Before the Ballot: Questions for Hamilton's Next Mayor, with Mayoral Candidate Sasha Austin

The following question comes from our first instalment of Before the Ballot: Questions for Hamilton's Next Mayor. This entry is a little late as our email got directed to a spam folder. No one's fault. 

We invite you to read our conversation with Ms. Austin

Jackson Square was once envisioned as a “people place” at the heart of Hamilton's downtown. Today, it reflects mounting pressures tide to safety concerns, disorder, and declining commercial activity.

Do you believe Hamilton's downtown-beginning with areas like Jackson Square-requires fundamental transformation? if so, what specific, actionable plan would you lead to restore safety, economic viability, and public confidence? How would your plan be different from others attempts Hamiltonians have seen in the past.

If you are in support of a concerted effort to transform Hamilton's downtown, what do you say to those who would argue that such an effort would take away from other priority issues in other parts of the city?

Answer: part 1: I was born in 1979 in the North End of Hamilton and raised in Hamilton my entire life. I would visit downtown often with friends and family and by myself during the 80s and 90s when it was safe, vibrant and welcoming. Heading downtown was considered as a fun outing, I cherish the memories of hanging out on Jackson Square rooftop with bands playing, people interacting, enjoying picnic like atmosphere with waterfall fountains etc. Jackson Square cinema was inviting, clean and bustling, the stores and food court were successful and sought after. I also attended and graduated from Sir John. A Macdonald high school which was located directly across from Jackson Square. During my high school years, I would often go over to Jackson Square utilizing the Hamilton Public Library and café shops to focus on schoolwork & do some window shopping. There was not a time that I can recall where there were any incidents where I felt threatened, uncomfortable or unsafe.

Answer: part 2: My plan would be different from other attempts as there hasn't been much effort to restore the Hamilton downtown; therefore, it is difficult to provide a fair comparison. Jackson Square has become a place I do not recognize anymore, this in part by the absence of businesses, stores and restaurants that once served Hamiltonians with excellent hospitality and pride. Most shops have since closed and are boarded up as they are unable to sustain productivity due to the unrealistic barriers and red tape our city imposes. In addition to the rampant theft due to poverty, desperation, drug addiction and erratic aggressive social behaviours that frighten store employees and owners. Downtown has become a ghost town or unfortunately referred to as ‘zombie village’ or ‘the armpit of Ontario’, we cannot continue to pretend as though our downtown is not in a complete crisis. The state of our city is a direct reflection of how our Leadership feels about us, which speaks for itself. Today we see open public drug use, complex behaviors resulting in aggressive incidents, escalated loitering & pan handling, toxic waste, garbage, feces and paraphernalia containing potentially lethal residue all over our downtown streets, sidewalks, public parks and bathrooms.

Answer: part 3: I believe that absolutely Jackson Square has the potential to be revived and fundamentally transformed. My plan would be to implement a large-scale facility whether it be a repurposed building or a community village that will have built in boundaries, there will be a healthcare team including nurses, physicians, psychiatrists, crisis workers and police officers designated on site which is referred to as in-patient wrap around supports. Our vulnerable unhoused people suffering from substance use disorder, undiagnosed Mental Illnesses and/or affordability crisis that are lingering in our downtown core will be the participants admitted whether it be voluntary or involuntary, this will be the process. Once the participants are diagnosed, treatment and stabilized they will be transferred into long term supportive housing or independent living with outpatient supports. The reason why we have crime and disruptions downtown is due to the unmet needs of the vulnerable folks. Without my plan actioned there will continue to be repeated harmful cycles in our downtown that will inevitably cause more damage. To the contrary the current shelter systems in place that only provide a spot to sleep with no treatment, or secured care plans are what results in people basically living on our downtown streets, mall, structures and buildings. The continued cycle of emergency room visits, ambulance calls, shelter stays and food banks use skyrocketing has become the norm and will continue if I am not voted in as Hamilton Mayor this October 2026 election. Once participants are rehabilitated in our facility and settled into their suitable housing, they will be able to contribute back to our city in positive, productive ways. My plan will eliminate open drug use, socially disturbing behaviors and threatening incidents downtown including blatant, shocking, devasting murders leaving innocent victim’s and families to suffer. There will be vast, intense, consistent power washing of all public areas, sidewalks, parks and downtown core environments. Once it is cleaned up and safe to proceed, businesses will flock to our downtown and Jackson Square will be revived. There will be no concrete success without resolving the core of the issues. I guarantee with my plan in action, Jackson Square and our Cities downtown core will be vibrant, safe and lively again for our citizens. My plan will open a stream of employment opportunities through an incredible bust of businesses and retore trust in our communities. My plan will ultimately bring in City Wide revenue in record time that will benefit Hamiltonians for generations to come.

Answer: part 4: Lloyd D Jackson Square in Hamilton is owned by Yale Properties Limited; the underlying land however is owned by the City of Hamilton. Since our city owns the underlying land of Jackson square, we hold significant leverage over Jackson Square. I would utilize the mayor platform to influence business development in Jackson Square and utilize grants municipalities offer for economic development growth. Including programs that provide matching grants or loans for commercial development storefront improvements and marketing business improvement areas (BIA’s). Municipal funds will offset costs and help fund eligible commercial space improvements. As Hamilton Mayor, working with council to propose targeted property tax reductions or rebates for the commercial property owners on the condition that those savings are passed down to small business tenants. Implementation of zoning and permitting flexibility of city zoning bylaws and official plans that dictate what types of businesses are permitted. For example, retail, dining and entertainment service are legally allowed to operate in a specific location zoning overlays to allow for a broader more mixed-use mix of businesses. As Mayor I will champion updates to zoning codes that make it easier for malls to convert traditional retail spaces into experimental uses such as entertainment or service hubs and streamline permitting. The mayor's office can facilitate faster more predictable processing for building permits, signed by laws and business licenses which lowers the barrier to entry and helps new businesses open their doors faster. As mayor, I will act as the city's primary economic promoter, involving networking and relationship building. I will meet with economic development offices, major investors and retailers to encourage them to open branches in our downtown core and Jackson Square.

Answer: part 5: Direct revival plans of our downtown core and Jackson Square will be ruthlessly transparent to the public during open high scale announcements, meetings, forums and gatherings. Revitalizing our downtown core and Jackson Square Mall will generates long term tax revenues which eventually contribute to other city priorities including roads, parks and emergency services. As Mayor I will implement robust community engagement through participatory budgeting hosting interactive open houses that ask residents to rank their top priorities this gives, input, suggestions, opinions and advice which constitutes ownership over where budget spending must go.

In Unity,
Sasha Austin
Hamilton Mayoral Candidate

Thanks Sasha for engaging with Hamiltonians on The Hamiltonian!