Larry's Corner

Who Will Lead Downtown Renewal?

By Larry Di Ianni
(posted June 11, 2008)

It is good that the city has a downtown renewal strategy and a secondary plan that paints a vision of our city core. But having a strategy and creating a vision cannot ignore the basic fact that if the downtown is to succeed, private dollars must be invested in its turnaround.

As Mayor I understood this. I also understood that a tipping point would only be achieved if Council were to use its available resources to lead the way. That is why I decried the lack of support of our banking institutions in downtown renewal, and tried to engage our insurance industry in providing coverage for entrepreneurs willing to risk their money in the core. I also applauded and co-operated with the downtown BIA’s and a third more loosely-defined James Street Merchants’ group whom I saw as representing the heroes of downtown: those merchants who had struck to the core through thick and thin.

I also tried to make things happen by getting the Lister discussions off the ground, supervising the negotiations of an advantageous lease with the City Center for City Hall re-location, and discussing improvements with the owner of Jackson Square. I also met with a number of Councillors and McMaster U. and Mohawk College to see if we could locate some additional programs to the core. Under my watch, I agreed to invest in a better venue for the Farmer’s Market location, supported restaurants and activities in the core as much as I could, and saw some momentum in the right direction.

But the essential point never escaped me. Private money would ensure the core’s revitalization. That is why I was pleased that the bankrupt Connaught hotel was purchased and that Harry Stinson is venturing forth with a bold idea, and that the downtown loans program has been re-instated. As I visit the downtown now, I notice that some restaurants close and others open. Such is the ebb and flow of that business.

I am truly excited by a number of things which may not have hit the main stream media in as significant a way as these projects surely will. Council recently approved money for the Waterfront Trust to invest in another restaurant in our waterfront, as well as a skating rink for winter use. This is a great development. The waterfront is a spark for the north end, but also for the downtown. As I wrote in an earlier column, a fine dining restaurant will attract people from the whole region to the area thereby benefiting all. The City is trying to bring visitors to the waterfront, as witnessed by the recent Wingfest. I enjoyed being there, but did not see the mainstream of our city at the Festival. As this tradition takes hold, I hope to see as many people at Wingfest as I now see at Burlington’s Ribfest or the Winona Peach Festival. But on an ongoing basis, a good restaurant will only enhance the choices for people and nicely complement William’s Coffee Bar, the Discovery Center and other waterfront sights.

Another idea which is truly exciting is the whole discussion around the Education Center and the Medical facility intended to be placed there. I began these discussions with McMaster’s Medical Center leadership when I was Mayor. In those days I envisioned a Civic Center joining forces with Mac, the school board and the city as well as perhaps the YMCA. Nevertheless, the discussions have progressed and there is some serious money being discussed coming from the private sector as a charitable contribution. Good for Mr. David Braley for being so generous a philanthropist. Good for Dr. Kelton for holding fast to his vision for the downtown and good for the Board of Ed. for participating in the talks. The City will probably be asked for its support and its contribution to this concept. I hope that the answer is a resounding yes.

It is true that private money will be the true test of our core’s turnaround, but government’s role is to pave the way and lead by example. Both these projects, one on the waterfront, the other downtown are doing exactly that.

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