I own and live in a condominium. Many of my friends have purchased condos and enjoy living in them immensely. I sell lots of condos to my clients. But, I have a confession to make. I've been feeling more and more disturbed by the "new" Toronto that has appeared on our landscape these past 20 years. This "new" Toronto I'm speaking of refers to the many towers that now dominate our city, the thousands of new condominiums being built and sold each decade.
This really hit home recently when I read Rosie DiManno's column about the arbitoire in the west end that is causing such a stink in the local condo community. Writes DiManno about the complaining condo dwellers...
"They are the invaders. Because of their wholesale migration into the city, Toronto neighbourhoods have become mutilated as greedy developers continue their assault on the landscape, shoehorning ugly-as-spit towers into every nook and cranny of available space, building relentlessly upwards. Formerly charming districts have been obliterated and entire rows of long-established businesses dumped on the curb as landowners seize the opportunity to make millions. Others hang on to their boarded up assets until the time is even riper for profiteering."
I was going to write a blog entry about "I Don't Know My City Anymore". Much of the old Toronto is gone forever, hundreds of old buildings, neighbourhoods and the like replaced and destroyed. I'm not just referring to the buildings but even the geography is changing dramatically. Some of the changes are great. The Don Lands are the best example. Most of the changes are not so great.
But the change that disturbs me the most concerns how little I know about my fellow citizens who vote for a mayor who demonstrates so little respect and tolerance for diversity and fairness. Who are these people?
Alas, it is what it is. No turning back now. Maybe I'm just behaving like an old poop who yearns for the old days, you know, when the electorate had some clout and could rally around city councillors and put a stop to the Spadina Expressway and the Scarborough Expressway. Hard to imagine any of us taking to the streets to stop a poorly designed condo tower. Makes me feel great admiration for the Egyptians and the Brazilians to have to demonstrate their democracy on the streets.
Sadly, we'll take to the streets someday, but only if a sports team wins something, as unlikely as that may be.