Parent Avenue residents and neighbours deserve better 

By Valerie Proctor

Parent Avenue is only five blocks long, yet it has three abandoned buildings, one construction site that is taking forever to complete and four parking lots.

The first abandoned building is a former restaurant at the corner of Murray and Parent, which has not been open for over 10 years. It is an eyesore! 

On the next corner, at 101 Parent, is a decent-looking building that formerly housed young women; it has been empty for more than three years now. Why don’t the owners make it available for the many people who desperately need housing? It would be perfect for an affordable housing project.

The abandoned house at 79 Guigues Street, which is visible from Parent, is a fire hazard and attracts squatters and drug users. 

Not only are there vacant buildings, the construction site for a seven-unit condo building between Guigues and St. Andrew has seen delays at every step. It has been a blight on the neighbourhood for over three years, but it seems as if there are finally workers there now. (The City approved this development, which has no parking for residents and minimal space for greenery on Parent Street.)

And what’s up with all the parking lots? 

Besides street parking on both sides of the street, there is a multi-storey city parking lot at the end of the street on Clarence. 

At the corner of St. Patrick and Parent there are Capital Parking lots on both sides of Parent. The surrounding fence and greenery are neglected, and the shack is no longer used. 

Kitty-corner to that site is the huge parking lot of the Roman Catholic Cathedral, which was “temporarily” approved for 8 to 10 years in 2005, then again in 2008, 2011, 2014 and 2021! It is a shameful misuse of heritage property.  

Just how many bylaws are being transgressed on this short segment of the street? Don’t the owners of these properties have some responsibility to the residents of Lowertown? 

It is frustrating that the Market area has turned into a tourist trap, and Lowertown residents’ needs are not valued or even considered. 

“Parent Avenue needs some love, more trees and greenery, and serious attention from the City.”