In July I met with Julie Landry, a journalist with Radio Canada in a Downtown Eastside cafe. She was preparing a short documentary regarding the challenges facing the community and had come across my previous articles and speeches regarding the need to create a new plan to 'regenerate' the neighbourhood.
In addition to speaking to me she met with Jean Swanson (of course) and Dan Garrison, the city's director of housing. Suffice it to say, my message was quite different than those from Jean and Dan.
My view is that in order to create a healthier neighbourhood, with fewer vacant, derelict storefronts, and a greater sense of civic pride there is a need to revise the plan to allow a broader mix of housing, including ownership housing. Otherwise, there won't be the buying power to support the local shops.
Jean and others take this to mean I want to gentrify the area and force out the poor people. Not at all. But over the years the DTES has deteriorated to the point that there must be a new approach.
Here is Julie's documentary, en francais!
Also, some links to previous articles about what I think needs to be done.
https://www.biv.com/news/commentary/michael-geller-time-rethink-downtown-eastside-plan-8271206
https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/1.438102
https://gellersworldtravel.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-future-of-dtes-submission-of-inner.html
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