What happens when we start caring about the DTES?
The Pidgin buzz has died since the photo-op began a few weeks ago, but the issues and the conflict are at the forefront of the next great debate surrounding the eastside. How do we develop it responsibly?
There’s something brewing. From the restaurants to multi-million dollar SRO renovations to condo developments, the neighbourhood has entered a new phase that began with the renovation of the Woodward’s building and the introduction of idea of the “social mix”.
This has not been without considerable controversy. Pidgin is being picketed, SROs are raising rents and shutting out welfare residents while dealing with significant quality of life issues and housing developments have become the battleground for business interests intersecting with those who would rather see more social housing.
The buzzword, gentrification, is old but the conversation is new, all these issues have blossomed after the Olympics. Far from another feature of how bleak the downtown eastside is (although when Atira CEO Janice Abbott mentions sewage flooding up through the waterpipes…), this is the topic of what happens with this neighbourhood when money is thrown at it. What is bringing businesses and condos in doing to the downtown eastside?
The City of Glass 