Feds come up with their share of the money
It's now official. Canada's Environent Minister has committed the federal government's 30 million dollar share, towards the 90 million dollar cleanup of Randle Reef. The province's 30 million is already in place with the rest coming from local sources. It clears the way for work to begin on the containment of coal tar and other polluted sediment at Hamilton Harbour's toxic hotspot. The eight-year project is likely to be completed in 2016. Sources of local funding have yet to be finalized, but Hamilton's Mayor remains confident that it will include contributions from Hamilton industries.
Plans to Revive the Core
Three major private projects promise to boost downtown Hamilton with lights, music and better parking came to light today.
The demolition of the old HMP dealership at the corner of Bay and Main streets is underway to make room for a new 15-storey Hilton Homewood Suites. Just blocks away, planning is in the works to tear down a burned out apartment building at the corner of Hess and King streets to build a concert theatre the size of Toronto's Massey Hall.
The concert theatre, based on the House of Blues venue in Dallas, will make the village an attraction year round and help with noise complaints by bringing music inside. Hopefully this will also bring more restaurants to the village, providing more choice for those who are not into the bar scene. The approximately $15-million project is set to start in the spring and take about 18 months to complete. A new parking structure already approved between Hess and Caroline will be perfectly placed to serve concert goers.
On the other side of downtown, the city's new development corporation has made its first offer on a parking lot behind the old Sandbar Tavern. The $15-million to $20-million proposal features multiple floors of parking combined with retail and residential units.
These projects will complement the new Hilton hotel, which saw it's first bulldozer action last week. The hotel will bring life back to a rotting core.
Later,
Kenaz
