Tannery Court editorial

The TJ ran an editorial today in defence of Tannery Court.

I wonder if this was an effort to feed the trolls, because it has already brought out the responses I’ve expected.

Tannery Court: Cheaper to build low income housing

Yesterday, the Telegraph Journal had an article about Tannery Court’s impact on the south end neighbourhood. While one concerned citizen acknowledged that the property manager has been prudent in selecting tenants, there are still members of the community that are not comfortable with the large concentration of low income residents.

The developer defends the 50 apartment complex by explaining that there are lower costs in building non-mixed housing (with just low income units) and that such developments allow for more units to be built.

http://telegraphjournal.canadaeast.com/city/article/1400872

Tannery Court

I don’t think I've ever attracted more comments (mostly angry) than when I suggested that Tannery Court may have some upside. 

I met a few folks today that were pleased to be new tenants at the complex. While I certainly encourage housing advocates to fight for their ideals, I also wish all of Tannery Court’s new tenants well in their new homes.

Tannery Court- June 13, 2010

Work continues at Tannery Court.  A couple of guys were working on the exterior of the building this morning.

The other day someone posted about how the alternating siding is supposed to create a visual break in the building to better fit into the community.  I wonder if the foundation will be adapted for this same purpose – because proposed trompe l'oeil is disrupted by the single concrete wall at the base.

Tannery Court siding – June 2, 2010

More siding has gone up on the Queen Street side of Tannery Court.

Tannery Court – May 27, 2010

It’s been a while since I posted a pic of the progress at Tannery Court. I took this yesterday.

I thought today was the right day to post this, as City Councilor and Planning Advisory Board member Carl Killen was just nominated to run for the PC party in the riding that includes the south end.

Tannery Court – May 2, 2010

Tannery Court is coming along with a covered roof and at lease one window installed. In the next few weeks I’ll be pleased to start posting pictures of Abbey St. Andrew once its construction starts.

Tannery Court – Mid-February 2010

Construction of Tannery Court continues.

Tannery Court – January 11, 2010

Some of the framing for Tannery Court is now up.

Response to Tannery Court editorial

Perhaps growing up in a home that landed me in church more than once a week has given me a special respect for people of the cloth, but I tend to agree with much of Rev. Don Uhryniw’s letter to the editor of the Telegraph Journal which responds to a recent editorial supporting the construction of Tannery Court.

The letter:

Tuesday's editorial ("There's room in city for Tannery Court") is at best specious and bordering on the simplistic. Contrary to the intent of the editorial, Tannery Court is a 'one size fits all' approach. It is nothing short of warehousing those in need. To suggest that something is better than nothing is a spin on benevolent paternalism: this is what is being offered and those who speak against it are at least ungrateful if not ignorant. This reasoning is approaching the insulting. Moreover, to canvas current tenants and ask if they like their residence is like asking someone who has stopped hitting themselves on the head with a hammer if they feel better.

Please, the community deserves, and requires, a more comprehensive solution to affordable housing. I should think time would be better spent on a long-term affordable housing policy than defending what is, to me, the indefensible.

Rev. DON UHRYNIW

Centenary-Queen Square United Church, Saint John

My only caveat in agreeing with this and similar criticisms is that there is immediate need for housing, and developers aren’t rushing to build better mixed income projects.  I would love policy to be put in place that makes mixed income happen, but if we halt these less than ideal projects until that happens, what should people in worse housing do?  How long can they wait for policy makers and developers to step up?

Restated, I would rather halt future large mono-culture buildings and get a policy in place that facilitates mixed-income housing. 

How do we make it happen?

Tannery Court Editorial: There's room in city for Tannery Court

The Telegraph Journal ran an editorial supporting Tannery Court entitled There's room in city for Tannery Court.

Here is the text of the editorial:

Saint John urgently needs new subsidized housing, and the community's approach to the issue is changing. Saint Johners have embraced mixed-income buildings on residential streets over the creation of low-income neighbourhoods.

Mixed-income, infill housing breaks the isolation that traditional welfare housing imposes on residents, but it isn't the only effective model. Rather than trying to imposed a mixed-income model on all new housing projects, the city must seek a balance that meets the needs of low-income citizens.

The Tannery Court building under construction in the south end is an example of an alternate model designed for citizens with particular needs. Its residents will be young to middle-aged. They may have medical conditions that make it difficult to work. Most are already living in the area, so there's no worry about adding to the poverty level in the neighbourhood. The co-op will simply give these Saint Johners a better place to live.

Tannery Court Cooperative offers its tenants security, better accommodations than they have been able to find or afford in the past and a greater measure of independence. Its buildings are managed to provide a supportive environment, from safe housing to advice on accessing government services and programs. A tenants' committee gets residents engaged in the life of the buildings and their governance.

A study just released by University of New Brunswick and Université de Moncton has confirmed this model works.

Tenants of Tannery Court residences in Moncton and Fredericton reported better quality of life, greater happiness and improved self-confidence after moving into their co-ops. They also reported more engagement and connection with the larger community. In Moncton, nearly half reported getting involved through volunteering; in Fredericton, the rate was about 30 per cent.

Tannery Court can be expected to have a similar impact in Saint John, giving its residents new safety, stability and resources while relieving poverty in the neighbourhood.

The goal of subsidized housing is to offer supports that meet the needs of individuals and the community. It's a question of finding the right model for particular circumstances, rather than imposing a one-size-fits-all approach.

This of course prompted critics of Tannery Court to share their concerns, including:

Do it right the first time... instead of perpetuating the same old mistakes.
If you really want to make it better, then create mixed-income neighbourhoods, instead of GHETTOS!!!

TJ reports on Tannery Court findings

I posted yesterday about the UNB/U de M study commissioned by Coop Atlantic about the quality of life in Tannery Court buildings. 

According to the TJ, the study shows that residents of the development “gain self-confidence, they're more interested to participate in social life in general.”

The Telegraph Journal has published another article about the study.  A few commentors are still concerned about the greater social implications of the developments.

Tannery Courts Studied

I’ll start this off with a bias warning.  Co-op Atlantic, parent organization of Tannery Court, commissioned this research.  While university researchers were used and hopefully kept everything objective, it is always good to remember where the money comes from.

According to a Times and Transcript article researchers found that “[Tannery Court] Residents who participated in interviews reported significantly better self-confidence, a better financial situation and brighter outlook on life.”

UNB Sociologist Luc Theriault is quoted as saying “If it weren't for a complex like this, what they would otherwise get is a bit of a slum.”

One issue noted regarding the Fredericton Tannery Court is that it’s not located downtown or near a bus route.  This is considered less than ideal.

One Tannery Court resident is said to consider her home environment “empowering.”  There was also talk of community involvement in the article.

This study was dealing directly with residents and their opinions, and didn’t get into the possible issues surrounding the long term ghetto-ization of residents, something that is very much on the minds (and/or tongues) of the vocal opponents of bringing the Tannery Court model into Saint John.

Tannery Court in the snow

While housing can be planned to diversify and integrate neighbourhoods, its cold snowy nights like this when we are reminded that the basic function of creating warm safe shelter is pretty important too.

Tannery Court – December 1, 2009

With a new month starting I thought it time to post a photo update of the Tannery Court development on the corner of Queen and Carmarthen Streets.

Tannery Court meeting

A commentor on my previous post wanted to relive the good times of the Tannery Court public hearings and directed us to this video:

If you visit DangerDav01’s Youtube page, you can see more videos from that meeting.

Tannery Court Progress – November 19, 2009

Tannery Court Progress – November 16, 2009

Tannery Court – October 28, 2009

TJ Letters – Co-op should study the neighbourhood

A letter to the editor from the pastor at Germain Street Baptist Church was published yesterday.  Rev. Dryer is a neighbour concerned about Tannery Court, and the process that has led to its development.

Here’s the letter as printed:

Co-op should study the neighbourhood

There is heavy equipment at the corner of Queen and Carmarthen Streets, the site of Tannery Court Co-operative's newest development.

It has been one year this week since the poorly publicized meeting of the Planning Advisory Committee approved the necessary variances that made such a development possible.

Given its resistance to the strong, articulate and prolonged opposition to the project, it is surprising that the corporation which is developing the site has as one of its core principles "concern for community."

Tannery Court falls under the umbrella of Co-op Atlantic. Its seventh principle states that co-operatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies approved by their members.

If Co-op Atlantic were following its policy relating to concern for community, one would think it would have taken some time to study the character of the neighbourhood in which it planned to develop before presenting its project as a done deal.

One would think it would advertise its intentions to the community, looking for community member input.

One would think it would pay attention to the opinion of experts, such as the Saint John Housing Working Group of BCAPI/Vibrant Communities which supports neither this location nor concept.

Tannery Court Co-operative's inability to see beyond the 50 non-elderly singles it proposes to help should be a concern to anyone who believes in the principles of the co-op movement.

Rev. WAYNE DRYER

Saint John