Downtown entertainment group would like to see Hamilton men’s shelter relocated
https://www.thespec.com/news/hamilto...-district.html
Now that plans are in the works to renovate FirstOntario Centre and build a glitzy entertainment district at York and Bay, some are asking what might happen to the area around the arena.
More specifically: What about the Salvation Army men’s shelter across the street?
It’s a delicate question.
“It’s very delicate,” says Hamilton Urban Precinct Entertainment Group partner and director of the arena renovation project, Jasper Kujavsky.
The question really comes down to whether that facility and the work it does for homeless and transient men is an ideal fit with the vision for the area as a fashionable spot that will draw people from around the city and beyond to hang out downtown. And can you lean towards ‘no’ without sounding uncompassionate?
The answer?
Kujavsky says HUPEG — which is planning to spend between $400 million and $500 million of private money to rejuvenate the downtown entertainment facilities and create other mixed-use development in the core — has spoken to the Salvation Army about the possibility of a relocation, which expresses pretty clearly what the consortium’s position is. To redefine this part of the city and give it a more upscale feel might require a change.
“They, I believe, recognize that there is a desire on many peoples’ parts to see if a relocation can be made possible,” he says. “In a way that benefits the Salvation Army (and) takes into account all of their needs, all of their requirements.”
And the other concern? The one about not sounding bad?
Kujavsky suggests that shouldn’t be an issue because any plan would require the Salvation Army’s approval. The Booth Centre fills an incredibly important role, he says, and nobody is forcing it to vacate. HUPEG wants to be respectful and collaborate with the charity to find a solution downtown that satisfies it rather than trying to squeeze it out.
“Every major city has to have important social services,” Kujavsky says. “But at the same time, cities also want to have entertainment zones where people can come and sit on a patio and go to a show. Things that all appropriately belong in a vibrant, balanced and inclusive urban core are not automatically all going to be immediate neighbours.”
What’s the Salvation Army’s position on all this?
“The only thing right now that we can confirm is our commitment to Hamilton’s most vulnerable,” its divisional manager of marketing and communications, Billy Canning, said in an email to The Spectator. “This pandemic has really impacted so many in the community which you are aware of, and we at The Salvation Army are continuing to focus on how we can provide essential programs and services to those in need.”
Ward 2 Coun. Jason Farr says he’s heard there have been conversations between HUPEG and the Salvation Army but says talk of a move is hardly new. There have been some challenges inside and outside that facility for some time, he says.
“Since I’ve been a councillor (he was elected in 2010) there’s been discussions about the relocation,” he says.
He says the city has no direct stake in this negotiation. The future of the men’s shelter was not part of the official entertainment precinct agreement with the city. But if this reimagining of the downtown could satisfy both sides and if the Salvation Army chooses to work with HUPEG to make this happen, he’d be happy to do what he could to help.
While Kujavsky says no alternate site has yet been found, discussions are underway with a number of property owners in the downtown to see if there’s a spot that would fit the needs of the men’s centre. A wide net is being cast to find that location.
“We’re committed to doing anything within our power to assist them and even help facilitate a relocation that meets all of their requirements and expectations,” he says.
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