SFU Beedie prof leads the way in revitalization project for a once vibrant Vancouver neighbourhood

SFU Beedie professor June Francis is working with the City of Vancouver, PHS Community Services Society and BC Housing to help bring a temporary housing project with culturally relevant programming to a once vibrant neighbourhood in Vancouver.

Hogan’s Alley Society, an initiative co-chaired by SFU Beedie professor June Francis, is working with the City of Vancouver, PHS Community Services Society and B.C. Housing to help bring a temporary housing project with culturally relevant programming to a once vibrant neighbourhood in Vancouver.

For decades starting in the 1920’s, in what was then known as Hogan’s Alley, centered between Prior and Union and Main and Jackson, was a cultural hub for Vancouver’s Black community. This was until the neighbourhood’s buildings were torn down in the late 1960’s to build an interurban freeway. This project was later dropped, but not until after the construction of the Georgia Street viaduct.

Today, as the city moves ahead with plans to tear down the Georgia Street viaduct and redevelop the Northeast False Creek area, Francis is helping Vancouver’s Black community play an important part of the revitalization process.

“Temporary modular housing on the Hogan’s Alley block is the first important step in our alignment with the Northeast False Creek Plan, which aims to help will redress the past displacement of Black citizens in this neighbourhood,” says June Francis.

“Futures steps include the city’s commitment to exploring, with us, the establishment of a land trusts, long-term leases and the establishment of an African Canadian cultural centre.”

To learn more, read the full story on the CBC website.