What could we build in McCauley that would improve our neighbourhood?

City Council has given three parcels of land in McCauley to the newly-formed Community Development Corporation (CDC). The three sites are part of the seven City-owned sites worth about $10 million that Council transferred to the CDC in September.

On December 12 at 6:30 p.m., McCauley residents will have a chance to talk about what could be built on these sites to improve our neighbourhood. A family-friendly seasonal celebration will follow the community conversation about the CDC sites.

The McCauley Community League is organizing the event in the lunchroom in the Intercultural Centre (former McCauley School), 9538 107 Avenue.

A CDC is a non-profit company that creates and expands economic opportunities that improve social conditions for people living in poverty. It combats poverty through commercial or mixed use development, community revitalization, and attracting more customers, businesses, and wealth to depressed areas.

Long-time McCauley residents Bob McKeon, Anna Bubel, and Martin Garber-Conrad have literally been fighting for the creation of a CDC for decades. There are over 5,000 CDCs in the U.S. and dozens in Canada. The December 12 meeting will be the first step in a long process of residents exploring with the CDC how its resources can be leveraged to help renew McCauley.

A CDC is a non-profit company that creates and expands economic opportunities that improve social conditions for people living in poverty. It combats poverty through commercial or mixed use development, community revitalization, and attracting more customers, businesses, and wealth to depressed areas

Also in September, Boyle Street Community Services released a four page summary of its ambitious “Community Centre at Boyle Street” plan. The plan is to co-locate inner city social services and new supportive housing for 100 people in a repurposed Remand Centre. The $94 million price tag for the Centre includes the addition of 75,000 square feet in new construction.

Recently, the League had separate meetings with the management of Boyle Street and two provincial cabinet ministers about the proposal. Meanwhile, League board members are part of an advisory committee for the four medically supervised injection sites and a City-led initiative to coordinate the delivery of social services and housing in the inner city.

Early in 2018, the League will organize a meeting to share information about these initiatives and hear from McCauley residents.

Phil is President of the McCauley Community League.