Welcome to my blog on housing, culture, and design in Toronto! This is where I share my insights and experiences on almost every aspect of the Toronto Real Estate Market – and life here in Tdot!
Toronto has a lot of vibrant cultural communities woven into its urban fabric, including Little Jamaica – which has its Business Improvement Area running along Eglinton Avenue West from Allen Road west to Keele Street. This is also a portion of Eglinton that has been subject to the planning and construction of the Eglinton Crosstown LRT since 2011. With its opening early next year, this 13.9-kilometre transit line with 25 stations will serve the existing communities while positioning the area for growth. Needless to say, having a transit system built underneath one of the City’s busiest arterial roads has been devastating for the retail businesses and services located on it. Hopefully, the existing community that survives will thrive, and its recent designation as one of the City’s first ‘Cultural Districts’ ensures that its historical legacy is preserved in its placemaking and its cultural identity is fostered.
There is so much amazing in Little Jamaica but we want to quickly give a shout out to the purveyors of some of the best island food in the City!
Have you tried Judy’s Island Grill? Yum!
Perspective
In the 1960’s Canada transformed the Immigration Act so that it was less restrictive and more favourable for Jamaicans to come to Canada based on their level of education and skill. During the Trudeau years, provisions also permitted the reunification of families. These policy changes resulted in a large influx of Jamaican immigrants with the majority settling in Greater Toronto. Up until the 1980s Jamaicans were the largest group among all Black immigrants to arrive in Canada, making up 30%- 40% of newcomers.
Nodal Settlement
Immigrants from Jamaica settled in what urban geographers call ‘Nodal Concentrations’ – basically a village of similar peoples – in order to support one another and collectively prosper. In 1969 “Little Jamaica” was formally recognized as one of Toronto’s ethnic neighbourhoods which helped anchor the contribution of Jamaican culture and its people in shaping the fabric of the city.
Just as the reconstruction of the 512 St Clair Avenue streetcar line – spanning from Yonge Street west to just past Keele – that began in 2004 and took six years to complete in 2010 devastated the long-term retailers and services located on the road, the construction of the decades-long Eglinton Crosstown LRT has also caused a number of businesses to close. Except this time, Toronto City Council actively prioritized exploring how the city could protect the cultural heritage resources of Little Jamaica in the 2021 and 2022 City Planning Study Work Program, which culminated in the recent Little Jamaica Cultural District initiative.
The motion reads “The heart and soul of Eglinton Avenue West, which is colloquially known as ‘Little Jamaica’ or ‘Eglinton’ is home to the highest concentration of Black- and Caribbean-owned and operated businesses in Toronto. From the barbershops and hair salons that act as community spaces to the various restaurants that remind many of home, Eglinton Avenue West is an important part of Toronto’s Black history.”
Toronto City Councilor Josh Matlow’s motion asks city staff to make a “comprehensive survey” of the Eglinton West strip. It has support from the non-profit group Black Urbanism TO. “Heritage is not the only tool we need here, but it’s definitely a key piece,” said Romain Baker, chair of BUTO. “This has been the gathering place for Jamaican and other Caribbean peoples, and later other African Diaspora peoples. It’s a physical manifestation of culture, cuisine, and art. We need to recognize that this place is worthy.”
The Little Jamaica Master Plan will build on years of community engagement, constructive critique and community advocacy. The plan will include priorities like the provision of dignified and diverse housing options, physically and psychologically safe streets, vibrant green spaces, a gender-responsive design that consider LGBTQ2SIA+, and sustainability. How awesome is that?
Reggae Lane – just south of Eglinton – is already undergoing a refurbishment. Visitors can see the gorgeous murals beginning to pop up with future plans to create green space, seating and congregation space. And a weekly public Afro Caribbean Farmers Market was started in the lane last summer.
Jay Pitter Placemaking will be leading the new Cultural Districts Program proposal and the Little Jamaica Master Planning process. She will engage a diverse range of Torontonians to co-develop a Cultural District Program proposal that outlines the parameters, policy approaches, and equitable placemaking and place-keeping principles to guide future cultural districts, which will be sent to City Council for approval. Pitter will also collaborate closely with a number of City divisions to co-create an equitable and expansive framework for the Little Jamaica Master Plan, which will honour the Indigeneity of the planning area; center the contributions of the Jamaican community, while embracing a Pan African lens that will recognize Black placemaking contributions more broadly and create space for all Little Jamaica residents, businesses and organizations to participate in the process.
Little Jamaica glows in personality, culture and community. With a strong bond to the past, the future for this Toronto neighbourhood is bright and filled with big plans. To be a part of such a rich, vibrant and historically significant community would be a pleasure for anyone. For more information on the growth of this community, please check out the following links:
TVO, What Cultural Districts Mean For Toronto
From Azure Magazine, A Big Vision For Little Jamaica
From Toned Magazine, From Little Jamaica To Africville And Hogan’s Alley: Canada’s Attempts At Black Community Erasure
The Little Jamaica, The Little Jamaica
Streets of Toronto, City Looking At Little Jamaica For Heritage Conservation District
Looking To Live On A Quiet But Connected Tree-Lined Avenue, Two Blocks From The New Oakwood Station On The Crosstown LRT?
If the answer is Yes, this 2bed dwelling on Clovelly Avenue represents a great opportunity! Refurbish a character-rich century bungalow or create a custom executive residence; this property is full of possibility!
An Opportunity To Transform A Vintage Bungalow Steps To The New Oakwood Station – NOW SOLD!
Did you enjoy this? Here are some of Urbaneer’s other neighbourhood posts we recommend:
Are You An Architectural History Buff? We Adore The Dazzling Distillery District!
A Brief History On The Old & The Emerging New Dupont
A Brief History On The Intensification Of The Danforth In Toronto
From Brownfield To Playing Field: A Brief History Of Toronto’s Davenport Village
A Brief History Of Toronto’s Little India Neighbourhood
A Short History Of Toronto’s Fashion District And Art Deco Architecture
Excavating The History Of Toronto’s Avenue Road
Garden City: The History And Revitalization Of Toronto’s Regent Park Neighbourhood
A Mini History On St. James Town
Gentrification, Densification, And The History Of Toronto Real Estate
Discover Your Toronto Neighbourhood History!
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Thanks for reading!
– Steve & The Urbaneer Team
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