DOWNTOWN BIA INPUT TO HAMILTON TRUCK ROUTE STUDY - July 22, 2008
The Downtown Hamilton Business Improvement Area has reviewed the documents pertaining to the proposed Truck Route Study for the City of Hamilton and wishes to offer its position with respect to truck routes within the Downtown core.
Current truck routes within the Downtown area that the BIA has identified as problematic are Main, York/Wilson, and Cannon. Truck capacities on some of these streets are very high, having detrimental effects on land use and redevelopment plans, pedestrian friendly environments, downtown residential neighbourhoods and road improvements initiatives. The BIA recognizes that the ultimate destinations of trucks flowing through Downtown Hamilton include Burlington Street, Barton Street as part of the old industrial heartland of Hamilton as well as the Port. However the BIA is disappointed that the consultants would not release their truck traffic numbers and peak usage periods when asked to quantify the issues and the routes in order to allow stakeholders to develop informed positions on the issue.
With the completion of the Red Hill Creek Parkway and the LINC, it was generally anticipated that truckers who wanted to access the north end would either follow the existing truck routes from the 401/403 over the Skyway Bridge and along Burlington Street or follow 403 to the LINC and the Parkway to Barton. Other alternatives could direct trucks from the LINC down Upper James to Victoria which would lead them to the north end on a direct route. However complaints from the trucking community regarding traffic jams and delays at the 403 and LINC interchanges going both east and west off the LINC seem to suggest that after a few months truckers have resumed their old habits of using Main, York/Wilson and Cannon instead of remaining on those highways to access the north end.
The BIA believes that with the introduction of an LRT system into the downtown streetscape environment it is unlikely that Main Street can support either a 5 lane traffic system as it currently exists today or the current or larger traffic capacity with a 2-lane LRT system that will likely exist tomorrow.
Therefore the Downtown Hamilton BIA recommends:
1. That Main Street be taken off the truck route from Wellington to Dundurn Streets for restricted hours of 8 am to 8 pm as an initial step to removing them completely if Main Street is selected as the LRT route through Downtown Hamilton.
2. That the interchange at the LINC and Highway 403 be improved as part of this study to improve truck routing around Downtown and that this be completed before changes to truck routes in Downtown are implemented
3. That the Main Street and York Boulevard/Wilson Street stoplight systems be synchronized to slow down traffic along the downtown corridor to discourage trucks from choosing that route as a direct one through the lower city.
4. That should the City agree to remove trucks off of Main that the York/Wilson street two way conversion be put under review in order to assess if this street needs to be maintained as a one way street as a direct route from the 403 to the north end.
5. That the City of Hamilton work with companies responsible for showing truck routes on GPS systems and various other on-line mapping systems to assist truckers in making alternate choices when routing their trips in and around Hamilton.
The Downtown Hamilton BIA wishes to thank the department and the study team for the opportunity to provide our comments and suggestions as part of the public process.
DOWNTOWN HAMILTON BIA CORRESPONDS TO DOWNTOWN HAMILTON TRANSPORTATION TERMINAL PROPOSALS - May 30, 2008
After reviewing the public display documents at the Public Information Centre held at the Hamilton Convention Centre on May 29th, 2008 the Downtown Hamilton BIA has the following comments:
• The BIA supports the movement of the 8 bus stops from the south leg of King Street East to a seamless bus transportation hub at MacNab Street as our first choice. The proposed design of the MacNab Street terminal with weather protection, accessibility, public washrooms, a full-time security on site, and passenger amenities will go a long way to improving the bus service in the Downtown area.
• We agree with the closure of MacNab Street to all but bus vehicles and those needing access to the CIBC tower parking lot and Hamilton Place.
• It is unfortunate that the MacNab Street Hybrid Option will not accommodate the number of buses being removed from Gore Park however we believe that the Long Term MacNab Street Model will provide the necessary incentive to integrate the bus system with a possible LRT system on the East-West B Line with this site.
• We would like to see in the long term options for MacNab Street some opportunity to utilize the lot between the Pigott Building and the CIBC towers in a more commercial use than a paved parking lot with buses. We use the St. Catharines Downtown Bus Terminal as an example of what could be done to put a commercial development over top of the bus terminal. This would allow for more development to occur in a very key location in the core as well as provide cover for passengers and noise mitigation for the residential developments within the area. It would also provide a continual street façade along James Street South to connect the two buildings together with perhaps a pedestrian and tiered parking lot entrance to the terminal from James Street South.
• Requests for Proposals should be sought to utilize a private-public partnership in the development of this site.
• The BIA supports the use of available space at the back of the Go Centre on Hunter Street as opposed to reconfiguring the front of the building and Hunter Street particularly to accommodate loading platforms.
• We also support the efforts of the design staff in creating an urban pedestrian corridor from the MacNab Street Terminal to Gore Park in an effort to link the downtown business community if only on a temporary basis.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide input to a very important piece of Downtown Hamilton’s transformation in the months and years to come.
DOWNTOWN HAMILTON POSITION ON DOWNTOWN TRANSPORTATION MASTER PLAN - May 26, 2008
Re: GORE PARK PEDESTRIAN PLAZA AND RAPID TRANSIT PROPOSALS FOR HAMILTON
The City of Hamilton is currently reviewing its Downtown Transportation Master Plan. The conversion of parts of King Street to 2-way traffic from Wellington to Queen is being addressed for possible implementation. In conjunction with this a project to redevelop Gore Park area along King Street into a “PEDESTRIAN PLAZA” (an open-air, on-street shopping mall with space for outdoor patios and locale for special street events) has been added to this proposal with several options to extend the closed plaza concept to Wellington. Also further changes to King Street have been proposed as part of a BRT/LRT transit development.
These projects will have a profound impact on the downtown business community in general and upon certain BIA members in particular.
IMPACT OF PEDESTRIAN PLAZA or SHARED SPACE CONCEPT ON BIA MEMBERS LOCATED IN THE GORE PARK AREA:
• King Street closure in any of the recommended versions could provide opportunities to be used by those businesses facing Gore Park in conjunction with outdoor patio activities and more on-street displays however would have a very detrimental effect on business levels and access to businesses such as the former Connaught site and Crowne Plaza Hotel. It would also remove some on street parking spaces on King Street which is not supported by the merchants on King.
• Programming on the south leg of King Street could attract more people to the area on a regular basis
• Commercial vehicles servicing BIA members within the Gore Park Area and along King Street will be limited to a certain window of access which would have a detrimental effect on supply vehicle movements, banking services, restaurant delivery services
• A reconfiguration of Hughson Street North and South would be necessary to facilitate a street closure at King and would make access to this area very difficult
• Bus laybys around Gore Park will be relocated to either MacNab Street or Hunter Street locations however keeping bus stops on the north side
• Public vehicle restrictions in the impacted area will restrict access to those businesses inside the closed area
• Creation of a rapid transit route from the Waterfront to the Airport through downtown will bring more people to the core however there are concerns for the narrowness of James Street North to accommodate two way rapid transit
• Creation of a rapid transit route from Eastgate Mall to Dundas through downtown will facilitate more use of public transit than is currently experienced however members are concerned about the King Street location for a two way rapid transit corridor
• The type of technology (BRT or LRT) the city will support in the wake of a $300 million investment by the Province of Ontario will still not be enough to complete the proposed system and will have a significant impact on the tax levels in Downtown Hamilton that are currently still too high.
The Downtown Hamilton BIA surveyed it membership, and also held a special membership meeting to explain the issues and receive comments and concerns from BIA members.
Recommendations:
The Downtown Hamilton BIA offers the following comments regarding the proposed changes to the Downtown Transportation Master Plan:
1. That only the south leg of King Street be closed to traffic (with restricted access for service and supply vehicles). We do not agree with the complete closure of King Street on the north side.
2. That the 8 bus stops on the south leg of King be relocated to a seamless transit centre at MacNab Street
3. That Hughson Street remain open to northbound traffic
4. That King Street be converted to 2 way traffic
5. That Gore Park and the south leg of King be redeveloped with streetscape improvements and more landscape changes necessary to ensure the reforestation and replanting of the park for more pedestrian use
6. That the City of Hamilton support a complete conversion to a LRT (Streetcar) transit system similar to Portland
7. That the recommended LRT route (East/West) be Main Street not King Street
8. That the recommended LRT route (North/South) be James and John Streets
We thank the City of Hamilton for the opportunity to provide input to the overall Downtown Hamilton Transportation Master Plan and hope that we can continue to provide feedback and input into a master plan that will be a positive influence on the Downtown Hamilton business community.
Response from Downtown Hamilton BIA to Ontario Growth Secretariat re Proposed Size and Location of Urban Growth Centres in the Golden Horseshoe - May 26, 2008
Thank you for the opportunity to provide input to the development of policies for the proposed Urban Growth Centres in the Greater Golden Horseshoe. We specifically would like to comment on the proposed Urban Growth Centre for Downtown Hamilton.
The Downtown Hamilton BIA believes that in Hamilton’s case the existing approximate density as of the 2001 Statistics Canada data is 195 jobs and residents per hectare. The Growth Plan Density Target to be reached by 2031 for Downtown Hamilton’s Urban Growth Centre is 200 jobs and residents per hectare. This suggests that we are already close to the target and no more effort is required to meet that minimum for the next 23 years. The Downtown Hamilton BIA disagrees with that direction.
60% of the 25 communities identified in the report have growth targets of well over double their current density levels. 12% have targets of double their existing levels and 16% have a 50% increase in targets. Downtown Hamilton along with Toronto Downtown, and Toronto: Yonge-Eglinton Centre are the only three to have no growth target projections.
The BIA suggests that even with the existing inventory of buildings in the Downtown area, we sit at approximately 26-28% vacancy rate of commercial properties. Upper levels of Stelco Tower, the CIBC towers and many of the upper floors of the historic buildings along King remain empty. Jackson Square, while it continues to recover nicely in terms of increased retail tenant interest, there are still large portions of the mall that have been closed off to leasing arrangements.
The other issue is the proliferation of parking lots just within the area bounded by Cannon, Queen, Hunter and Wellington. There are 28 private parking lots as well as 14 publicly owned lots or parking complexes. Many of these are surface parking lots which could be targeted for intensification efforts for mixed use developments.
Downtown Hamilton will benefit from investment in institutional and region-wide public and private services; major transit infrastructure investment as the City moves to some form of Rapid Transit system; and a significant share of population and employment growth through the Places to Grow Strategy as well as being a Welcome Immigration centre for Ontario and indeed the rest of the country. All of these initiatives will be realized within the next 20 to 30 years.
The other key point of discussion in the report is the proposed boundaries of the Urban Growth Centre for Hamilton. The current boundary encompasses from Queen, Hunter, Wellington and Cannon and including a swath from Charlton Avenue between James St. and John Street to the railway tracks at LIUNA STATION.
Given that both the Downtown Hamilton BIA and the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce have publicly supported more linkages to the Waterfront and Downtown being developed it would seem natural to suggest that the Urban Growth Centre have some linkage with the Waterfront.
The Downtown Hamilton BIA recommends an increase in density targets for the Downtown Hamilton Urban Growth Centre in the Places to Grow Technical Paper of Spring 2008. It is proposed that a 50% higher target be supported on the existing footprint of downtown infrastructure, while continuing to support architectural and historical preservation of existing properties. That would increase the target to 300 jobs and residents per hectare.
The Downtown Hamilton BIA would also support the expansion of the Urban Growth Centre boundaries in such a way as to link the Hamilton Waterfront to the Downtown in one continuous footprint.
Thank you again for allowing us to participate in the discussions regarding Urban Growth targets for the next 25 years.
Downtown BIA Member Alert: June 22, 2007
$7 Million for Lister
This morning Premier Dalton McGuinty announced that the Ontario government is committing $7 million towards the revitalization of Downtown Hamilton through a one time capital grant to restore the LISTER Building.
“Maintaining Ontario’s heritage and preserving our history is part of building a stronger, more vibrant province for all of us” said Premier McGuinty. “The Lister Block restoration will not only revitalize downtown Hamilton, it will create new high-value jobs and strengthen the city for future generations.”
In a personal private exchange between Premier McGuinty and Executive Director Kathy Drewitt, the Premier wished to express his thanks and appreciation to all those businesses who have persevered in their efforts to do business in very difficult circumstances over a long period of time. He hoped that this initiative would help to lift the spirits of business and residents in the Downtown and indeed throughout Hamilton and that we all will now move forward with pride and support for the heart of our community. He also assured those in attendance at the announcement at the Art Gallery of Hamilton that the money has been approved by cabinet and will be available immediately.
Mayor Fred Eisenberger assured the Premier that the City of Hamilton will live up to the one condition placed on the money that the city enter into a long term lease with HI-Rise Developments and be a major tenant in the project.
Police to Target Littering Downtown
MEDIA RELEASE - Monday, May 14, 2007
Over the past few years the members of the Downtown Hamilton Business Improvement Area (BIA) has concentrated its efforts towards the beautification of downtown streets and worked with private building owners and businesses to clean up the area. It hires summer staff to clean off the streets, pick up litter and remove graffiti. It also organizes volunteers to clean up the area at least twice a year, one as recently as April 21st for the launch of Pitch-In Week. However a few irresponsible individuals continue to drop litter in the Core. The Hamilton Police and the BIA feels these acts are intolerable and will be taking immediate action.
Littering on the sidewalks when litter containers are within a few steps; throwing cigarette butts away where they build up in traffic islands, in sidewalk cracks and in Gore Park gardens instead of proper disposal in recently installed containers; throwing bread crumbs and other food items on the ground to feed the pigeons which potentially might be hazardous to one's personal health; gum spitting instead of proper disposal in a waste receptable; are all acts which are breaking the law and will not be tolerated. "These examples of poor behaviour on the part of certain people cannot be excused on any basis." says Tim Bullock, Chairman of the Downtown BIA. "We clean up this litter repeatedly, however these types of offences contribute to the overall misperceptin that areas are not clean, not safe and discourages new investment and improved vitality to the area."
In support of the cleaning efforts of the BIA, the Hamilton Police Services will be vigorously enforcing the littering by-law. Offenders will be issued a $220 fine. Deivision One Police Superintendent Bill Stewart commented: "The Business Improvement Areas have done a fantastic job of cleaning the downtown core, and we are going to help them keep it that way."
Lister Block Development Project
MEDIA RELEASE - Monday, June 12, 2006
Today the Downtown Hamilton Business Improvement Area presented a petition with 1266 names on it to members of Council and the Mayor of the City of Hamilton. The petition was developed by the BIA in response to a community based swell of support for the demolition of the old Lister Building on the corner of King William and James St. North and the reconstruction of a renewed Lister building in its place.
The petition was collected over a two week time frame from printed petitions which were distributed to over 40 businesses in the downtown core, through emails to various downtown supporters and on a website which was developed in support of the redevelopment of the building by LIUNA.
"The names on the petition represent a wide cross section of our community", states Tim Bullock, Chairman of the Downtown BIA at the public meeting, "who want to see this proposal move forward."
The BIA conducted a verification process to screen out those signatures, emails and web signatures that could not in any way be validated and eliminated another 30 signatures that did not meet its test.
The results of the petition were part of the Downtown BIA's presentation in support of the LIUNA's project which would see the old Lister building torn down and replaced with a new building that looked much like it did in the 1920's.