Comment 41272

By jason (registered) | Posted May 29, 2010 at 10:43:45

Barton suffered a whole host of other problems. In short, the decline of the massive industrial empire and the exodus of that empire's workforce who lived, shopped and dined along Barton before, during and after their shifts. You end up with a shrinking neighbourhood, much like what happened previously in Strathcona, Durand, Kirkendall etc.... the difference being - those neighbourhoods are now on the comeback and the Barton St area isn't - largely due to the pollution and massive industrial neighbours next door. Try convincing a home buyer in Strathcona or Kirkendall that they could get twice the house for the same price north of Barton, east of Wentworth. 99% will say 'no thanks'.

Better local examples of the impact of two-way streets can be seen on James and John...previously highways with less retail/commercial than they currently possess. Now property values are going up as buildings are renovated for apartments, studios, stores, cafes and condos. For some strange reason all of this started after the two-way conversion.

And of course, Hamilton's successful shopping districts are also more proof - Locke, Ottawa, Westdale, Concession etc..... why is Locke booming while King and Main at their intersections with Locke seem desolate?

Hamilton is too small to need multi lane highways downtown with timed lights and skinny sidewalks. We need to take our cue from the Beaches, Danforth, College etc....in Toronto and just get these streets back to their basic design and most beneficial function.

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