Downtown Subcommittee Meeting: Revitalization Strategy, Infrastructure, and Services

The Downtown Subcommittee discussed delays to the 10-Year Downtown Hamilton Revitalization Strategy, unfunded King Street sidewalk and road work, a proposed public washroom at John Rebecca Park, downtown noise enforcement and the relocation of an outdoor food program from Ferguson Station. The committee also examined the removal of Memorial Clock Tower planters and the city's communication about changes to downtown services.

Topics Discussed

DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION

The governance review for the 10-Year Downtown Hamilton Revitalization Strategy will not be completed in time for the upcoming municipal budget cycle. Phil Caldwell, Manager of Commercial District and Small Business, said consultants are expected to begin the review in October, with completion anticipated in late Q2 or early Q3 of next year.

The city currently allocates $1 million annually from the economic development base budget for pilot projects. Jennifer Ross, Senior Business Development Consultant, said projects requiring additional funding would return to council through separate business cases.

Chair Cameron Kroetsch questioned whether the city has enough staff capacity to coordinate the strategy.

"We don't currently have enough capacity to coordinate this entire strategy in terms of who we have hired on right now at the city."

The committee also heard that the existing allocation would not cover the full 10-year planning period. Kroetsch said the plan currently contains approximate costs rather than detailed costs for each project.

Staff plan to present a public "State of the Downtown" report, including metrics and infographics, to the General Issues Committee in the first quarter of 2027.

KING STREET SIDEWALKS AND ROAD WORK

Staff told the committee that the 2027 capital program contains no funding for the identified King Street road resurfacing, sidewalk repairs or flower-bed maintenance.

"None of the work that is identified in terms of costing is currently in our 2027 capital program."

The discussion focused on uneven and sloped sidewalks, tree-root damage and accessibility concerns in the International Village area. Cameron Kroetsch said King Street had not been included on the city's list of inspectable streets because staff expected the LRT project to affect the area.

"What we have now is a massive gap when it comes to King Street."

Staff said sidewalks continue to receive annual inspections by kilometre. Any work within the LRT corridor must also receive approval from the LRT office before construction begins.

Kroetsch cited improvements on James Street as an example of work exceeding the province's minimum maintenance standards, saying the city should consider a higher standard for downtown streets.

JOHN REBECCA PARK WASHROOM

The committee approved an information report on a planned two-stall prefabricated public washroom at John Rebecca Park. The facility will face the fire station, and staff said its use of readily available parts is intended to reduce repair delays.

The site will have active management, regular inspections, cleaning and response protocols. The washroom will operate as a pilot, with staff tracking operating and staffing costs to assess whether similar facilities could be added elsewhere downtown.

One committee discussion emphasized the importance of the project as a test for future public washrooms downtown:

"If we don't get this first one right, it's going to be difficult to replicate that 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 times over."

PLANTERS, PUBLIC SPACE AND COMMUNICATION

The committee discussed the removal of planters near the Memorial Clock Tower after a review found no ongoing funding source for their maintenance. The discussion stated that the BIA and ward office were not consulted before the planters were removed.

Cynthia Graham, Director of Environmental Services, said the city reviewed services that had expanded beyond available funding.

"When staff actually went down and looked at what do we have funding actually to do, that's when things like this happened."

Graham said staff would improve communication with affected groups before making similar service changes. The committee also discussed how responsibilities divided among city departments can make it difficult for businesses and residents to know which department is responsible for a downtown asset.

NOISE, SECURITY AND THE FERGUSON STATION FOOD PROGRAM

The committee unanimously passed a motion addressing amplified sound from street performers, street preachers, private events and portable sound systems. Cameron Kroetsch said sound can bounce between downtown buildings and affect residents on upper floors.

"There's just this bouncing of sound off of a whole bunch of buildings and it ends up haunting people floors up."

Elizabeth Wakeford said gaps remain in the city's response to noise complaints.

The committee also discussed a proposed contracted security and enforcement pilot covering McNab Street near the YMCA, Jackson Street West, York Boulevard and parts of James Street North. Dan Smith, Director of Licensing and Bylaw Services, said the contract would allow security personnel to be moved as conditions change. The committee discussed whether fixed security could displace encampments and other activity into nearby areas.

The city will begin enforcing its bylaw against an unauthorized Wednesday evening food program at Ferguson Station. Staff are seeking to relocate the program to a larger city-leased parking lot with existing security, garbage collection and other services. Grace Mater said passive education began the previous Wednesday and that enforcement would begin the following day.

"Tomorrow will be the first of that enforcement."

The discussion cited pedestrian safety, traffic conditions, property damage and disruption to nearby businesses as reasons for the proposed relocation. One committee comment called for consistent rules for food programs across the city rather than different standards at different locations.

Motions

• Update on the 10-Year Downtown Hamilton Revitalization Strategy — File PED26183: Discussed as an update; the governance review is expected to miss the upcoming budget cycle. No final motion outcome was provided.
• King Street infrastructure follow-up work plan — File P6PW26035A: Discussed. No funding was allocated in the 2027 capital program.
• John Rebecca Park public washroom — File PW26088: Information report received and approved.
• Memorial Clock Tower planters — File PW26094: A motion to place the report on the floor was moved by Vice Chair Braithwaite and seconded by Member Edmonds. The final disposition was not stated.
• Amplified sound and downtown noise: Motion carried unanimously.
• Other downtown matters: Two items were received following a motion by Member Edmonds, seconded by Member Wakeford, and passed by a show of hands.
• Contract enforcement and security pilot: Discussed under agenda item 11.1; no final motion outcome was provided.
• Ferguson Station food program enforcement and relocation: Discussed; no formal motion outcome was provided.

Attendees

The material identifies the following committee members or councillors:

• Cameron Kroetsch, Chair
• Bryce Braithwaite, Vice Chair
• Edmonds
• Elizabeth Wakeford

The excerpts do not provide a complete attendance list.