THE
VISION
The
west harbourfront represents the city's connection to the water,
where a unique urban environment and vibrant community complement
the natural beauty of the area, enhancing Hamilton's sense of
self and identity.
View of proposed redevelopment. Note that within
each block, building envelopes, not the shapes of actual structures,
are shown.
THE
CONCEPT FOR REDEVELOPMENT
The
concept plan builds upon the existing neighbourhood north of York
Boulevard while introducing new features which take advantage
of the area's topography. The overall intent is to extend the
city to the water's edge while adding elements, such as a boulevard
and a civic plaza, that will create a unique and interesting environment.
The concept plan places an emphasis on residential land uses which
is, in part, a function of what is historically and contemporarily
appropriate for the site given the evolution of Hamilton's economy.
More importantly, this emphasis is a function of the need for
the inner city to be repopulated. More population in the lower
city aides in the redevelopment efforts elsewhere, especially
in the downtown core. In this sense, the plan is one piece in
the greater puzzle of Hamilton's renaissance.
Although
slightly higher in density as compared to the surrounding areas,
the plan seeks not to exploit the waterfront's profit potential
at the expense of public access or good urban design. Thus, the
plan does not promote the typical high-rise development that many
cities have chosen, and have subsequently regretted as their waterfronts
are cut off from the rest of the city. Nor does it create a theme-park,
entertainment location which is attractive in the short-term but
typically unsustainable in the long-term. Instead, the plan is
a function of the site's role in the urban structure of Lower
Hamilton.
The
strength of Hamilton has always been in its healthy, vibrant neighbourhoods,
and the collection of the proposed residential and commercial
activities will give the west harbourfront a stronger neighbourhood
identity. This new cluster of activity will complement other unique
areas within the city (Hess Village, Westdale, Jamesville, Locke
Street, the International Village), creating a network between
them and helping to further integrate the new development into
the urban and social fabric of the city.
A
SHOWPIECE FOR HAMILTON
Many
waterfront redevelopment plans seek to create a showpiece for
their city with the inclusion of prominent mega-structures, and
this plan makes provision for a signature building in the form
of a museum complex. In conjunction with Dundurn Castle, the new
museum would anchor the western portion of the redevelopment,
creating a tourist node. Proposed institutions, such as the Steel
Science and Technology Centre, along with existing institutions,
such as the military museum, could combine to exhibit the region's
rich social and industrial history in a landmark building.
POPULATION
AND EMPLOYMENT PROJECTIONS
Using an estimate of 1.5 persons per 92.9 sq. m. (1000 sq. ft.)
of dwelling space, a residential population of 3,143 is projected
for the proposed housing developments. In addition, an estimated
1,614 jobs would be generated on the west harbourfront given the
proposed commercial space in the plan. In total, the redevelopment
would create a new environment on the west harbourfront where
over 4750 people will either work or live.
COST
ESTIMATES
The cost estimates outlined below are based on the residential
and commercial block configurations proposed in the concept plan
(see next page). Many of the figures listed were derived from
the financial analysis contained in the 1995 West Harbourfront
Redevelopment Study, and give a sense of the monetary scale of
the proposed redevelopment:
Land
Acquisition: $25,976,050
Municipal Operations Relocation: $6,604,000
Site Clearing: $8,360,000
Soil Remediation: $15,000,000
Water/Track Interface: $79,700,000
Boulevard & Streets: $6,343,450
Civic Plaza: $10,120,000
Municipal Infrastructure: $26,109,900
Private Sector Developments: $275,751,400
Total*: $453,964,800
*Does not include cost of museum complex
