‘Union Road’ chronicles decline of Hogan’s Alley as soon as thriving Vancouver Black neighbourhood
Within the coronary heart of Vancouver, Union Road, a compelling feature-length documentary by writer-director Jamila Pomeroy, delves into the wealthy historical past and subsequent decline of Hogan’s Alley—a once-thriving Black neighborhood on the fringe of the Strathcona neighborhood. Pomeroy, a Vancouver filmmaker, expresses a private connection to the narrative, stemming from her childhood curiosity in regards to the shortage of Black people within the metropolis and a need for a way of belonging inside a Black neighborhood.
Hogan’s Alley, a three-block stretch, flourished for many years as a vibrant hub for Vancouver’s Black neighborhood. It was dwelling to over 800 Black residents, that includes famend institutions similar to Vie’s Hen and Steak Home, the place Jimi Hendrix’s grandmother labored. The neighborhood’s roots traced again to 1858 when Black Californians had been welcomed to British Columbia, and it gained additional prominence within the Nineteen Twenties as Black porters selected Hogan’s Alley as their dwelling as a consequence of its proximity to the Nice Northern Railway station.
Nonetheless, the Nineteen Seventies marked a turning level as metropolis planning initiatives led to the demise of Hogan’s Alley. Gentrification and concrete renewal, purportedly aimed toward constructing a greater metropolis, resulted within the displacement of the Black neighborhood. The Georgia and Dunsmuir road viaducts, constructed in 1972, erased a lot of the world, coupled with systemic racism denying Black companies licenses, liquor licenses, and primary companies.
Pomeroy underscores the devastating affect of racist metropolis planning, revealing a darkish chapter in Vancouver’s historical past. But, the documentary additionally sheds mild on the continuing efforts to rectify these historic injustices. The Metropolis of Vancouver has acknowledged its previous discriminatory actions and dedicated to addressing historic discrimination and redress efforts with the Black and African diaspora communities.
The Northeast False Creek Plan (NEFC), accepted in 2018, stands as a dedication by town to interchange the viaducts with a brand new road community. The NEFC plan spans roughly 20 years, reflecting a long-term dedication to rectify historic wrongs.
In 2022, the Metropolis of Vancouver reached an settlement with the Hogan’s Alley Society (HAS) to collaborate on housing, public advantages, and facilities for Hogan’s Alley. The settlement consists of creating rental housing, a cultural heart, child-care areas, and areas for small companies.
Union Road not solely serves as a nostalgic reflection on Hogan’s Alley’s previous but additionally highlights a brand new era of “Black Vancouver change-makers” decided to revive the neighborhood to its former glory. Pomeroy showcases a various array of people, together with enterprise house owners, cooks, artists, DJs, and musicians, who’re actively reclaiming area within the metropolis. The documentary encapsulates a strong narrative of resilience, neighborhood, and the continuing wrestle for justice.
