Sports

Hamilton Architects and Designers Support Downtown Stadium

By RTH Staff
Published July 11, 2010

A group of over 100 Hamilton architects and designers sent the following letter regarding the Pan Am Stadium to Hamilton City Council on July 9.

Copies were sent to Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty, Michael Fenn, Hamilton Tiger-Cats owner Bob Young, Ticats president Scott Mitchell, Metrolinx chair Rob MacIsaac, Patrick Deane, Hamilton Chamber of Commerce president and Metrolinx board member Richard Koroscil, Downtown BIA president Kathy Drewitt, International Village BIA president Susan Braithwaite, City of Hamilton Planning and Economic Development department general manager Tim McCabe, and local media.

July 9, 2010

Re: Pan Am Stadium Downtown Hamilton

Dear Mayor Eisenberger and Hamilton Councillors,

The members of the design community in greater Hamilton have been listening to the debate regarding the stadium location with great interest. There was considerable enthusiasm expressed around the location of the stadium in the downtown as it clearly demonstrated an awareness of how this civic facility could be a true catalyst for urban renewal.

It was felt that city leadership was demonstrated with the follow through of the selection and study process. The design and planning process was competitive, community minded and unbiased.

The value of urban development capitalizes on existing infrastructure, community and the opportunity to increase density, tax base and city branding. These values are immediately and indefinitely quantifiable. We support this downtown legacy project and council must demonstrate bravery with their commitment to our city core.

The following list of companies and individuals consists of over 100 Hamilton Architects and Designers:

Anthony Butler FRAIC, Architect (retired)
McCallum Sather Architects
Joanne McCallum MRAIC, OAA, LEED AP
Greg Sather MRAIC, OAA, LEED AP
Philip Toms Architect
dp.Ai
David Premi OAA, MRAIC, LEED AP
VERMEULEN-HIND ARCHITECTS
Stanford Downey Architects
Bill Curran
TCA/Thier + Curran Architects
John Blums Architect Inc.
John Blums
James Hettinger OAA
Fred Vermeulen OAA MRAIC, OAA, AAA, BArch
Drew Hauser Hons Vis Arts, BArch, OAA, MRAIC
Mary Jo Hind
Rebecca Beatty MRAIC, OAA, BArch, BES, LEED AP
Doug Oliver
Tim Ali
Taylor Timmis
Keri Williams
John Pelliegrino
Kyle Smith
Angelo Sferrazza
Wayne Jorgensen
Erin Gibbs
Sarah Heslop
Kenneth Isaac Architect Inc.
Lintack Architects Inc.
Kim Litgers
Roland Mech Licensed Technologist OAA
Rick Lintack
Plethovalent Architecture
Radojewski, Architect
Peter Soldera BArch, OAA, MRAIC
Victor P. Pala, Architect Ltd.
Cynthia Zahoruk Architect Inc.
M. R. Neumann, Architect
Dora Lomax
Adam McCaughan

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By Fred Street (anonymous) | Posted July 12, 2010 at 08:16:01

Impressive. Unfortunately, history has shown that suburban industrial parks are habitually assembled without much thought to aesthetics, design or usability, even from a motorist's perspective.

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By AA (anonymous) | Posted July 12, 2010 at 08:36:13

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By incredulous (anonymous) | Posted July 12, 2010 at 10:31:15

Since when did building a stadium in a residential area become a catalyst for urban renewal?

Build it downtown. Maybe $1 million for each of those 100 architect firms could give us a grand stadium. Do you think they can agree on a design?

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By BB (anonymous) | Posted July 12, 2010 at 11:24:18

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By JM (registered) | Posted July 12, 2010 at 12:28:05

Great opinion piece in the Spec today (its shocking they printed it)... makes me believe there's still some hope down at the West Harbour. "Not all fans agree with Ticat owner Bob Young"... agreed!

Check it out: http://www.thespec.com/Opinions/article/...

Also, I was at the game this Saturday (I drive down, but I park @ the Centre and then hop on the #2 - no complaints). There was a guy wearing a black t-shirt saying something about the West Harbour but I couldn't make it out. Anybody catch what it said?!

JM

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By lawrence (registered) - website | Posted July 12, 2010 at 15:21:57

Very cool. Thanks for posting @JM. Also mentioned today is the above letter to council.

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By lawrence (registered) - website | Posted July 12, 2010 at 15:26:19

Where is the parking? One reason why I don't attend tiger cat games.

Centre Mall as @JM mentioned. Boston Pizza actually has a promo for "Park and Ride" on Game Day. At least the Centre locaiton.

As well, there is Scott Park field across from IW where great Tailgates and yummy eats are served, the school (King George), across from IW, on neighbors lawns with kids holding signs to park on their parents lawns and the kids reaping the financial rewards. :)

Also, on neighboring streets even as far over as I live. There are other lots in the surrounding area that offer game day parking, including a Church wich I believe is at Main and Leinster which as lot's of spots.

There are a lot of options, and also many bars that offer tickets and bus ride to the games. I also spotted a 'Tiger Cat' express city bus, but I am not sure what that was all about. Bus rides to and from the games are also free game day with your game ticket.

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By Kiely (registered) | Posted July 12, 2010 at 15:36:38

Where is the parking? One reason why I don't attend tiger cat games. - BB

Where is that picture highlighting all the downtown surface parking lots when you need it?

Most downtown lots are within a 10-15 minute walk to the West Harbour site.

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By lawrence (registered) - website | Posted July 12, 2010 at 15:57:51

Where is that picture highlighting all the downtown surface parking lots when you need it?

Here is the one for the current site. Here is one for downtown itself but I know there is one floating around with a broader view of downtown parking.

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By graham (registered) | Posted July 12, 2010 at 16:41:23

@BB - maybe if it was downtown and there was good transit - like LRT? - people would walk and then not have to park. You know, just an idea.

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By Green P (anonymous) | Posted July 12, 2010 at 17:07:56

It's not about whether there is no parking - it's about FREE parking to people who complain about it. They don't care if there is lots or meters - they want it FREE. Try discussing this with people who are used to shopping at malls or big box stores - it always comes up and here it comes up again!

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By JM (registered) | Posted July 12, 2010 at 17:14:09

FREE parking?! Not at this parking lot on the mountain! Good luck with that - Ti-cats can't generate revenue off of free parking.................

JM

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By DanJelly (registered) | Posted July 12, 2010 at 17:51:58

@JM You're right. The way it's going it will be taxpayers who pay to build the lot and then pay again to park there.

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By graham (registered) | Posted July 13, 2010 at 12:58:12

@GreenP - They've just put pay & display meters on Locke - let 'em complain. Free parking is only a sign that there is too much parking. There's a lot of free parking in Flamborough. There's also nothing to do within a 10 minute walk of much of it. Hopefully we'll soon be able to say "You may have to pay for parking, but in Hamilton there's stuff worth parking for."

It's incredible how huge an issue parking is in this city. Talk about new buildings or development inevitably goes to parking. Its really is incredible. Completely unscientific, but I wouldn't be surprised if Hamilton has enough parking for everyone here twice over.

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By tuftsdacat (registered) | Posted July 13, 2010 at 13:54:54

HAs anyone been downtown lately - Hamilton Downtown is practically a parking lot - if over 15,000 people can go to a concert at Copps - I am sure that many people can go to a stadium.

In addition if apparently 60,000 people attended Wingfest - or 25,000 people attended the fireworks on Canada Day - obviously - parking is not an issue.

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By JM (registered) | Posted July 13, 2010 at 16:58:28

Of the "25,000" that saw the fireworks at bayfront park, parking was only a problem for the hundred or so cars that got caught in the parking lot mess...... nobody else had issues accessing and leaving the park, by walking (even to a parking spot 10 mins away), cycling or even catching the bus! That crowd of pedestrians was moving pretty quick i tell ya!

I'll admit, i was one of those cars that got stuck - but i didn't complain, i knew what i got myself into. I just sat and waited it out. I only parked so close cause i came earlier to have a picnic and didn't feel like lugging my cooler too far.

JM

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By sselway (registered) | Posted July 13, 2010 at 20:01:16

Traffic IS a problem after the fireworks - gridlock. I often wonder what would happen if a resident had a heart attack or a house fire.

The map posted by Lawrence is not the map of parking envisioned by the city (I know he didn't claim it was!) The parking within a 1 km radius suggested by the city easily circles part of the North End - all the way to the school.

I truly fear we would become a neighbourhood of "permit parking" only with residents making an extra buck selling their little lawns to park a car.

Residents, and I don't blame them, would continually ask for a varience to put parking in front of their homes in tiny front yards in contradiction to the 50% bylaw. See the neighbourhood around Ivor Wynne.

Residents would endure cars parking in their permit parking only (yes, it happens now), in front of hydrants, blocking driveways, too close to corners because they do now for special events. Not to mention additional pollution from the exhaust of hundreds of cars driving and looking for THE perfect parking spot.

I live here and I use transit, ride my bike and walk. I also own a car and drive on occasion. But I am not going to kid myself into thinking that Ti-Cat fans will be whistling cheerfully driving from Ancaster (or where ever) to downtown Hamilton and taking transit or walking to a West Harbour Stadium.

Can we literally "force them" to change their "car culture" behaviour? People will bring their car for a myriad of reasons: the kids, heavy cooler & pic-nic at the park, need to get home early, running late etc.

None the less, council did pass a motion to include the residents in plans to "protect" neighbourhoods around the WH Stadium site from traffic and parking.

But I do wish the "downtown" stadium site was actually downtown. I am truly uneasy about how an entertainment precinct that distance from "the downtown" will affect it in the long term. Our downtown need nurturing and care - I would be uneasy about a "wal-mart" "home depot" type development for the same reason.

I would also question the assertion that "The design and planning process was competitive, community minded and unbiased." As a resident, I have not seen 1 bit of evidence showing how it would improve my community. Nor has there been any PUBLIC consultation.

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