SAVE THE CORE re-thinking downtown Hamilton

A ragtaggle band of approximately one hundred and fifty protesters showed up for the quickly arranged gathering in front of the Tivoli Theatre, or at least what was left of it by Fri. July10/04. Nobody seemed quite sure what they were there for but they were all sure about why they where there. To save heritage. The largest contingent was from the folks in the theatre company at the Tivoli. These people had the most to lose and were the most vocal because of it. Or was that because they were actors and actresses, hmmmm? The second largest group was the visual arts community. Thanks to a mass email and re-mail link word traveled through the community as fast as the bricks in the ancient Tivoli were coming down.
But why were we there? To save the Tivoli theatre? Too late for that the wreckers and engineers had all ready taken it down to the second floor and were still going. Perhaps then to insure that the community be aware that a large donation drive will take place to have it rebuilt. Maybe some of the people feel the owners and their insurance companies should solve the dilemma of a century old theatre that just lost its main lobby, dressing rooms, and rehearsal space. (The main theatre and fly gallery remained untouched). I am sure there were a lot of people there that felt it should be a city responsibility with the taxpayer ultimately holding the tab for a new building for a private owner.
As all these private points of view came together one thing was apparent. There were a whole lot of people interested in saving the architectural history in Hamilton's core. The citizens of Hamilton have watched, as many historical buildings in the core have rotted and deteriorated. There isn't a lot a city can legally do to force private property owners to maintain their property. But perhaps with more consciousness raising like this demonstration the community will feel a need to work toward rebuilding the core.
There is architecture in the downtown core to rival that of Niagara on the Lake and of Elora Gorge (two top tourist spots in Ontario). One benefit of Hamilton's many slumps is that a lot of these beautiful examples of turn of the century architecture were left untouched. Now they stand ripe for the picking. The big question remains however, how do we attract the imaginative progressive community minded business interests? These types of owners are so desperately needed before more of these buildings collapse into the streets around us.
If we do not stop the decay then soon there will be one less reason for people to stop in our city, to stay in our city, and to relocate in our city.
History Link