Open House: Planning Hamilton’s Economic Future

The City of Hamilton’s Economic Development and Real Estate Division encourages all citizens to help plan for Hamilton’s economic future.  Over the course of two weeks, Hamiltonians will have the chance to attend a number of open houses across the city to review the City of Hamilton’s Economic Development Strategy, speak to economic development staff regarding the strategy’s various aspects and register their opinions on the strategy through surveys both at the open houses and on-line.

 

A number of Open Houses will be held, however, the closest location for Ward 1 residents is:

 

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

6:00pm-9:00pm

Hamilton Convention Centre – Albion Room C

1 Summer’s Lane

 

Additional open house dates and further information are posted.

There is also an opportunity for the public to view all Economic Development Strategy documents on-line as well as take an on-line survey regarding the content of the strategy at:  www.investinhamilton.ca

Survey on Transportation and Car Use

Green Venture is collecting data on transportation and mobility habits of neighbourhoods in downtown and west Hamilton.  This information will assist in Green Venture’s Car Share public forum in March 2009, as well as to help identify two pilot communities for the subsequent Car Share workshops.

Please take a minute to fill out Green Venture’s Mini-Transportation Survey:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=YzySAmT2gzwCpb6JU8kMjQ_3d_3d

What is a Car Share? Car Shares offer an alternative to car ownership and have proven to work across Europe and North America; successful models include co-operative, non-profit and corporate.  Want to learn more? Visit www.greenventure.ca or call 905-540-8787 x18.

“City Repair” film screening and discussion Jan 21

[This evening will be a great chance for anyone interested in making Kirkendall and Hamilton a more livable place to hear more about how similar efforts have worked in other cities!]

On January 21st at 7pm, at the Skydragon Centre at 27 King William St., a community organizer Marya Folinsbee will be giving a presentation about City Repair (www.cityrepair.org).  City Repair is an organization from Portland, Oregon, that has developed a host of grassroots “placemaking” strategies for transforming the cityscape into a people-friendly community.  In addition to sharing the stories of City Repair, she will be facilitating a discussion amongst citizens about our vision for the future of Hamilton, and how communities here might go about engaging with our space to make it safe, healthy, and beautiful.

Here is a short description of the evening:

Portland’s City Repair project (www.cityrepair.org) has a long history of “placemaking”. Using simple, community-based design projects, the organization has helped create convergence where there were once only collisions, and has helped restore village culture and dignity to communities of all kinds across Portland. Using sustainable, aesthetically stunning and emotionally fulfilling structures and events, City Repair has helped make Portland one of the world’s most safe, sane and sustainable urban areas. Join Marya, a Hamilton-loving human who has recently been inspired by City Repair, for a short film screening and discussion about how we might repair *this* city. All are welcome! Bring your rosiest goggles and the most enthusiasm!

Help Plan Our City’s Urban Future

The city is opening up to input on a wide range of issues, revising their ‘Official Urban Plan’. Details on their website or check out the poster:

Urban Plan Meeting

Farmers’ Market / Central Library Renovation Meeting

Technically, the market and library aren’t in Kirkendall but many of us are within walking distance of these valuable city services, so this should get publicized:

The City of Hamilton is planning to renovate both the Farmers’ Market and the Hamilton Public Library – Central Branch.

This public meeting will provide an opportunity for the public to review the final designs for the renovations. Architect David Premi will present a video simulation and artist renderings to illustrate the changes that will be made to the two downtown landmarks.

Date: Saturday, January 10, 2009
Time: 10 am
Location: Hamilton Public Library Auditorium

The Farmers’ Market will be moving into Jackson Square during the renovations. A report on this move was presented to Council on December 8, 2008 and can be viewed online.

Reminder: Public meeting re public art on Locke St.

For those who haven’t heard, the city has allocated some funds to a group for the purposes of supporting some public art on Locke St.

What kind of public art, you ask? Well, in part, that might be up to all of us.

There will be a public meeting this Thursday, Jan 8th at 7pm at St. Joseph’s Church Hall, Herkimer and Locke.

We are hoping that many residents and business operators will attend to have input and to hear what it is all about. Ken Coit is the city’s coordinator for art in publc places and will chair the meeting. There have been no decisions made – just ideas. We are limited only by funds and city bylaws. Remember that art includes all the senses and can be visual, audio, tactile, aural and/or functional. It is important that the neighbourhood not only agree on what will be done but have a say in it. Please try to attend and let your neighbours know. There are posters around on Locke St. but not every one has seen them.

The city’s website has some official description.