Urban renewal of the 1960s built large amounts of public housing in the formerly industrial neighborhood of Moss Park in Toronto. Now, the neighborhood and its eponymous park have become home to some of the most impoverished people in the city.
Geoffrey Vandeville reports on the public outreach process ongoing in the proposed redevelopment of Moss Park in Toronto, the park at the center of the neighborhood with the same name, known for "drugs, sex work and fighting."
"Although in its early stages, the plan — which comes at an estimated $80-100 million cost — has critics saying it will speed up the gentrification of the area," writes Vandeville. The city and The 519, a community organization that advocates on behalf of LGBTQ people, have undertaken a public outreach process that includes a community portrait series as means to gather input. The results have produced a variety of feedback:
In an update on the plan this month, the city and The 519 listed some other ideas for the new park and community centre, reflecting a diversity of wants and needs: a zipline, pet pool, bocce ball court, addiction counseling and mental health services.
According to Vandeville, the public consultation ends on September 30, and the redevelopment proposal is expected before the City Council by the end of the year.
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