By Mark McAllister
It was once an area that truly qualified as Toronto’s “inner city” and a place where many, quite frankly, chose not to travel when coming and going from the downtown core. Regent Park was a social housing project from generations past gone wrong. A neighbourhood ravaged by crime and poverty with most residents simply trying to get by. Now, it’s a massive mixed-income development in the works, with promises of bigger and better things to come.
There’s certainly a buzz these parts at this point. Just a couple of years after condos opened up on the corner, the new grocery store and coffee shop are attracting crowds. There’s finally a place for people to pick up a few things when needed without venturing north to Cabbagetown. A bank branch has also gone in next to some market townhouses. The new Regent Park Aquatic Centre is taking shape and is expected to be open for all to enjoy later this year.
Despite the uplifting sentiment and messages encouraging “One Community” from signs nearby, there is some reservation from others who have called this place home. Many buildings have now been demolished to make room for glass towers. Quite a few of the older red-brick structures remain though and residents still worry. Where will they go while waiting for new homes? Is there any guarantee they’ll have some place to come back to? From the beginning, those behind the revitalization effort have emphasized the right for tenants to return after being displaced from the public housing apartments they live in. Some are starting to enjoy that luxury now. Then there’s those left to wonder. A young boy approached me while in the area and pointed out he’d have to move soon. No matter how “cool” everything seems, his family wouldn’t be around to enjoy it just yet. If at all.
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Sure, there’s reason for optimism in Regent Park, but this long-term project trying to turn things around isn’t yet close to being complete. Everything Toronto Community Housing and Daniels Corp. have done is certainly a nice start and encouraging to see. It’s also wonderful to hear stories of people turning their lives around or starting to feel safe on the streets they wouldn’t dare walk down before. The proof, however, won’t come until $1.5 billion has been spent and another decade has gone by. Then the city will know if this neighbourhood has truly surpassed what was initially created way back when.
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