Hamilton in Disrepair- Joint Responsibility

City Centre Concerns: The Hamiltonian Follows Up with City Officials

On June 24th, The Hamiltonian published a feature examining the deteriorating condition of the Hamilton City Centre building. That article, which can be viewed here, focused on the building’s owners, IN8 Developments, and included commentary from Darryl Firsten of IN8. Mr. Firsten offered assurances that the site would eventually be addressed—contingent on favourable market conditions that would enable IN8 to demolish the existing structure and construct two “spectacular towers” in its place.

However, the issue extends beyond private ownership.

This raises a critical question: How does a building in such visible disrepair—located at the heart of the city—reach this state in the first place? Are there no municipal bylaws in place to prevent such decline? Does the City of Hamilton not hold a vested interest in the appearance and maintenance of its core infrastructure? And more pointedly, how does this align with Hamilton’s longstanding vision of being “The Best Place to Raise a Child and Age Gracefully”?

To seek clarity, The Hamiltonian reached out to two City of Hamilton officials: Dan Smith, Acting Director of Licensing and Bylaw Services, who responded to our first four questions; and  Norm Schleehahn, Director of Economic Development, who addressed our final inquiry.

As is our editorial standard, we requested that each respondent review our original article prior to providing answers, and that each question be addressed individually to ensure full and transparent responses. Regrettably, the City’s response to the first four questions was issued as a grouped reply rather than separate answers, as requested. As a result, we have chosen to list our original questions in full before presenting their collective response.

1. Does the City of Hamilton have minimum property standards or façade maintenance bylaws that apply to vacant or underutilized commercial buildings in key downtown corridors—such as the Hamilton City Centre property—and if so, are these being enforced?

2. What proactive measures, if any, does the City take when privately owned, high-visibility properties fall into disrepair and risk negatively impacting Hamilton’s image and downtown revitalization efforts?

3. Is there a formal mechanism in place for the City to collaborate with property owners like IN8 Developments to ensure interim improvements are made to key sites pending redevelopment?

4. Has the City engaged with IN8 Developments regarding the current state of the Hamilton City Centre property, and if so, can the City provide an update on those discussions and any agreed-upon actions?

The City of Hamilton's Property Standards By-law (By-law No. 10-221) establishes minimum standards for property maintenance to protect the health, safety and well-being of residents, and prevent property deterioration. Property Standards orders are served by the City of Hamilton Municipal Law Enforcement staff, as notices to property owners with a set compliance date. In some cases, where compliance is not met, property owners may face fines and could result in the City bringing in a contractor to complete the work where the costs associated are placed on the property’s tax roll.

When it comes to vacant buildings, property owners are responsible for the upkeep under several City by-laws that ensure properties are kept to a minimum standard. The Yards Maintenance By-law enforces a property owner’s requirement to keep their property clean of waste and ensure grass and weeds do not exceed 20 cm (8 inches) in height. The exterior of a property needs to be free of graffiti including all buildings, structures, fence, walls and vehicles.

The City has also recently launched an awareness campaign to tackle illegal graffiti as part of our continued commitment to community safety, beautification, and well-being. The campaign focuses on removing and preventing unauthorized graffiti and encouraging residents to get involved. It also supports the City’s broader downtown revitalization goals and aligns with the Clean & Green Strategy. More information on the City’s campaign can be found at https://www.hamilton.ca/city-council/news-notices/news-releases/help-city-hamilton-stop-illegal-graffiti-see-it-report-it.

Another important tool is the City’s Vacant Building Registry, which requires property owners to register vacant buildings with the City each year. Property owners are required to register their vacant building within 90 days of becoming vacant or 30 days after notice is provided from the City. Property owners must register their vacant building annually and comply with all statutes, regulations and property use by-laws, including but not limited to the Building Code Act, 1992 and its regulations, the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997 and its regulations, the Property Standards By-law, the Vital Services By-law and the Yard Maintenance By-law.

The registry ensures vacant buildings are secure and don’t become a nuisance or eye sore for residents. Dedicated Municipal Law Enforcement Officers proactively inspect vacant buildings at least four times a year and enforce by-law violations as needed. Failure to comply with the Vacant Building Registry by-law will result in fines of $10,000 for an individual and $50,000 for a corporation upon first conviction and fee for inspection costs. More information on the Vacant Buildings Registry can be found athttps://www.hamilton.ca/home-neighbourhood/house-home/property/vacant-buildings-registry.

77 James Street North is a registered vacant building with the City. City Municipal Law Enforcement staff proactively monitor this property quarterly to ensure compliance with municipal by-laws. On May 16, 2025, the City issued a Yard Maintenance Order which expired on May 22, 2025. As the property owner did not comply with the Order, a City contractor completed the required work and all fees for cleanup were added to the owner’s tax roll. The owner was issued an Administrative Penalty Notice for non-compliance of the Yard Maintenance By-law.

The goal of the City’s suite of by-laws and respective enforcement measures is to maintain a safe, healthy and prosperous downtown area for all residents to enjoy and serves as a reminder to property owners to maintain their properties under both the City’s various By-laws and the Ontario Building Code.

5. Given the strategic importance of York Boulevard as a gateway into Hamilton’s downtown, does the City have an overarching plan to enhance streetscape standards, signage, and curb appeal in this corridor—and how does the condition of the Hamilton City Centre fit into this plan?

The City of Hamilton is embarking on a 10-year Downtown Revitalization Strategy to reimagine and reinvigorate its downtown core. This initiative aims to further downtown Hamilton’s evolution as a thriving, vibrant destination that reflects the aspirations of residents and businesses alike.

The Strategy will focus on City actions and partnerships that will support business retention, attract new public and private investment, improve quality of life, amenities and the streetscapes, for residents and visitors, and foster a stronger sense of community pride. It will also seek to identify potential actions that would further support development and redevelopment efforts in the downtown.

Downtown Hamilton has long been the heart of our community. This revitalization strategy seeks to address concerns about decline while laying the foundation for a bold, forward-looking future.

More information on the revitalization strategy can be found at www.hamilton.ca/OurFutureDowntown.

In the shorter term, the Oak View Group and Hamilton Urban Precinct Entertainment Group (HUPEG) are carrying out an $280 million renovation through the Hamilton Arena Project. The project will transform the facility into an 18,000-seat capacity venue with a reimagined façade that will represent a significant boost to the downtown core and Hamilton’s economy as a whole. The renovated facility is anticipated to reopen later this year. More details on the project can be found athttps://www.oakviewgroup.com/canada/hamiltonarena/.

Note: The Hamiltonian will continue to monitor this situation. The remedy calls for action; not words alone.