Chairman Tim Bullock, Simpson Wigle

The Downtown Hamilton Business Improvement Area (BIA) is pleased to report that the downtown is still alive, kicking and in many ways thriving.  A recent weekend with the NDP Provincial Convention (Bill Cosby and the Bulldogs all in residence) meant 12,000 folks visiting, spending and hopefully having a good experience.  The following weekendsaw 9,500 participate in the Around the Bay Road Race and another 5,000 at the Hamilton Food & Drink Fest. According to HECFI, over 50 per cent of its audiences are comprised of non-Hamiltonians.  Those who come to town are typically from Kitchener-Waterloo, London, St. Catherines and Buffalo.  A limited number are from Burlington, and yes, some do come from Toronto.

If you do not frequent the dowtown area on a regular basis, it is hard to see the metamorphosis taking place - everything is alive and welcoming once you step into the buildings, theatres, restaurants and bars.  Seven new businesses have opened ip in the Downtown BIA area in the last month.

Performances downtown attract a lot of people and the restaurants do fill up.  Visitors hit the various web sites to find places to eat.  Unfortunately, many Hamiltonians say there is nothing downtown for them.  This simply cannot be true.  There are 4,000 to 5,000 people at every Bulldog's game.  Hamilton Place is frequently sold out, and Theatre Aquarius performances always attract a crowd to its shows.  Local restaurant owners know the theatre schedule and anticipate the crowds.

There needs to be a concerted effort amongst all involved in the entertainment and restaurant business, which includes the parking lot owners, police and other downtown businesses.  A happy smiling face must be presented.  We must be welcoming these visitors to our city even if it is a "visitor" from Flamborough or Glanbrook.  We have a unique downtown with old and new builfings and various intriguing restaurants serving excellent food.  Instead of complainnign abot Downtown Hamilton, try to promote it.  Come visit it.  You will be pleasantly surprised.