Gore ready to become next conservation district
New pedestrian pathways, restored monuments, and attractive streetscape planned
Public opinion has turned. Growing numbers of people across Hamilton are now rising in support of the historic Gore Park precinct.
They like what they see — new pedestrian pathways, restored monuments, an attractive streetscape, crowded cultural venues, luxury condominiums? and they want more.
And for the 1,500-plus residents to-date who have signed the “Save Gore Heritage” petition, there’s no turning back efforts to re-energize one of our city’s most valuable assets.
This movement is gaining strength against the backdrop of Canada’s Sesquicentennial. The spotlight is on Hamilton as residents call for the preservation of our shared history, including iconic Confederation-era buildings and cultural landscapes in The Gore.
“Hamilton’s legacy of historic buildings and streetscapes is its greatest distinction and worthy of enhanced restoration efforts,” reads a passage from the Downtown Hamilton Secondary Plan (2004), part of our city’s Official Plan. Let’s use the occasion of Canada’s 150th anniversary as an open invitation to act.
It’s important to thank the early movers who invested in The Gore during its darker days in the 1990s and built the modern foundation for the renewal we’re now experiencing.
The honour roll extends from forwardthinking building owners, entrepreneurs and retailers to supportive politicians, civic leaders and Business Improvement Area executives. Together, they’ve done the hard work of producing a tipping point that enables progress on quality projects which fit the distinctive heritage character of The Gore and adjacent areas.
This milestone sparks the question: What’s the next logical step in the future of The Gore?
We think it’s initiating work to make The Gore and surrounding areas Hamilton’s next Heritage Conservation District (HCD). The Hamilton Municipal Heritage Committee agrees, along with seven local neighbourhood associations, and many other influential organizations, including Heritage Hamilton Foundation.
According to the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport, “Heritage Conservation Districts are areas whose cultural heritage value contributes to a sense of place extending beyond their individual buildings, structures and landscapes.”
This provincial designation for The Gore — which will require thoughtful and inclusive stakeholder engagement and the support of our municipal council — would in time generate myriad city-wide benefits attributable to a world-class downtown centre.
The Gore complements other equally distinctive downtown areas in Hamilton, including the commercial HCD in central Waterdown. Additionally, it serves as a citywide hub for residents and visitors requiring access to vital health, business and government services. Hence the need to pursue world-class standards in heritage conservation that incorporate the best in modern amenities and novel cultural experiences.
The purpose of an HCD is to help create high value investment opportunities and quality public spaces through the realization of a shared vision. It’s not about freezing development. Just look at Queen Street West in Toronto ? a high profile downtown conservation district ? to appreciate the flexible nature (and benefits) of a HCD designation. In this case, the focus is on preserving and enhancing the area’s one-of-a-kind street life and retail offerings.
Most important, the HCD process for The Gore would drive stakeholders to co-develop a comprehensive plan and guidelines needed to manage change over time. Notice the words “manage change” as opposed to “prevent change.”
The current approach to renewal in The Gore is piecemeal — property by property. Experience shows that this is slow, costly and ultimately ineffective.
By comparison, HCD designation provides key stakeholders ? including property owners, prospective investors and current residents — a coherent, big picture view of how the many puzzle pieces can come together to create additional value. In the end, it offers greater certainty and faster timelines — two significant benefits for everyone.
Today, the City of Hamilton Planning Committee will consider a recommendation from the Hamilton Municipal Heritage Committee that The Gore (including the park and surrounding buildings) be designated as a Heritage Conservation District.
Acceptance of this recommendation would prompt City staff to prepare a preliminary assessment and feasibility analysis, and report to Council.
The road to conservation begins with a rational decision to explore what’s possible when we work together to manage the future of Hamilton’s treasured Gore Park precinct.