If you live in Ward 6, Etobicoke-Lakeshore, you have no doubt noticed the amazing changes taking place over the last few years.
Few wards can boast of a beautiful waterfront as part of their community, but this asset has also posed some of our biggest challenges. For years, a lack of clear vision brought conflicting projects and reduced public access to the waterfront. Over the last 8 years, I have worked with residents, businesses and city staff to revitalize the Lakeshore as a vibrant waterfront community.
One of the first, and most important, steps in this revitalization was to lay the foundation for new growth and investment. I have worked to achieve this through the city's planning process, with the New Toronto Employment District Improvement Plan, the Long Branch Avenue Study, and updates to the Humber Bay Shores design guidelines and precinct plan.
We are also currently beginning phase two of my personal initiative, Mimico 20/20: A Perfect Vision for Our Community. This action plan will implement the local community's vision for the revitalization of their community.
A key component in all of these plans is an increase in business investment. Shortly after I was elected I organized a tour of our area for over 250 successful companies.
Since then I have continually showcased our neighbourhood to businesses, politicians, media and other stakeholders. The result has been over $4 billion in improvements by large corporations, developers, the city and the province. Large scale commercial businesses as well as the Toronto Police College and MasterCard Centre for Hockey Excellence have built state-of-the-art facilities on our brownfields, previously vacant and contaminated sites, and brought employment and prosperity back to our area. Now, Ward 6 is the city's leader in brownfield remediation.
Investment is not limited to big business. Along Lake Shore Boulevard West, which I believe is the heartbeat of our community, we have seen great new restaurants and shops open, with more popping up every day. This year, for the first time ever, two of these local restaurants took part in Toronto's Winterlicious, a great showcase for our local cuisine.
As the new Chair of the Joint Business Improvement Area (BIA) Committee, I will be working with local businesses to encourage residents from all of our neighbourhoods to come out and see what we have to offer. Community-led initiatives, such as Shop the Shore and the annual Santa Claus Parade, have encouraged residents to come out and take an interest in their neighbourhoods. There is a new awareness of the importance to shop, eat and play locally.
It is not enough to have just businesses come back to our ward, we also need new residents, many of whom reside in the condos at our east end. Humber Bay Shores has dramatically changed the landscape of our community, but with this change has come positive results. We have improved access to the waterfront, created beautiful new parks and amenities and attracted new residents to invest in our community.
Another driving force bringing new energy and resources to our area is Humber College. The post-secondary institution is situated at the heart of our community, and is a key partner in our revitalization. They have invested close to $200 million in our community over the last decade, and they continue to expand and improve.
We are also incredibly fortunate to have so many amazing new recreational facilities at our doorsteps - Mimico Linear Park, Mimico Square, Ken Cox Community Centre, and the skateboard park, which will be completed this year. I am thrilled with how well the new ice skating trail in Colonel Sam Smith Park has been received by our community. It has generated excitement and media attention across the Greater Toronto Area and internationally, and has made Ward 6 a destination in Toronto.
These facilities help showcase Etobicoke-Lakeshore, and bring visitors to the area who then stop at our local restaurants and shops.
For all of our recent successes, we still have a lot to do to help our community realize its full potential. I am up to the task and look forward to continuing to lead the way.
I want to thank the community for their support and encourage everyone to continue on this exciting journey with me. These are exciting times for Etobicoke-Lakeshore. I invite you to be a part of it.
[Mark Grimes is the city councillor for Etobicoke-Lakeshore.]