November 2010, No. 66
Gentrification, Urban Renewal: What's at stake
BY KEVIN MACKAY
I have lived in downtown Hamilton for over 15 years now. I first moved here in 1994 and I was in my fourth year as an undergraduate student at McMaster, studying psychology and anthropology. I was also an artist, and shared a small studio space with a friend on James St. North. In those days our second-floor, one-room studio ran us the incredibly low price of $140 per month.
Living as an artist in the core in the mid-90's was only possible due to the ample cheap space available. People with limited resources but ambitious visions could find affordable places to live and work, and a unique and vibrant scene emerged amid the decay of Hamilton's downtown. One manifestation of this scene was the Sky Dragon Cooperative, started by a collective of artists, students, and community activists.
The downtown that I knew in 1994 is long gone.
To the Footsoldiers of Gentrification
BY DANIEL O'ROURKE
Let's cut the crap — what's happening on James Street North is gentrification. Phrases like "economic development" and "revitalizing the core" are just euphemisms for the stark reality of replacing one group of people with another, more desirable group
We in the arts scene, along with politicians and business owners, often talk about improving the downtown community. But too often that phrase means "we want our community to exist in the space where yours used to be".
Letter from the Editor
A sustainable city is a functional city.
In A Manifesto For Sustainable Cities, Gaines and Jager argue that for a metropolis to survive -let alone thrive -sustainable development is key. As the authors expand on the term, it becomes clear that a sustainable city must also be inclusive.
Mayday Presents "Sustainable, Inclusive Downtown Development: Challenges and Opportunities"
Date: Tuesday, November 23
Time: 7 pm
Location: Sky Dragon Centre
Moderator: Social Justice Society of Mohawk College
All are welcome to an open, moderated discussion about the revitalization of downtown Hamilton. Downtown is currently undergoing several important changes. Exciting new developments and initiatives are emerging, along with issues and concerns about the vision guiding development. Passionate and invested people, including residents, business-owners, artists and activists are expressing their diverse perspectives about what a revitalized downtown should look like and what challenges need to be overcome.
Weeds, Traintracks, & the North End
KNOWING THE LAND IS RESISTANCE
The afternoon is full of sunshine, warming our cheeks into squinting smiles. Today there's a street festival on James Street North, and it's easy to get caught up in the joyful atmosphere. These festivals are a much-celebrated vision of the new downtown, but are they really increasing the health of our communities?
Hamilton is littered with the abandoned storefronts of former development enthusiasm – is the trend on James North any different? And what would building a healthy community even look like? With these questions rattling around inside us, we descend the hill along the West side of the James Street bridge to explore the meadow that grows by the traintracks there and seek some clarity.
Municipal Elections in a Nutshell
Ward 2 councillor Bob Bratina took the gold in the mayoral race, easiliy defeating former Mayor Larry Dianni and Incumbant Fred Eisenberger.
Former Mayday editor, activist and artist Matt Jelly came close to being Councillor Jelly, but lost out to radio and tv host Jason Farr by a mere 173 votes.
The Responsibility of Remembrance Day
BY PETER ORMOND
November 11th means much more than sporting a poppy and attending a ceremony that honours our past war veterans. Back then, many of our ancestors gave the ultimate sacrifice for the betterment of humankind. My uncle Charlie Adams was one of them. Thanks to him and many others, today we have democratic freedom.
Have we forgotten this responsibility to participate as active citizens?