Raise the Hammer

Thank you for your invitation to join the Hamilton Branch of the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario. Yes, I agree that the ACO is a lobbying organization and is now asking the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports to block the demolition of the buildings overlooking Gore Park. I also completely understand the need for volunteers and how this can impact on what can be achieved at any given moment.

I note that sometimes ACO branches hold photo competitions. I am currently trying to encourage people to photograph the nearly 800 buildings that merit heritage protection as a way of both documenting these buildings and making the community more aware of the great heritage that exists within the downtown core. I am also hopeful that these photos could be pared with historical photographs so that we can become more aware of the potential for historic restoration or adaptive reuse. Maybe this is something that the Hamilton branch might be interested in supporting and we could sit down and talk about.

What I found most surprising, with regard to the recent media coverage of the Gore Park buildings, was the lack of public outrage as expressed to Hamilton City Council. It is my understanding that there wasn’t much public comment and no organize, community base, reaction to the application of demolition permits. As a result, I am now trying to contact individuals and organizations to see what can be done for the future. Ideally, there should be a series of educational talks that would build up to a conference on urban heritage in the City of Hamilton. Hopefully, out of this educational process would develop a mobilized group of concern citizens.

Again, thank you for your invitation and for the work that your organization is doing to protect our heritage.

Comment edited by erskinec on 2013-02-12 21:00:07