HISTORY

A DURAND CHRONICLE: 1972 - 2004

The Durand Neighbourhood Association came into existence in 1972 when a group of concerned citizens organized themselves to try to stem and bring under control a seemingly unplanned surge of demolition of housing accompanied by massive high-rise development. Their initiative in defence of the integrity of their neighbourhood led to the establishment of Hamilton's first official neighbourhood plan and other measures to bring order to rapid change in the Neighbourhood.

1972 Durand residents organize to protect the neighbourhood from uncontrolled development and demolitions; the Durand Neighbourhood Citizens' Association holds its first general meeting.

1973 A 2,000-signature petition requests City Council to halt demolition and construction until the Durand neighbourhood is planned; the Durand Neighbourhood Association Inc. is formally established as a provincially-authorized not-for-profit association with a constitution and bylaws; a citizens' committee completes the Durand Neighbourhood Plan and Program; Hamilton City Council imposes a four-storey height limit.

1974 The Association joins the City in an intricate legal battle to acquire property for creation of the Durand Park.

1975 The Durand Neighbourhood Plan wins approval with implementation of neighbourhood rezonings; the Durand Park opens followed by a bazaar, the first of many events organized by the Association.

1976 The Association co-operates with the owners in the commercial redevelopment at the corner of Herkimer and Caroline; Sandyford Place is designated as a National Historic site; a children's playground is erected in Durand Park.

1977 The Association proposes an architectural competition for housing on the old Ryerson Public School site; neighbourhood residents organize to save Central Public School from closure in the face of declining enrolment.

1978 Central Public School is recognized as a provincial historic site; the old Ryerson Public School is demolished.

1979 The Association is instrumental in winning City and Ontario Municipal Board support preventing creation of a strip mall at Bay and Robinson; the leasing of the top floor of Central Public School to an insurance company provides an innovative solution to prevent the school's closure; the Association is involved in preparation of a new Plan covering the entire Central Area, including Durand; Site Plan controls are reintroduced.

1980 The City approves the sale of Sandyford Place; the Association joins a three-year, ultimately unsuccessful, battle to save a Victorian mansion at 206 James Street South.

1981 A proposed provincially-endorsed elevated rapid transit rail link between downtown and the Mountain running above James South is derailed after fierce opposition by citizens in which the Association plays a key role; Central Public School reopens after being refurbished.

1982 Sandyford Place is restored and converted to condominium apartments; a Heritage District is proposed for Durand; the Association helps judge a design contest for energy-efficient, low-rise, high-density family housing on the old Ryerson School site; the Association applies a federal Canada Day grant to install a drinking fountain in Durand Park; the OMB approves a high-rise condominium on the Officers' Club garden site.

1983 The Association and the owners of a projected new retirement home at 10 Herkimer Street co-operate on a site plan design to preserve the existing streetscape.

1984 The Association seeks a review of the Durand Neighbourhood Plan.

1985 A new use is sought for the Carnegie Library on Main Street (now Family Court); the historic Bank of Montreal building at James and Main, threatened with demolition, is back in use.

1986 The Association helps organize a Neighbourhood Watch.

1987 New lighting is installed in Durand Park; the Association sponsors a study of possible upgrading and beautification of neighbourhood alleys; the wooden James Street Mountain steps are replaced with a safe, steel structure; with the Association's support, a Bay Street home is converted to house mental health patients.

1988 The revised Durand Neighbourhood Plan is approved; a study is sought to establish a Heritage Conservation District in the vicinity of MacNab South; the Central Area Plan is updated; a proposed high-rise redevelopment of the Thistle Club site stirs controversy.

1989 The Association is represented on a new citizens' committee to implement the revised Durand Plan; a high-rise project on the St. Mark's Church site at Bay and Hunter provokes strong neighbourhood opposition.

1990 The Association helps neighbours delay a major reconstruction of James Mountain Road pending more detailed studies; the OMB allows rezoning of the St. Mark's Church site; the Association unsuccessfully opposes demolition of a historic mansion at 65 Markland.

1991 Durand residents and police form a committee to combat neighbourhood crime; a mansion at 105 Aberdeen mansion is saved from demolition.

1992 City Council approves a study to create a Heritage District for the MacNab-Markland area; a ban on left turns in the rush hours is imposed for northbound traffic on James at Markland; the Association raises funds for a new playground in the Durand Park; reconstruction of the underpass beneath the rail tracks at MacNab South is approved.

1993 The Association celebrates its 20th anniversary with a concert at James Street Baptist Church.

1994 The impact of the new Hamilton GO Transit bus-rail Hunter Street terminal on the Durand Neighbourhood is assessed; the City buys St. Mark's Church and seeks a new use.

1995 The Association and developers reach a settlement on new plans for the Thistle Club, avoiding a full OMB hearing.

1996 Durand residents and the Association win support for improvements to the James Mountain Road, which will preserve the natural environment.

1997 Durand's place in a future Mega City or Region is discussed at the annual meeting.

1998 The Association celebrates its 25th anniversary; James Mountain road is reconstructed; the City's first "Out of the Cold" programs for the homeless operate out of two Durand neighbourhood churches; the Association receives a VISION 2020 Hamilton-Wentworth Sustainable Community Recognition Award for its contributions to achieving the principles of sustainable development.

1999 The Association participates in the planning for a revitalized downtown and cements closer ties with the Central, Kirkendall and Strathcona neighbourhood associations; ongoing issues include municipal restructuring, the future of the Hamilton Psychiatric Hospital and finding a suitable re-use of the St. Mark's Church site.

2000 The Association adopts a revised mission statement and objectives; the threat of closure of Central Public School recedes; the Association unsuccessfully seeks creation of a park on the site of the former St. Mark's Anglican Church site which Council agrees to sell to the Charismatic Episcopal Church; the Association celebrates the Millennium with publication of two books: "Durand -- A Neighbourhood Reclaimed" and "Durand Chronicle: Three Decades of Communityh Service 1972-2000".

2001 The Association concludes its Millennium celebration by hosting a symposium for neighbourhood associations across Ontario; it is decided to form a provincial federation of urban neighbourhood groups; the sale of St. Mark's Church falls through, the property and future use remains in the City's hands; a compromise is reached to convert the historic Officers' Club into six condominium apartments instead of demolishing it to make way for a 12-storey high-rise; the Association decides on five high-priority, pro-active initiatives to update the 1987 Durand Neighbourhood Plan; it joins with the City to initiate a full-scale review of neighbourhood traffic concerns.

2002 The city and consultants present recommendations for improvements to traffic in the Durand Neighbourhood after receiving input from the Association and the public according to the required public process procedures; the developer demolishes the Officers' Club but the site is not cleared for several months after complaints from neighbours and a compliance order issued by the city; the Association and neighbours request that the City seek special provincial legislation to impose stronger property standards on vacant lots; the Association renews its quest to turn the St. Mark's Church property into public green space as the buildings fall into greater disrepair.

2003 The Association endorses plans to built a townhouse development facing Park Street on the former Officers' Club site. The Association holds a standing-room only all-candidates meeting prior to the municipal election. It becomes a founding member of the Federation of Hamilton Neighbourhood Associations. Queen's Park rejects objections to the Durand Neighbourhood Traffic Plan clearing the way for its implemention.

2004 The Association, after recommending major changes in the original plan, supports a proposal for the Thistle Club property to be converted to low-rise townhouses. The Association holds a well-attended House Tour in the neighbourhood with the proceeds dedicated to tree planting. Enforcement of property standards and keeping Durand safe and clean are adopted as priority activities.