Richard Allen and Renew Hamilton

Richard Allen is the director of Renew Hamilton, a project of the Hamilton Chamber of Commerce.  Renew Hamilton's mission is to document, promote and accelerate the regeneration of Hamilton's built and natural environments with a particular focus on our downtown and adjacent neighbourhoods.

This renewal of restorable assets message will be promoted through video presentations of case studies and story telling, education and a speakers series. Richard is looking for young professionals, entrepreneurs and innovators to come to the downtown area along with a corresponding increase in residential density. Presently there are 24 000 people that work in the downtown as well as a number post secondary students.  Richard has a three year horizon in which to get the message out. Renew Hamilton is working with several partners including LIUNA, History and Heritage, the city and province, mechanical contractors and McMaster University. The main areas of focus are the Gore, Witton Lofts, Ovation and Treble Hall.

The challenges in the downtown core include public safety, deteriorating building and viable shopping. Progress is occurring but slowly. Local individuals and firms are investing in the renewal but infrastructure changes and improvements along with improved public transport and street-scapes are needed.

Renew Hamilton was born out of a series of Hamilton Economic Summits and its vision sees Hamilton as Canada's top midsize city measured by our ability to attract talent and investment.