Jackson Square - Page 5

markk · #1 Posted **Jun 25, 2009, 2:45 PM**

Good article and discussion on the JS rooftop. I'm pretty interested in this area of the city due to the proximity of where I work (my office peers down on this space).

My thought is that every city tends to have planning mistakes, and this is certainly a big one for Hamilton. The suggestions above are good ones, but has Yale properties ever even hinted at changes or reno's ? ... I wonder if they are happy with letting the roof sit as is, rather than spend any money to improve our downtown.

One vision I have for the JS roof, hinges on getting a hockey team. Should this ever happen, the roof could be become a decent space for pre-game festivities, screening games, and other team related events.

That said, I'd be equally pleased with JS closing the roof (even just portions of it) and adding skylights and more multi-story stores.

omro · #2 Posted **Jun 25, 2009, 4:27 PM**

HCC is a prime candidate for bulldozing.

If you took out JS Plaza and thus opened up the roof and scooped out what was on the level below, then you'd be able to insert a two level mall with tons of light into that existing shell. That wouldn't in anyway stop the streetwall from being redeveloped and would allow for a much lighter, brighter, bigger shopping experience downtown.

rousseau · #3 Posted **Jun 25, 2009, 7:09 PM**

What if there were a wide, curving ramp at a gentle grade going from the street in the vicinity of King and James up to the rooftop? I mean, maybe you'd have to take out some of the first floor retail space to accommodate it, but then perhaps you could have shops with front doors going into them along the one side of the ramp?

Maybe this would make the rooftop appear more inviting. Of course, to really make it a success you'd have to have more shops up there, as someone else mentioned in this thread.

flar · #4 Posted **Jun 25, 2009, 7:13 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by rousseau

What if there were a wide, curving ramp at a gentle grade going from the street in the vicinity of King and James up to the rooftop? I mean, maybe you'd have to take out some of the first floor retail space to accommodate it, but then perhaps you could have shops with front doors into them along the one side of the ramp?

Maybe this would make the rooftop appear more inviting. Of course, to really make it a success you'd have to have more shops up there.

The wide stairway right beside the main entrance at King and James leads up there, but there are always a bunch of "street-involved youths" sitting on the steps, so people are scared to go up there.

Still, there is no reason to go up there...

adam · #5 Posted **Jun 25, 2009, 7:10 PM**

Or they could put windows and doors in and have a few steps leading up to each entrance..

SteelTown · #6 Posted **Jun 25, 2009, 7:26 PM**

There's the proposed "Grand Stair-Way" from York to the Jackson Square rooftop. It's a case study. Basically demolish the Goodlife building and build a giant ramp.

SteelTown · #7 Posted **Jun 25, 2009, 7:33 PM**

omro · #8 Posted **Jun 29, 2009, 10:11 PM**

I went onto the roof of JS today and I have to say I thought it all a little bit sad. It fails as a useful space on so many levels. It's not attractive as a park. It's not structured for gatherings. It's not is attractive environs. It was just a smokers oasis.

I'm now convinced. Take it out. Block off/bulldose the stairs ways. Open up the roof. Insert a modern, large, light bright two storey mall in it's place, giving tons of natural light to the areas below. Bulldoze HCC once the council move out.

However, I'm still with my earlier freak meteorite strike idea from earlier in the thread, but since that won't happen, best to make do a bit of alternative thinking for the existing building.

realcity · #9 Posted **Jul 6, 2009, 6:33 PM**

I like JS, the hotel, cinemas, restos, retail, office towers, arena, market, library. It's all good.

Besides you couldn't bulldoze JS without destroying the connection to all those other destinations mentioned. Realize with have 6 months of crap weather. And besides this City thinks 'demalling' means tearing it down and turning it into a Power Center.

Besides there are plenty other high priority areas to focus on.
1. Rebuild York Blvd streetwall
2. Rebuild King West north side
3. Canon St Chinatown
4. De-drive thru Bank of Montreal (Bay & Main)
* I refuse to do any business with BMO because of that stupid bank bldg.

SteelTown · #10 Posted **Jul 6, 2009, 9:08 PM**

For me I would like JS to be gutted out and re-done over again. I would make the storefront look like buildings and the aisles look like streets with skylights, mandatory.

Example, from flar http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/show...ghlight=guelph

Plus I would name the aisles like Victor Copps Avenue, Lincoln Alexander Avenue, FU Bettman Avenue, etc. This would help find stores easier like Shoppers on Copps Avenue.

With City Centre I eliminate all retail and replace it with offices. Perhaps get McMaster, Mohawk or Artist studio.

Yale has a lease with the City on JS so one day Yale won't own JS.

omro · #11 Posted **Jul 6, 2009, 10:00 PM**

Who owns it? Are JS and HCC owned by separate entities? What about the other elements that comprise the structure?

Where were those photos from? I like your idea.

SteelTown · #12 Posted **Jul 6, 2009, 10:10 PM**

From my understanding the City owns the land that Jackson Square is located. Yale has a lease. For how long? I don't know. Yale I believe owns the building. This is why you got Farmers' Market and Central Library at JS.

HHC is separate and I believe they own the land and the building.

The photos has a source, click on the link.

bigguy1231 · #13 Posted **Jul 8, 2009, 8:08 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SteelTown

From my understanding the City owns the land that Jackson Square is located. Yale has a lease. For how long? I don't know. Yale I believe owns the building. This is why you got Farmers' Market and Central Library at JS.

HHC is separate and I believe they own the land and the building.

The photos has a source, click on the link.

The city owns some of the land but I don't think all of it. It was a 99 year lease. So that lease should be up sometime around 2070. I think that the land the Stelco tower is located on is owned by Yale. I may be wrong, it's been awhile since I have seen it discussed.

mic67 · #14 Posted **Jul 8, 2009, 8:29 AM**

Jackson Square ROCKS.....Those new MBA's that think otherwise are retarded. Go consume another keg from where ever you came from.

They F up Centre Mall. and soon Mountain Plaza....now Jackson Square......good on ya......

Always call out the retards.....it is your duty.....failure to do so calls you out of your ranks..... and there is no shortage.....of you.....

mic67

omro · #15 Posted **Jul 8, 2009, 2:08 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by mic67

Jackson Square ROCKS.....Those new MBA's that think otherwise are retarded. Go consume another keg from where ever you came from.

What an odd statement.

I don't have an MBA
I don't consume kegs of anything.
I'm lead to believe I have an IQ in the 132 range, i.e. far from retarded.

However, I totally and utterly disagree that "Jackson Square ROCKS"

OK, it has improved, mostly because there are more people in there, however it's dark, dirty and generally uninspiring compared to most modern indoor malls.

My google search says it was built in 1966 and like a lot of 60s architecture wasn't built "that" future facing. While it may have served its purpose back then, it clearly isn't meeting the needs of the modern age.

As much as I would like the building to be demolished and something new rebuilt in it's place, that is unlikely to happen, so why not be open to the potential for improvement through the refurbishment of the interior and exterior?

omro · #16 Posted **Jul 7, 2009, 2:57 AM**

I really like the idea, though I think they should try and do something arty with steel for a JS internal remodel.

I'd like to visit guelph, but only if I can call them guelphlings.

emge · #17 Posted **Jul 8, 2009, 1:25 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by omro

I really like the idea, though I think they should try and do something arty with steel for a JS internal remodel.

I'd like to visit guelph, but only if I can call them guelphlings.

When I worked for a charity a few years ago, another employee actually once spelled it "Guelf" -- i've had the image of these little smurf-like elves in my mind ever since.... hehe.

omro · #18 Posted **Jul 8, 2009, 3:37 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by emge

When I worked for a charity a few years ago, another employee actually once spelled it "Guelf" -- i've had the image of these little smurf-like elves in my mind ever since.... hehe.

I'm making a joke based upon one of my favourite films...

video link

emge · #19 Posted **Jul 8, 2009, 2:29 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by omro

I'm making a joke based upon one of my favourite films...

video link

ah i see.. i've seen labyrinth, but not that one.

The actual inside of that Guelph mall looks amazing..

I'm guessing it would be hard for anyone in the right spot with the capability to, to find the motivation/belief that renovating Jackson Square would pay off, however...

FairHamilton · #20 Posted **Jul 8, 2009, 4:35 PM**

The Eaton Centre opened up some of their stores to Yonge Street, creating storefronts vs. a brick wall along Yonge Street. I think Jackson Square & HCC should do something similar.