Smith asked those in attendance representing Spooky Nook to stand up and be acknowledged. The first floor of the Warehouse Hotel in Spooky Nook opens next week, he said.
The city manager said new businesses in Hamilton are facing many challenges, such as supply chain issues, inflation and labor needs, but are persevering. He asked for a round of applause for these companies.
Smith also announced the vision for several hotels, residential spaces, office spaces and a grocer as a riverside anchor at the Cohen Recycling site across the bridge from Spooky Nook. He did not give further details as it remains in the planning stage. It will be an investment of $300 million to $350 million over the next few years, he said.
In February, the City of Hamilton and Cohen Recycling entered into a land swap to enable the development.
A redevelopment is also planned for the former US Bank building on Hamilton’s High Street, and Ambiance Nail Salon will also join the city, Smith announced at the State of the City event on Thursday.
The Third+Dayton complex in downtown Hamilton is also expanding this year and will have 200 apartments and at least 10 commercial spaces available, Smith said. It currently has 70 to 80 units. Third + Dayton will have spent $20 million over the past 6 years.
The former Beckett Paper site will go ahead with its tax credit claim and the plan calls for preserving many of the grand buildings but adding townhouses to the property. The residential units will be unique, Smith said of the plan.
The Pinball Garage expansion was also mentioned during Thursday’s event. Owner Brad Baker is already developing a larger space at the back of the business which will have more space for customers, more games, televisions and new toilets.
