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Backed by the 519 — an LGBTQ community organization based on Church Street — and a private donor, the plan is to rebuild the crumbling, yellow community centre and its surrounding park with a combination of fundraising and government cash. Right now, the corner of Queen Street East and Sherbourne is notorious for its drug use, sex workers and the nearby shelters keep the sidewalks crowded and the social services overloaded.

“This part of town, they drive by and they don’t see us,” Harvey said. She raised two children in the towers and said she understands that many people need to use the community centre. She wouldn’t let her kids walk over to John Innes alone, but if the area is rebuilt, maybe it will be safe for families again.

“We’ve been waiting a long time for some change,” said Leona Lowe, another long-time resident. “It’s hard and I’m glad there’s going to be some changes coming up.”

Nimo Mohamoud moved to the area eight years ago and likes to swim, but the cramped, dark pool under John Innes didn’t appeal. Instead she treks over to Regent Park’s new aquatic centre. She’d like to see a renewed Moss Park include better and newer splash pads and playgrounds for toddlers separated from older kids.

What they don’t want is a repeat of the hockey arena attached to John Innes, which is reserved for leagues and lies empty. Residents see luxury cars drive in to use it and then leave and wonder why it’s rarely open for public skating.

When it’s done in dribs and drabs, a little gentrification can be a good thing, Jane Jacobs — the renowned urbanist painted both as the cause of, and solution to, all city problems — once suggested. A bit of renewal can mean the crime moves out, but the character stays the same. The sex workers and shelter beds don’t disappear; instead the space becomes truly mixed.