2009 Wish List

[SteelTown]

Make 10 wishes that you would like to see happen in 2009 for the City of Hamilton. You don't have to make 10 wishes. This time next year I'll go over all of your wishes, to see if your wishes were granted or not. Try to be realistic though.

[SteelTown]

1. Hamilton School Board stays in downtown Hamilton with McMaster University
2. Metrolinx approves LRT for Hamilton’s B-Line
3. Renovation of Lister Block takes place
4. Jim Balsillie finally acquires an NHL team for Hamilton, renovates and modernizes Copps Coliseum
5. Hamilton Grand becomes a reality
6. City Hall’s forecourt a masterpiece
7. Win the 2015 Pan Am Games which includes a new stadium
8. Redevelopment of the Royal Connaught
9. Progress made with Tivoli theatre
10. Hamilton gets a fair share of the infrastructure funding from Ottawa

[Hammer Native]

It took me a while to think of everything I wanted to put down but here's mine.

1. That the city be able to hold it's own through the worldwide economic downturn, if it's going to be as bad as experts say. Maybe even find more ways to re-invent itself.

2. That we see an interest in the potential of the city from real developers, who get things done and yet have respect for the city's history. Hopefully somebody like Harry Stinson is a start, and that there is either incentive or pressure on the slum speculators to do something with their buildings.

3. That the Tiger Cats finally have a winning season, not only do we deserve it I think so does Bob Young. Be thankful there are people like him who stepped up when the team was on life support.

4. That we see more major announcements from companies that they want to locate here, in our business parks or wherever.

5. That winter is short, and the summer is a little drier.

6. More waterfront redevelopment.

7, 8, 9, 10. And I'd have to say ditto on The Royal Connaught, Lister Block, LRT, and the Jim Balsillie and the hockey team.

[SteelTown]

Pretty good, 5 out of 10.

Originally Posted by Hammer Native

1. That the city be able to hold it's own through the worldwide economic downturn, if it's going to be as bad as experts say. Maybe even find more ways to re-invent itself. X - City didn't really re-invent itself in 2009, Stelco shut down and Dofasco cut down on operation.

2. That we see an interest in the potential of the city from real developers, who get things done and yet have respect for the city's history. Hopefully somebody like Harry Stinson is a start, and that there is either incentive or pressure on the slum speculators to do something with their buildings. - I suppose the group renovating Hotel Hamilton at James St N counts

3. That the Tiger Cats finally have a winning season, not only do we deserve it I think so does Bob Young. Be thankful there are people like him who stepped up when the team was on life support. - made it to the playoffs

4. That we see more major announcements from companies that they want to locate here, in our business parks or wherever. - Tim Hortons coffee bean I suppose counts.

5. That winter is short, and the summer is a little drier. X - turned out to be the oppsite

6. More waterfront redevelopment. - - skating rink and Pan Am proposals

7, 8, 9, 10. And I'd have to say ditto on The Royal Connaught, Lister Block, LRT, and the Jim Balsillie and the hockey team. X - one for Lister Block X X

Ouch, 1 out of 9.

Originally Posted by realcity

1. Hamilton Grand X
2. PanAm Games (at least get a new stadium)
3. New stadium downtown. Wilson/John - I won't include this since it's still to be determined.
4. School Board stays downtown - X - didn't happen in 2009, perhaps 2010.
5. Lister Block is sold and plans for condos and retail (City deal fails) X
6. Federal Bldg starts construction into condos (ground floor supermarket/retail) X
7. Hilton Hotel X
8. Light Rail funding in first round of $ - A & B lines LRT X
9. Main Street two-way traffic - 2 lanes each direction wide boulevard in middle for future LRT X
10. Brock University plans to open downtown campus X

Ouch, 1 out of 10.

Originally Posted by ryan_mcgreal

1. Metrolinx approves LRT for B-Line; Hamilton fast-tracks Environmental Assessment and planning. X and - no approving LRT but got the province to fund the EA, half a mark.

2. Hamilton updates zoning regulations to establish TOD zone along B-Line corridor and eliminate regulatory obstacles to investment. X

3. Council accepts provincial constraints on AEGD development and then decides it's too small to be worth pursuing. X

4. Hamilton commits to making energy production and conservation a major economic node. X

5. Feds, province fund wastewater treatment upgrades so city can increase development. X and - got funding but still not enough to increase development

6. HWDSB decides to stay downtown. X - didn't happen in 2009, perhaps 2010.

7. Council decides to move city hall to HCC and sells 71 Main St W to a university after restoring the marble facade or replacing it with limestone. X

8. LIUNA panicks and backs out of Lister deal. Ontario Ministry of Culture designates the Lister a provincial heritage building, LIUNA sells the Lister, and the new owner converts it to condos with street level retail. X

9. Harry Stinson makes a successful go of Hamilton Grand deal. X

10. Local politicians from all three levels of goverment get together and decide that Hamilton should be the new Canadian centre for manufacturing light rail systems. X

[SteelTown]

4 out of 10, somewhat okay-ish.

Originally Posted by SteelTown

1. Hamilton School Board stays in downtown Hamilton with McMaster University X - still a chance to stay downtown but it won't be with McMaster
2. Metrolinx approves LRT for Hamilton’s B-Line X It didn't happen in 2009
3. Renovation of Lister Block takes place
4. Jim Balsillie finally acquires an NHL team for Hamilton, renovates and modernizes Copps Coliseum X
5. Hamilton Grand becomes a reality X
6. City Hall’s forecourt a masterpiece X Nope!
7. Win the 2015 Pan Am Games which includes a new stadium
8. Redevelopment of the Royal Connaught X
9. Progress made with Tivoli theatre
10. Hamilton gets a fair share of the infrastructure funding from Ottawa

[SteelTown]

Here's Mayor Fred wish list, kind of a lame wish list (no transit update?)

City Seeks Support For Infrastructure Projects
Ken Mann
1/13/2009

Hamilton's mayor will be pushing the city's infrastructure "wish list" this week.

Fred Eisenberger will be meeting with federal infrastucture minister John Baird on Thursday, to go over the city's list of funding priorities under the "Building Canada" program.

The Mayor says he'll be pushing what have already been defined as Hamilton's three priority areas.

The number one priority is the 700 million dollar upgrade that is needed at the water treatment plant.   It is a requirement both for delisting of Hamilton Harbour and for being able to handle future growth.

Road and bridge repairs and recreational infrastucture upgrades are second and third on the list.

[realcity]

1. Hamilton Grand
2. PanAm Games (at least get a new stadium)
3. New stadium downtown. Wilson/John
4. School Board stays downtown
5. Lister Block is sold and plans for condos and retail (City deal fails)
6. Federal Bldg starts construction into condos (ground floor supermarket/retail)
7. Hilton Hotel
8. Light Rail funding in first round of $ - A & B lines LRT
9. Main Street two-way traffic - 2 lanes each direction wide boulevard in middle for future LRT
10. Brock University plans to open downtown campus

[realcity]

Just like George said "pissing it away on potholes"

[SteelTown]

Here's the list that Federation of Canadian Municipalities said are shovel ready for Hamilton and wants the federal government to cover (feds will most likely use this document for the Budget).....

Repair and Maintenance of Existing Water and Wastewater Infrastructure
Project Cost: $200,000,000
Number of jobs created: 2,283

Local and Collector Roadway Asset Preservation Strategic Plan
Project Cost: $35,000,000
# of jobs: 400

Arterial Roadway Asset Preservation
Project cost: $10,000,000
# of jobs: 114

Structural Rehabilitation and Maintenance
Project cost: $5,000,000
# of jobs: 57

2010 Reconstruction pressures - Large roadreplacement projects
Project cost: $10,000,000
# of jobs: 114

Downtown Multi-modal Transportation Terminal Mobility Hub
Project Cost: $8,000,000
# of jobs: 91

Premium for Hybrid-Electric Bus Acquisition
Project Cost: $6,800,000
# of jobs: 78

[adam]

Something doesn't jive: spending the majority of the budget on roads when all the auto companies are closing plants down at an alarming rate..
Would you blow your monthly budget on a wool rug for your house if you found out you are allergic to wool?

[crhayes]

Originally Posted by adam

Something doesn't jive: spending the majority of the budget on roads when all the auto companies are closing plants down at an alarming rate..
Would you blow your monthly budget on a wool rug for your house if you found out you are allergic to wool?

Not saying I agree that so much money should be spent on the roads, but there are still tons of people that drive (and will for a long time) and transit still relies on roads, so it's not totally in vain lol.

[SteelTown]

Jobs high on wish list
City wants $275 million from Ottawa for big projects

January 15, 2009
Nicole Macintyre
The Hamilton Spectator
http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/496406

The city is seeking $275 million in federal funding for infrastructure projects that would create more than 3,000 new jobs.

Mayor Fred Eisenberger will lobby for the wish list today as he joins other big city mayors in Ottawa to discuss the federal government's response to the economic downturn.

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) is asking the government to invest in infrastructure, rather than tax cuts, as a way to generate new jobs.

The group released a list yesterday of $13 billion in projects that are ready to go across the country. If funded, the projects would create more than 150,000 jobs.

Hamilton's top priority is $200 million for its $700-million wastewater treatment plant, which must be built to support the city's future growth. The city also wants money for roads, bridges and transit projects.

"We're going to try to get as much as we can," Eisenberger said.

If the requests are granted, the city will be able to bump up projects that are needed immediately, but were moved down the schedule because of cost constraints, said Gerry Davis, acting head of public works.

"We would be able to meet our immediate infrastructure needs," he said, noting the money would also allow the city to invest in other projects or save borrowing costs.

FCM wants the federal government to move swiftly on an infrastructure program so construction can start this spring.

"There is no time to delay," FCM president and Sherbrooke Mayor Jean Perrault said in a release. "The present economic crisis demands a quick and innovative response."

The federal government has already committed $33 billion for infrastructure spending over seven years. More investment is expected in the budget when it's released at the end of this month.

Eisenberger said he expects the infrastructure program will be staged over several years.

He noted that while the city appreciates all help, the government must develop a long-term plan to address the national infrastructure deficit.

"This needs to be a sustainable effort."

[adam]

Notice how there is just a passing mention of transit projects. The priority is still roads. Making it easier for drivers to go as fast as possible without the inconvenience of the odd bump. Its ass-backwards is what it is.

[SteelTown]

Transport Minister John Baird is set to address the media in Ottawa Monday and is expected to talk about infrastructure spending.

[realcity]

pissing it away on potholes

[SteelTown]

Ottawa's $7b infrastructure plan

January 26, 2009
The Canadian Press

OTTAWA - Transport Minister John Baird says the federal government will include $7 billion in infrastructure spending in Tuesday’s budget.

Baird says $4 billion of the money will be spent over two years on provincial and municipal projects that are ready to go.

Another $2 billion will go to repairs, maintenance and construction at colleges and universities.

And $1 billion will be spent on green infrastructure.

It’s the latest in an orchestrated series of leaks in advance of a federal budget that will try to bolster the flagging economy - and maintain the Tory grip on power in the face of a fractious opposition.

[SteelTown]

It would be nice if the federal government would commit to funding MoveOntario 2020.

[omro]

Originally Posted by SteelTown

It would be nice if the federal government would commit to funding MoveOntario 2020.

Haven't they? I'd have thought that was an infrastructure no brainer, unless someone high up takes issue with their proposals.

[ryan_mcgreal]

Originally Posted by omro

Haven't they? I'd have thought that was an infrastructure no brainer, unless someone high up takes issue with their proposals.

The Feds weren't going to endorse or commit to funding for the plan until after Metrolinx ratified its Regional Transportation Plan and Investment Strategy; but they've been, er, busy (as in on hold) since the end of November.

[SteelTown]

We're still waiting for the feds to at least acknowledge MoveOntario 2020.