The Parkdale Arts and Cultural Centre has been a vital part of our community since 1998, serving as an anchor for the arts and a hub for cultural expression. It provides 9 live-work spaces for artists, an exhibition space for local and international artists at Gallery 1313, as well as office space for other community organizations. It is essential that this important institution continues to thrive in Parkdale.

Current plans for the redevelopment of the PACC building at 1313 Queen Street West as part of the new Parkdale Hub complex, make no reference to the Parkdale Arts and Cultural Centre as a continuing entity. Meanwhile, space and facilities for other institutions within the complex are being greatly expanded, and over 230 units of living space are being proposed for the project.

We, the undersigned, strongly advocate for the inclusion and enhancement of the Parkdale Arts and Cultural Centre in the planned Parkdale Hub redevelopment. We urge City Planners to:

1.    Expand the number of live-work spaces for artists to 10% of the proposed new units.

2.    Increase the size and facilities of Gallery 1313  to align with the growth afforded to the rest of the Hub complex.

3.    Continue to provide space for other community organisations within the overall complex.

By taking these steps, we can ensure that the Parkdale Arts and Cultural Centre remains a cornerstone of our community, supporting artists and enriching our cultural landscape for years to come.

Thank you for considering our request, an initiative of the Parkdale Residents Association.