by John Fyfe-Millar, Londoner to the Core

Make Downtown great again . . . many have tried, and the additions of Bud Gardens, the Market and the London Music Hall are moving us in the right directions. All capital investments, each with it’s own unique programming to ensure people keep coming back.

Back in 2013, another investment in the core was underway. There was a bustle of activity in the lane separating the Covent Garden Market and Dundas Street. The goal, to create a hub of activity in the core that would be representative of a major city. Then, multitudes of city workers were tirelessly devoted to the unveiling of what was meant to be a gold star not only on the city, but the downtown. Throughout the World Figure Skating Championships, and even in the months following when the lane was completed, there was a real excitement and pride around what had been created. At over a million tax payer dollars to complete, we all awaited for what came next. Today, over three years later, not only are we waiting, but most of us are disheartened by what it has become. The City, birthing the Lane in all it’s glory, has left it to die a vile death, while London businesses and residents are simply there to watch the decay.

Now, let’s be honest, I consider myself a proclaimed pollyanna when it comes to the Downtown. I strive to see all that is good, even with the issues not only plaguing our downtown, but all others. When it comes to Market Lane, I honestly came to the conclusion the City was test driving the space to discover what “not” to do when the flex street on Dundas is completed. The reality is, Market Lane is simply a micro climate version of the Dundas Place, set to run from Wellington to the river. Suffice to say, if we can’t get the lane right, we have a flex problem before we even start.

Assuming that is not the case, Market Lane has become the poster child for a capital investment gone horribly wrong. What genius felt it was a great idea to spend money on such a scale with no plans for programming in the future. Under-utilized from the start, the lane has simply become a gathering space for drug deals, addicts and homeless. While I may sound callous in my thinking, this was never what the space was intended for. It has simply morphed into this. While we can say that anyone has the right to gather in a public space, the true reality is anyone has that right. When residents are being urinated on and threatened, the above is no longer true. A public space for everyone is more than that . . . it is a safe space for everyone.

The lane itself has become less than safe, so much so that most residents walk to Talbot and go south rather than walk through the lane in it’s current state. Programming for events have been cancelled due to personal and public threats and the lane itself has become a cesspool of potential disease. For those responsible to maintain the garden area, it has become difficult to decipher between human and animal waste, to such a point that signs were posted to confirm the garden to be a poop free zone; really. The garden is in such shambles, primarily due to the ability of workers to feel comfortable and safe, has become a scene from the Adam’s Family. Morticia may even find the current state of affairs unmanageable. Even today, new plants that are being added are pulled or trampled by those who have little to no respect for the space as a community gathering area for all Londoners. Cleaners choose to enter only once a day based on comfort, and in one case, moved on due to the hassles, sexual harassment, and verbal abuses.

My bigger challenge is the lack of accountability. One can see individuals who are literally drinking themselves to death everyday in that space. Dealers clearly and openly exchange drugs for cash, and other favours. Yet no one wants to take on the responsibility of both cleaning it up, and ensuring that residents who need a hand up are getting that. It is easy to say that we do not want to step on someone’s civil liberties, but why do we find it acceptable to allow people to damage themselves to such an extent by choice. Yet, when residents and business owners call social agencies, the Health Unit, LPD and the City, the buck is simply passed along. The following day, the same people are there, carrying on as if nothing has happened.

The real question is, can the space be saved. Some have suggested fencing it off, and creating a walkway down the centre. Like a scene out of Orange is the New Black, if we fence, with a little bit of barb wire, we will at least look current and hip. Is this what we have come to. Removing social meeting spaces for all because we simply can’t control the space for any.

I’m saddened to see what it has become in such a short time, and more concerned where it will lead us to. Something has to be done quickly, effectively, with buy in from all levels and organizations. To simply leave the space to deteriorate to an extent, with no plan in place to revitalize is not only a slap in the face to taxpayers, but to all those who gave their time and energy to imagine it in the first place. There are always options, and we need to consider them carefully and address a plan to change the lane quickly, or flex simply won’t fly.

Although the situation seems futile, I must admit that hearing from both Councillor Park and Mayor Brown this past week on both the flex street and Market Lane made my heart beat a little stronger. It would appear that Council is aware of the situation, and are looking to make strides to deal with it. While I love the acknowledgement of an issue, let’s turn words to action and move on a plan quickly to address the issues. I simply outline a few suggestions below to start a conversation on the future of an important walkway from what will be Dundas Place to the market.First and foremost, with all recommendations below, I would add gates to the North and South of Market Lane. This would allow for cleaning, and ensure that in the evening and overnight it does not become a hotbed for drugs, sex and other public health concerns. That would be a cost, one that would be picked up by the city, or one of the partners below. It could be done quickly, effectively, and would immediately create a safety the space has not seen since it’s inception.

Let’s consider putting together a team to program the space. Use Market Lane as a mini-flex street to test drive all that a flex street can be. That team could be comprised of City staff, Councillor Park, members from Mainstreet, Downtown London and the London Downtown Community Association. The committee should be given cart blanche with the events, and be allowed to work with sponsors, the City and the LEDC to embrace the lane and the future of the flex space in Downtown. This would require funding, but realize that test driving Market Lane today will save you money on Dundas Place in the future. Councillor Park’s recent comments on the lane itself represents a ray of sunshine on the lane moving forward.A second option is to give the space to Fanshawe College. Market Lane would give Fanshawe ample outdoor space that they are lacking right now, but would create an environment that could be secured by existing security. The commitment from Fanshawe College would be that the gates be open during business hours to allow a free flow of traffic. Since the space would no longer be public, they could control both the usage and the lack thereof. The garden space could be converted to a horticultural space for the expansion into Kingshawe, and allow for fresh produce to be grown on a regular basis.

Thirdly, as to the option above, give the space to the Covent Garden Market. The laneway would give the market an outdoor marketing space to the north, and they would have the choice of either repurposing the garden or simply replacing it. One could allow the Market to actually set up and rent space to food trucks in the lane, bringing them in off Talbot and sending them back out on Dundas. To get around the bylaw, allow the market to rent the space to the trucks, like a food truck alley. It would give the market an extension to the Dundas, and a literal presence on the new flex street, which I feel is not only good for the market, but good for Dundas Place.

Lastly, turn Market Lane into Market Gardens by converting the space into a park. Once converted, the park can be utilized as public space, but can be closed at any time for cleaning and refreshing. Unlike the Reader’s Garden, I would open the space to the public, but gate it in the evening and at night, unless some form of program is running. That program could have Fanshawe using the Box, Salsa Dancers, anything that would create activity and intrigue.

While above are simply my opinions, the reality is that we must all agree that something must be done now. To do nothing, when we have the ability to do anything amounts to neglect at it’s extreme. Realities aside, this is no place safe for anyone to be. It is unpopular, it is unsanitary, and most of all, it is unsafe. I don’t care whether you are homeless, a business owner or resident. We can all co-habitat together in a space that is safe for all, and welcoming to all. This problem is quickly becoming something that will manifest itself into a greater concern. We must stop reacting to these problems, and get ahead of this. Making the decision is the hard part. Time to have the difficult conversations and work towards a better downtown, a better London for everyone. I look to the Mayor, Councillor Park and all of Council to identify the concern, and act in the best interest of all Londoners. I don’t need to make London great again, but a littler greater never hurt.



