martinus | geleynse

It’s very “cool” to sit in coffee shops and discuss how we’d like to change the world.

It’s very typical…very university…and generally very useless.

Urban redevelopment isn’t something that occurs through discussion or debate.  Hamilton’s city centre isn’t magically going to respond to our good wishes and regenerate itself.  And guess what?  We don’t need anymore well-intentioned coffee shops!

This is a post for everyone who talks but doesn’t DO.

I’m fed up with the idea that good intentions are enough.  They’re not.  In fact, they’re destructive.  It’s easy to discuss downtown renewal while sitting in an Ancaster Starbucks, or in a church built in suburbia.  Unless those discussions bring about influence at City Hall, or somehow result in solid investment downtown–they perpetuate the idea that sympathy is sufficient.

Our downtown doesn’t need your sympathy–it needs your investment.

Investment is putting your money where your mouth is.  If a church says they care about the city core, I challenge the church to purchase an investment property!  Don’t buy yet another property to convert into a mission-oriented coffee shop.  It’s not the cool thing to do.  It’s just another low-income drain on the area.  There are already plenty of cafes run by individuals who rely on the business for their livelihood–they don’t need competition from another youth-group charity project.  No, if you buy a property downtown, redevelop it into high-end loft apartments and high-density residential space.  Encourage professionals from your own congregation to rent the units!  This brings more people downtown, and infuses new cash, energy, and excitement into the area.

Wealthy individuals and non-profit organizations have the unique ability to own properties without needing a profit from the investment.  They have the capacity to invest without needing an immediate return.  This is the kind of investment our city core needs: the kind that actually might sacrifice for the good of the community.

If you are a corporate leader–consider moving your operations to the city centre!  Destination stores like the Apple Store, Crate and Barrel, Chapters, or similar could bring a tremendous amount of foot traffic to the city centre without infringing on existing markets in the area.  Let’s face it–there’s very little downtown that can’t be found elsewhere.  If people have a reason to go downtown, they will go.

Stop talking and do something.   Buy a property.  Shop downtown.  Invest in your city.

If the obvious benefits of riding public transit aren’t enough to convince you… check this out!

I need to take a moment to applaud Hamilton’s Mayor Fred Eisenberger.

I was on Facebook a few minutes ago, and upon checking an update on the Mayor’s profile, I noticed that he had “become a supporter of Stephane Dion” (Dion is the leader of the federal Liberal Party of Canada.  I might remind you that Mr. Eisenberger notes his political views as “conservative”, and that he even ran for federal office as a member of the Conservative Party of Canada only a few years ago.

For his ability to cross partisan boundaries, I applaud our mayor.

Since coming to power in 2006, Mr. Eisenberger has devoted himself to renewing Hamilton in every way.  He is supportive of increased public transit (particularly light rail), he has broached the idea of pedestrianizing Gore Park, and has done much to bring about increased investment in the Hamilton area (investinhamilton.ca).  It is refreshing to have a mayor with the drive and ability to accomplish [tangible] improvements in our city.

I am proud to advertise the fact that I drive a small, diesel-powered car.  Two weeks ago, I drove from Grand Rapids, MI to Hamilton on 3/5 tank of gas (and I was even speeding!).  Despite my relatively environmentally friendly vehicle–I still always feel guilty when I drive around below the mountain.  The roads keep getting rougher and busier, and I’m a part of the problem.  It’s easy to wish that someone would simply install light rail all over the place–but somewhat unrealistic.  On the other hand, I can’t take the bus system b/c it would have taken over 10 hours to accomplish what I just covered in less than 2.

So–we’re back at square one again: what comes first, more public transit or more passengers?

I lived in the Hamilton, Ontario area for 9 years (1993-2002) before spending five years at university in Michigan. I graduated from my undergraduate program this past spring, and moved back to the city I call my home. Now, living here indefinitely, I find myself loving the city of Hamilton more than ever. I am thrilled by the latent potential of the downtown, and yet am baffled by the apparently self-loathing attitude of its general population.

I hope to use this blog as an outlet for thought about Hamilton and all things therein.

Thanks for reading–I hope you’ll check back soon.