I agree too. I don't know why they didn't build some box stores in the northwest corner of the mall. That is big wasted space on the lot. It is even ilegal to park in that area. So what good is that space then. And they could have done something else in the corner that they tore down where Kmart was. And they could have torn down the old movie theatre building and put some box stores there.
he knows all about the 'anti-development' arguement.
He was one who would regularly make it when he was on council.
Now the media has taken up the torch and they use it any chance they get.
They go interview some politician in a lame spot like Brantford and have him agree that, yup, Hamilton is anti-development.
Yea, and Brantford is the cat's meow.
Have you noticed the Braneida Business Park? They've made some serious scores in that area--logistics businesses, Dana, Adidas, IAWS, etc. Brantford may have it's challenges downtown, but it has been successful at attracting business park tenants.
And yes, to be seen as anti-development IS the kiss of death.
That doesn't. however, translate into me saying the redevelopment of the Centre is appealing. If the City believed it would have lost at the OMB, it would seem to me they might the right decision under the circumstances.
no, the city did the wrong thing.
they should have demanded proper urban design and a Barton streetwall as Cooke mentions.
This crap is bad enough in the burbs...it's much worse in a dense, walkable urban environment.
This could have been a great development to spur other great developments in the east/central part of the city.
It's the city's job to ensure that is what happens. Not just be a butt kisser for every friggin developer who shows up with another trashy piece of crap plan to ruin another corner of our fine city.
I think the Centre redevelopment is a missed opportunity, at least in part--I'm not defending the concept put forth by Redcliffe. Nonetheless, the original Centre is--well--a mid-century, suburban-oritented shopping centre--it is not as if Redcliffe is tearing out something decidely urban and replacing it with the new development. Had Redcliffe gone the OMB route, it would seem they'd be likely to win--or, perhaps they could've left the Centre in it's benign state of terminal illness and simply left the city with a large greyfield. I too would've liked to have seen something different built on the site (hell, it'd be nice if it was still a horse track)--but the demographics of the neighborhood have driven the scale and nature of the development as much as anything.
Nonetheless, if you think you're going to lose at OMB, going that route in 'principle' is a frivilous use of funds...take the saved legal funds and invest them in proper cladding for city hall.
Sears last day there is September 9th. They open at Eastgate on Sept 12th.
The Food Court is closing on September 13th.
The new TD Canada Trust Building is the most complete looking and they are scheduled to open there in November. I think the sign said either Nov 12th or 21st.
There is another building at the front that is at least partially enclosed. It's almost in front of where Sears is now but more towards the mall side than Kenilworth if that makes sense. I saw it from the TD/Shoppers mall entrance. It's in from Barton, closer to the mall.
The arches are gone from the mall parking lot.
Kids are still climbing the slanted sides of the fountains. One was doing his impression of Tony Hawk. (his words not mine). I didn't climb but I did put my foot on the side of the fountain/planter in front of Sears for old times sake.
Let me guess, once its done, if someone blindfolded you and took you to the middle of the development and then removed the blindfold you wouldn't know if you were in a power centre in
A. Burlington,
B. Mississauga, or
C. Centre Mall
I guess it was a real bummer with the old model... you had to actually walk from 1 end of the mall to the other... we are way smarter now! Now with the new big box store model, you can just start up your car and drive from 1 box store to a different kind of box
Plenty of people in that part of town don't have cars, but hey, big box stores don't want you wasting space if you don't have your own car to haul away loads of merchandise.
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once again, city hall craps all over east/central Hamilton.
No Innovation District here. No innovation or planning or concern or care about anything from city hall east of Wellington St.
Residents need to fill up barrels of water from their basements the next time it rains and dump it all over council chamber desks during the next city hall meeting.
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