Why are Jamesville's 91 vacant townhouses still standing? Blame CN Rail, says 'outraged' Hamilton mayor
CBC
Dozens of vacant townhouses languish in Hamilton's north end, their front doors removed to reveal gutted hallways and living rooms where families once lived at affordable rates.
Despite the deepening housing crisis, 91 homes at the Jamesville site have sat empty for at least half a decade, awaiting demolition as the city, which owns the property, attempts to redevelop it.
The project at 405 James St. N. dates back to 2016 and currently includes 160 affordable units in a pair of 12-storey towers. They will be surrounded by townhouse blocks and a 20-storey condo building with a total of 315 units to be sold at market rate, according to the city.
But Jamesville has been plagued with delays because of CN Rail, which operates a yard and tracks close by, said Mayor Andrea Horwath in a statement Wednesday.
"The project is facing delay after delay due to the obstinance and obstructionism of CN Rail," Horwath said.
"For years, this site has sat empty, decaying in front of our eyes, all the while one of the worst housing crises in history plays out across our city."
CN Rail agrees with the mayor about the importance of the issue, said spokesperson Ashley Michnowski.
"We are part of the Hamilton community and we want to be an enabler for these types of projects."
But the rail company also has a duty to protect future residents of developments near its infrastructure, she said.
The rail company has concerns about the impacts of odour, vibration and noise on residents, and appealed the city's plans to the Ontario Land Tribunal in 2022, say documents filed with the OLT.
A hearing was set for this May, but has been pushed to 2025.
Horwath released her strongly worded statement after council had received a confidential update from staff about ongoing negotiations, indicating they haven't been successful.
"All parties except CN Rail are working together to come to a resolution, and way forward to build the desperately needed housing on this site," Horwath said.
"I am outraged that our council and city staff continue to wear the blame for the actions of others."
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