Downtown Update

[SteelTown]

The most interesting part from Paul Wilson's Streetbeat article in the Spec today....

Gas stations with repair bays are rare these days. And 2009 saw the demolition of a vintage one — Forbes, at Main and Queen. Shell sent them packing, then left the premises vacant, a gift to area graffiti artists.

But now it’s down, and a few weeks ago Shell sold the property to developer Ralph Frisina.

He likes the location, likes Main Street. So did his father, the late Al Frisina. Eight blocks due east, he built Hamilton’s tallest building, the 43-storey Century 21 in the early ’70s.

Son Ralph hopes to erect a structure with retail on the ground level and a couple of floors of residential or commercial above.

Frisina is also trying to nail down a deal on another Shell eyesore on Main — the empty lot at John that was home to the station run by Al Bridge, who served Shell downtown for 63 years

[SteelTown]

Looks like the Frisina family is back in the development business in Hamilton.

[emge]

since i've only been here a few years -- what's their history in development here?

[SteelTown]

Well obviously the biggest legacy is Landmark Place/Century 21. Al Frisina went broke building that for awhile. Came back and mostly stayed up on the Mountain with housing developments such as Summit Park. He died in 2007, the Spec did a whole article on him. I can probably search for it. http://www.thespec.com/article/175385

Now his son is picking up the family legacy I suppose.

[realcity]

Landmark was finished with public money. It had the same promises that never materialized like developers today> It was to have a helicopter pad, rotating restaurant and observation deck.

But I'm glad it is what it is. If we didn't have it our skyline would suck. Maybe his son will try a new tallest.

[Jon Dalton]

Originally Posted by realcity

Landmark was finished with public money. It had the same promises that never materialized like developers today> It was to have a helicopter pad, rotating restaurant and observation deck.

The observation deck is there, it's just empty.

[matt602]

Originally Posted by Jon Dalton

The observation deck is there, it's just empty.

It's also incredibly small.

[LikeHamilton]

Moodie, Vranich to face corruption trial

TheSpec.com February 09, 2010

Former city worker and developer facing municpal corruption charges

Ontario Court Justice Bernd Zabel has ordered a former city worker and a developer to stand trial on municipal corruption charges.

Gordon Moodie, the former coordinator of Hamilton's Downtown Renewal program, was charged with municipal corruption and public breach of trust in May 2008 by the Ontario Provincial Police's anti-racket squad.

A municipal corruption charge was also laid against local businessman Denis Vranich, whom police allege paid Moodie $5,000 in November 2005 for helping his family get loans from the city's planning and economic development department, for proposed residential projects downtown.

Vranich runs several bars and restaurants in Hess Village, and the family is behind a number of local development proposals, including a hotel at Bay and Main streets.

Moodie left the employ of the City of Hamilton in April of 2009.

[emge]

What are the chances these charges will stick, and what penalty is there?

Remember when the younger Vranich got house arrest for sexual assult? Real fair there.
http://thespec.com/article/254585
http://thespec.com/article/274565

[c@taract_soulj@h]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landmark_Place

"Frisina also believes that no other building will be built in Hamilton taller than Landmark Place because as he puts it; 'the demand's not there and nobody's crazy enough to do it."



Harry Stinson?

[realcity]

Vranich lawyered up with Mani$hen again. He'll get off. Moodie on the other hand might go down. If not his reputation has already been damaged enough. He's still facing a drunk driving charge in Burlington while driving a vehicle owned by Vranich and also and lost his cushy City job.


It's a good thing the OPP stepped in. If you remember our own City Council asked Hamilton Police Services to 'investigate', at the time under police chief Mullan, and the found NO EVIDENCE. The OPP arrive and are like, are you guys stupid or corrupt? and then found enough evidence to lay criminal charges. There wouldn't even be a trial or a story if it weren't for the OPP. I think they need to look deeper then Moodie. Moodie wasn't acting alone at City Hall... that's my guess. Ask the question why didn't Hamilton Police Services didn't find evidence? Bernie Morelli who chaired (at the time) the Police Service and is the link between Police and Council, where was his statement? Where was his explanation why OPP found evidence... enough to warrent a trial/satisfy a judge for a trial ... but Hamilton Police found nothing? This whole story deserves a lot more attention then it's getting. I hope the Spec follows it (and the impaired driving charge) like it should. This is not the first time allegations were made at the Downtown Grant/Loan program. The only difference this time that it's out there, is bc it took an out-of-town investigation to uncover a tiny bit.

I'm so glad we have a new police chief... maybe the envelopes filled with our money will stop being passed around if someone's head rolls after this.

[SteelTown]

A total of 95 building permits, representing over $108 million in construction, were issued within the Downtown Hamilton CIPA in 2009.

This finding is the result of significant public sector investment in the Downtown, with over 90% of the construction value attributed to five projects, including the renovations to City Hall; redevelopment of the historic Lister Block; renovation of the Hamilton Farmers’ Market and Central Library; the construction of the new transit terminal at MacNab Street between King Street and Main Street; and the new Dr. J. Edgar Davey Public School and community centre at Wilson Street and Ferguson Avenue.

[SteelTown]

Downtown Hamilton Ground Floor Vacancies

The Downtown and Community Renewal Division has been tracking the number of ground floor vacancies in commercial and mixed-use buildings within the Downtown Hamilton Community Improvement Project Area since 2001. As shown on the following table, the rate decreased to 9% in 2009.

Downtown Hamilton Ground Floor Vacancies
2001 -16.4%
2002 - 16.1%
2003 - 9.0%
2004 - 10.4%
2005 - 12.6%
2006 - 10.6%
2007 - 11.1%
2008 - 10.1%
2009 - 9.0%

[realcity]

Originally Posted by SteelTown

A total of 95 building permits, representing over $108 million in construction, were issued within the Downtown Hamilton CIPA in 2009.

This finding is the result of significant public sector investment in the Downtown, with over 90% of the construction value attributed to five projects, including the renovations to City Hall; redevelopment of the historic Lister Block; renovation of the Hamilton Farmers’ Market and Central Library; the construction of the new transit terminal at MacNab Street between King Street and Main Street; and the new Dr. J. Edgar Davey Public School and community centre at Wilson Street and Ferguson Avenue.

City Hall - public $
Lister - public $
Central Library - half public $
Bus Terminal - public $
Public School - public $
Community Center - public $

we need private investment then I'll get excited.

[realcity]

Originally Posted by SteelTown

Downtown Hamilton Ground Floor Vacancies

The Downtown and Community Renewal Division has been tracking the number of ground floor vacancies in commercial and mixed-use buildings within the Downtown Hamilton Community Improvement Project Area since 2001. As shown on the following table, the rate decreased to 9% in 2009.

Downtown Hamilton Ground Floor Vacancies
2001 -16.4%
2002 - 16.1%
2003 - 9.0%
2004 - 10.4%
2005 - 12.6%
2006 - 10.6%
2007 - 11.1%
2008 - 10.1%
2009 - 9.0%

Thank goodness for Money Marts and variety stores. Downtown Renewal says nothing about the quality of the tenants

[drpgq]

Anyone know what other projects were cut?

City cancels $12M in loans for downtown residential projects


http://www.thespec.com/News/BreakingNews/article/731338
March 02, 2010
MEREDITH MACLEOD
HAMILTON SPECTATOR
The city has cancelled more than $12 million in loans for residential development in Hamilton's downtown this year.

That includes eight projects that were loaned money in August 2007 and another six approved for loans in 2003 and 2006.

In 2007, the city’s loan program began to require construction to begin within two years so that funding is not tied up in projects not moving forward.

The cancelled loans include $1.7 million approved for the redevelopment of the now demolished Century Theatre into 97 residential units, and $1.8 million to build a long-term stay hotel on Main Street West.

Since its inception, the downtown residential loan program has helped to fund 747 units worth close to $85 million.

[email protected] 905-526-3408

[SteelTown]

14 Mary Street - $1,746,000 - obviously the building collapsed
119 King Street East - $120,000
132 Main Street West (Hilton Hotel) - $1,800,000
245 King Street East - $60,000
53 King Street East - $360,000
275 King Street East - $26,600

[drpgq]

Thanks. Is 53 King East the Bingo building then (looks like it from Google Maps)? I didn't know anything was planned for that residentially.

[SteelTown]

No, it's the Thrift Store, 4 floors. Next to the bingo building.

[realcity]

Can we get the 3.8$ mil back for the Connaught project?