Raise the Hammer

It seems like they may have grasped the idea of underground parking...finally.

"This completely blows the Toronto waterfront away." Actually, the Hamilton waterfront as it is now completely blows the old city of Toronto waterfront away. The only way to really enjoy Lake Ontario in Toronto is to ferry over to the island (although they've made lots of improvements that are people-oriented out where we used to live, in New Toronto and Mimico). I highly recommend picking up a coffee at Williams then catching the very last trolley ride along the waterfront to Cootes and back, just as the sun is low in the sky-- beautiful (and an inexpensive date to boot). http://www.hamiltonwaterfront.com/trolle...

On a related note, consider the difference in the approach to Toronto from the Gardiner (you can't see the lake through the condos and parking garages)vs. the approach to Hamilton from the 403-- it was very striking for us when we first came house hunting here.

The plan is a good start, but really I want to see more restaurants, bistros, cafes, and boutiques that will serve as a draw to the area. Think of how popular Williams Pub is. That restaurant/cafe gives people a reason to go down to the area and spend a few hours there. Ever been to Long Beach, California? They have a wonderful harbour front and boardwalk with just the right amount of shops, restaurants and coffee houses that makes the area a magnet for people to go to in high numbers. I think a similar concept for the Hamilton waterfront would be ideal.

I also think having some condos on the railyards overlooking the waterfront would be wonderful too. Get more people living down there.

still want more, you may be interested in seeing this:

http://www.myhamilton.ca/NR/rdonlyres/F0...

scroll down and you'll see a few renderings of mixed-use commercial,retail,residential buildings.

And this: http://tcarch.ca/projects.php?projectID=...

Very bare-bones images here, but a concept plan for condos on Stuart Street just behind the tracks.

still want more SAYS: "The plan is a good start, but really I want to see more "

I think this is another "If you build it, they will come"-type of plan. Firstly, this is a City-run innitiative with little-to-no private investment (as far as I know). So once the City gets the ball rolling on this lil district, I can assure you the Private Sector will take notice and open up their OWN shops (hopefully along James North near Burlington and down to the Piers). There is plenty of prime land availble in this general area which will be snagged up real quick once this starts construction!

Does anyone have any time-frames? Seems like we've been hearing about this plan since the days or Mayor Lay'r. Is this the Final Concept; or will there be another handful until they finally decide on it!?

I don't think you need to go as far as Long Beach to find a good model of a beachfront. Simply head out to Port Dover. Granted the community is not nearly as built up (they have far fewer ppl than the Hammer) but within walking distance of the beach there are a myriad of shops from antique stores to souvenir shops... We do need another coffee shop though. Anytime there's an event the Williams line up is way to long for me lol.

Hopefully this will come to fruition in the near future. I don't want to hear municipal politicians keep talking about this like the Toronto waterfront redevelopment plans. They seem incapable of getting anything done it that city.

It's so frustrating that the Spec's interior design maven has started to channel a gay-baiting xenophobe.

http://www.thespec.com/opinion/letters/article/573363--waterfront-idea-let-s-git-er-done