Jane/Finch: Metrolinx must honour pledge for a hub based on community’s vision

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Metrolinx must honour its pledge for a Finch hub based on the community’s efforts, vision

Recent statements have not confirmed that previous promises will be kept 

July 27, 2020 - TORONTO - The Jane/ Finch Centre is calling on Metrolinx to formally confirm that it will honour a long-standing pledge that it would cede a specific piece of land on Finch Ave W to make way for a community hub.

The public agency in charge of the building of the LRT along Finch said last week that it would renege on its commitment to hand over the land and instead sell it to the highest bidder. News of this led to considerable anger from residents and Torontonians alike, and the agency issued a letter on Friday saying that it would work with the City and resident groups to develop the site so that it will include a community hub.

“While it is important that Metrolinx has committed to work with organizations like our ‘make the project happen,’ it must honour the vision that is the product of years of work from people in this community,” said Michelle Dagnino, the Executive Director of the Jane/ Finch Centre, which worked with local groups on a Feasibility Study and Business Plan for the hub.

As part of previous negotiations and meetings between residents groups, local politicians and Metrolinx, the community was to have undertaken consultations on uses and design, while also laying the groundwork for a capital drive that would be led by the Jane/Finch Centre.

“From the start, the community has demanded a serious role in the visioning and development of this hub, up to and including raising money so that it will be built,” Dagnino said. 

The letter from Metrolinx CEO Phil Verster to Councillor Anthony Perruzza proposed to “develop the site such that the development includes the community hub,” which could potentially arrive at a proposed space that falls short of the vision that the community worked on based on what Metrolinx had committed to for year.

“Just as it is disrespectful to tell us the previous promises were not actually made, or to speak about our community as if we are not tax payers, it would also be disrespectful to expect the community to accept a smaller, or watered-down version of this project.”

The Jane/ Finch Centre has come together with community organizations asking for Metrolinx to commit formally to the vision for the hub developed by residents and local groups.

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