Downtown Update

[durandy]

How about LRT? I haven't heard much from the RC group in support of it. It surely predated any concrete LRT announcements so likely not a factor in development, but how is it shaping the project mid-stream? Has the project needed to be changed at all to factor in the new alignment of King Street?

[hamilton23]

Originally Posted by durandy

How about LRT? I haven't heard much from the RC group in support of it. It surely predated any concrete LRT announcements so likely not a factor in development, but how is it shaping the project mid-stream? Has the project needed to be changed at all to factor in the new alignment of King Street?

We've supported it since Day One. If anything we believe it helps our current and potential residents, commercial tenants, because they can easily get from one part of town to the opposite end of town, much quicker than with the bus or with a car. The LRT hasn't necessarily predated the Connaught. It was approved formally in August 2017. Prior to that, it was just a proposal. We did and still support it though

[durandy]

Good to hear. That's what I said - that the RC predated LRT so therefore the LRT hasn't contributed to the project, but maybe it has shaped the design. I could look this up so sorry for the simple question, but where is the garage access?

[durandy]

You'll need a rat mitigation strategy!
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/lrt-rats-1.4358671

[hamilton23]

Originally Posted by durandy

Good to hear. That's what I said - that the RC predated LRT so therefore the LRT hasn't contributed to the project, but maybe it has shaped the design. I could look this up so sorry for the simple question, but where is the garage access?

It didn’t impact our design strategy because the actual train and track themselves are set back a fair distance from our building. The new extension of gore park will be separating the road and LRT from our building.

Therefore, it didn’t impact our designs and what not.

Garage access to the building for residents is on the John St side of the building.

[hamilton23]

Originally Posted by durandy

You'll need a rat mitigation strategy!
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/lrt-rats-1.4358671

Haha, I know the city and metrolinx have something planned for this.

[durandy]

Originally Posted by hamilton23

It didn’t impact our design strategy because the actual train and track themselves are set back a fair distance from our building. The new extension of gore park will be separating the road and LRT from our building.

Therefore, it didn’t impact our designs and what not.

Garage access to the building for residents is on the John St side of the building.

That's good, also residents can drive out John and left on King to the highway. If you had been one block east that westerly lane would have been taken out and the direct trip to the highway would have been gone.

I had no idea Gore Park was being extended! Was the area in front of the RC formerly privately owned? That will be a really nice area.

Thanks for all the info.

[atnor]

My only complaint is you guys need a better garbage collection system. From what I understand all garbage collection will occur on John St. Do you know if future phases will incorporate an area on the property that trucks can access so we don’t slow down traffic operations on John?

[hamilton23]

Originally Posted by durandy

That's good, also residents can drive out John and left on King to the highway. If you had been one block east that westerly lane would have been taken out and the direct trip to the highway would have been gone.

I had no idea Gore Park was being extended! Was the area in front of the RC formerly privately owned? That will be a really nice area.

Thanks for all the info.

It's my pleasure. No problem.

Yes, the revitalization of Gore Park that has been completed already will continue or extend in front of the RC on King St. We're currently waiting for the city to begin work on this. I've seen the plans and they're really beautiful. Ties in nicely to the rest of Gore Park. We owned the land before RC development.I believe the land in front of the RC was always owned by the city.

[hamilton23]

Originally Posted by atnor

My only complaint is you guys need a better garbage collection system. From what I understand all garbage collection will occur on John St. Do you know if future phases will incorporate an area on the property that trucks can access so we don’t slow down traffic operations on John?

When Phase 2 residents move in during early 2018, garbage will then be collected inside out compound on Catherine/Main St's.

We look forward to changing the location once Phase 2 begins occupying.

[Chronamut]

Originally Posted by durandy

Bold statements Hamilton23. I'd be very interested in hearing from other developers. The counterargument I'd make is that assembly and planning start so far ahead of construction that any projects nearing construction in the years following approval of Connaught would probably have been planned a decade or so ahead of the Connaught. Look at Blanchard at the Gore, LIUNA at Kresge, everything by Vrancor, or Effort Trust at 46-50 King. These projects, along with the Connaught, will be defining projects for downtown in 25 years. Even so, I'm sure all of those developers have been looking at and inspired by the RC for marketing and planning - but I'd be surprised if the RC team hasn't been doing the same with Vrancor's projects during the past 5 years.

blanchard on the gore is currently a STAIN on the downtown. They should be ashamed for what they tried to do.

[Sehnsucht]

Deleted by poster.

[movingtohamilton]

Originally Posted by Sehnsucht

Let's not turn this into a silly quibble. ...

If I had to pick one development that was THE catalyst--and I don't believe, as I've already said, that there's just one--I would have to go for the Lister Block.

...
So anyway, the RC project is great. It's all great. But let's spread the credit to the entire community. I'm sure we can all agree on that.

Open, free-flowing discussion on the RC project on this forum is just about impossible. The RC cheerleading is led by a member of the developer's family.

[Sehnsucht]

Originally Posted by movingtohamilton

Open, free-flowing discussion on the RC project on this forum is just about impossible. The RC cheerleading is led by a member of the developer's family.

Deleted by poster.

[hamilton23]

(deleted by poster)

[durandy]

Originally Posted by movingtohamilton

Open, free-flowing discussion on the RC project on this forum is just about impossible. The RC cheerleading is led by a member of the developer's family.

we know more about the RC now thanks to Hamilton23 than any other project in town. He's passionate about the project which has led to a few squabbles. I'd far rather have that than all the other threads speculating about, for example, why David Blanchard is sitting on his buildings, when in fact Blanchard only has a 20% stake in 18-32 King, and no one from Hughson Business Space is bothering to correct all that misinformation.

[hamilton23]

Originally Posted by movingtohamilton

Open, free-flowing discussion on the RC project on this forum is just about impossible. The RC cheerleading is led by a member of the developer's family.

I've said on numerous occasions, i'm here to provide updates and correct false information about the development.

Criticisms are fine with me. When they're in malice and slanderous, that's where the line is drawn.

Anyways, if anyone wants to talk RC, move it to the RC thread instead of this main downtown thread.

[hamilton23]

Originally Posted by durandy

we know more about the RC now thanks to Hamilton23 than any other project in town. He's passionate about the project which has led to a few squabbles. I'd far rather have that than all the other threads speculating about, for example, why David Blanchard is sitting on his buildings, when in fact Blanchard only has a 20% stake in 18-32 King, and no one from Hughson Business Space is bothering to correct all that misinformation.

Thank you. I'm honestly here just for that. Not to mention, i'm the Project Manager for the development. I'm here to provide updates and correct false information when I spot it.

[davidcappi]

Criticisms are fine with me. When they're in malice and slanderous, that's where the line is drawn.

lol

[hamilton23]

Originally Posted by davidcappi

lol

Checks seize and desist and walks away