1011 Lansdowne Avenue (Toronto, Ontario)

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  troy (guest)

  I have lived at 1011 Lansdowne since April 1 2010. When I viewed the unit on the 19th floor it was in excellent condition. A showpiece. Under the impression that this was the unit I was to occupy when moving in, I agreed to take the apartment. The day I moved in I was informed that I was to be given another, inferior unit. With a hole under the sink, a constant drip in the bathroom and uncountable cockroaches and bedbugs. Being on ODSP due to major health issues, I, like many before me took the apartment due to financial restrictions. What was I to do with all of my furniture on the sidewalk? I, somwhat hesitant, took the apartment and settled in. Over the course of 2009-10 I sat back and observed the attitudes of the management and the tenants, while learning as much as I could about the history of the building. To find a positive description of the Dupont/Lansdowne neighborhood in the archives of Toronto has yet to prove fruitful. The residents, mostly individuals, of 1011 Lansdowne are, for the most part, struggle honestly through the day, relying on the support of one another to maintain a sense of normalcy while under duress from the dismissive attitudes of the management and the city at large. Incidents, some of which I have personally encountered, have led me to a conclusion that the management of 1011 Lansdowne are incapable of creating a atmosphere of community, not the tenants, as the residents/politicians of Toronto have so repeatidly espoused. Yes, there is a drug problem. Yes ther is a prostitution problem. Yes the building is in need of a complete overhaul and yes the management has to be held accountable to the people of Toronto and the tenants of 1011 Lansdowne. But beyond the negative impression that has been bestowed upon the residents of the building, the simple reality of the fact is that the reputation that is imposed on the neighbourhood, because of the building, is home to many diverse and capable individuals. Upon speaking with any number of residents one quickly realizes that they are bright, articulate and willing to create change for the better. All they lack is a belief that the management city will support them. Former residents who criticize the building, and there are many, are convinced that they are justified in the belief that the building should be torn down. That the residents are not woth the time or effort to intigrate into society. The only solution being to remove them from the neighbourhood by any means necessary. The corner of Dupont and Lansdowne consists of recently build townhouses, six apartment buildings, with another currently being built, a couple of stores, a coffee shop, a men's shelter and a dentist office. The corner in itself is a microcosim of the city of Toronto and the country of Canada as a whole. With a large portion of families, with 50% or more, having children (the largest percentage in Toronto), a large immigrant population where English is being learned as a second language, the working poor, middle class labourers, the unemployable and increasingly well off individuals. With the erecting of a new building on the northwest corner, and the addition of a shopping plaza in the next few years, will continue to create a more diverse and multicultural comunity. All that is lacking is leadership in the neighbourhood. Not politicians who provide lip service at the time of elections, and the dismissal of the neighbourhood in non election years. The economic investments within the neighbourhood that are currently being embarked upon provides an opportunity for all residents of the Dupont/Lansdown area to come together and work towards the betterment of all living situations in the neighbourhood. And if asked, the residents of 1011 Lansdowne would be more than willing to address the issues that effect them every day. Until this happens, the outside view of the building will always be in stark contrast to the reality of the lives that the individuals at 1011 Lansdowne face. Carrying a sense of shame and worthlessness that has been bestowed upon them for choosing to live in the greatest city in the world. Although ther are few who would have you believe that the residents are not worth the time or effort and are a hopeless cause. To believe this is to believe that a resident of 1011 Lansdowne is not worthy of being treated like a human being. Instead of offering a segratory and dismissive attitude towards the building, perhaps an attitude of compassion and a willingness to correct these misaligned attitudes would create a community worthy of being calling the greatest in the world.

  12 years ago | reply | hide comment