It irks me that people are so protective over Belmont "village" as if it's something truly unique and special. It's not and it's not a village. It doesn't feel like one. What the hell do they believe makes this so special and unique? It's two blocks of run down old strip malls and stores with a really ugly wide road running through the centre of it. There's nothing there but a couple restaurants (which is the main attraction) as well as stuff like beauty salons and health care businesses. They act like this is something similar to Kensington Market or The Junction in Toronto which has a distinct identity, with music, art and counterculture establishments. It isn't.
I'll agree with them that perhaps we don't need 13 floor high-rises directly on Belmont itself, but I wish they'd stop acting like this is something special that cannot be changed whatsoever. Building some new projects will only do good for this area by bringing more people in, which in turn can grow and evolve everything else. IMO it'd be a great area to turn into something like a Kensington Market sort of place. That is, have even more cool restaurants, bars, comedy venues, music venues, art galleries, unique local businesses, perhaps a little market. But it is not like that yet and deluding oneself into believing it is, is just silly. Nor will it ever be if their attitude is going to be one of conservatism.
I'll agree with them that perhaps we don't need 13 floor high-rises directly on Belmont itself, but I wish they'd stop acting like this is something special that cannot be changed whatsoever. Building some new projects will only do good for this area by bringing more people in, which in turn can grow and evolve everything else. IMO it'd be a great area to turn into something like a Kensington Market sort of place. That is, have even more cool restaurants, bars, comedy venues, music venues, art galleries, unique local businesses, perhaps a little market. But it is not like that yet and deluding oneself into believing it is, is just silly. Nor will it ever be if their attitude is going to be one of conservatism.