Raise the Hammer

We're just a month away from March 15, 2012, (read above the open date) a full year after the completion "no later than" completion date. I guess the fact that it got done is all that matters?

We're in awe of the reno. But people need to know what it cost and what we lost to get there. A ridiculously over-priced lease rate for 30 years. A huge tax subsidy from the province. And the loss of two two adjacent buildings. To get what? Basically what was there in 80s. We take two steps forward, to go back 3 decades. This building was functioning and full of businesses in the 80s up to the early 90s. Sound familiar?

Royal Connaught Hotel was selling hotel rooms the week prior to the purchase and subsequent closure after the current land speculators purchased it. It still sits empty and waits for a similar Lister sweetheart deal. Gutted more like, with the help of 4$million in City Hall funds, in an apparent pitch to make it an 5-star hotel. Please don't forget. And as if Hamilton is a market for a 5-star hotel??? Toronto only has two 5-stars. That was a scam and nothing more or less than the Lister was.

How these staffers at City Hall get their jobs is beyond me. O wait, I know, they're all related. City Hall is an Italian family-run business. That just makes sure they get sweet paycheques for doing squat.

Whenever Lister opens, (they are taking months just to paint the frig, union-speed) and if they actually get retail tenants at double the going rent, I'll be thrilled. I'm not holding my breathe.

I want to remind people that we paid dearly for this to happen. We also lost the two neighbouring buildings on KW and James. And I will bet that we never see the "Second Phase" tower. Plus I bet that Right House becomes vacant as a result. Well done. This is not progress.

Enjoy Hamilton, get screwed in a 30-year lease, no second-phase, and created two holes in KW and James streetwalls, and likely will result in the Right House (real good landlords btw) closing up. It will match the other side of Gore Park's vacant behemouth.

I mean I can miss my targets at work too, but not like this. Too many family members looking out for each other at City Hall. Aren't we on the second or third family generation watching out for our EcDev marketing now? Nothing like the outgoing 'marketer' of this City that watched 30 years of nothing happen hand over the reigns to another family member.

Comment edited by TreyS on 2012-02-12 20:24:50