The following is an open letter sent to Fight Gridlock from Andrew deGroot, a resident of Brampton — one who has been an incredible supporter and fact-finder for the LRT project, and it’s alignment on Main St. into downtown Brampton.

Attention: Mayor Linda Jeffrey & Members of council;

I know people believe they are protecting downtown by suggesting an alternate route around downtown Brampton but history tells us the exact opposite will happen. Prior to the 1940s, Jarvis Street was probably the most beautiful street in all of Toronto. The city’s first paved road was once the grandest tree-lined boulevard around, bracketed by the mansions of some of Toronto’s wealthiest movers and shakers.

In the 1940s the City of Toronto began working on a transit plan which included its first subway. Toronto debated whether to run the line up Jarvis or under the much narrower Yonge Street. Construction was approved in 1946 for the new Yonge Street line.

Meanwhile, the stately Jarvis boulevard was transformed to make way for the automobile. Jarvis Street was turned from a gorgeous historical thoroughfare into an urban highway, stretching from the waterfront up to Bloor. Cars on Jarvis, transit on Yonge.

Fast forward to the today. Yonge Street is the economic core of Toronto with cross streets King, Queen and Bloor all boasting their own rapid transit. Jarvis, on the other hand has fallen on hard times. Known for decades as the seediest street in Toronto, it is where you go to find drugs and prostitution. Only now, 70 years later is investment starting to turn this street around, though all of the homes are gone or being used for commercial purposes.

Meanwhile in Downtown Brampton, the comparisons are striking. Our quant southern entrance boasts similar large older homes as Jarvis, though almost all of the grand homes north of Wellington have been demolished or are rooming houses. Main Street is an urban highway shuttling people quickly from their jobs in Mississauga to their homes in northern Brampton or beyond our border. Downtown Brampton has the same drug and prostitution problem as Jarvis. Jarvis has Harvey’s and Brampton has the 7-Eleven.

The establishment of Toronto, trying to protect their streetscape and homesteads, voted against progress and transit along Jarvis with the obvious consequences to follow. Brampton’s establishment is voicing its strong opposition to the LRT through downtown Brampton.

We are at a crossroads in Brampton. We have the opportunity to build for our future or dwell on our past. Our tight grip on maintaining status quo will hinder process. Do we want Main Street to be the Jarvis of Brampton?

I encourage Brampton City Council to support this project without delay.

Sincerely,

Andrew deGroot

Ward 1 resident

Images of Jarvis St., Toronto





