Comstock: Old Town Toronto is winning recognition

Before SARS, before Amalgamation, before 9/11, the southeast Downtown of Toronto began to organize itself as a district within the city. How can we bring improvements to the neighbourhood if we are all reading different manuals? We were a long way from being on the same page. There were heritage folk trying to save what was left, urban residents hoping the brownfields would be built into a new community and neighbourhood businesses in a struggle for survival.

The South East Downtown Economic Revitalization Initiative (SEDERI) was born of representatives from within the Yonge, Queen St. E., The Don River and Lake Ontario districts. With such a bizarre acronym the words Old Town Toronto began to appear as synonymous with the area and the Old Town Toronto Action Plan was created in 2001. Creating a brand new tradition.

Of course, within the hallowed halls of municipal bureaucracy this people’s district, the community organization, didn’t exist. It was made up of two police division, various planning, parks and others services and had just changed city hall councilors: from Kyle Rae to Pam McConnell. Leadership from the nine member organizations worked though countless, reports, public meetings, and proved the test of time. Old Town Toronto has now become recognized by several departments. The name Old Town Toronto now appears on condo advertising, websites and Perly’s Street Guide, probably the public’s ultimate authority on such things.

And here is the news: The City of Toronto (through Planning and Heritage Preservation Services) is issuing an RFP (Request for Proposals) to develop a Heritage Interpretation Master Plan for “Old Town Toronto.”

With this study the city recognizes the need to put all of the urban planning efforts for this district, on to the same page. Enhancement of the West Don Lands, King-Parliament and the St. Lawrence Neighbourhood will be organized by this master plan.

In fact it will be two RFPs calling for a study of heritage interpretation, things like plaques for each significant site ($60,000), way finding and streetscaping and sustainable long-term management of the plan ($180,000), and another that will look into night time lighting of up to 60 heritage buildings ($150,000). These figures are not official, just approximated at a meeting held with Pam McConnell, city staff and members of SEDERI this month. These proposed maximums show that this will be a serious piece of planning.

Many would like to see this kind of money used for tangible improvements, right away, however, this study is needed to create that “same page” we all need to be on when talking and building Old Town. SEDERI needs to be strong going forward. There needs to be a plan, and then, most importantly, we need to work from that plan.

I see this is a lesson plan for other city neighbourhoods.

For instance, the needs of the York Quay neighbours, Habourfront and the Queens Quay BIA might be realized by pulling together their different interest groups. In each neighbourhood the interests of local business, institutions and residents are often the same. Integrating these volunteers will help the City build stronger neighbourhoods.