North York’s Regent Park: Lawrence Heights revitalization, opposed by Rob Ford, passes committee unanimously
Last weekend, Rob Ford took some time to relax the way he likes best: by shouting into a bullhorn about the fat cats at city hall. In particular, he told a group of 200 protesters (note that this isn’t a G20 post) that he supported their efforts to stop the redevelopment of Lawrence Heights in North York. The candidate went further, saying that if he becomes mayor, city plans would not proceed in neighbourhoods where the residents oppose it.
In this case, however, not all the residents were up in arms. Step one in the redevelopment of Lawrence Heights sailed through committee last night, and North York community council voted unanimously to tear down the existing projects in order to rebuild them in a fashion similar to Regent Park.
Not that there wasn’t any drama: Councillor Maria Augimeri accused opponents of the plan of “true racism” (as opposed to the pretend kind?), and critics responded in kind, adding that their opposition to rebuilding the projects has nothing to do with race, and instead focused on traffic.
• Lawrence Heights redevelopment one step closer [Globe and Mail] • Ford vows to crush development plan [Toronto Sun] • Neighbours protest Lawrence Heights plan [Toronto Star]
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