Dundas Update

[SteelTown]

Village Bakery friends rally round
Fans create Facebook page

January 04, 2010
John Burman
http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/697778

The future of The Village Bakery in Dundas may be up in the air but its friends are out in force.

While city engineers probed the bakery’s bones Monday after a devastating fire which caused $750,000 to $1 million damage to the King Street West business, other merchants and friends of owner Susan Preston met to see what can be done to help.

A Facebook page - http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=...d=236374977041 - has sprung up dedicated to support for Preston and the bakery with longtime customers and friends pledging support.

Judy Boswell, executive director of the Downtown Dundas Business Improvement Area (BIA) said the community wants “to see how we can help.”

There have been offers to hold  of benefit concerts and other fundraising activities and the BIA would play a part, she said.

Preston, who won the award for best frontline service in the City of Hamilton, Tourism Awards in 2008, was not immediately available for comment.

“That’s her whole life,” Dundas BIA chair Phyllis Kraemer said after the fire. “She did nothing but work her tail off to get that business going.”

The fire, caused by an electrical short in the Christmas lights on the bakery’s real tree, burned out the landmark bakery and two upstairs apartments at 10:30 a.m. Saturday.

Hamilton Emergency Services fire prevention officer Bob Simpson said Monday the blaze did not damage the buildings on either side of the bakery.

“There was minimal water and smoke damage to the adjoining buildings,” said Simpson.

Fire officials believe stout brick firewalls and 911 calls within seconds of the fire starting prevented damage to the adjoining buildings and a major threat to the downtown’s quaint streetscape.

City engineers were inspecting the bakery building Monday morning to see if the structure is sound.

[matt602]

Also pictures of the interior on thespec. Really depressing. I feel horrible for the owner. I'd imagine the upper level apartments were damaged heavily as well, in the video there are flames shooting out of 2nd floor windows for a good while.

[highwater]

There's going to be a fundraiser. From the facebook page:


Hello All!

Once again, thank you for your support! It means a lot to Sue!

A bank account has been set up for Susan Preston in trust at the TD Bank...2370 6288280 by Jamie Leder (The Collins Hotel) & Phyllis Kraemer(The Keeping Room). Should you wish to donate, please use the account number to do so at any TD/Canada Trust bank.

Also the fundraiser that was mentioned in an earlier message will be an "All Day" event at the Lions' Club Memorial Center on Saturday, February 13, and will begin with a pancake breakfast, events throughout the day, and finishing with an auction and a dance. More details to follow.

A benefit concert will be hosted by the staff of the CIBC on Jan 23 at Knox Presbyterian Church, please check the postings for the details.

If you happen to be at Fortino's on Main Stree West, this coming Saturday and Sunday.....look for the Village Bakery Staff and friends. Much thanks to Fortino's!

Sue called tonight to tell us about the photos that are posted on thespec.com this evening. John Rennison a photographer for the Spec and Susan visited the ruins of the bakery this morning. Truly breathtaking... it's no wonder her heart is hurting.

Take good care everyone!

phyllis

[LikeHamilton]

Thai eatery getting friendly welcome in Dundas

TheSpec.com - Business - (Jan 8, 2010)

A new restaurant has opened in Dundas in the space on King Street West that once housed the DeLuxe Restaurant.

The Bangkok Spoon DeLuxe opened in late November and customers are already lining up to get in. The Thai eatery is housed in renovated space and owned by Teeradech (Neil) Pramauntan-yatath, who also owns two similar restaurants in Toronto.

"We've been very busy in our new restaurant," he says, adding that he's extremely pleased with the reception his business has received. "Also, the people are so nice here, compared to Toronto."

[thistleclub]

Creekside sale ends OMB appeal
(Dundas Star News, Craig Campbell, Dec 20, 2012)

The Alterra Group of Companies withdrew its Ontario Municipal Board appeal for a proposed 7-storey condominium at 2555 Creekside Dr. in Dundas after closing a deal to sell the property to the City of Hamilton, last week.

The city paid $1,000,000 to the company for the property, near of the corner of Hatt and Ogilvie streets, financed through area rating, and plans to create a parkette with greenspace there. The sale officially closed December 12.

Dundas city councillor Russ Powers, who brokered the deal on behalf of the city with Alterra president Rob Cooper, said funding for the rest of the project will come from a few areas.

In addition to using area rating to fund the purchase of the million dollar property, the city’s Open Space Design department and Parks Maintenance Budget will pay for design, technical support and ongoing maintenance.

Money for parkette construction will come from tenants of four existing condominium buildings on Creekside Drive, who strongly opposed Alterra’s building application, and Amica retirement home which backs onto the site.

“Funding from external sources will be pursued to reduce gross costs,” Powers said.

Larry Button, a Creekside resident and member of Dundas Community Council who actively opposed the proposed new building, said last week he was very pleased all the hard work of many people over the past year has brought them to this point.

“And, of course, appreciation for the leadership and guidance provided by Russ throughout. It was invaluable,” Button said.

As far as the next steps, Button said he’s waiting to learn more from the city on the details and timetable for the process, but that he’s “looking forward to a collaborative effort that will result in a parkette (and) greenspace that will be an asset for generations to come.”

Rob Cooper, president of Alterra, previously told the Dundas Star News it made sense to avoid an OMB hearing – even though the company believed they had a good case to support the proposed development.

Cooper said the city found a way to satisfy the company and the Creekside neighbours.

[Dr Awesomesauce]

$1,000,000+ for that property behind Amica and in front of those Creekside condos? Wow, that's a lot for a parkette.

As an aside, downtown Dundas continues to boom. I wish there were a Dundas forumer who could keep us up-to-date on all the great things happening there.

[thistleclub]

Authority buys big chunk of Pleasant View farmland
(Dundas Star News, Richard Leitner, Nov 1, 2012)

The Hamilton Conservation Authority is buying a key parcel of abandoned farmland in the Pleasant View area that has been at the epicentre of development battles over the past two decades.

Land acquisition specialist Jen Baker said the authority hopes to close an $800,000 deal by mid-March for 52 acres of property on the south side of York Road that abuts land owned by the Royal Botanical Gardens.

A fundraising campaign to cover the cost of the purchase is being spearheaded by the Hamilton Conservation Foundation as part of plans to create a park running from Cootes Paradise to the escarpment.

“It’s the largest property out of the four or five that aren’t in public hands yet, and the largest one that has been put forward with development applications, which is why we wanted to acquire it,” Baker said.

“I know their development applications kept on getting turned down, but in another 10 years, which is about how often they come up, who knows? We might have a different council.”

A proposal to develop the area for housing in the early 1990s met stiff public opposition and went to the Ontario Municipal Board, which sided with opponents and set a limit of two homes on the property.

A subsequent bid to amend the area’s Parkway Belt West Plan to allow for a 760-unit development was rejected by the province in June 2010.

The area has since been placed in the Niagara Escarpment Commission planning area, effectively ending hopes for any major development.

+

Push is on to protect McMaster Forest
(Dundas Star News, Craig Campbell, Dec 20, 2012)

There is apparently no existing plan to develop on a 115-acre woodland owned by McMaster University bordering Dundas, Ancaster and west Hamilton – but a group advising the university president wants to make sure it stays that way.

Wayne Terryberry, chair of the president’s advisory committee on Cootes Paradise, said the property also known as “McMaster Forest” on the east side of Louise Drive off Lower Lions Club Road in Ancaster connects to the Ancaster Creek watershed.

“It’s a pretty ecologically diverse area,” Terryberry said. “We’re hoping to make sure that area is conserved.”

The committee recently enjoyed a success when McMaster University announced plans to move ahead with a project to create the 30-metre buffer recommended by the Hamilton Conservation Authority between Ancaster Creek and an existing parking lot on the west campus.

While that change will remove some parking spaces from the west campus, there is some support for removing more pavement and re-naturalizing the former wetland.

But Terryberry said trying to ensure preservation of the existing open space and forest a little further west is the advisory committee’s new main focus.

“We have to create a case for it,” he said. “(We have to) show that it’s in the university’s best interests to conserve it rather than other potential uses.”
Helen Ayre, acting university secretary at McMaster, said she doesn’t know of any plans for the land.

“So far as I am aware, the land has been left essentially untouched since it was purchased,” Ayre said.

The majority of the site is apparently zoned for agriculture, and also regulated by the Niagara Escarpment Commission. Neither the City of Hamilton planning department, nor the NEC is aware of any development proposal or discussions.
Ken Whitbread, manager of the NEC, said the property is in the Niagara Escarpment Plan’s most restrictive land use designations.

“Urban development would be prohibited, as is the severing of lands,” Whitbread said. “Highest and best use could be one house on the property or forestry, conservation, park and open space uses. Passive recreational uses and sustainable forestry could also be permitted.”

Land Registry documents indicate McMaster University purchased the property in two sections – the first in the summer of 1964 from Calder Developments Limited for one dollar. The rest of the site was purchased in the summer of 1969 from the County of Wentworth.

[Dr Awesomesauce]

re. Pleasant View

That's been going on forever - a rare win for the good guys. A nice chunk of property, though it was my impression that the RBG was out of the land acquisition game - lack of funds and all that.

Great news!

[mattgrande]

Well, looks like I'm moving to Dundas.

[movingtohamilton]

No need to move there! Hopefully the brewery will sell to places like The Winking Judge, and will have its own on-premises store.

[Dr Awesomesauce]

Dundas continues to boom. It really is one of the finest small cities in the province and by extension, the country. It's got a great mix of urbanness, natural beauty and trendiness. Eastern Ontario and Quebec have some decent small towns and cities but I think Dundas rivals the Coburgs, Port Hopes and Stratfords of this province.

I'd be interested to hear what other people think. I happen to feel Dundas is highly underrated being overshadowed by its bigger, much-maligned neighbour.

How does Dundas stack up against other cities in the 25-50,000 range?

[thistleclub]

More on Shed Brewing...

Something’s brewing at former curling rink in Dundas
(Hamilton Spectator, Meredith MacLeod, Feb 15 2013)

Plans are under way to bring brewing back to the city.

Ed Madronich, who owns Flat Rock Cellars winery in Jordan, has applied for a zoning amendment that would allow a microbrewery in what was once a curling and skating rink in Dundas.

“Winemaking is a craft method, too. This was a logical step for me.”

Madronich plans to brew beer on the site that will be sold wholesale to bars and restaurants and through a small retail operation on site. The plan is to offer tours and tastings to visitors but there will not be a restaurant or bar.

Dundas and Hamilton both have a long history in brewing (there were five brewers in Hamilton in 1867, the year of Confederation) but there have been no suds made here since Lakeport closed its doors in April 2010.

Madronich, 45, and business partner Shawn Till have formed Shed Brewing Company. The name combines their two first names but also aptly describes the unique shape of the 1880s-era brick structure at 65 Hatt Street that was built as the Dundas Curling and Skating Rink.

The building, listed on the city’s inventory of buildings of architectural and historical interest, has been functioning as the warehouse of the now defunct Valley City Manufacturing plant across the street.

Madronich says the heritage of the building blends perfectly with a small brewery. He expects it will take about three to four months of renovation.

“Dundas is a great location. A lot of people travel to Dundas from a tourist perspective,” he said.

“We wanted to find a place that was unique and special … This was the right place at the right time.”

Till and Madronich played basketball together during their years at McMaster University and have remained friends. Their offer to buy the approximately 13,000-square-foot building is conditional on getting zoning approval.

The property is zoned for commercial use, but a designation to allow brewing must be added. As well, city staff will review parking requirements. There is no parking on the site.

Shed Brewing’s application was deemed complete by the city Jan. 2, according to a city planning spokesperson. Under legislation, the city has 120 days from then to bring a report to the planning committee.

Madronich began in the wine business in 1999 and opened his winery in 2005. He says the broad impact of the wine industry on the local and provincial economy, tourism and culture is often overlooked. He thinks craft brewing could have the same economic and cultural result.

Craft beers were the fastest growing sales segment at the LCBO in 2011, when sales of $22 million poured in. In 2004, the segment brought in $2 million in sales.

“There is definitely a business opportunity here,” said Madronich. “Craft beer is growing because there is demand out there for artisanal products. People want the unique products of small breweries.”

Dundas Councillor Russ Powers is fully supportive of brewing venture and says his constituents seem to be, too.

“I think it’s a wonderful renewal of a historic building. It’s been a presence in the downtown for years.”

Powers said modern technology means the brewing process is self contained and doesn’t create any smells.

“I’ve been to a few locations and I until I knew it was a microbrewery, I wouldn’t have known they were making beer.”

Phyllis Kraemer, chair of the Dundas BIA, says she has not heard one negative comment about the proposal. The BIA hasn’t formally discussed the issue, but Kraemer, owner of The Keeping Room, says she thinks a craft brewer would be a perfect addition to Dundas.

“When a big, beautiful old building that has historical background becomes empty, everybody worries. That is a pretty special building.”

[Dr Awesomesauce]

Those guys were pretty good basketball players as I recall.

I've always been interested in that building on Hatt. I'd always thought it looked like an old hockey arena; turns out I'm not that far off.

[thistleclub]

That this building still survives is a minor miracle. Hopefully it goes on to become one of the area's great preservation success stories.

Historic Dundas building sits vacant
(Hamilton Spectator, July 1 2013)

Dundas's oldest building, which provided shelter to soldiers during the War of 1812 and was home to the town's first post office, has been officially declared vacant.

The stone structure at 2 Hatt St., built around 1804 by Richard Hatt, will now be inspected for compliance with property standards and maintenance bylaws at least four times a year. It has been unoccupied for more than three months.

The structure is approximately 209 years old, but is not designated under the Ontario Heritage Act. City of Hamilton bylaw services manager of enforcement Glyn Wide said the building was visited by an enforcement officer on May 22, just after it was added to the vacant building registry.

Home to Folkes Lighting for more than 40 years, the building was sold to Andrew and Barbara Galbreath of Chelsea, Que., for $240,000 in October 2004. Before vacating the building earlier this year, Galbreath received a heritage award for maintaining the building in 2009.

Now that 2 Hatt is registered as a vacant building with the city, the owner must pay a one-time administration fee of $240, plus annual registration fees of $600 a year to cover the cost of additional staff and resources for inspections.

In the early 1990s, there was some question about the stability of the building due to its curved south-facing wall and bowed roof. A construction crew working nearby could not understand how it was still standing — and worried work across the street might bring down the structure.

Hatt originally built the structure as a store and office next to his business, Dundas Mills. The community of Dundas developed around the mill and store, the mill eventually disappeared. The stone structure was used as a post office, blacksmith shop and by the 1940s was a private residence before Folkes Lighting moved in during the early 1960s.

In the fall of 1813, 7,000 British soldiers, native warriors and their families descended on Dundas seeking shelter, food and medical care. One of the buildings that provided shelter was 2 Hatt St.

[Dr Awesomesauce]

Originally Posted by thistleclub

In the fall of 1813, 7,000 British soldiers, native warriors and their families descended on Dundas seeking shelter, food and medical care. One of the buildings that provided shelter was 2 Hatt St.

^Wow! What a day that must have been. I wonder if they asked nicely or if it was a slightly more unpleasant affair.

It really is a miracle 2 Hatt St hasn't folded in on itself. It's a testament to the skill and craftsmanship of the time. And to think that trains used to rumble right past its front door each and every day.

[thistleclub]

Related to the Dundas EcoPark, more greenspace from the neighbours.

Holland family donates 37 acres to city for Cootes to Escarpment Park System

Long-time Burlington businessman John V. Holland—in memory of his wife, Eileen—is donating 37 acres of property in North Aldershot to the City of Burlington for use as park land.

“We have owned this land for over 30 years, and have always considered this to be one of the most beautiful parcels of land in Burlington,” Holland said. “It is our desire to see this land protected in perpetuity for future generations to enjoy as part of the Cootes to Escarpment Park System.”

The proposed Cootes to Escarpment Park System includes one of the most biologically rich areas of Canada, home to nearly a quarter of the country’s wild plants and more than 50 at-risk species....

In donating the property south of Snake Road and west of York Road, Holland will help the 10 local government and non-profit organizations protect, restore and connect more than 4,900 acres (2,000 hectares) of natural lands at the western end of Lake Ontario. Holland has also offered to work with the Cootes to Escarpment Park System group to preserve this unique biodiversity.

[thistleclub]

Dundas Eco-Park buys first property
(Hamilton Spectator, Matthew Van Dongen, Mar 12 2013)

The Hamilton Conservation Authority has stepped in to help the fledgling Dundas Eco-Park meet a looming deadline to buy its first property.

Supporters of the urban park hope to eventually connect more than 1,300 hectares of natural land between Cootes Paradise and the escarpment, from Dundas to Highway 6.

To do it, they need to obtain about 162 hectares of private land in Hamilton and Halton, either through donations or purchases. Project partners have a Friday deadline to finalize an $800,000 land purchase — their first — negotiated last year in the Pleasantview area.

They’ll make it — thanks to close to $400,000 in bridge financing from the Conservation Authority.

“The board wanted to ensure this acquisition opportunity wasn’t lost,” said Chris Firth-Eagland, the authority’s chief executive officer.

The Hamilton Conservation Foundation has raised about half the money needed to buy the 21-hectare, L-shaped slice of grasslands between York Road and the railroad, said executive director Joan Bell.

“That first purchase is making it seem very real,” said Bell, who noted conservationists in Hamilton have long dreamt of creating one of Canada’s largest urban parks. “There has been a concerted effort to protect these lands from development for some time.”

Park supporters have the rest of the year to pay back the financing.

A group of McMaster University students is hoping to raise $25,000 for the cause, said Scott MacDonald, director of the MACgreen sustainability group.

“We see this as a good opportunity to engage students, get them out of the McMaster bubble,” he said.

Land acquisition specialist Jen Baker said Friday’s purchase will help connect public, natural areas between the harbour and the Mountain, including Royal Botanical Gardens lands and Conservation Halton’s Cartwright Nature Sanctuary.

The former farm fields will create a “wildlife corridor,” but also protect habitat for rare or threatened bird species such as the bobolink and the meadowlark.

The eco-park effort has recently attracted several high-profile donations, including $502,000 from the federal government to restore lands along the old Desjardins Canal and 15 hectares in Aldershot.

[thistleclub]

Land purchase the start of something great
(Hamilton Spectator, Editorial, Mar 14 2013)

It is great news that the Hamilton Conservation Authority has stepped up with almost $400,000 in bridge financing to help finalize the first land purchase for one of Canada’s largest urban parks, which will stretch between Cootes Paradise and the escarpment.

Formerly farmers’ fields, the 21-hectare, L-shaped grassland between York Road and a railway line will create a wildlife corridor and protect the habitat of several threatened bird species. With an $800,000 price tag, this piece of land is part of the puzzle that will ultimately connect 1,300 hectares of natural land into a gem of an urban park.

The plan marks the biggest acquisition of land for the citizens of Hamilton since the establishment of the 1,200-hectare Dundas Valley Conservation Area. The goal is to create an urban ecopark, anchored by the former Veldhuis greenhouse property on the Desjardins Canal in Dundas. The Dundas EcoPark will be a key part of the larger Cootes to Escarpment Park System.

Money will be a huge factor in the success of the plan. Joan Bell, executive director of the Hamilton Conservation Foundation, told The Spectator’s editorial board last month that about $5 million is needed. She said $2 million will be needed to restore the natural landscape of the former Veldhuis property. Two million dollars will go toward land acquisitions. About $1 million is needed to work on trail linkages.

The foundation has raised about half the money to buy this first piece of property, abutting land already owned by the Royal Botanical Gardens, which plays a lead role in the Cootes to Escarpment Park System. The bridge financing from the conservation authority allows the ecopark project partners to meet Friday’s deadline for finalizing the land purchase.

[matt602]

I like Dundas. I've only been a few times but I think it's a nice little town, and I enjoy how it feels like I'm in a completely different place away from Hamilton even though it's along an HSR route. I really like how unlike Ancaster and Stoney Creek, it didn't become one of Hamilton's sprawl lands. I guess it's because it's sandwiched under the mountain there.

[thistleclub]

Here's the school they're not tearing down
(CBC Hamilton, Paul Wilson, Jan 21, 2013)

City Hall has shown no great love for our architectural history. But Tuesday, as a big-windowed wonder takes shape at the very foot of the escarpment, let’s give credit where credit is due.

Last year council amended the development charges bylaw. Now, if someone restores a protected heritage property, the development fees will be waived.

This is a big deal. And in a few weeks, Hamilton city council is to approve the first application of this new measure. It will be worth $657,219, and the development-fees break goes to Mike and Dave Valvasori, local brothers who have a good reputation for giving old buildings new purpose.

Their latest job is Dundas District High School, which opened 84 years ago on an old mill property at the west edge of town. If scenery sells, this project can’t miss.

The three-storey structure, with textured brick and fine stone detailing, was the first high school in Dundas, built long enough ago that the girls entered through one grand set of doors, the boys another. Each gender had to charge past a couple of scary carved-stone gargoyles.

It seems an odd place to build a school, tucked right in by a waterfalls, cliffs of the escarpment all around. But the land was free, donated for the express purpose of education by Robert and Frank Fisher, who ran a mill there.

Dundas grew, and so did the school. There were four additions, but none marred the building’s original Collegiate Gothic style. At one time, the student population was more than 500.

New high schools got built in Dundas and old District was set aside. It did find new life as a middle school, then closed permanently six years ago.

The school went on the market. Some in the trade came by, checked it out and walked away. But Mike Valvasori says he and his brother liked what they saw here. "Old schools are very structurally sound."

(They did a loft project at the old Allenby school off Locke Street. They also did the Margaret Street Lofts in an old textile plant, and the Stone Lofts in a print factory behind the central police station.)

The brothers bought Dundas District for $600,000. Work is underway on a project with a sales value of $18 million – 44 one and two-bedroom units, from $270,000 to $800,000. So it won’t be long before the money the city surrendered in development fees comes back in new property taxes.

This project was set to go ahead before council voted to waive development fees, but Valvasori says the break is welcome. Especially when it turns out they now have to build a $500,000 wall.

This school was crowded with kids for generations, and apparently nobody worried about the trains that roll past, halfway up the escarpment. But these are different times, and present regulations require that the residents of those 44 units be protected from all hazards.

So the brothers must build a crash wall, enough to hold back a locomotive pulling four cars. It will be 300 feet long, 10 feet high, 2 1/2 feet thick, all amply reinforced with steel.

And there was a hearing before the Hamilton Conservation Authority, which had wanted more flood protection than is provided by a wall now in place. The Valvasoris spent nearly $200,000 for consultant fees and digital mapping to show that the property was already well protected.

City councillor Russ Powers spoke for them at the HCA, saying that if the kind of storm being talked about ever did hit, all of Dundas would be washed into Westdale anyway. Powers wanted to see this project go. It is where he went to school, and where he met his beloved late wife Linda.

Under a big blue tarp, mason Gus Rosati is crafting a sign out of limestone for the District Lofts. Valvasori says that with no advertising at all, they’ve already had plenty of interest. Marketing will start in the spring. The first units should be ready in the fall, with the project complete by summer of next year.