Move LRT off King Street, say prominent International Village businesses

Three long-standing International Village businesses want the city to move the proposed light rail transit (LRT) line to Main Street.

They do not expect to survive the construction period.- A letter from three International Village business owners

Denninger's Foods of the World, the Black Forest Inn and G. W. Thompson Jeweller and Pawnbroker Inc. have written Jason Farr, Ward 2 councillor, encouraging the city to move the route from King Street.

Main Street is straighter and wider, and could negate the need for dedicated LRT bridge over Highway 403, the businesses said in a letter.

And years of LRT construction threatento turn the area into a "dead zone" as businesses close, they wrote.

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"We have spoken to many businesses in this area who rent (not own) their property and they do not expect to survive the construction period."

The province has committed $1 billion to build the LRT system, which would run on the B line from McMaster University to the Queenston traffic circle. It would run on Main Street from McMaster to Highway 403, and from the Delta to the traffic circle. For the rest of the stretch, it will be on King Street.

The system will also include a spur line along James Street North from King Street to the West Harbour GO station, or the waterfront if budget permits.

The B line route will mean segregated lanes, which would bring King Street to one lane in the International Village, a design study shows.

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The three businesses said they support the concept of LRT, but the current proposal is "not the best alternative for the city," in part because of the adverse impact construction would have on business. Construction would start in 2019, with the system opening in 2024.

Metrolinx and the city chose King Street, reports say, because it brings more economic uplift than Main.

But the three businesses say running it along Main would minimize the impact on International Village businesses.

The letter is signed by Mary Aduckiewicz, CFO of Denninger's, as well as Wolfgang Schoen from the Black Forest Inn and Troy and Gord Thompson from Thompson Jewellers.

The letter also mentions the lack of proposed LRT stopin the International Village, although city council is urging planners to revisit that. That move came from Farr.

Council is expected to vote in September on whether to accept the $1 billion project. Premier Kathleen Wynne announced the funding last year after several requests from city council.

Those in favour say the project brings economic and environmental benefits to a growing city. Those opposed question whether those positive aspects will materialize, as well as whether Hamilton transit ridership warrants the project.

Metrolinx is planning the project with input from the city, and will hold public consultation sessions this fall.