I agree that the developments may be oversized for this location BUT I do not agree the cities reasoning that the area should be preserved for artists.

The natural and recurring cycles within neighbourhoods includes gentrification. Artists make it hip, then the money moves in. That process should not be stopped. Change is absolute since if nothing else, time will deteriorate the surroundings.

An area that is not being cleaned up by gentrification and renewal (change of hands) is undergoing a slow and painful downfall due to time. All neighbourhoods need new developments, improvements, and new uses. Name a great neighbourhood in Toronto that is the exact same in use as it was 20 years ago? How about 50?

Time for the artists to move on from West Queen West to newer grounds. Ossington and Queen East are both becoming hip and could use an artists loving touch.

Hi Rod, thanks for the comment. I think the strength of the Active 18 proposal was that it proposed a higher quality development than the one approved by the OMB. That is what is so disturbing about the OMB’s decision and why the city is fighting it.

1. The proposed redevelopment includes 199 units of affordable housing. Does it stink that we would have to give up the Queen West triangle to get 200 units of housing for the poor? You bet. With 67,000 people in Toronto in nee of housing, can we discuss proposed affordable housing developments as though they didn't exist? Not on your life.
2. One of the aspects of this issue that many people, including active 18, focus a lot of emotional energy on concerns 48 Abell. A good deal of energy has gone into the fight for the live/work units there. But it does not do to discuss those units without mentioning that they do not come up to fire code, which makes them a safety of life issue, both for residents and for any fire fighters who have to go into the building to rescue them.
   
   Posted by John Spragge  on  {comment_date format=’%m/%d’}  at  {comment_date format=’%h:%i %A’}
Posted by John Spragge  on  02/03  at  03:33 PM

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