ReviveThisCorner

📅 2022-09-04

There has been some social media broadcasts attempting to vilify us and paint us as having some sort of sinister plan. A particular candidate chose to amplify a misinterpretation of our banner, without first investigating the facts and ignoring our prior undertakings to remove the signage. Promoting falsehood for the sake of populism at the expense of being constructive is a weak political agenda.
- FOR THE RECORD...
We rally financial or any other support for responsible candidates with a healthy and honest agenda on a non-exclusive basis.
We will gladly consider contributing to charitable causes in Hamilton, as we have done elsewhere, and we invite the public to let us know worthy causes which they support.
We have a deep conviction that all human beings were created in the image of God. Arguably, the poem on our sign may have been interpreted as offensive to victims of homelessness, it is regretful and was never the intention. It is truly heartbreaking having to evict people and look into their desperate eyes. On the other hand, we have to respect the rights of private property owners who wish to live in an orderly neighbourhood. It is important to remember how things work:

Residents complain about homeless camping or trash on the site.
Law enforcement respond and/or the complaint is directed to us.
We are forced to take action to appease the residents.
In reality, while construction is not underway, it doesn’t matter to us if the site is a home for the destitute. We are caught in the middle between the desire of the residents and the needs of the homeless whilst the City of Hamilton blames and fines us for non-compliance. We welcome any winning suggestions!

📅 2022-09-02

Responded to request by Bob Bratina’s office and discussed the history of the site as well our frustration with the city. We value the time taken by the Mayoral candidate not only to understand the details of the issues but also to gather practical suggestions which can be implemented in the future. We compiled a brief synopsis of the issues and outlined some simple pragmatic suggestions which should be considered.

📅 2022-09-01

Our attempt to awaken politicians from their slumber was misinterpreted by a few neighbours who found our signage distasteful. Our objective was to increase awareness and amplify the voice of the residents, irrespective of who they support in the forthcoming local election. We are a stakeholder in Hamilton with a different objective than the residents but we all share an appreciation for a City that is competent and receptive. Simple things like getting basic forms or locating the appropriate people in various departments should not be a cumbersome exercise. Surely we all share this same appreciation for efficiency and responsiveness. Citizens and residents are the first victims (or beneficiaries) of any political maneuvers and we wanted to create a unanimous voice promoting city efficiency. To remove any ambiguity in perceiving our message we decided that in the days ahead we will be removing or replacing some of the signs with a more positive message. The website has been renamed to ReviveThisCorner.ca. We encourage everyone to get involved in the election and to engage with their local candidates.

📅 2022-08-30

We have received a complaint about our approach and the perception of being angry at politicians by the erection of the sign on the property. The complainant believes that it cheapens the area and that it has no regard for the residents. This statement could not be further from the truth…

We have spent thousands of dollars in cleaning and barricading the area (much more than is required by law!)
We have not only engaged a private security company to perform regular patrols but in the weeks ahead we will be installing lighting and security cameras as further deterrents. This of course depends on getting power to the site which presents some challenges which we are looking to overcome.
We have tried to engaged every candidate in ward 2 with an invitation to advertise on the sign and to get acquainted with the issues at hand so they can be aware of the plight of the residents and the history of the building.
We have communicated with the local police and empowered them to become more proactive in handling any issues that may arise.
For over two years, the street corner has had unsightly signage riddled with graffiti which seemingly didn’t bother anyone, but suddenly when a fresh “strategy” is deployed it bothers someone.
The election of the new signage is temporary and has no downside for the residents. On the contrary, it aims at removing apathy and stagnation. For decades the residents were not aware what is going on and now when something proactive is happening and it’s communicated effectively someone gets offended and the reasons are bewildering.
There is no hidden agenda and if anyone is concerned about what will happen to the site there will be plenty of time of due process and public consultation. However, these processes are bureaucratic and take time (months or years) and we don’t want that time to allow the property to stagnate further. Working against stagnation requires energy and awareness, we can’t do it without the support of the neighbours, the police and yes the politicians.
We have received numerous compliments and encouragement from residents in the area and the last thing we want is to antagonise anyone.

📅 2022-08-25

Registered as a third party advertiser with the City of Hamilton. Erected a large frame to be used as signage for the upcoming Hamilton Elections.
Checked the property and it appeared cleaner than it has been for a long time with no breaches in the fence.

📅 2022-08-16

Presented a special Power of Attorney to Hamilton Police to enable them to respond better to complaints on the vacant property.

📅 2022-08-08

Received order notice regarding trash and overgrown weeds on the property from City of Hamilton.

We are happy that municipal law enforcement department is trying to do their job but we take exception to the priority and manner in which this is handled. It is a "band aid attempt" which is an uncoordinated effort by the very same entity which is enabling the stagnation of the site. Legal opinion is sought in this regard.

📅 2022-08-01

Spoke with Hamilton police department regarding repeated non-responsiveness of law enforcement to transient encampments, fence breaches and trash dumping. The reply was the same as was heard previously and that the police is precluded from taking action in the absence of an owner on a private property. It was explained that the building has been vacant for decades and it is impractical for the owner to be there as is normally expected. Furthermore, it was elaborated to the officer, that it is indeed in the interest of the public (being the neighbours and surrounding residents in this particular case) in no lesser degree than if any such activities were taking place in the public park next door. It was mentioned that if we can provide a special power of attorney to the police to act on behalf of the owner it may allow the police to take action against ensuing complaints. Such document has been prepared and will be dropped off at the police station in the forthcoming days. We are hopeful!

📅 2022-07-27

Placed an additional fence on the south border side, this passage way has now two barriers.
Erected an additional fence on the east side, this side has now three barriers.
Fixed breaches in the fence on the north side along the railway tracks.
An encampments seems to be growing on the railway side of the fence which needs to be addressed with the City of Hamilton together with Metrolinx or Canada Rail.
Discussion with neighbours as to the growing concerns of needles on the premises and the curiosity of children attempting to gain access to the property.

📅 2022-07-21

Site plan submitted to City of Hamilton. Waiting for feedback.

📅 2022-07-18

Fires on the property, fire department called out to take action.
Fire department broke the barrier which now requires repairing
Contracted Private Security Company to patrol the property periodically

May be an interesting strategy deployed by intruders in outsourcing the break down of the barriers to gain access!

📅 2022-07-15

Contracted a private security company for periodic patrol of the property.
Blocked windows broken again
Request for barb wire fencing rejected by City of Hamilton despite repeated mention of public safety concerns and other public nuisance.

Unsafe construction-YES, Heaps of Garbage-YES, Drug Needles-YES, Crack Pipes-YES, Feces-YES, Fires-YES, Camping-Yes, Access Controlled Barb Wire-NO!

📅 2022-07-14

No Response from City of Hamilton regarding barbwire request for more than 6 weeks, followed up and made a request again.

📅 2022-05-31

Second Letter for application transfer submitted to City of Hamilton by previous owner to the current owner.

📅 2022-05-16

Sent request to City of Hamilton (water department) to confirm disconnection of water as required by demolition procedure. eMails were continuously bouncing and no one was able to service the request.

Finally received a response on 2022-08-30 that they would look into it. It took over three months to get a response. The City is currently inquiring if we have drawings of the sewage layout. The building has been vacant for 35 years and has no sewage pipes. It is important to note, that the building was owned by the City of Hamilton themselves between 1998 and 2003. We certainly hope they have the records they are seeking.

📅 2022-03-08

Sent email due to continuous non-responsiveness from City of Hamilton pertaining to demolition requirements and then finally received response and documentation requirements from City of Hamilton regarding demolition. As part of demolition request procedure confirmation is required from all utility providers that services have been disconnected.

📅 2022-02-14

Letter of Transfer Submitted to City of Hamilton by Previous Owner but City of Hamilton is dissatisfied with the letter and requests another version

📅 2021-05-08 to 2022-02-28

Multiple phone calls and requests to City of Hamilton for several months requesting documents for demolition permit.

📅 ..2021

Neighbours complaints of homeless encampments
Police refusing to take action against homeless on site
Windows and access points blocked
Development progress halted due to City of Hamilton refusal to accept the transfer of the development application from the old owner to the new owner.