Downtown Update

[TheHonestMaple]

Originally Posted by TheRitsman

https://www.sewersocialists.ca/p/catchin...ign=posts-open-in-app&triedRedirect=true

barf. That sir, is not a credible source of information.

[ScreamingViking]

Originally Posted by TheHonestMaple

barf. That sir, is not a credible source of information.

Are Facebook posts?

I don't know if Erl is part of this particular online community, or if he comes here to read stuff, but I feel he deserves to be defended. Years ago (and this is just my anecdotal experience and opinion) I had some interaction with him... I don't recall what the issue was - whether he was doing his graduate research and reached out to me since I had done some academic research in the same general subject, or whether I had commented on something he wrote that led to a brief chat. I don't know him personally, but he seemed very knowledgeable back then and I think he's put together a very well-written essay on the issue of the "busing myth" in relation to Mancinelli's post. I don't entirely agree with what Erl wrote either (e.g., while people may not be being transported to our city on purpose, I do believe policy and budget choices in other municipalities make it easier for those who need social services to leave and try to access them in places like Hamilton; this is less a overt but harmful practice just the same). He would know better than me given that this is his area of expertise.

[TheHonestMaple]

Originally Posted by ScreamingViking

Are Facebook posts?

I don't know if Erl is part of this particular online community, or if he comes here to read stuff, but I feel he deserves to be defended. Years ago (and this is just my anecdotal experience and opinion) I had some interaction with him... I don't recall what the issue was - whether he was doing his graduate research and reached out to me since I had done some academic research in the same general subject, or whether I had commented on something he wrote that led to a brief chat. I don't know him personally, but he seemed very knowledgeable back then and I think he's put together a very well-written essay on the issue of the "busing myth" in relation to Mancinelli's post. I don't entirely agree with what Erl wrote either (e.g., while people may not be being transported to our city on purpose, I do believe policy and budget choices in other municipalities make it easier for those who need social services to leave and try to access them in places like Hamilton; this is less a overt but harmful practice just the same). He would know better than me given that this is his area of expertise.

I occasionally read his blog posts, because people like Cameron Kroetsch and Joey Coleman share it on X. I find his writing style offensive, biased and arrogant - hardly objective.

[jonny24]

Originally Posted by Allroadsleadtoham

Hamilton's growth is poised to continue due to several compelling factors. Firstly, its strategic location within the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) makes it an attractive option for developers. Hamilton's proximity to Toronto, along with its accessibility via major transit routes, ensures it remains a focal point for development. The city's established infrastructure, though in need of modernization, provides a solid foundation for future growth.

Concerns about businesses leaving are largely unfounded, as Hamilton's economic landscape is bolstered by its industrial presence and affordable real estate market, which remains appealing compared to Toronto.The city's commitment to infrastructure and urban development, including the expansion of the Urban Boundary, further supports its growth trajector.

The issue of homelessness is expected to be mitigated by ongoing gentrification and shifts in political representation that align with changing neighborhood demographics. Local leaders, like Cameron Kroetch, are attuned to the needs of their constituents, particularly in areas like Ward 2, which is undergoing significant transformation due to social programs and gentrification. His brand of politics will be gone soon.

Remember, overall Hamilton's growth is supported by its advantageous location, economic opportunities, and strategic urban planning, making it a desirable place for residents and investors alike.

This sounds like ChatGPT wrote it

[HamiltonBoyInToronto]

the fact that other communities are sending their homeless/services users to Hamilton is 100% true

my partner used to work at Blue Doors Shelter in Newmarket and they would send people either by bus or sometimes even taxi to Hamilton because their beds were full

This has been happening for many years and Im sure since the pandemic the occurance has increased. Most of the unhoused in Hamilton are from surrounding communities (especially the smaller ones where services & drugs are not as abundant) it is easier for the unhoused to find what they need here...

[TheHonestMaple]

Originally Posted by HamiltonBoyInToronto

the fact that other communities are sending their homeless/services users to Hamilton is 100% true

my partner used to work at Blue Doors Shelter in Newmarket and they would send people either by bus or sometimes even taxi to Hamilton because their beds were full

This has been happening for many years and Im sure since the pandemic the occurance has increased. Most of the unhoused in Hamilton are from surrounding communities (especially the smaller ones where services & drugs are not as abundant) it is easier for the unhoused to find what they need here...

Yeah it's very well known. I know people that work in social services as well, I asked them this week. They confirmed it too. It might not be a literal bus, but they are definitely being sent here.

[Allroadsleadtoham]

Originally Posted by TheHonestMaple

Yeah it's very well known. I know people that work in social services as well, I asked them this week. They confirmed it too. It might not be a literal bus, but they are definitely being sent here.

This statement shouldn't be surprising. The objective moving forward should be to avoid transforming the city into a large men's shelter. It's encouraging to see discussions surrounding this issue.

To the Reddit trolls who thrive on negative comments: consider contributing constructively instead of trolling. If you're out of ideas, perhaps ask ChatGPT for assistance.

[ScreamingViking]

Originally Posted by Allroadsleadtoham

To the Reddit trolls who thrive on negative comments: consider contributing constructively instead of trolling.

Are there Reddit trolls here?

My take is this is mainly a "spirited" discussion among people with very divergent perspectives. And that's ok, as long as everyone plays nice and is respectful.

[Hamil60]

Rumors do fly but went by boarded up area of the federal building and door was open to reveal reno work going on behind boarded up exterior. Great to see things still moving forward!

[TheRitsman]

Originally Posted by Hamil60

Rumors do fly but went by boarded up area of the federal building and door was open to reveal reno work going on behind boarded up exterior. Great to see things still moving forward!

https://urbantoronto.ca/forum/threads/central-hamilton.38580/post-2139787

[TheHonestMaple]

Bardo on James North has announced that they are closing permanently on October 26 - specifically referencing the "challenging conditions" of downtown Hamilton.

You'd have to be completely blind at this point to still be saying that the drug fueled zombie apocalypse is not ruining the economic future of the downtown.

[ScreamingViking]

There's this. It won't solve the problem for which I think the provincial and federal governments need to take responsibility, but it's a start at least.
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hamilton/outdoor-shelter-1.7333791

But hey, we may get a 401 tunnel through Toronto. Perhaps they'll build it with cubbies on the side for the "zombies." There won't be supervised injection sites, but maybe supports for the dealers who serve the drug-addicted to allow the meth and fentanyl to flow more freely. Because those "folks" are at least being industrious, if not legally.

[rdaner]

Originally Posted by TheHonestMaple

Bardo on James North has announced that they are closing permanently on October 26 - specifically referencing the "challenging conditions" of downtown Hamilton.

You'd have to be completely blind at this point to still be saying that the drug fueled zombie apocalypse is not ruining the economic future of the downtown.

This is so funny as wherever I am in Hamilton I see very few vagrants and things look great! Is it a nighttime problem? Really site-specific?

[TheHonestMaple]

Originally Posted by rdaner

This is so funny as wherever I am in Hamilton I see very few vagrants and things look great! Is it a nighttime problem? Really site-specific?

Gore Park and the surrounding streets is literally ground zero of the zombie apocalypse, and anyone who isn't a drugged out zombie is cruising around on a mobility scooter.

[TheHonestMaple]

La Luna on James South also just announced they are closing their doors. I spoke to the staff there, it's also because of the rising drug addict and crime situation. Apparently they are having increased incidents of unwell people coming in causing a disturbance, and they are noticing a reduction in sales as less people are coming downtown because of the vagrant situation.

We have an emergency in this city where cash is leaving because of dangerous and violent drug addicts. Our politicians and police need to take this seriously.

[TheRitsman]

The space where Bardo is already had another tenant lined up. Turn off the klaxons.

[BCTed]

Originally Posted by TheRitsman

The space where Bardo is already had another tenant lined up. Turn off the klaxons.

I am curious. Do you not believe that downtown Hamilton has a massive homeless/druggie problem? And do you not believe that it is an impediment to getting thr place to a healthy state?

[TheRitsman]

Originally Posted by BCTed

I am curious. Do you not believe that downtown Hamilton has a massive homeless/druggie problem? And do you not believe that it is an impediment to getting thr place to a healthy state?

I don't think literally anyone is saying that. People are pretending that if you go downtown you'll be accosted, raped and all your money taken. It's just not true. Businesses are flourishing and opening every week (I actually live here so I pay attention and have spoken to multiple business owners, including ones that haven't opened yet). Downtown has a problem if visible homelessness and people doing drugs, but acting like a dude smoking meth is gonna kill you is bananas, and while it's not optimal, the absolute disgust some people see towards these people like they're vermin is disgusting in its own right. They're doing drugs, not diddling children, relax.

Myself and dozens of my friends live downtown and we feel perfectly safe because we live here, know what it's like and actually read the stats. We know that every city is going through a crisis right now. Most of the people that became homeless didn't do it as a lifestyle choice. We also know that rates of violence remain incredibly low compared to historic highs, and remain lower than dozens of other cities we'd feel safe walking around in like Chicago, New York and Boston.

I'm glad the city is funding additional shelter spaces and the Tiffany/Barton temporary outdoor tiny home shelter. There's only around 400 people living in visible homelessness so the increase in capacity by the city will put a massive dent. But we continue to need access to temporary and transitional housing so people can stay somewhere temporarily being able to get a good night's rest with support to find a new home or a new job without turning to drugs to numb the suffering that is living on the street.

Hamilton isn't in a unique situation and I find it interesting that Hamiltonians especially don't recall their own city from 20 years ago when half of James and the downtown was boarded up, buildings LITERALLY COLLAPSING, and major commercial strips were non-existent. Have a little hope in your city and work on the solutions, damn.

The people complaining about how bad it is, are almost never out there working to make a difference. Get involved, and when you meet some of the great people this crisis is happening to, you may gain a bit of empathy. Are there bad homeless people? Sure. But that's a people problem, not a homeless problem. There's shitty people everywhere.

[TheHonestMaple]

Originally Posted by TheRitsman

I don't think literally anyone is saying that. People are pretending that if you go downtown you'll be accosted, raped and all your money taken. It's just not true. Businesses are flourishing and opening every week (I actually live here so I pay attention and have spoken to multiple business owners, including ones that haven't opened yet). Downtown has a problem if visible homelessness and people doing drugs, but acting like a dude smoking meth is gonna kill you is bananas, and while it's not optimal, the absolute disgust some people see towards these people like they're vermin is disgusting in its own right. They're doing drugs, not diddling children, relax.

Myself and dozens of my friends live downtown and we feel perfectly safe because we live here, know what it's like and actually read the stats. We know that every city is going through a crisis right now. Most of the people that became homeless didn't do it as a lifestyle choice. We also know that rates of violence remain incredibly low compared to historic highs, and remain lower than dozens of other cities we'd feel safe walking around in like Chicago, New York and Boston.

I'm glad the city is funding additional shelter spaces and the Tiffany/Barton temporary outdoor tiny home shelter. There's only around 400 people living in visible homelessness so the increase in capacity by the city will put a massive dent. But we continue to need access to temporary and transitional housing so people can stay somewhere temporarily being able to get a good night's rest with support to find a new home or a new job without turning to drugs to numb the suffering that is living on the street.

Hamilton isn't in a unique situation and I find it interesting that Hamiltonians especially don't recall their own city from 20 years ago when half of James and the downtown was boarded up, buildings LITERALLY COLLAPSING, and major commercial strips were non-existent. Have a little hope in your city and work on the solutions, damn.

The people complaining about how bad it is, are almost never out there working to make a difference. Get involved, and when you meet some of the great people this crisis is happening to, you may gain a bit of empathy. Are there bad homeless people? Sure. But that's a people problem, not a homeless problem. There's shitty people everywhere.

This type of attitude is absolutely shocking to me, and almost as bad as people doing the drugs themselves. You're literally condoning violent psychotic drug behaviour, suggesting " it's not that bad, get over it".

[BCTed]

Originally Posted by TheRitsman

I don't think literally anyone is saying that. People are pretending that if you go downtown you'll be accosted, raped and all your money taken. It's just not true. Businesses are flourishing and opening every week (I actually live here so I pay attention and have spoken to multiple business owners, including ones that haven't opened yet). Downtown has a problem if visible homelessness and people doing drugs, but acting like a dude smoking meth is gonna kill you is bananas, and while it's not optimal, the absolute disgust some people see towards these people like they're vermin is disgusting in its own right. They're doing drugs, not diddling children, relax.

Myself and dozens of my friends live downtown and we feel perfectly safe because we live here, know what it's like and actually read the stats. We know that every city is going through a crisis right now. Most of the people that became homeless didn't do it as a lifestyle choice. We also know that rates of violence remain incredibly low compared to historic highs, and remain lower than dozens of other cities we'd feel safe walking around in like Chicago, New York and Boston.

I'm glad the city is funding additional shelter spaces and the Tiffany/Barton temporary outdoor tiny home shelter. There's only around 400 people living in visible homelessness so the increase in capacity by the city will put a massive dent. But we continue to need access to temporary and transitional housing so people can stay somewhere temporarily being able to get a good night's rest with support to find a new home or a new job without turning to drugs to numb the suffering that is living on the street.

Hamilton isn't in a unique situation and I find it interesting that Hamiltonians especially don't recall their own city from 20 years ago when half of James and the downtown was boarded up, buildings LITERALLY COLLAPSING, and major commercial strips were non-existent. Have a little hope in your city and work on the solutions, damn.

The people complaining about how bad it is, are almost never out there working to make a difference. Get involved, and when you meet some of the great people this crisis is happening to, you may gain a bit of empathy. Are there bad homeless people? Sure. But that's a people problem, not a homeless problem. There's shitty people everywhere.

Homeless/druggies are not vermin and some of them may be the salt of the earth, but that is not really relevant when discussing this problem. Open air drug use might not be "diddling", but it is still not something that people want to be exposed to or have their children exposed to. These people do still commit crimes. They do steal. They do frighten women, children, men. They pee and poop where people should not pee and poop. They smell bad. They yell. They fight with one another. They stand in the middle of live traffic. They lie unconscious on the sidewalk. They are also far more likely to do some of the other "bad" things you mentioned than are people from the general population.

Even if you were to learn that all of these down-on-their-luckers have hearts of gold, they would still represent a problem. They make for an unpleasant/uncomfortable/potentially unsafe experience, whether you have sympathy/empathy for them or not.

And this particular problem may well be continent-wide, but it is still a major problem that just means that it is a shared major problem. And it is particularly visible/acute in Hamilton. And people can be concerned about the problem and/or turned off by it without being obligated to take individual action to try to help fix it. And they do unquestionably make for a more difficult business climate. And they do threaten the future vibrancy/prosperity of downtown Hamilton.