Downtown Update - Page 48

adam · #**941** Posted **Mar 2, 2009, 4:35 AM**

And the street parking signs that say "No parking 4-6pm" do nothing but kill business for shop owners. All the people driving home from work could stop at a local shop on the way home and pick something up. You see a business you'd like to go in, and you think "that looks interesting" or "i'd like to check that out" but there is no parking in front of the store so you just keep going home.

crhayes · #**942** Posted **Mar 2, 2009, 6:55 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteelTown

Downtown Update........

• The site plan for 62 new residential units in the Lyric Century Apartments, 14 Mary Street, was finalized and approved in 2008.

• A site plan has also been submitted for an outdoor patio at the northwest corner of Bay and King Streets. The current Red Lion Inn is slated to undergo substantial renovations.

• Negotiations continue regarding Education Square, the potential future site of McMaster University’s School of Family Medicine, to be developed in conjunction with the City of Hamilton’s Public Health Department, future commercial/hotel development, and possibly the new administrative office for the Hamilton Wentworth District School Board. This project is on the site of the current School Board head office.

• The development proposed on the south side of Main Street West, between Hess and Caroline streets features Shoppers Drug Mart, LCBO and other retail uses, and a municipally leased parking structure to serve the adjacent Hess Village Entertainment District. Ongoing negotiations include the possibility of introducing residential units to this mixed-use development concept.

• The Staybridge Suites Hotel at 118 Market Street is proposed to relocate to a new facility to be built at 137 Main Street West. The sale of the existing hotel to new owners who will convert it to a seniors residence was negotiated in 2008, prompting construction at the new site.

Did you mean the north side? The south side already has buildings there... unless they are doing a retrofit?

matt602 · #**943** Posted **Mar 2, 2009, 9:35 PM**

It should be the North side, yes. Where the giant parking sea is.

urban_planner · #**944** Posted **Mar 3, 2009, 7:27 PM**

I just wanted to point out that that have be doing some asthetic work on the brick building along hunter across from the GO Station then have been working on a light green sheet metal pyramid style room. Its a minor thing but i think it looks great so far.

Also do any of you guys know who owns the piggot building?

I think it would be a good idea to contact them about spot lighting the top of the build with some flood lights maybe green or blue or white or something like that. I think it would look great looking out there at night.

Hammer Native · #**945** Posted **Mar 4, 2009, 2:14 AM**

The Piggot Building would be a registered condominium corporation and anything about the property decided by their board of directors. Funny, Harry Stinson said something similar about the building during his first visit to Hamilton. Said it was dark and suggested LED lighting. It would be great to see it at night that's for sure.

urban_planner · #**946** Posted **Mar 4, 2009, 3:02 AM**

How can we contact them?

Lukey · #**947** Posted **Mar 4, 2009, 3:29 AM**

I live in the building and I'm sure there would be a few things stopping this from happening at the moment.

First, the upper portion of the building is the two story penthouse and I'm not sure they'd enjoy the light coming from the LED's. Second, is cash flow issues. We've just been told a special assessment is coming our way, I believe for restorations and maintenance of the building. So, the LED would not rank high up on the list of priorities. Last, the board is comprised of unit owners who would feel a greater responsibility to the unit owners than to display the building. The building gains a fair amount of attention. Sales of units are generally quick and rentals filled promptly, so attracting people to the building isn't an issue.

While displaying sights like my building is a good thought, it doesn't offer anything tangible to the board, nor does it seem practical to me at this point in time.

urban_planner · #**948** Posted **Mar 4, 2009, 3:38 AM**

maybe true still I think something that could be done at some point.

There would be ways to work around the light coming in the window. I don't think LED would be best for Piggott I think just simple flood lights would do the trick.

Also I don't think I have ever seen any lights in the top 2 floor windows.

Millstone · #**949** Posted **Mar 4, 2009, 4:54 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lukey

Sales of units are generally quick and rentals filled promptly,

You've had the same 4 units for sale for like 6 months. And they're at bargain basement prices.

Millstone · #**950** Posted **Mar 4, 2009, 4:55 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by adam

And the street parking signs that say "No parking 4-6pm" do nothing but kill business for shop owners. All the people driving home from work could stop at a local shop on the way home and pick something up. You see a business you'd like to go in, and you think "that looks interesting" or "i'd like to check that out" but there is no parking in front of the store so you just keep going home.

A lot of these businesses close at 5pm anyway, no?

coalminecanary · #**951** Posted **Mar 4, 2009, 10:02 AM**

I for one am open til 7pm. And any time of day I'd appreciate a few parking spaces out front of my shop instead of a high speed truck lane. And perhaps the reason many business owners close at 5pm is because they've learned over time that nobody stops once rush hour begins, since all of the storefronts become a blur from the commuters' moving car windows. Even people I know as friends just honk as they drive by - if the flow allows them enough time just for honking! A lane of parking would mean not only more drivers stopping but a more friendly pedestrian experience - and you gotta be a pedestrian to be a customer. Traffic is not business, unless you are at a drive-thru window.

adam · #**952** Posted **Mar 4, 2009, 6:44 PM**

+1. Street parking is a must. Many commuters would stop at shops if they could pull over to the side of the road and peek their head in.

omro · #**953** Posted **Mar 4, 2009, 6:52 PM**

Just out of curiosity, I'm used to pedestrianised town centres which are usually very busy with foot traffic. Why is being able to drive by a shop and park in front of it essential? Pedestrianised town centres in the UK seem to do very well.

matt602 · #**954** Posted **Mar 4, 2009, 7:53 PM**

The concept of pedestrianised town centres kind of died in the automobile boom of the 1960's and 1970's in North America, and in Canada it never really returned. Following that, people value convenience of parking over getting off your ass and walking places.

urban_planner · #**955** Posted **Mar 6, 2009, 4:25 AM**

I searched around to try and find an answer but I could so here is my question.

What are they build at St Joes at James and St Josephs Dr?

Millstone · #**956** Posted **Mar 6, 2009, 6:36 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by omro

Just out of curiosity, I'm used to pedestrianised town centres which are usually very busy with foot traffic. Why is being able to drive by a shop and park in front of it essential? Pedestrianised town centres in the UK seem to do very well.

They have to compete with big boxlands in suburbia where land is/was cheap and you're able to do such things.

flar · #**957** Posted **Mar 7, 2009, 4:32 PM**

Just got back from the market and it appears they have pushed back their move to Jackson Square until mid April.

ryan_mcgreal · #**958** Posted **Mar 9, 2009, 2:23 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Millstone

They have to compete with big boxlands in suburbia where land is/was cheap and you're able to do such things.

I wish they'd stop at some point and ask, "So how's this working for us?"

realcity · #**959** Posted **Mar 10, 2009, 3:33 PM**

can someone tell me what's going on the arts group thing at the former Jerry's Man Shop?

They're just as bad as Vranich. They shouldn't have torn it down then. What does the by-law say? Torn-down building must be replaced in one year?

block43 · #**960** Posted **Mar 10, 2009, 4:10 PM**

I think it is two years