2-way street conversions still alive at Hamilton city hall

City council has nixed a plan for a citizen panel to look at potential two-way street conversions, but its not a total loss for two-way street fans.

Instead, the city will focus on finding money to convert the nine streets its already approved.

Councillors voted down an earlier decision Wednesday to strike a citizen panel to look at potential conversions. Many didnt see the reason to go to all that trouble when there are nine lower-city streets already approved for conversion that havent been done yet.

Im tired of waiting for this process, said Coun. Chad Collins of Ward 5.

Im not interested in spending $100,000 to talk about this again.

The issue of a citizen panel first came up at a general issues committee meeting last week, when councillors voted 7-5 in favour of it. In the past, staff have cited major thoroughfares such as King, Main and Bay streets as potential streets for conversion.

• RELATED:Citizen panel will review 2-way street conversions

Instead, council will examine ways to pick the low-hanging fruit nine streets its already agreed to convert, but will cost $1.1 million the city hasnt budgeted for. It wasnt contained in the 2014 budget council passed Wednesday either.

Those streets are:

• Bold Street from James Street South to Queen Street South
• Caroline Street.
• Caroline Street South from King Street West to York Boulevard.
• Duke Street from James Street South to Queen Street South.
• Hess Street from York Boulevard to Barton Street West.
• Hughson Street North from Wilson Street to Barton Street East.
• John Street North from Stachan Street East to Burlington Street East.
• King William Street from John Street North to Wellington Street North.
• Park Street North from York Boulevard to Barton Street West.
• Rebecca Street from John Street North to Wellington Street North.

All told, the conversions will cost $1,150,000.

Coun. Brian McHattieof Ward 1 introduced the notion of a citizen panel, but said hes pleased the issue of two-way conversions is still alive.

It appears theres some interest around the table in moving ahead with some of the stuff thats on the table right now, so Im happy with that.

Coun. Jason Farr of Ward 2 will introduce a motion at an upcoming meeting to look at how to move ahead with the nine streets.