Toronto building plan to officially preserve, recognize Little Jamaica as Cultural District
- Aug 18, 2025
- 1 min read
Kayla McClean of Global News interviews Romain Baker about BUTO's work to secure a future for Little Jamaica and preserve its rich cultural heritage by designating it a cultural district.
Finally, this is happening! Finally! This is good news … we’ve been waiting a long time for this.
For nearly a decade, the noise of construction from the Eglinton Crosstown light-rail transit (LRT) project has rattled the streets of Toronto’s Little Jamaica from Allen Road to Keele Street.
But these days, there’s a different buzz in the air, one of optimism. What is to come had one woman, standing in front of the iconic Randy’s Patties shop, exclaiming, “Finally, this is happening! Finally! This is good news … we’ve been waiting a long time for this.”
She is referring to a new motion adopted recently by Toronto City Council and moved by the area’s councillor, Josh Matlow to study the neighbourhood to become a Heritage Conservation District — which according to the Ontario Heritage Act — would give the city and province powers to put restrictions on demolition.
It is protection the community has long sought.
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