After five years of slow development, Lawrence Heights, a community of 3,500, is finally moving forward on the road to revitalization with Monday's announcement of a joint venture between Context and Metropia Inc. developers.
The Toronto Community Housing board of directors announced the developers' phase one plans, to develop 4,100 new market condos and townhouses and using the proceeds to rebuild 1,208 subsidized apartments, including single and multi-bedroom units, as well as seniors residences.
But in Lawrence Heights, which straddles Allen Road between Lawrence and Yorkdale, the biggest challenge will be bridging the gap between the community and its surrounding, more affluent neighbours.
Context and Metropia have both agreed to put $3.5-million toward resident-focused employment opportunities in addition to a $500,000 contribution toward an education and job training fund. That, coupled with $40.3-million for infrastructure approved by city council, will boost the community during phase one.
At the announcement on Monday, both developers stressed the importance of the inclusion of Lawrence Heights' residents in the revitalization process. This will be the first time TCH residents have been included in the selection of development plans.
Jacob Zorzolla, 23, is a youth leader living in the Lawrence Heights community who has been actively involved with the development since 2008 when it began. "The majority of the community understands how big of an impact this will have, whether with creating jobs, careers or helping people to get their postsecondary education and build a better community."
He said the isolation of the community affects children in both the middle school and public school, both of which he attended.
"They are actually taking the time to build with the residents and create a model where we are all confident that this is something moving forward, says Mr. Zorzolla. He would like to see Lawrence Heights be a model for the integration of other communities into their surrounding neighbourhoods.
Eugene Jones, President and CEO of Toronto Community Housing, said it was a great day for TCHC. "Lawrence Heights, when it's all said and done, is going to trump Regent Park," he added.
When asked why Torontonians should trust the TCHC to undertake another huge project before the internal audit is released, Mr. Jones said they understand that they've done things badly in the past.
According to the TCHC website, their buildings currently have a repair backlog of more than $751-million and residents are living in houses that are literally falling apart because of a lack of funds.
"The board is going to keep our feet to the fire, no doubt our residents are going to keep our feet to the fire and also our staff are going to make sure we stand up to our expectations," Mr. Jones said.
Howard Cohen, president of Context, said the location of Lawrence Heights, a community that is central to the GTA, a block from Yorkdale Shopping Centre and on the transit line, will be what ultimately draws people to it. "We are confident we will be able to use the site's attributes and rebuild a mixed-use community," he said.
Neighbourhood resident Kisa Ehigiator has been part of the revitalization process since 2008. "The journey so far to get to this point has not been easy. There were many hurdles to cross and we still have a few more to go," she said. "[Revitalization] will give the community the opportunity to change its image and to be socially, and otherwise, increasingly involved with the surrounding communities."
Project construction is expected to begin as early as winter or the spring of 2014, but the overall process will be carried out in five phases over the course of 15-20 years.