A facility for disabled adults says it's at risk of running out of money in seven to 10 years. Yet its solution, to sell adjacent land for condo development, is drawing the ire of neighbours of Parkway House, in Lincoln Heights.
Some of Parkway's residents, like Treena Guy, have trouble speaking. Yet she and her companions say they want everyone to know they have a voice.
"I live at Parkway House (because) one day I don't want to one day live in a big institution like before," she says.
The Regina Street facility is home to 12 adults with severe disabilities. While it receives money from the government to operate, fundraising efforts have come up short.
"Somewhere between seven to 10 years, we will run out of money, the way things are going," says James McLaren, Parkway House board member.
"If we can get (the condo plan) to work for us, it's going to give residents level of security. The threat of the facility closing in the future will be gone."
Lincoln Heights residents say they do support Parkway House, but it's the condo idea that isn't working for them.
"The idea of putting in a highrise is not going to fly because we are already oversaturated by high rises," says resident Jim Nelson.
Adds Breda Kelly, "I don't think the needs, and this may sound cold, the needs of 12 people should upset the lives of so many others who have bought in here."
Before Parkway House can go ahead with the plan, they will not only have to convince the residents, but the city. Further restricting them is a covenant that restricts the land to institutional use.
To go ahead with the condo towers, the house needs the city to waive that and rezone the land for commercial development.
With a report from CTV Ottawa's Vanessa Lee
