City of Hamilton General Discussion Thread

[King&James]

FWIW , My degree is in Urban Planning, but must say the academics and politicians would benefit from a far greater understanding of land and building economics..

[davidcappi]

My background is in Design and Production and I work in advertising so most of my posts are design related, however I don't agree that prior education should have any weight in regards to participation on this forum. It's a public open board and anyone can post on it if they choose, regardless if they come from a planning/construction background or not. I think it's better to operate under the assumption that nobody on here is a professional in the industry, and to adjust the conduct accordingly to be as accessible and open as possible.

[TheRitsman]

Originally Posted by davidcappi

I don't agree that prior education should have any weight in regards to participation on this forum.

That was not my intention. I just thought it would be interesting information. Similar to reddit, those who are not qualified bring forward points and as long as they are informed opinions, or at the very least not completely wrong, they are appreciated.

Wrongness should definitely not be determined by previous qualifications however, you are right.

[Chronamut]

Originally Posted by TheRitsman

That was not my intention. I just thought it would be interesting information. Similar to reddit, those who are not qualified bring forward points and as long as they are informed opinions, or at the very least not completely wrong, they are appreciated.

Wrongness should definitely not be determined by previous qualifications however, you are right.

This forum is like a quilt - everyone brings a bit of info - and most people learn by actually posting wrong things and being corrected by those that do, so in that way it's a very educational experience. I know I have gained a lot of knowledge that way. Beats doing all the research myself.

I have education in design, architecture, computers, and urban planning as well as a big historical knowledge of the city's past, so I try to learn while bringing up fun info from the past whenever I can

[Chronamut]

You know what I miss that we used to have as a kid down by the harbour? Aquafest - go see the boats - make sand sculptures.. it was all just a fun time.

In fact we really should focus more on WATER for our hamilton theme - we have the harbour, the lake, the boats, and the waterfalls. Heck hamilton puts the fountain in gage part on pretty much all hamilton merchandise - once again water. Imagine if we built buildings that water cascaded off of in tiers, or even if we built our own aquarium - heck toronto has one, why can't we?

[Chronamut]

So the new tropical greenhouse in gage park is looking pretty cool - apparently it's going to have tropical plants, and even animals! Which makes it kinda zoo-like, something I always felt hamilton needed. I always forget all that gage park has to offer.



you can read more here:

https://www.thespec.com/news-story/9...-the-tropical/

[Chronamut]

So I was thinking of making a "things to do in hamilton" thread in here where people can list not only things to do in general in hamilton, so if people are visiting they can sorta read through and learn what there is to do in the city, but also have it be a place where something is going on at that time that it can be listed, sorta like an event listing that is updated in real time.

I know since I don't read the spectator I most likely miss out on a lot that is going on in the city - what do you guys think? I would love to be more aware of all the things going on where and when.

[StEC]

Does anyone know if there was or is plans for the vacant lot that is fenced off at the corner of Main & John? Is there a thread on here about that spot. I wait for the B-Line bus every morning across the street in front of the court house and I look at that lot and it has so much potential, such a wasted opportunity sitting empty for so long!

I haven't lived in Hamilton long enough to know what was there before, does anyone have a photo?

[anactualalien]

Originally Posted by StEC

Does anyone know if there was or is plans for the vacant lot that is fenced off at the corner of Main & John? Is there a thread on here about that spot. I wait for the B-Line bus every morning across the street in front of the court house and I look at that lot and it has so much potential, such a wasted opportunity sitting empty for so long!

I haven't lived in Hamilton long enough to know what was there before, does anyone have a photo?

That's the site of the Pensio project, formerly called The Oxford. Used to be a gas station.

[StEC]

Originally Posted by anactualalien

That's the site of the Pensio project, formerly called The Oxford. Used to be a gas station.

Thank you!

[matt602]

What a screwed up history that lot has had in the past decade. I do have a feeling something will finally happen with it in the next 5 years though.

[Chronamut]

Originally Posted by matt602

What a screwed up history that lot has had in the past decade. I do have a feeling something will finally happen with it in the next 5 years though.

Last I heard there was issues with contamination of the soil because of its past useage.

That and you know, "you know who" being in charge of the original hotel project that was going to go there.., with his stellar history..

[Chronamut]

I stumbled upon this blog today:

https://insanityatjamesandrebecca.wordpress.com/

It appears to be linked with this forum - @davidcappi is this your blog?

[ScreamingViking]

Originally Posted by Chronamut

I stumbled upon this blog today:

https://insanityatjamesandrebecca.wordpress.com/

It appears to be linked with this forum - @davidcappi is this your blog?

That came up in the WTR thread in summer of 2016 when construction was beginning. The blog author joined the conversation for a while.

[Chronamut]

Originally Posted by ScreamingViking

That came up in the WTR thread in summer of 2016 when construction was beginning. The blog author joined the conversation for a while.

Ah I see.. interesting.

[Bubba9000]

Originally Posted by ScreamingViking

That came up in the WTR thread in summer of 2016 when construction was beginning. The blog author joined the conversation for a while.

I believe the blog author lived in the building neighbouring the WTR site, and has since deceased. No idea if anyone is maintaining it now.

[Chronamut]

Originally Posted by Bubba9000

I believe the blog author lived in the building neighbouring the WTR site, and has since deceased. No idea if anyone is maintaining it now.

That's sad to hear.. it's also sad that parts of that building still appear to have hoarding in the windows.. I mean I am happy they painted the pediments and redid the bottom part, but it still makes it look partially abandoned..

[Chronamut]

This is one of the oldest views of king and james that exists after the great fires burned down all of downtowns wooden buildings - it shows the city hall that existed before the old, old city hall and shows a lot of buildings in their former designs.

[johnnyhamont]

do you know the date of that pic?

[Chronamut]

Originally Posted by johnnyhamont

do you know the date of that pic?

It would have been between 1874 and 1888 as 1874 was when they first put the rails in - it looks like the rails are in at this point. 1888 is when the "newer" old city hall was built. So it is somewhere between that time frame.



You can see in this next picture that it was after 1888 as the "newer" old city hall is in the pic. The "older" old city hall tower was added in 1872 to the police jail, and some claim it was done to keep the building standing.