the value of investing in canadian downtowns october 2013 case studies TABLE OF CONTENTS HAMILTON...........................................................................................1 NORTH VANCOUVER........................................................................18 ST. CATHARINES..............................................................................37 REGINA.............................................................................................53 WINDSOR..........................................................................................70 KINGSTON........................................................................................88 CHARLOTTETOWN..........................................................................105 APPENDIX 1 – BIBLIOGRAPHY.......................................................121 APPENDIX 2 – PHOTO CREDITS.....................................................146 HAMILTON A grass roots resurgence Snap Shot of Hamilton Medium sized city in SW Ontario. Situated at the western end of Lake Ontario, between Toronto and Niagara. City was amalgamated in 2001. Economy has historically been based in manufacturing (Hamilton is often known as ‘Steel Town’), but transitioning to knowledge based industries. Hamilton is home to major institutions, such as McMaster University. Growing downtown and emerging arts scene. Downtown Hamilton has seen steady growth in recent years. Developers, businesses and residents alike are increasingly drawn to downtown Hamilton for its affordability, unique heritage and architectural assets, proximity to the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and access to natural heritage features such as Cootes Paradise and the Waterfront Trail. An influx of artists is representative of this renewed interest and energy in the city’s core; and a growing arts community is widely credited for transforming several downtown neighbourhoods, such as James Street North. The City of Hamilton has also been increasingly focused on the downtown, demonstrated through investments in cultural, entertainment, heritage and recreational assets. Downtown Hamilton seems to be at the beginning of an exciting period of growth and renewal, yet in moving forward it will be important that the city’s stakeholders are able to work together to maintain downtown Hamilton’s independence, identity and values as the city becomes increasingly integrated with the GTA. 1 Downtown Hamilton Timeline Early 1800s – Loyalists fleeing from the 1816 – District of Gore is American Revolution begin to settle in the area established through an Act passed by the Legislature of Upper Canada 1833 – Legislature of Upper Canada establishes the Town of Hamilton within the District of Gore 1846 – The Spectator, Hamilton’s oldest and leading newspaper, is founded on James Street North 1854 – Great Western Railway becomes Hamilton’s first functioning 1860 – Gore beautification railway in 1854. Combined with the completion of the Niagara project is completed with the Suspension Bridge, Hamilton is transformed into a major centre installation of a fountain and dedicated by Edward, Prince of Wales 1873 – Shareholders obtain a charter to operate a public transportation system 1862 – City suffers from bankruptcy in the City with two miles of track to be in operation by January 1st, 1875 1890 – Hamilton’s first Public Library opens on Main Street West 1892 – First electric trolley cars of the Hamilton Street 1890s – Hamilton becomes an industrial hub in south- Railway put into service central Ontario, gaining substantially from a concentration of iron and steel manufacturing 1921 – Hamilton’s first health centre is established in the Public Library 1930 – McMaster University moves from Toronto to its campus in the Hamilton 1955 – Canada’s first mall (also neighbourhood of Westdale one of North America’s first malls), Centre Mall, is built on Barton Street East 1956 – Automatic street signals are installed at the corner of King and James Streets 1958 – Burlington Bay Skyway is completed 1959 – City Hall is relocated to Main Street, providing a western anchor for the new downtown business section 1964 – Canada’s first Tim Hortons store opens on Ottawa Street North 1970 – Jackson Square Mall opens as part of major urban renewal project in downtown. 1977 – Art Gallery of Hamilton opens, described by Anne Jones as a light that “shone through the dullness of the day like a jewel in the middle of Hamilton” 1985 – Victor Kennedy Copps Trade-Centre and Arena officially opens 1990 – Hamilton Eaton Centre opens during the early 1990s recession. It closes 1993 – Pier 4 Park and Bayfront less than 10 years later Park were developed to revitalize the waterfront 2001 – The new City of Hamilton is formed, through 2001 – Putting People First: the amalgamation of the Regional Municipality of The New Land Use Plan for Hamilton-Wentworth and its six local municipalities: Downtown Hamilton is first 2004 – The historic landmark, the Ancaster, Dundas, Flamborough, Glanbrook, approved. This plan is Royal Connaught Hotel, is placed Hamilton, and Stoney Creek currently under review into receivership and closes 2006 – Grass roots transformation of James Street North gathers momentum 2008 – Hamilton’s Chamber of Commerce hosts the city’s first annual economic development summit 2013 – A formal announcement made by owners that the Royal Connaught hotel will be developed into condominiums 2012 – West Harbour 2012 – A new $147.5 million stadium Secondary Plan adopted by is proposed to be built at the former Ivor Wynne stadium to accommodate 2 Council in 2005 was approved 2015 – Hamilton will host some events as part of the Pan the Pan Am games by the OMB American and Para Pan American Games 1) Art Gallery of Hamilton 13) Gore Park The Art Gallery of Hamilton moved to its current Gore Park has long been an important civic space in downtown Hamilton. The park was location in 1977, which was part of a major established and its original fountain was unveiled in 1860 to showcase the construction of downtown revitalization initiative during that Hamilton’s municipal drinking water system. The fountain eventually fell into disrepair and decade. Extensive renovations occurred again in was removed in 1959. However, it was rebuilt in 2010 as part of a substantial renovation 2005 with $18 million in funding from a project. The City recently completed a Gore Park Master Plan that once completed will combination of public and private donors. The strengthen this major community asset for visitors, residents and workers in downtown gallery receives around 150 000 visitors annually. Hamilton. 2) Bayfront Park 14) Hamilton City Hall This 16ha waterfront park is located at the west City Hall is located in downtown Hamilton at the corner of Main Street West and Bay Street end of the Hamilton Harbour. In 1993, this park South. It was officially opened in November 1960 and it is a designated heritage structure. 1 The City recently completed a major renovation on this building to upgrade both its interior was developed on a vacant and formerly and exterior. contaminated industrial site. The redevelopment of this park has contributed to the cleaning of 15) McMaster University and Downtown Health Campus Hamilton Harbour, created fish and wildlife McMaster University offers degree programs and also contains several of the University’s administrative branches. While the main campus is not located downtown, the University habitats, precipitated increased real estate values does have a Downtown Centre located at 30 Main Street East that houses some in the area and created a major new recreational administrative offices. McMaster will soon further its presence downtown by building a new asset for the City. This initiative received an McMaster Downtown Health Campus nearby. This $84.6 million landmark project aims to Excellence on the Waterfront Award in 1995 in secure 54 000 patient visits and serve 4000 students when completed in 2014. Washington DC. Better connection between the 16) Hamilton Armouries downtown core and the waterfront will be an 2 Built in 1888, the North section of the Armouries faces James Street. The second section important challenge in the coming years. was completed in 1908 by Joseph Michael Pigott. The Armouries were renamed after John Weir Foote, the only member of the Canadian Chaplain Services to be awarded the 3) Copps Coliseum Victoria Cross. Named after former mayor Victor K. Copps, the 17) Hamilton Convention Centre and Ronald V. Joyce Centre for the Performing Arts Copps Coliseum is Hamilton’s eminent sports and and Hamilton Place entertainment facility with a seating capacity of up The Hamilton Conventions Centre hosts a wide variety of corporate and personal events. to 19 000 spectators. The venue can accommodate up to 2,000 guests per event. Adjoined to the Hamilton Convention Centre, the Ronald V. Joyce Centre for the Performing Arts at Hamilton Place 4) Hess Village opened in 1973. This entertainment venue features year-round concerts, dance 3 Hess Village has been designated as an performances, and live theatre. It is the permanent home of Opera Hamilton and the entertainment district by the City. Located in the Hamilton Philharmonic Orchestra. Management of the Convention Centre and Hamilton Place was recently privatized (along with Copps Coliseum), which is a cause for significant heart of downtown Hamilton, the area is known excitement within the community in the hope that the venues will soon host higher profile for its historic buildings