We're all just kinda waiting - it's another" lister block" example - where when its bad it represents the rot very starkly, but to turn it around would be one of the greatest success stories and thus one of the biggest things to brag about.
I mean look at Ottawa st - I used to dread going there as a kid as my mom would drag me from one textile place to another - but now it just feels more.. "alive" like I am sure it must have in its early days. Kenilworth admittedly has a long way to go to get there, and neither are locke st, but it shows what can be done when you really put your mind to it.
For many my age and older, Bartons buildings aren't the problem - although seeing abandoned places with like 5 different layers of crap hammered onto what was once a respectable looking storefront is always a bit wincey.. it's the people, and the quality of the people. One only has to go to say the metro at center mall vs the metro on rosedale to feel that difference - growing up we called them "Hamiltonians" as I grew up in Stoney Creek by the lake before the amalgamation and there was a sense that they were dirty, poor, not quite bright, welfare state type people. Unwashed masses, sometimes literally. Once that stigma leaves Barton will get a much better reputation - but it's a stain on Barton for sure.
My friends mom used to call them "common folk" lol.
To put it in perspective I don't think I've ever known Barton St. to be happening - it's not like when I was a kid it was hustling and bustling.. its been like this a loooong time.
