Raise the Hammer

Impressive. Unfortunately, history has shown that suburban industrial parks are habitually assembled without much thought to aesthetics, design or usability, even from a motorist's perspective.

Since when did building a stadium in a residential area become a catalyst for urban renewal?

Build it downtown. Maybe $1 million for each of those 100 architect firms could give us a grand stadium. Do you think they can agree on a design?

Great opinion piece in the Spec today (its shocking they printed it)... makes me believe there's still some hope down at the West Harbour. "Not all fans agree with Ticat owner Bob Young"... agreed!

Check it out: http://www.thespec.com/Opinions/article/...

Also, I was at the game this Saturday (I drive down, but I park @ the Centre and then hop on the #2 - no complaints). There was a guy wearing a black t-shirt saying something about the West Harbour but I couldn't make it out. Anybody catch what it said?!

JM

Very cool. Thanks for posting @JM. Also mentioned today is the above letter to council.

Where is the parking? One reason why I don't attend tiger cat games.

Centre Mall as @JM mentioned. Boston Pizza actually has a promo for "Park and Ride" on Game Day. At least the Centre locaiton.

As well, there is Scott Park field across from IW where great Tailgates and yummy eats are served, the school (King George), across from IW, on neighbors lawns with kids holding signs to park on their parents lawns and the kids reaping the financial rewards. :)

Also, on neighboring streets even as far over as I live. There are other lots in the surrounding area that offer game day parking, including a Church wich I believe is at Main and Leinster which as lot's of spots.

There are a lot of options, and also many bars that offer tickets and bus ride to the games. I also spotted a 'Tiger Cat' express city bus, but I am not sure what that was all about. Bus rides to and from the games are also free game day with your game ticket.

Where is the parking? One reason why I don't attend tiger cat games. - BB

Where is that picture highlighting all the downtown surface parking lots when you need it?

Most downtown lots are within a 10-15 minute walk to the West Harbour site.

Where is that picture highlighting all the downtown surface parking lots when you need it?

Here is the one for the current site. Here is one for downtown itself but I know there is one floating around with a broader view of downtown parking.

@BB - maybe if it was downtown and there was good transit - like LRT? - people would walk and then not have to park. You know, just an idea.

It's not about whether there is no parking - it's about FREE parking to people who complain about it. They don't care if there is lots or meters - they want it FREE. Try discussing this with people who are used to shopping at malls or big box stores - it always comes up and here it comes up again!

FREE parking?! Not at this parking lot on the mountain! Good luck with that - Ti-cats can't generate revenue off of free parking.................

JM

@JM You're right. The way it's going it will be taxpayers who pay to build the lot and then pay again to park there.

@GreenP - They've just put pay & display meters on Locke - let 'em complain. Free parking is only a sign that there is too much parking. There's a lot of free parking in Flamborough. There's also nothing to do within a 10 minute walk of much of it. Hopefully we'll soon be able to say "You may have to pay for parking, but in Hamilton there's stuff worth parking for."

It's incredible how huge an issue parking is in this city. Talk about new buildings or development inevitably goes to parking. Its really is incredible. Completely unscientific, but I wouldn't be surprised if Hamilton has enough parking for everyone here twice over.

HAs anyone been downtown lately - Hamilton Downtown is practically a parking lot - if over 15,000 people can go to a concert at Copps - I am sure that many people can go to a stadium.

In addition if apparently 60,000 people attended Wingfest - or 25,000 people attended the fireworks on Canada Day - obviously - parking is not an issue.

Of the "25,000" that saw the fireworks at bayfront park, parking was only a problem for the hundred or so cars that got caught in the parking lot mess...... nobody else had issues accessing and leaving the park, by walking (even to a parking spot 10 mins away), cycling or even catching the bus! That crowd of pedestrians was moving pretty quick i tell ya!

I'll admit, i was one of those cars that got stuck - but i didn't complain, i knew what i got myself into. I just sat and waited it out. I only parked so close cause i came earlier to have a picnic and didn't feel like lugging my cooler too far.

JM

Traffic IS a problem after the fireworks - gridlock. I often wonder what would happen if a resident had a heart attack or a house fire.

The map posted by Lawrence is not the map of parking envisioned by the city (I know he didn't claim it was!) The parking within a 1 km radius suggested by the city easily circles part of the North End - all the way to the school.

I truly fear we would become a neighbourhood of "permit parking" only with residents making an extra buck selling their little lawns to park a car.

Residents, and I don't blame them, would continually ask for a varience to put parking in front of their homes in tiny front yards in contradiction to the 50% bylaw. See the neighbourhood around Ivor Wynne.

Residents would endure cars parking in their permit parking only (yes, it happens now), in front of hydrants, blocking driveways, too close to corners because they do now for special events. Not to mention additional pollution from the exhaust of hundreds of cars driving and looking for THE perfect parking spot.

I live here and I use transit, ride my bike and walk. I also own a car and drive on occasion. But I am not going to kid myself into thinking that Ti-Cat fans will be whistling cheerfully driving from Ancaster (or where ever) to downtown Hamilton and taking transit or walking to a West Harbour Stadium.

Can we literally "force them" to change their "car culture" behaviour? People will bring their car for a myriad of reasons: the kids, heavy cooler & pic-nic at the park, need to get home early, running late etc.

None the less, council did pass a motion to include the residents in plans to "protect" neighbourhoods around the WH Stadium site from traffic and parking.

But I do wish the "downtown" stadium site was actually downtown. I am truly uneasy about how an entertainment precinct that distance from "the downtown" will affect it in the long term. Our downtown need nurturing and care - I would be uneasy about a "wal-mart" "home depot" type development for the same reason.

I would also question the assertion that "The design and planning process was competitive, community minded and unbiased." As a resident, I have not seen 1 bit of evidence showing how it would improve my community. Nor has there been any PUBLIC consultation.