According to
Gord Perks, the big torn-up road is only a part of the reason the
Roncesvalles strip is undergoing such an upheaval.
"There are a lot of dynamics going on at the same time," says the city councilor of the commercial area that's seen many businesses struggle or close -- sometimes after decades in business -- and new ones re-open in the past two years. "We're coming out of a recession, the demographics of the neighbourhood have changed dramatically in the last five years, and yes, construction has had an impact, but I think the other two have bee more important."
Signs of the economic recovery can be seen all over the city, as long-delayed condo developments finally rise out of the ground, but the demographic switch is particular to Roncesvalles. According to Perks, 20 years ago it was a predominantly Polish, Lithuanian and Ukrainian neighbourhood. "Now," he says, "it's much more mixed," with fewer cultural and economic differences from High Park, just a few blocks away.
As a result, Perks says, "The nature of the businesses have changed, frankly because the street is going to be much more beautiful and pedestrian."
Writer: Bert Archer
Source: Gord Perks
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