City council kills Lister Block deal
This morning, CHCH news reported that The Hamilton City Council met Wednesday night with LIUNA, the current owners of the historic Lister Block for a round of talks to buy the building. This time city proposed that LIUNA would agree to build a second phase next to the building, if the city bought restored Lister Block.
The proposed second phase would hold a senior’s residence and several retail shops. It is estimated to bring $600 000 a year in tax dollars back to the city.
LIUNA found this unacceptable on the city’s part and declared that their business with the city was over. Deals of the City buying and restoring Lister Block have been on and off in the past. But Joe Mancinelli, VP of LIUNA said last night that this time, the deal is dead.
Now that the city is no longer involved in the Lister Block project, it will not get the $7 million promised by the Province of Ontario, towards purchase and restoration.
LIUNA is now looking to the private sector in hopes of finding a buyer for Lister Block.
The City of Hamilton is strapped for cash and they hoped that this was one way to get some flowing. But this time they got too greedy. Now that we a are back to square-one, hopes of revitalizing King William and James area any time soon are now dim.
Sean Cowen on CHCH news was was the corner of King William and James this morning asking people about their views. Everyone was upset at what was happening and wished that a new solution be found soon.
Current there is a poll going on at CHCH news homepage asking if Lister Block be torn down. So far 73% have responded in affirmative.
I think completely demolishing it first is quite obvious.
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[...] City council kills Lister Block deal [...]
[...] last week, the City of Hamilton proposed a deal that LIUNA build a second phase next to Lister Block, if the city bought and restored the building. [...]
One word Francisca: “Money”. And the city of Hamilton does not have enough. There are a lot of people who care and they all want to see some change around the Lister Block area, but money is the big question.