MEC
Posted by gigantichound on 21 Sep 2007 at 01:42 pm | Tagged as: Business, Stuff
While I’m still on my Hamilton kick (‘It’s 905!’/'But so authentic!’), I’m embarrassed to say that I missed this entirely:
MEC’s planned Burlington store, which I’m sure there’s a good business case for, is supposed to be a model of environmental design …
“Sustainability is a driving force at MEC, and the Burlington store will be developed to our rigorous green building standards,” said Robinson.
MEC plans to construct its greenest building to date and to meet at least the gold standard of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green-building rating system.
… sited in a desolate area of big-box retail around the 403/QEW junction which can only practically be reached by car. The other local attractions are a Wal-Mart, an Ikea, and a Pet Smart outlet, all swimming in the middle of their vast parking lots. Gory details here. The Toronto equivalent would be putting MEC at the 427 and QEW.
The Raise the Hammer blog makes the case for downtown Hamilton at a site near City Hall (though claiming that “Hamilton’s downtown is on the cusp of greatness” is a stretch). That’s one option, though I’d be looking at ex-industrial sites in Dundas, or maybe the area across Main St. from McMaster.
I do like the fact that the press release highlights that it’s near the GO station (and the blog posting which explains that while it’s close to the GO station, it’s not a pedestrian-friendly walk). Who would be travelling by GO to get to MEC Burlington? People at Aldershot station? Why wouldn’t they just stay on the train and go to the one on King next time they’re downtown for a sporting even nearby?
Thanks for pointing out the mecinhamilton site.
Thought I would let you know that the burlington deal might still be up in the air after all… so I’ve created an even more compelling argument for locating MEC in the federal building in Hamilton.
As far as I’m concerned, choosing between these two locations is a no brainer — especially if you are looking toward the future, and if you have any green cares at all.
A green building doesn’t stop at the walls and roof. It’s more than just the building. It’s the location, the operation and the attitude. Plopping a “green” building down into a sea of parking next to a highway on a street that threatens cyclists and pedestrians lives with every turn… well that’s not green at all.
At least if they choose a location near some high density housing, office space and multiple transit options they’ll have a head start on a campaign to encourage customers NOT to drive to the store in a single occupancy vehicle.
Opening next to an off ramp of the QEW sends a suspiciously un-green message for such a supposedly green store.
And regarding Hamilton’s downtown being on the cusp of greatness… well there has been a ton of development, a ton of announced future development, and with the province poised to dump a whole bunch of cash into transit improvements (pushing for light rail) — I don’t think it’s an exaggeration!