Hamilton tenants on edge over Corktown redevelopment plan

At $962 a month, it's tight, but Althea Samuel can afford the two-bedroom apartment she rents at the foot of the Niagara Escarpment in Hamilton.

But before bulldozers raze 35 units in her section of the old three-storey complex to make way for a nine-storey addition, she and her two teenage daughters will have to move.

And in Hamilton's rising rental market - where according to Rentals.ca an average two-bedroom went for $1,872 last month - the prospects look dim.

It's already difficult as it is," said Samuel, who works as a machine operator in Burlington, about making ends meet.

I realize it more and more that this could really have a serious impact on me and my girls' living situation."

For about five years, they've lived at 195 Wellington St. S., a 142-unit building by Corktown Park and the sloped escarpment woods.

Medallion Developments, the city and the Niagara Escarpment Commission have reached a proposed settlement to allow the redevelopment to move forward.

In 2017, Medallion appealed to what's now called the Ontario Land Tribunal after city council failed to make a decision in time on an application that initially pitched 20 storeys.

The escarpment commission objected due to the tower's visual impact on the nearby escarpment, resulting in the current blueprint that involves less than half the height.

The proposed settlement, which is before the tribunal for approval Wednesday, also commits the Toronto-based developer to a still-undefined plan to relocate tenants.

We are confident that our thoughtful approach will ultimately deliver new rental housing for the neighbourhood, while meeting the needs of those potentially impacted by our construction efforts, in a conscientious and responsible manner," spokesperson Danny Roth said in an email.

Whatever that looks like, the settlement stipulates it must satisfy the city solicitor, senior planning staff and Coun. Jason Farr, who represents the Corktown area.

The arrangement should ensure displaced tenants find homes at the same rental rates they're paying at 195 Wellington St. S., Farr said.

In this, or any other case in the core, that's what I would expect."

The northeast addition calls for 223 new units, making for a net increase of 188. With 107 existing apartments remaining in the other parts of the U-shaped complex, there would be 330 overall.

The latest proposed height is a far cry from 20 storeys, but the footprint of the redevelopment is much larger, Farr noted.

It shouldn't be too difficult to assist those folks who are either going to be temporarily displaced or otherwise."

Roth declined to speculate on what the agreement could entail, saying details would be shared with tenants following additional discussions.

It's not clear if those talks will involve a tenant committee that formed amid the slow-burn displacement concern.

But they should, Samuel says. It's our lives, right?"

The Corktown building falls outside the city's downtown secondary plan. Under the guiding document, demolished rental units must be replaced on-site. Developers must offer tenants the right to return or provide alternative units, with similar rents in both cases.

Planning director Steve Robichaud said staff expect to present a discussion paper early next year that examines citywide policies to protect tenants affected by demolitions.

But he said staff are fully cognizant" of the displacement concerns of tenants at 195 Wellington St. S. So stay tuned."

Teviah Moro is a reporter at The Spectator. tmoro@thespec.com