We may be seeing the grand renovation of the centre mall into the form of - get ready for it - a big box power centre.
By Jason Leach
Jun. 16, 2005
As word begins to spread about the impending redevelopment of Centre Mall on Barton Street between Ottawa Street and Kenilworth Street, it is unclear which scenario - revitalization or destruction - will be played out.
After several months' talk about whether the project will actually go ahead, things are finally starting to sound more concrete. One price tag being thrown around is $100 million for the project. The next few months will see more details unveiled about the cost and design of this grand project.
Being 27 years old and having done some light traveling in North and South America, I had always assumed that when the Centre Mall project was unveiled it would stay true to its history as Canada's first indoor mall and become Hamilton's (and Ontario's) first inner-city mall to be de-malled.
De-malling has become a huge trend in the U.S. during the past decade, especially in places like California where malls reigned supreme for decades and helped create the image of lifeless, violent Los Angeles that we have all come to know. That city finally woke up and realized that by putting everyone indoors, the streets were reserved for high speed traffic and thugs - not the greatest mix for a vibrant downtown or inner city.
The city of Los Angeles is being transformed before our eyes into a people-friendly, cultural hot spot with shopping, dining and nightlife to complete the picture. I never thought I'd say this, but Hamilton could learn a thing or two from L.A.
A recent Spectator article hinted that we may be seeing the grand renovation of the centre mall into the form of - get ready for it - a big box power centre.
The Sky Scraper Page forum has hosted a lively debate on the Centre Mall plan, and one anonymous participant posted what appears to be a site plan for the renovation.
Possible site plan for Centre Mall renovation (click on the image to see a larger version) Source: Sky Scraper Page)
Raise the Hammer has not confirmed the authenticity of this report, and Councillor Sam Merulla claimed he was "not at liberty" to discuss any details when we asked him. If the plan is correct - and it certainly looks like every other big box development around here - then it is a huge step in the wrong direction.
Unfortunately, it's so hard getting a straight answer from the city that we have to resort to leaked plans on an anonymous bulletin board. If you're confused and skeptical about the city's and developers' intentions, welcome to the club. If City Council has nothing to hide, then now would be a great time to publish the actual plans and invite public input.
Councillor Merulla, trying to find anything at this point with which to credit the Red Hill Expressway project, is gushing about east Mountain residents being able to get to this new hot spot easily, thanks to the brilliant planning practices at city hall that are suffocating us in cars and pollution. He also mentions the benefit to be felt by businesses along Ottawa Street and Kenilworth Avenue.
We need to keep our eyes open and look through the rhetoric to find some facts:
Centre Mall represents a huge opportunity to breathe life into this part of the city and surrounding retail streets like Barton, Kenilworth, and Ottawa. This will not happen with a big box format.
One of the developers of the Power Centre planned at Hwy's 5&6 recently agreed with residents' concerns that the development will kill downtown Waterdown. These developments are city killers here, in L.A., and every other place on the planet.
Bringing more cars into the inner city is not good for the neighbourhood. Developing the Centre Mall as a mixed-use project with major chain stores, upper floor apartments or lofts, and a beautiful streetwall along Barton Street would be amazing for the neighbourhood.
I would also like to see a permanent home for the Centre Mall Farmers' Market with a wonderful, landscaped public plaza for summertime music, cafes and market vendors. The key here is mixed use, not huge, one-storey warehouses surrounded by parking. Upper James stinks. We don't need another one.
Just because the city has ignored this part of Hamilton for the past few decades does not automatically make this "great news". Again, depending on what happens with the design of the project, we will either see rejuvenation and rebirth in this wonderful part of Hamilton or decay and destruction of the already struggling businesses on surrounding streets.
If this project is big box in format, nobody from the Mountain will come to it, thereby making references to Red Hill nothing more than a desperate attempt by a highway supporter to try and convince us that there will be any positive spinoff. Mountain residents are surrounded by ugly big box stores. They don't need to drive down into the shadows of Dofasco to find this sort of thing.
The entire area from Nash Road to well east of Centennial Parkway along Queenston and Barton is already a massive, ugly blob of car-dependant, big box retail. Do we really need more?
Transit, transit, transit. A mere ten minutes from downtown, an already well-populated neighbourhood such as this should be exploiting the potential for transit-oriented development. It's high time we drag ourselves out of the 1960s and get with the program.
Residents of the surrounding neighbourhood must be informed of the details of this project and given a voice. This can become another ram-it-down-your-throat project of which we usually get in Hamilton, or it can be a wonderful exercise in community-building and citizen participation.
I urge city council to look at this project as more than just a mall reno. This is about carefully enhancing a "rough around the edges" neighbourhood with new life and a new image. The people who live there should decide what their neighbourhood needs.
Ottawa Street has been jumping back to life in recent years, while Barton Street remains a hotspot for cultural food, but little else. Kenilworth and Parkdale are horrendous streets with tonnes of potential, much of which has likely been squashed by the enormous big box mess near Eastgate Square.
Residents and small business owners must become involved in this process and demand a project that will enhance their community. We should demand good design, a range of uses, new residenatial space, public art, culture, dining, pubic square space, lots of greenery and a proper placement of cars - underground or behind the entire site by the rail tracks.
Barton Street can be beautified through this project with a "new" historic looking streetwall of shopping and people-watching, or it can be further destroyed by the typical small-minded Hamilton vision of more suburbs and warehouse stores dropped into a historic, walkable neighbourhood.
Residents, you can be sure that council doesn't have your back. You'd better take charge before it's too late.
By Brian E
Posted 12/8/2006 2:59:42 PM
I think the Centre mall revitalization has potential to be bring something new and interesting to an otherwise down trodden yet pridefull area of the city. I think the reality is that North Hamilton is comprised of mostly working poor families and this has given this Barton East section of town a very unique character. I think this character can be described as "The constant search for the best deal in town". Family Budgets are tight in Hamilton and no more so than around Centre Mall. For any new development to succeed in this area I think it must be priority #1 to make sure that it includes stores that offer prices that are lower than Centenial Parkway, Limeridge and The Meadowlands. I love the idea of a large area reserved for a farmers market on weekends. Or even during the summer months have booths where organizations, or block associations or individuals can rent booths and sell second hand items like one gigantic swap meet. When redeveloping this mall you have to think, "Why will people come here when there's Limeridge on the mountain, Meadowlands in ancaster, Centenial Parkway in Stoney Creek" I think the answer is that people will come down to Centre Mall because it has great deals and in the summer you can hit dozens of 'Yard Sales' all in the same spot. You can't find deals in Limeridge, you can't find character in the meadowlands and you can't find convienience on Centenial. You have to find them in Centre Mall.
By Sad about Power Centre
Posted 1/3/2007 12:14:08 PM
Yes centre Mall is Different from all the other malls and we do get a different crowd of people. But this mall is a Community Mall! Everybody comes here. There are 5 banks in this mall you can only find 1 in each of Limeridge or Eastgate ( not including the PC machine at Fortino's. This mall is 50 years old one of the oldest in this area. My husband & our families watched this mall be built up from a race track into a very cool gathering place for many years. If this mall is to be torn down and made into only a power centre it would be a very sad state. It would be sad for all the Seniors and Bus travelers, sad for the Wheelchair and Scooter customers who come everyday to get a break from their house's or apartments who would now have to drive in the cold to get where they have to go. It will be sad for the small business retailers who count on this mall as a income for their families who now have to relocate or close down. Yes we have Limeridge But I hate Limeridge it's so trendy and it's to busy for my liking some people just don't like that atmosphere. And Eastgate's O.K. And Yes we go to Cosco In Ancaster but I can’t stand going there the traffic is crazy. I always feel sorry for the people who live around there why would they want to put up with that? We are Central At Center Mall. We get everybody from all areas. I 'm just saying I'm sad about the Power Centre I'd like to see a Mall still here when all said and done. And maybe stores around the mall. That would work for everybody. The mall may look a little empty right now, but it's not closed yet! The store's that are moving out are stores that are Franchise stores that aren't making enough money to stay and there lease is up so they're leaving. The other business are still there And open for business. So don't give up on Centre Mall yet!
thanks
By Jay
Posted 4/14/2007 12:57:02 PM
Personally I believe the mall needs to torn down and rebuilt as something bigger and better, I also think its a good idea to keep surrounding businesses in mind, and to promote a mixed use environment. As far as art and culture go, with the giant dafasco just around the corner I doubt that would be a viable option. Its also important to keep in mind that some smaller format big box stores would benefit the area as property values and the construction of big box stores have a positive correlation. I think a great idea would be to bring in some major financial institutions as well as retail, this would boost the income in the area, and bring more capital for people to spend. It would also become a necessary reason for people from all over to come the area, since they work there. All in all, a healthy exchange of ideas and openmindedness would most like result in the best result. Happy posting...
By Remi
Posted 9/29/2007 7:20:39 PM
I think that turning the Center Mall into a "Box Store" complex would be a mistake. I am saying this because a mall has been, and always will be a place where people come and meet and hang out for coffee and conversation, a "box store" complex, people go to and just buy what they want and go home, cause there is no place to hang out. You loose a sense of community and togetherness with the "box store" complex! I thenk they should keep it in the typical mall format, just renovate it, and make it 2 storey which would allow for ample room for more stores, and to have the farmers market indoors!!
By fpbbcg@aol.com
Posted 10/19/2007 5:27:53 PM
Lets hope that the Barn which is owned by Metro stays in the area. Thier service and quality of meat are first class. We really enjoy shopping at that location. The staff is very friendly and helpful.
By reality check
Posted 12/13/2007 12:31:18 PM
Perhaps the Centre Mall being turned into a big box retail outlet isn't the best idea but it's obvious that the recent flea narket format isn't creating a community feel either. What the big box format will do is help revitalize the sorry state of Ottawa and Kenilworth Sts by bringing business to the area and helping create some sort of reason to go there beyond buying fabric. Instead of going to the mall and feeding the already rich chains, visit a small restaurant on Ottawa St. for a coffee. The Centre Mall killed Ottawa St., now it's time for the big boxes to help the area.
By Marek
Posted 1/6/2008 2:45:44 PM
Although I think your heart is in the right place, and it would be nice for Centre mall to become some post-modern metro hotspot with lots of cafes, parks, people coming in droves - it isn't going to happen.
Two major things are in the way for this to happen.
1) Look what's behind Centre mall - one of the heaviest examples industry in Ontario. Smoke stacks, dirt, grime, pollution, trucks, trains and steel. No one is going to want to sit outside on a hot summer day sipping cappuccino while tons of pollution is being pumped into the sky only a few blocks away.
2) The northern end of Hamilton is the poorest part of Hamilton. As people have already posted, people come to Centre mall for the bargains and not for much else.
Make a place for people to congregate and further enhance the bargain mentality. Enhance the farmers market. Introduce a daily Flea market, the largest in the city. Make the mall the hub of alternative transportation by making it the hub for the HSR below-the-escarpment. See how that goes, and then expand on that further in 10 years.
By East End Guy
Posted 1/22/2008 11:00:51 AM
As a life long, east end resident, I feel that the glory days of the Centre Mall are long gone and it's time for a major change. The mall has been on a down hill slide for years and almost all of the stores worth shopping at are long gone. The only store that draws a crowd any more is Tim Hortons! It's sad, but when I need to do some shopping for clothes, gifts or home decor, I make the drive to Lime Ridge Mall, where they have modern stores with quality merchandise. Although the big box stores are cold and faceless, the one thing you notice at the Meadowlands, Lime Ridge or Centennial Pkwy is that the stores are ALWAYS busy! We don't need a place for people to sit and mingle (which is all I see at the Centre), we need a place that offers products and services that will entice people to come out and spend money! I was quite a "mall rat" as a kid and spent countless hours at the Centre, so I am sad that the mall is on it's last legs, but as neighbourhood home owner, I am excited at the thought of some reputable businesses breathing a little life back our beloved East end.
By soontobeunemployed
Posted 1/27/2008 3:15:27 PM
I have worked for the barn store for many years.I started there when it was A&P.No one wants to tell us what is going on.My company insist that we are going to be there till 2011.I just dont believe that at all. If any one knows something please let me know.
By jmarie
Posted 4/15/2008 10:27:38 PM
I have lived in the east end my whole life, I am now 30, and right in that perfect demographic that is looking for unique, interesting, entertaining and somewhat eclectic places to shop, dine and just generally hang out and enjoy with friends. Lets face it...Centre Mall is totally done. Ottawa street however is still pretty funky and could go a lot further in that positive direction with a small nudge. I love the shops and restaurants and bakeries....Limoncello is totally taking the area in the appropriate direction. So seriously people, keep the good, ditch the bad! Why is this so complicated? Enhance the farmers market...give flea market space, provide something for the public to come and visit and all will follow. Hamilton is trying so hard to break away from its old stigmas and has so much to offer, why are we holding it back?
By SLP
Posted 4/17/2008 10:44:43 PM
I was by the Centre Mall tonight and all I can say is Wow. They have blocked off the parking area near Sears, tearing up the asphalt and I felt a touch of sadness. I was truly hoping that someone would come to their senses and not destroy the mall, but rebuild it, maintaining stores like Sears, Jim's Nut Shack, etc. but alas, they won't find out until it's way too late that east enders don't shop at big box stores...not because they're too expensive but because we like going from one small, interesting shop to another, browsing yet another afternoon away, shopping, stopping for food, coffee and people-watching.
When I was growing up, I knew I'd never leave the east end...ok, I did for a year to move downtown but I quickly returned to where I felt at home. East enders are a breed unto ourselves. We're not comfortable in places like Limeridge as they are too impersonal. The Centre Mall was the one place that I could get everything I needed without having to drive from one place to another. When the new mall opens, I will stage my own silent protest and not shop there (even though I only live a few blocks away) and do my shopping where I can shop at my leisure i.e. Eastgate & Mapleview Mall.
As my grandmother always said, "progress" is not always best.
By ted
Posted 6/11/2008 11:48:17 PM
I cant help but notice lots of retail/residential building up for sale in the area at inflated (from a few years ago) prices.
It seems more people want out than in and all all using the same pitch "when the new mall is built this area will be revitalized"
If thats the case why sell now?
By ted
Posted 6/11/2008 11:53:52 PM
I cant help but notice lots of retail/residential building up for sale in the area at inflated (from a few years ago) prices.
It seems more people want out than in and all all using the same pitch "when the new mall is built this area will be revitalized"
If thats the case why sell now?
We shape our dwellings, and afterwards our dwellings shape our lives." -- Winston Churchill
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By Centre Mall Casualty
Posted 12/6/2006 8:28:54 PM
We work at Centre Mall and found out our store is closing and noone at the mall would tell us whats going on. We keep getting the run around whenever we asked what was going on. Now we are unemployed with no notice. Thanks Centre you are the best.
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