Hamilton anticipates $500 million in new private sector investment following the transfer from the federal government of the Piers 5-9 and ‘Barton-Tiffany’ lands within Hamilton’s West Harbour.
Chris Philliips, the city’s lead for the West Harbour redevelopment plan, told the Daily Commercial News that the area will be at “a state of development (to be) ready by the end of 2018.”
The city is aiming for a boutique hotel, more restaurants and 1,600 units in new condos, townhouses and other business.
“Interest from the development industry and financial investment market has been very strong. Many large-scale developers from Hamilton, Toronto and the GTHA (Greater Toronto-Hamilton Area) have shown tremendous interest,” DCN has quoted Phillips as saying.
There is a four-storey limit on Piers 6 and 7 for commercial village buildings. The mixed-use residntial and commercial structures on the Barton-Tiffany lands will have four to eight storey height limits, while Pier 8 will have an eight storey limit.
Public transit also needs to be considered. One suggestion will be to extend the north-south spur line to the waterfront within the province’s commitment to inject $1 billion into Hamilton’s light rail transit (LRT) construction.
Phillips has been quoted as saying “a comprehensive traffic study for Pier 8 will be completed and a parking study will (also) be completed for the entire Piers 5-8 including both the private-sector developments and enhanced public spaces and uses.”
Meanwhile, in other federal cash injections for Hamilton, Ottawa says it will provide $2.61 million for infrastructure projects in the area from the Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program.
Among the investments from Ottawa are:
- $541,126 toward the $1.6 million renovation of the Binbrook Memorial Hall and the former Glanford Township hall in Mount Hope;
- $457,875 toward a $1.3 million expansion of the Ancaster Aquatic Centre’s change room;
- $280,000 toward a $960,000 project to restore the 138-year-old St. Mark’s Church, which the city bought in 1994 to save from demolition;
- $92,862 to put toward a $225,000 project to restore and expand the Fifty Point Conversation Area Bridge and Trail in Stoney Creek;
- $68,265 toward a $205,000 project to expand the Griffin House in Ancaster; and
- $42,214 for the Hamilton Conservation Authority to put toward a $102,500 project to restore Westfield’s 1845 schoolhouse.
The Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program is designed to celebrate Canada’s 150th anniversary in 2017 and was unveiled in Ottawa in May.
