Waterfront Redevelopment
CHH Jamesville Redevelopment
Contact Us
Peter Van Klippe
Manager, Development (Acting)
Email: [email protected]
Call: 905-523-8496 Ext: 3898
Redevelopment and Revitalization
The Jamesville redevelopment project is about building affordable, inclusive, sustainable housing, steps away from the West Harbour GO Station.
The partnership between CityHousing Hamilton (CHH), Indwell and the Jamesville Redevelopment Limited Partnership, with the support of the City of Hamilton, will create an inclusive, mixed-income, urban community in Hamilton’s North End.
The 2.2-hectare Jamesville site is located at 405 James Street North in Hamilton’s North End. This redevelopment reflects the neighbourhood’s legacy while building toward its future.
This project is another step forward in helping to address Hamilton's housing crisis. Learn more about the investments and work being done to address the housing crisis by visiting the Whole of Hamilton Housing Approach.
Site demolition of 405 James Street North
CHH is targeting September 8, 2025, to begin demolition of Jamesville, taking the next step towards creating a new mixed-use, inclusive community in Hamilton’s North End.
CHH has been diligently working with the developer, Jamesville Redevelopment Limited Partnership to advance demolition of the Jamesville site’s 91 vacant units. This work will move forward regardless of the ongoing CN Rail appeal currently before the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT).
Site mobilization will commence the first week of September, with tree protection measures, signage, demolition-site trailer and delivery of equipment. The demolition is anticipated to be completed by the end of this year. While large-scale operations like this can face unexpected challenges, every effort will be made to complete the work as quickly and safely as possible.
The City understands that this work can be disruptive and appreciates the patience of residents while we work to deliver long-term benefits to Hamilton. Final details of the demolition plan are still being confirmed, which will include dust mitigation, applicable tree preservation and other measures. Any road closures, lane restrictions, sidewalk access and/or HSR detours will be communicated to neighbours and residents once finalized. Important updates will be included on this webpage, as soon as confirmed.
When will demolition begin?
Site mobilization will commence the first week of September, with tree protection, signage, demolition-site trailer and delivery of equipment. CHH is targeting September 8, 2025, to begin demolition.
Will there be plans to reduce disruptions on the neighbouring community?
Final details of the demolition plan are still being confirmed, which will include dust mitigation, select tree preservation and other measures. Any road closures, lane restrictions, sidewalk access and/or HSR detours will be communicated to neighbours and residents once finalized.
Are the trees being preserved?
City-owned trees on City property will be preserved. On the private lands within the site, five trees along James Street North at the north end of the site will be preserved as part of the approved site plan. The majority of the remaining trees will be removed as part of the demolition work, and the remainder as part of future works. As part of the project, there will be replanting completed, along with landscaping, and the Bay Strachan parcel of City-owned property has been dedicated as parkland.
When will the demolition be completed?
The demolition is anticipated to be completed by the end of this year.
When demolition is completed, what is the next step for the site?
Any next steps will be communicated to neighbours and residents once finalized.
Does demolition mean the ongoing CN Rail appeal before the Ontario Land Tribunal has been resolved?
Demolition will move forward regardless of the ongoing CN Rail appeal currently before the Ontario Land Tribunal.
When will construction begin and homes be ready?
Exact timelines depend on resolving the appeal or the issuance of an MZO.
If the appeal is resolved by late 2025, construction could begin in 2026. More details will be shared as soon as they are available.
There are other factors that can impact timelines, even after the project is approved to move ahead. One factor is that an environmental assessment of the site may need to be done, and remediation may also be required.
Why does the Jamesville development project matter?
Hamilton faces a housing crisis. CHH is the city’s largest affordable housing provider and is leading this project to deliver real solutions.
In 2025, the City of Hamilton is investing $191.6 million (the City's levy contribution is $130.2 million) in housing and homelessness to help address the housing crisis. This is an increase in $5.7 million or 3 per cent over 2024 - the highest investment to date. Jamesville is one of the projects included in this effort.
How can I stay informed about the project?
Updates will be made to this page as they become available and interested parties can check this page for continued updates on this project.
Formal Appeal
In August 2022, Hamilton City Council unanimously approved the Jamesville project. CN Rail appealed that decision, citing concerns about noise and vibration near their shunting yard operations for the future residents. The parties are actively working with CN Rail and other partners to resolve these concerns and move the project forward as quickly as possible.
CHH and the developer are finalizing a legal agreement that will require the developer to complete and pay for demolition. CHH is exploring options to lead demolition directly to help speed up the timeline. The goal is to start construction as soon as possible after legal hurdles are cleared.
The Ontario Land Tribunal hearing originally scheduled for February 2025 was adjourned to allow for continued discussion. The parties will provide a status update to the Tribunal in September 2025.
In January 2025, CHH requested a Minister’s Zoning Order to help move the project forward, and Hamilton City Council supported this request.
An MZO could help unlock urgently needed housing and expedite a resolution.
The parties remain committed to resolving the CN Rail appeal and are also exploring all options to deliver homes faster.
The City remains firmly committed to addressing the ongoing housing crisis and ensuring access to safe, affordable homes for all residents.
Timeline:
- March 21, 2017 Planning Committee - Report 17-005 includes a motion for Bay-Strachan lands to be included in the Jamesville redevelopment and for assistance in relocating the community garden
- May 8, 2017 Request for Expression of Interest provided opportunity for CHH to gauge interest and understand approaches of prospective development partners
- July 18, 2017 CHH Board - Report 17021(a) identified the transfer of 45 RGI units from Jamesville to Bay-Cannon
- November 28, 2017 Affordable Housing Site Selection Committee - PED17219 provided approval of properties for disposition for the purposes of affordable housing
- September 25, 2018 CHH Board - Report 17007(a) provided approval of RFP objectives, offering process, informed by the feasibility analysis.
- December 20, 2018 CHH Board – Report 17007(b) authorized the commencement of the public offering process and approval of the evaluation criteria and scoring framework
- April 8, 2019 RFP C18-07-19 launched a competitive process for providing affordability through the Jamesville land offering
- July 23, 2019 Procurement Website Notice, following an evaluation of proposals, the Preferred Proponent was identified through a limited public disclosure of the Preferred Proponent’s identity being posted
- September 24, 2019 CHH Board – Report 17007(c) followed a period of due diligence and provided approval for the Preferred Proponent to become the Qualified Preferred Proponent, initiating the negotiation period
- December 10, 2019 Reimagine Jamesville microsite launch for a public open house and community engagement sessions
- October 27, 2020 CHH Board – Report 17007(d) approval of the redevelopment plan and Terms of Reference
- June 3, 2021 Emergency and Community Services Report - HSC21011 provided Service Manager Consent to CHH to sell the Jamesville property for redevelopment
- December 10, 2021 Master Development Agreement executed
- June 15, 2022 ERASE Redevelopment Grant Application was approved at GIC (demolition only)
- August 9, 2022 OPA and ZBA approved
- September 14, 2022 Formal appeal was filed by CNR
- February 9, 2023 CHH Board – Report 17007(f) Jamesville - CN Appeal
- April 16, 2024 Planning Committee Report: Appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT-22-004759) for Lands Located at 405 James Street North
- January 2025 CHH request Minister’s Zoning Order (MZO)
- January 22, 2025 An adjournment was requested for the Ontario Land Tribunal hearing scheduled for February 18, 2025
- September 2025 The parties will provide a status update to the Ontario Land Tribunal
- September 2025 Demolition to begin
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