Raise the Hammer
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Trey lives in Williamsville NY via Hamilton. He is a Marketing Manager for Tourism and Destination Marketing in the Buffalo-Niagara Metro.
His essays have appeared in The Energy Bulletin, Post Carbon Institute, Peak Oil Survival, and Tree Hugger.
And can't wait for the day he stops hearing "on facebook".
Email: tray.shaw@gmail.com
I'll Take Words and Phrases for 800 - I'm going to stop you right there and clean up your literary wheelhouse so you can get out of the weeds - those tired phrases are done like dinner. Published December 12, 2017 in Commentary
What's in a Name: Buildings - Most cities have a difficult time with changing the names of their civic amenities. Published October 10, 2017 in Commentary
Cranespotting, Christmas 2011 Edition - It's possible that more cranes currently tower over the Hammer than any time since the 1970s. Published December 21, 2011 in Cranespotting
Woolverton Park: An Urbanist's Dilemma - The City plans to sell part of Woolverton Park in Corktown neighbourhood to a developer planning to build a 70 unit property next door. What is the right balance between intensification and protection of park land? Published June 10, 2011 in Commentary
A Case for Confederation Park - Time to finalize a Pan Am stadium in Hamilton is fast running out. Trey Shaugnessy argues that it's time to take another look at Confederation Park. Published December 20, 2010 in Special Report: Pan Am
Siemens Factory to Shut Down - The Siemens factory on Sanford Ave will be shut down and over 500 well-paying jobs will disappear with it. Published March 11, 2010 in Downtown Bureau
Citizens on the March at First By-Law Crawl - Whether the City is aware of a building's condition but chooses not to enforce the property standard by-laws is a moot point after the building becomes a heap of rubble. Published February 07, 2010 in Downtown Bureau
Rosewood Suites: East Hamilton Rental Apartment Building Goes Condo - It's a home that can rise in value, is close to public transit, is walkable to most places that people in the suburbs must drive to, and affordable. Published December 17, 2009 in Cranespotting
Overcoming Our Own Worst Enemy - For once let's rediscover our ambition and work together, with real public input, to help bring an NHL team to Hamilton. Published May 11, 2009 in Politics
Stinson Reveals Surprise: Build Hamilton Grand at SE Corner of John and Main - The Hamilton Grand will be built at the southeast corner of John and Main, the site of a former Shell station, with slightly larger floor plates. Published April 12, 2009 in Feature
Henderson Hospital and El Mirador - Cranes can be spotted in two locations on the mountain: Concession Street and Upper Gage and Fennel. Published January 08, 2009 in Cranespotting
An Audio Conversation with Harry Stinson - Harry Stinson is an unpretentious visionary, and with his sharpened business sense he finds opportunity where others haven't. He sees an immense amount of unrealized opportunity in Hamilton. Published January 08, 2009 in Interviews
Toward Sustainable Financing for the City Budget - The city should be looking for savings in the fixed operating budget and exploiting revenue streams from existing bylaws. Published November 26, 2008 in Special Report: Municipal Budget
James Balfour Left his Mark on Hamilton - The ambitious architect often criticized his colleagues for copying and not designing buildings - he was interested in developing a uniquely Canadian Style of architecture. Published September 11, 2008 in Architecture
Are Fluorescents Really Better for the Environment? - Something tells me we are trying to be penny smart, but pound-foolish regarding light bulbs. The real problem is how we create our electricity to power our appliances. Published September 11, 2008 in Suburban Bureau
Planning Over a Cliff - Hamilton can become the city of the future if we can bravely face the reality of the future. Published April 30, 2008 in Suburban Bureau
HWDSB Decision Reveals Agenda - Something tells me that the School Board is not playing fair in its refusal to consider any option other than the Jerome Park Mountain headquarters. Published April 30, 2008 in Special Report: Education
CBC in Hamilton Update - CBC Radio Hamilton is one step closer to reality with the latest Heritage Standing Committee report. Published March 24, 2008 in Suburban Bureau
Hamilton Education Centre: The Dilemma and the Agenda - If we want to project an image to private investment that Hamilton is the right place to invest, then we first need to invest in our downtown ourselves. Published February 14, 2008 in Special Report: Education
Banning Drive Thrus 2.0 - Sooner or later, cities will ban drive thrus. Hamilton can choose to lead or lag in this initiative. Published November 27, 2007 in Suburban Bureau
Public Space Defines a City - If we always do what we've always done, we'll always get what we've always got. Published October 22, 2007 in Suburban Bureau
Pesticide By-Law Proves to be Worthless - What did we expect when we passed a law that bans pesticides - except for the reasons that people normally use pesticides? Published October 22, 2007 in Suburban Bureau
The London Tap House - This London-based company is opening a five-floor entertainment, dance club, lounge and restaurant complex in Hamilton, featuring a 240 seat roof-top patio. Published September 28, 2007 in Cranespotting
Terraces on King - International Village has turned a hard, sharp corner and it looks like only bigger and better things can happen from here. Published September 09, 2007 in Cranespotting
Homogenous Life Part Two: Homogeneous Media - As media ownership grows more homogeneous, diversity and accountability start to disappear. Published September 09, 2007 in Homogeneous Life
The Anti-Idling By-Law is an Embarrassment - City Council and staff lost sight of why it was they were making a new law. Published May 18, 2007 in Suburban Bureau
The Coming Economic Collapse - An economist shares ways to profit from the coming economic collapse he believes will be triggered by declining global oil production. Published April 30, 2007 in Reviews
The Cost of Convenience - The problem with convenience at any cost is that it can sometimes cause more harm than good. Published April 10, 2007 in Suburban Bureau
The Hanging of Angelique - Afua Cooper's thorough research is matched by her amazing writing, which puts the story together in a perfect timeline that keeps the reader wanting to know what happened next. Published January 10, 2007 in Reviews
Former RTH Atrocity to Get a Facelift - Buildings that turn inward and isolate the street and its inhabitants are often blamed for destroying streetlife. Published January 10, 2007 in Suburban Bureau
My Three Wishes - My wishes can be simplified to this: I wish for council and staff to make the proper choices to build a livable and vibrant city. Published December 13, 2006 in Suburban Bureau
The Power of the New Press - Did this election discredit the 'power of the press' or confirm it? Published November 23, 2006 in Suburban Bureau
Remembrance Day Ceremonies and Armouries Tour - The John W. Foote VC Armoury building is 100 years old this year. To commemorate Remembrance Day as well as the Armoury's anniversary, here is a photo tour of the parade and the building. Published November 23, 2006 in Suburban Bureau
Trust is a Political Issue - The only way to bring trust back to politics is not to vote for candidates who have broken our trust. Published November 08, 2006 in Suburban Bureau
Less Pageantry, More Policy - The issues so far have been lame ducks. Let's hear a mayoral candidate talk about what it is a city leader and municipal government can do to make Hamilton great again. Published October 20, 2006 in Suburban Bureau
Parking and Suburbanization Downtown - The solution for an ailing downtown is to become denser and more urban. Published October 06, 2006 in Suburban Bureau
Mountain Park Avenue Condos - A new condo development will feed into the vibrancy on Concession Street. Published September 20, 2006 in Cranespotting
Cityview Terrace - This six-story development frames the street and provides affordable living within walking distance of downtown Hamilton. Published May 05, 2006 in Suburban Bureau
Next Stop: Atlantic Station - A new infill development in Atlanta proves that many people want to live in real neighbourhoods. Published April 21, 2006 in Suburban Bureau
A Row Over Row Houses - Slower car traffic and more eyes on the street will actually make Queensdale safer and more livable. Published April 21, 2006 in Suburban Bureau
Our World Leaders' Response to Peak Oil - Editorial Cartoon: Our World Leaders' Response to Peak Oil Published April 09, 2006 in Comic
The Hamilton Poverty Project - The Hamilton Poverty Project Published March 18, 2006 in Comic
A Chip Off the Old Block - LIUNA's newest plans to rebuild the Lister Block hews much closer to the original building. Published March 18, 2006 in Special Report: Lister Block
Peak Oil is Now Official - Mexico's supergiant Cantarell oilfield is now in decline. Can the rest of the world make up the shortfall? Published March 18, 2006 in Suburban Bureau
Peak Oil Paradigm Shift: The Urgent Need for a Sustainable Energy Model - Instead of a doomsday scenario, Peak Oil Paradigm Shift author Bilaal Abdullah paints a possible future without oil and energy wars. Published March 18, 2006 in Reviews
King East Sails off a Sandbar - I look forward to the day – and it's coming soon – that King East and The International Village can shine proudly on the city like it so deserves. Published March 18, 2006 in Suburban Bureau
Hamilton's Anti-Idling Campaign - Hamilton's Anti-Idling Campaign Published March 01, 2006 in Comic
No Idle Matter - After spending hundreds of millions of dollars for a highway to sprawl development on the southeast mountain, we can't afford an anti-idling bylaw? Published March 01, 2006 in Suburban Bureau
Homogeneous Food (Homogeneous Life Part 1) - Massive, chemical dependent farming is energy intensive, environmentally destructive, and bland. There are better ways to feed ourselves. Published February 15, 2006 in Homogeneous Life
Sign Litter - Mobile signs are ugly, tacky, and distracting to motorists. The current by-law is not the problem; enforcement is. Published December 14, 2005 in Atrocity of the Month
Pig Out - As usual, Hamilton City Council struggles to bring home the bacon. Published November 28, 2005 in Maple Leaf in Glanbrook
Art in Hamilton - Think of how dreary life would be without art, movies, theatres, operas, symphonies, and literature. Published November 10, 2005 in Suburban Bureau
Interview with Richard Harris - Professor Richard Harris talks to RTH about the logic of suburbia and the future of sprawl. Published October 21, 2005 in Interviews
Park Parking Lot, Meadowlands - The epitome of car dependent sprawl is when a 'local' children's playground requires a parking lot. Published October 21, 2005 in Atrocity of the Month
Liquidation World Banner, Hamilton City Centre - These cheap versions of billboards are ridiculously oversized. At least the blank wall doesn't make eyes reverberate. Published October 07, 2005 in Atrocity of the Month
Unhampered by HMP - If the under-used block at Main St. and Bay St. is developed properly, it could be a very successful anchor on the west side. Published October 07, 2005 in Suburban Bureau
Unraveling the Gas 'Conspiracy' - People will believe anything if it means preserving our entitlement to cheap gasoline. Published October 07, 2005 in Suburban Bureau
Replicating The Lister: An Update - Will Warren Green restore the Lister Block in a way that preserves its architectural and historical significance? Not likely. Published October 07, 2005 in Special Report: Lister Block
It's Time to Get on Board - Hamilton needs an Architectural Review Board to ensure new developments follow the principles of good urban design. Published September 15, 2005 in Suburban Bureau
The End of the Tunnel - We are heading toward a troubled future. The directions we choose now will help determine where we end up. Published September 15, 2005 in Suburban Bureau
Making Real Neighbourhoods - Compact neighbourhoods allow the residents to forget that they live in a giant metropolis, regardless of its size. Published July 01, 2005 in Suburban Bureau
Getting Back on Track - If Hamilton wants to begin the process of intensification, then it must start with transit. Published June 16, 2005 in Suburban Bureau
City to recommend a new 40 km/h School Zone - Gordon Price and St. Vincent de Paul schools will get a new School Zone posted area if the city's recommendation goes ahead. Published June 16, 2005 in Suburban Bureau
Movie Palace Packs Them In - A restored 1920s theatre provides a delightful experience for moviegoers and plenty of warm nostalgia for us just old enough to remember old-fashioned movie houses. Published May 31, 2005 in Suburban Bureau
Hamilton Club Gets a Scrubbing - Hamilton Club does its part in cleaning up Hamilton. Every little bit counts. Published May 31, 2005 in Suburban Bureau
What about Buchanan? - Hamilton could use another museum celebrating the rich history of Upper Canada and the role Hamilton and its powerbrokers played in the young Dominion. Published May 31, 2005 in Suburban Bureau
Et Tu, Brutalism? - So the future didn't happen. Does this mean we destroy all the Brutalism style buildings, much the same as we tore down all our Victorian and Georgian streetwalls? Published May 31, 2005 in Suburban Bureau
"Replicating" the Lister - I fear the worst: a demolition and a reconstruct of something that resembles the Lister only from the outside. Published May 16, 2005 in Special Report: Lister Block
A Challenge for Hamilton City Councillors - Hamilton City Council has the choice to be global leaders and ban drive-thrus. Published May 16, 2005 in Suburban Bureau
Gordon Price Elementary School - I was going to poke fun at this building and its parking lot in front of the main doors and how absurd it is. Unfortunately, this isn't funny; it's dangerous. Published May 16, 2005 in Atrocity of the Month
King West Photo Tour - Trevor Shaw comes in from the suburbs to see what makes King West tick. Published April 14, 2005 in Special Report
The Mountain Goes Vertical - An in-fill project at Mohawk and Upper Ottawa holds the promise for densification in the upper city. Published April 14, 2005 in Suburban Bureau
Dalton Timmis Has Left the Building - The siren song of "free" parking and highway accessibility has lured another business out of the core. Published April 14, 2005 in Suburban Bureau
Big Box Development, Meadowlands of Ancaster - The Meadowlands of Ancaster, the epitome of sprawl, are helping usher in the end of suburbia. Published April 14, 2005 in Atrocity of the Month
Tivoli Redevelopment Options Review - Trevor Shaw appraises the four current proposals for redeveloping the Tivoli and offers some suggestions. Published April 04, 2005 in Reviews
Hamilton Bookstore Tour - See a photo essay on some of the bookstores Hamilton has to offer. Published March 14, 2005 in Photo Essay
VIA Rail in Stoney Creek - Published March 14, 2005 in Comic
Books About Hamilton - Here's a short list of books about Hamilton. Published March 14, 2005 in Reviews
Once Upon a Time - I know, as well as many Hamiltonians, that our city is Canada's best-kept secret, but sshhh. Published March 14, 2005 in Suburban Bureau
Interview With James Howard Kunstler - Trevor Shaw talks with James Howard Kunstler about what future we might expect for the suburbs. Published February 19, 2005 in Interviews
Tightening the Belt - The new provincial Greenbelt plan might finally bring an end to sprawl. Published February 19, 2005 in Suburban Bureau
Let's Make Real Neighbourhoods - Hamilton has not built a real neighbourhood in over fifty years. While I praise Locke Street and Concession Street for making comebacks as real neighbourhoods, Hamilton can and should do more. Published January 14, 2005 in Suburban Bureau
Bay Street Breaker Boxes - I saw the work crews install a matching pair of shiny steel box things on Bay Street. I thought it must be temporary - maybe they will be lowered underground. I was wrong. Published January 14, 2005 in Atrocity of the Month
Reach, Dream, Rise, Crumble - Hamilton is like a marathon runner with angina. We need a strong, healthy heart - the core - or nothing else will function properly. Published December 14, 2004 in Suburban Bureau
Ask Management if Parking Matters, Published June 07, 2011 in Revitalization
2 Tickets to A Tale of Two Cities w/ Bill Strickland, Published November 27, 2009 in Revitalization
Sam Merulla PanAm Stadium, Published November 13, 2009 in Humour
Directions to Hamilton's NHL Arena, Published May 05, 2009 in Humour
Directions to Burlington's NHL arena, Published May 04, 2009 in Humour
New Hamilton Grand Plan: Rendering and Layout, Published April 12, 2009 in Revitalization
Could Stinson Surprise Be Iconic Tower?, Published April 03, 2009 in Revitalization
Horwath's NDP: Striving for Mediocrity, Published March 09, 2009 in Politics - Provincial
New Stadium, New Jobs, More Culture, Published February 25, 2009 in Revitalization
Green Energy Act for Home Resales a Good Deal, Published February 25, 2009 in Environment
Can Obama Brand Live Up to its Promise?, Published January 22, 2009 in US Politics
Enclosed Forecourt or Glorified Lobby?, Published January 20, 2009 in Architecture
Hamilton Grand Reception Draws a Crowd, Published January 06, 2009 in Revitalization
Election Not a Waste of Money, Published October 28, 2008 in Politics - Federal
Hamilton General Hospital Issues Code Green, Published July 28, 2008 in News
A Window on the Lister Deal, Published July 08, 2008 in Lister Block
History Repeats: Public Subsidy for Property Development in Hamilton, Published May 01, 2008 in Revitalization
Don't Pursue Past Achievers, Published April 09, 2008 in Revitalization
London CoC on Drive Thru Proliferation, Published February 28, 2008 in Drive-Thru
Can Stinson Break the Downtown Property Stalemate?, Published December 22, 2007 in Revitalization
Hamilton at Top of CBC's List, Published September 20, 2007 in Media
Opera Ontario Launches Emergency Fundraising Campaign, Published September 17, 2007 in Arts
The Importance of Public Broadcasting, Published September 17, 2007 in Media
CHCH is Whole Again, Published July 27, 2007 in Media
Proposed Land Use Violates City Priorities, Published July 16, 2007 in Sprawl
Coming Soon: Affordable Solar Power, Published January 12, 2007 in Energy
Public Health Investigating The Piazza, Published November 18, 2006 in News
Gore Park(ing Lot), Published September 15, 2006 in Revitalization
Bunker Buster, Published December 20, 2005 in Revitalization
Death Knell for Local Mainstream Media, Published July 11, 2005 in Media
Signontology, Published July 08, 2005 in Neighbourhoods
Chump Change, Published March 15, 2005 in Politics
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