Raise the Hammer

HAAA can barely hold a running track. Let's please stay reasonable.

Herman, thank you for your response and for participating in the discussion. I live in the north end of Strathcona, a short walk to the stadium site and would absolutely love to be able to walk over there soon to enjoy new restaurants, cafes, shops, and see bustling new condo neighbourhoods and parkspace. Being right near York Blvd and a 6-7 minute walk to the stadium site I am much closer and will be much more impacted than you will. Yet, I long for the day when that 6 minute walk brings me dining and entertainment options instead of toxic dump sites and dangerous, polluted brownfields. I also recognize the fact that despite all of the wonderful condo plans in Setting Sail, nothing will ever get built there without a massive infusion of government money to clean up the land and remove the brownfields.

My question to you as a relatively close neighbour to the site is this - how do you and the other 8 citizens involved in Setting Sail propose that this land be cleaned up and filled with condos, shops and dining options? We've heard from two condo developers this week alone who sound eager to bring some great new developments to this area once it's cleaned up. By turning down the government money and Future Fund money for this project, are you suggesting that you would prefer to see it sit empty like this for decades in the midst of our neighbourhood and downtown?
Hamilton seems frozen in the 1970's in many of our urban neighbourhoods. Anyone who thinks "someone will develop it eventually" only needs to look at our past few decades to realize that Hamilton could very will still be frozen in the 70's when it's 2020 or 2050, or 2070.

Sorry for the long ramble, but I'm interested in hearing your thoughts on this.

Cheers

Comment edited by jason on 2010-07-25 13:14:08