Revitalization

Locke Street BIA?

By Jason Leach
Published July 10, 2006

It could very well happen today at the city's Planning and Economic Development Committee meeting.

There has been a mighty long struggle on Locke to get a BIA, and to keep one out.

This proposal does not include the entire street, but only the area from Homewood to Chatham. It would be interesting to see how this could work without including the rest of the street.

On King West, the nice lighting, banners, trees and benches abruptly end at Queen St where the BIA's boundary ends. Will we end up with a "spruced" up portion of Locke next to the "regular" Locke?

And do we even want that? Locke St. merchants seem to be sympathetic to postering and allowing community groups to put up cool brochures and signs in various cafes and shops.

Will a BIA mean that the city will send by those annoying poster cleaners to rip everything down and ensure that only big box stores and their massive, ugly billboards remain as "legal" means of advertising on Hamilton streets?

Part of Locke Street's charm is that the businesses have brought the neighbourhood back to life without city intervention. I know there is more money to be had by becoming a BIA, but will it be worth it?

This will be an interesting development to watch.

Jason Leach was born and raised in the Hammer and currently lives downtown with his wife and children. You can follow him on twitter.

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By wMEqTlxwzCqHPX (anonymous) | Posted March 28, 2008 at 18:31:58

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