Hamilton mayor talks homeless encampments, new trucking routes, waterfront update

A group of protestors will speak for the first time since five people were arrested last week following violent clashes with police over evictions in a Hamilton park encampment. We spoke to Mayor Fred Eisenberger about the encampment situation and other matters related to the City of Hamilton.

Activists, politicians and community members are condemning the arrest of protestors who clashed with police at a homeless encampment in Hamilton. 

It began with a fire at J.C. Beemer Park on Wednesday morning that destroyed tents of homeless people who had been living in. 

Eisenberger says six of the homeless individuals accepted safe housing and shelter, while three others opted to find their own accommodations. 

“These are unsafe places for people to live and unfortunately there are propane tanks, hazards and obviously the fire was probably started as a result of cooking inside the tent,” said Eisenberger. 

He says police continue to try to find safe housing for the homeless individuals affected by the incident.

Today, the truck route sub-committee is meeting to talk about the issue of where trucks can and cannot go in the city. 

“In a perfect world, we would have trucks not necessarily going through our residential neighbourhoods or our downtown,” said Eisenberger. “But the reality is that there certainly are industries and others that need that connection.”

At the waterfront, there is more development and construction work going on. Eisenberger says people will be able to live in these areas in around three years. 

“The construction could start next year when the property is deeded to the company that’s going to be building the condominium units,” said Eisenberger. 

He says the services and roads are already in place, as well as sewage and water. 

The mayor says the recreational section of the waterfront is finished and a grand opening will be held in early spring of next year.

Eisenberger says there will only be condominiums, but five per cent of them will be required to be affordable housing. Habitat for Humanity is going to be taking on the challenge of providing affordable housing units within the condominiums. 

“They are going to be owned units, but they’re going to be affordable for those who are having challenges in terms of getting into the housing market,” said Eisenberger.

Follow on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.