the downtown is populated by the misguided "youth" of the "why me?" generation.
Hamilton had one Canada's great downtowns. Even if wealthy, well-run cities like Burlington, Mississauga, North York, and Brampton wanted, they could never have great downtowns with their commuter friendly signs urging you to park and experience the splendours of Hamilton. But, now the city core is a butt of jokes and just a place you pass through as you head through the "gateways". If I remember downtown the way it was, then certainly Mayor Larry DiIanni and every person on council does too.
Hamilton could expand the journey east down Barton Street. Barton Street could be the centre for artisan's. New-economy businesses, lofts, mixed-use buildings to replace the crack houses, creating a safe public space, retail stores that don't close-up at 6:00pm all together, restaurants, family housing on the side streets.
The city tried to liven up the street with a boulevard and lighting. All this does is snarl traffic to a crawl and give commuters a chance to view the effects of neglect and crime. The area needs to have the police patrol it the old way, walking the beat.
I think council knows what to do. I'm just waiting for someone with guts to do it. Guts means designated neighbourhoods, like a China Town, Artist Town, Little Italy, a Fashion District, an Entertainment District. It would give the areas a marketing edge, an identity, a niche for stores, a place that people who shop and live their a feeling of pride.
It needs to be more than hanging banners on light poles; we need unique street signs, streetscaping, wide sidewalks, on-street parking and appropriate businesses that mix well with the intended identity. We are the third most popular city in Canada for immigrants. Canon Street should be our China Town.
Let's take advantage of our rich multi-culturalism, we need more streets to look like James North, the roll-up canvas canopies/tents over each vendor stall and cafe, making a virtual roof over the street. A place to grab a great cup of Turkish coffee or a Greek pastry.
Oh well, if this is a fairy tale, I hope I make it to prosperity land before I get eaten by the evil dragon.
Later,
Kenaz
