Rumour Mill

[Innsertnamehere]

Augusta also just got Plank, and has another large restaurant space opening in a year or so in Core Urban's second phase, plus new residents from those units nearby to support the street.

75 James is also 1,500 new residents a short walk away. It'll be fine, might just go through a bit of a transition.

[TheRitsman]

Yea staff confirmed the location at Augusta and James is moving to Hess, while they also plan to open a second location.

[TheHonestMaple]

Originally Posted by Innsertnamehere

Augusta also just got Plank, and has another large restaurant space opening in a year or so in Core Urban's second phase, plus new residents from those units nearby to support the street.

75 James is also 1,500 new residents a short walk away. It'll be fine, might just go through a bit of a transition.

That's very true. About to see a massive number of people move into the area.

The loss of Cat N Fiddle was a massive hit to the area. Best live music in Hamilton probably. That place closed specifically citing the seemingly never ending lockdowns and other covid rules. That was a shame. And Aout 'n About has been closed for years now for some reason? Not sure what's going on there.

I'd still love to see the city do something unique with Augusta. Pedestrian only with cobblestone would be fantastic. Some more trees and proper lighting would also be great. I feel like this city is sitting on a winning ticket. We have such amazing potential for public spaces, but we choose to do nothing with it. Maybe Ritsman can reach out to Kroetsch, can we lobby him to get something done on Augusta??

[TheRitsman]

Originally Posted by TheHonestMaple

That's very true. About to see a massive number of people move into the area.

The loss of Cat N Fiddle was a massive hit to the area. Best live music in Hamilton probably. That place closed specifically citing the seemingly never ending lockdowns and other covid rules. That was a shame. And Aout 'n About has been closed for years now for some reason? Not sure what's going on there.

I'd still love to see the city do something unique with Augusta. Pedestrian only with cobblestone would be fantastic. Some more trees and proper lighting would also be great. I feel like this city is sitting on a winning ticket. We have such amazing potential for public spaces, but we choose to do nothing with it. Maybe Ritsman can reach out to Kroetsch, can we lobby him to get something done on Augusta??

I recall a plan to pedestrianize Augusta similar to King William. It similarly sees very little actual traffic. I will reach out to the Ward 2 office and Cllr. Kroetsch.

[TheHonestMaple]

https://civicplan.ca/a-woonerf-solution/

[ScreamingViking]

Originally Posted by TheRitsman

I recall a plan to pedestrianize Augusta similar to King William. It similarly sees very little actual traffic. I will reach out to the Ward 2 office and Cllr. Kroetsch.

Make sure you mention any trees or greenery. It will aid the cause!

No reason Augusta couldn't be like King William the past couple of summers. Close it to vehicles, let the pubs and restaurants set up tables, and there you go. Allow morning deliveries if there are no alternatives -- this seems to be how every European city I've been to handles their mainly-pedestrian districts.

[mattgrande]

I remember years ago (at least 10? this is pre-supercrawl), there was a chilli fest on Augusta. They weren't allowed to close the road because it's a bus route.

I'd hope that in more modern times, closing the street for an event like that would be a no brainer. I'd love to see that block pedestrianized.

[LikeHamilton]

Originally Posted by Fruitloops

Radius to Hess Village?

I can confirm they are reluctantly moving to Hess Village. 20 Hess Street South between The Katz Law Office and the Gown and Gavel , the old ORA bar. Their lease is up and they could not come to an agreement with the owner of the building. They have bought the new location and are expecting to move sometime in June.

I had only a brief time to talk to them as we both were in a hurry to get to another engagement. I think they wanted to buy the James location and the owner is not selling or wanted to much. They do not know what is going into the James location.

[Innsertnamehere]

the James site has development potential unlike Hess, which makes purchasing it much more affordable most likely.

[TheRitsman]

Originally Posted by Innsertnamehere

the James site has development potential unlike Hess, which makes purchasing it much more affordable most likely.

I don't think that building will ever be redeveloped. The space as a venue or commercial is far too valuable.

[Innsertnamehere]

Perhaps, but if assembled with adjacent properties you could get a decent sized building there.

The state the Hamilton development land market is in, nobody is likely to jump on it too soon, but it could definitely happen eventually.

Hess Village comparatively is entirely protected from development by planning policy. The properties land values would be lower as a result as their highest and best use is for restaurants and the likes.

[King&James]

So, saw this today...let the speculation begin (18-32 James Street South), nothing in dev apps...

[PaperSun]

No permits issued there so must be just road work

[Innsertnamehere]

https://www.hamilton.ca/home-neighbourhood/getting-around/driving-traffic/road-closures

Doesn't look like there's a road closure permit either.

My first instinct is that it's related to the small underground cavern they found here a few months ago. The sidewalk has been closed for most of winter, but this is an expansion of the closure... My bet is so that the City can come in and backfill the cavern and restore the sidewalk.

What's odd about it is that they closed the parking lot, which as far as I know is privately owned. Not sure why they would be doing that or why the owner would agree to the closure to complete road work within the right of way.

[King&James]

Both sides blocked off (MacNab as well)...

[Innsertnamehere]

Good point. Wonder if it's to redo the parking lot to include the vacant, unused lot? That site has always been odd to me since it's just sitting there not generating any revenue whatsoever.. I always thought it was odd they wouldn't just turn it into a parking lot at the very least. This lot IIRC is the most expensive lot in the city so I can't see the owner wanting it to sit empty for long..

[TheRitsman]

The plaza at Queen and York with the B&T grocer had soil testing done today. I asked if the plaza was for sale, and they told me that basically it was already in process, but soil testing was a condition of the sale.

[TheRitsman]

Originally Posted by Innsertnamehere

Good point. Wonder if it's to redo the parking lot to include the vacant, unused lot? That site has always been odd to me since it's just sitting there not generating any revenue whatsoever.. I always thought it was odd they wouldn't just turn it into a parking lot at the very least. This lot IIRC is the most expensive lot in the city so I can't see the owner wanting it to sit empty for long..

It is illegal for them to use it for parking. Hamilton passed a bylaw many years ago disallowing demolished buildings from becoming parking lots after many decades of it happening to reduce property tax payable on vacant buildings.

[The Gore]

To finally move forward with a development will have a huge impact in that part of the core.
I worked across the street in the old Canada Permanent Building (also torn down). Remember Royal Bank building, Robinsons and old CIBC building; such a different feel back then.

[King&James]

Originally Posted by The Gore

To finally move forward with a development will have a huge impact in that part of the core.
I worked across the street in the old Canada Permanent Building (also torn down). Remember Royal Bank building, Robinsons and old CIBC building; such a different feel back then.

Wow, you are indeed dating yourself, I too recall all those spots. Strange how RBC took up their new home in Commerce Place...not sure they could downsize any further.