City of Toronto Department of Planning and Toronto Community Housing Corporation Follow-Up Community Consultation Recap - Sept. 17th, 2013

What will Regent Park look like after redevelopment is complete?

For more slides from the consultation, visit www.toronto.ca/planning/regentpark/pdf/regentpark_2013-09-09_slides_city.pdf

Regent Park has a rich history of community activism. Residents pushed for the Revitalization of Regent Park and have had continued involvement throughout its progression. As the redevelopment plans for the community change, Regent Park residents continue to participate in these conversations. On June 10^th 2013, the City of Toronto Department of Planning and Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) held a consultation to inform the community of the recent Regent Park development plan amendments proposed by TCHC. Nearly 300 people came out and raised important questions for the planning body. For many, this was the first time they heard the revised plans for their changing neighbourhood. True to Regent Park’s advocating history, residents had a lot to say about the proposal. If you missed the June meeting, please check out our July edition of Community Knewz for a more information.

On September 17^th, 2013, the City of Toronto Department of Planning and Toronto Community Housing Corporation (TCHC) held a follow-up consultation with the Regent Park community on yet more proposed amendments to the TCHC development plan, this time, presenting a renewed proposal influenced by the desires of the residents. For most, it seems TCHC's response to resident concerns was encouraging.

At the previous consultation, there was apprehension voiced about the proposed heights of buildings, specifically, the proposal to build a nearly 40 storey tower on the south-east corner of Gerrard St. and Parliament St. Thanks to resident feedback, the tower is now proposed at 20 storeys high, set back from the corner. Other proposed changes include varied building heights along housing at the north side of the big park, decrease in heights of housing along Gerrard St., back-to-back housing facing onto the athletic grounds and street.

 

For more slides from the consultation, visit www.toronto.ca/planning/regentpark/pdf/regentpark_2013-09-09_slides_city.pdf

Still of concern for some residents are the towers proposed along River St. The newest proposal places four towers along River, even though concern was expressed at the June consultation over the heights of then a three towers layout. Though residents were assured at the recent consultation that the tower heights had been decreased, specific tower heights were not given. It appears from the artist rendering above that they would be shorter than the existing towers on the opposite side of River St. at Oak St. Podiums would be built as a step-back from the sidewalk so that buildings are not as intrusive. According to the planning body, River is intended to act as a commercial spine, with retail occupying some space in the towers. In response to resident concerns over these towers, City Planner Angela Stea stressed that the plan would not be approved until these concerns were addressed.

The City continues to insist on maintaining 14 Blevins Place as a heritage building, despite TCHC's request to have it  included in the redevelopment plan and despite overwhelming resident support for its demolition. Many spoke out at the September consultation to say '14 Blevins has to go,' but the City stance is unfettered. Councillor Pam McConnell assured residents that if they wish to see the building demolished, she will ensure that City Council makes this happen.

Throughout the consultation, TCHC stressed that while the specific building plans for Regent Park may change, the principles of redevelopment stay the same; they will continue to build integrated buildings, and replace ALL RGI (TCHC rent geared to income) units demolished. With the proposed changes, population proportions will be 25% RGI units (all replaced units) and 5% additional affordable rental units (where rent is determined at or below 100% of the “average rent” in Toronto). The market units will make up 70% of the population. Of that 70%, 30% of market units are 2 bedroom units, 5% are 3 bedroom units, and 12% are offered with some form of assisted home-ownership programs. When concerns were raised over whether this development plan would result in lower income families and higher income singles/couples, Regent Park resident Kate Sellar suggested that family compositions are changing and not to assume residents in market units are not having families.

During the consultation, we paused to celebrate the unexpected and positive developments of phase 2, including the Aquatic Centre being deemed a priority centre, the new Community Centre being built at double the size originally planned, the Regent Park Athletic Grounds and the additional hectare of space, and the addition of one new daycare in the community (in addition to the two already planned). Residents consistently expressed support for the revitalization project, while not remaining silent about what can be improved upon.

What will Regent Park look like after redevelopment is complete? A seamlessly blended mix of market rental and subsidized housing units is the consistent goal for Regent Park’s Revitalization. However, the specific details of this plan are still being negotiated thanks to an active and engaged community.

The Community Council Meeting will be held November 19^th and the City Council Meeting (where the plan gets final approval) will be held December 16^th. City Councillor Pam McConnell will represent Regent Park; make sure to communicate with her about your feelings on this development plan (see our services page for her contact information). If you’re interested in attending, please contact Debra at debra@rpni.ca

Our Regent Park Timeline

Regent Park has a very rich history, which is still being written. This is a community that has always demonstrated resilience and determination, exemplified in a culture of activism and artistic expression.

These media continue to express the diversity of the community. Regent Park’s true story is that of the many residents who have called this place home. We are therefore looking for your help to tell this community’s true history.

How has Regent Park changed throughout the years and how has it changed you? Who made up the community for you and what makes Regent Park feel like home?

We want to hear these stories: everything from the day you first arrived here, to your youthful shenanigans in Stinky’s park, to your dreams and hopes for the future.

Let’s not forget the great roots of this vastly evolving neighbourhood, where all this growth started.

Send us these stories and we will post them on our website. To see what sorts of stories your neighbours are already telling visit our history page.

Regent Park Food and Gardens

 Ensuring all people have access to affordable, culturally diverse, fresh and nutrient-rich foods is vital to the overall health of the community. Regent Park has a long history of food advocacy. In the 1980s, the high cost to buying fresh food was identified as a barrier to good nutrition, so the Regent Park Community Health Centre, along with the CRC, negotiated various green spaces in Regent Park to convert them to urban gardens. Well over 300 families worked on their own allotted gardens and grew foods for their families.

What we found was we had some excellent urban farmers living in Regent Park. They’ve been able to grow such foods as okra, black pepper, and even rice! 

However, we also knew that not everyone could farm nor did we have the space to ensure there was enough room to grow food for everyone who lives in the community. Developing food security initiatives has therefore long been a priority for Regent Park. 

Currently, there are several new projects that are working to enhance food security for the community. The new Food Centre at the Christian Resource Centre and the Regent Park Farmers’ Market are just a few of the initiatives that are coming into the neighbourhood this year.  

Even more food initiatives will be developing alongside the completion of Regent Park park and still more when the Athletics Grounds are complete. This unique approach to urban agriculture speaks to the creativity and ingenuity found in Regent Park.

With the support of long-serving community agencies, urban farming continues to be a vital tool for many residents, and we are excited to see the new food projects being initiated in Regent Park -- especially the Regent Park Farmers’ Market, which launches today! Make sure to stop by and check out the flyer on our website for more information.

New Year. New Blog. Same Direction.

Welcome everyone to our blog! We are super excited for all the new things that this New Year will bring to RPNI.  In the next few weeks we will be unveiling our new initiative and new ways for you can get involved. Until then there a few changes we want to tell you about.

New Location

Many of you know that we have recently moved to the New Daniels Spectrum building at 585 Dundas St. East. We are located on the third floor in the Centre for Social Innovation and could not be happier. We are fortunate to be surrounded by many organizations that are doing great work in Regent Park and beyond. As always we encourage you to come visit us and checkout the space and while you are here connect with our new friends.  You can find many of them on our new programs page. We look forward to your visit.

New faces

We have recently added new staff and board members to the organization.  These individuals bring with them a wealth of experience and expertise that will take RPNI into the future. Soon we will be unveiling these individuals and hope you are excited as we are.

Same Commitment

RPNI was founded  to ensure Regent Park is a healthy and vibrant community where everyone belongs, is heard and celebrated; and we stand committed to that. We are currently going through our own changes and are looking forward to show them to you, including:

• New Website
• New Blog
• Memberships (coming soon)
• Events
• More community involvement

We hope that you will all join us in our endeavour. We are here to advocate for you and need your input in everything we do.  So please, let your voices be heard. We are all in this together.

(Originally posted on January 17 By Krystle Henry)