SHOWCASING 2 REVITALIZATION UN World Pavilion at PLANNING A COMPLETE 4 COMMUNITY Keele-St. Clair Local Area Study

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2020

Vol. 24 No. 46

GEORGE STREET REVITALIZATION TO TRANSFORM SEATON HOUSE NEIGHBOURHOOD A CATALYST FOR CHANGE

Marc Mitanis

he City of is and a community service hub In June 2018, city council Garden District Residents moving ahead with a program. approved a 12-month action Association (GDRA) former T dramatic development Toronto’s Downtown East plan to coordinate city president Nicholas Culverwell that will transform the 581-bed 2023 Action Plan names the services and programs to said the George Street Seaton House men’s shelter into George Street Revitalization address long-term community Revitalization project is the a new shared social services project as a critical component needs in the Downtown East CONTINUED PAGE 8 facility, which the city says will of the city’s efforts to neighbourhood. The five-year be a catalyst for a safer and more reinvigorate the area and to Downtown East 2023 Action Rendering depicting the proposed vibrant community in the heart make downtown east a safer, Plan was launched on the streetscape design for the George of the city’s historic Garden more vibrant and inclusive success of the June 2018-June Street Revitalization project, which will replace the existing Seaton District. community. “The revitalization 2019 12-month plan, extending House men’s shelter with an A Request for Qualification of George Street will change specific programs and services integrated social services hub. The (RFQ) was issued for the the context of service provision like enhanced street cleaning, project and the renewed streetscape are key components of the Downtown project by the City of Toronto in the Downtown East and enhanced resources for parks East 2023 Action Plan, which and Infrastructure in create opportunities to address and public health staff, and contains a number of public realm early November. The George ongoing service gaps in the crisis de-escalation, suicide and community initiatives the city Street Revitalization project area,” City of Toronto senior prevention, and mental health says will result in a safer and more vibrant community. will consist of approximately communications coordinator support training for city and SOURCE: BROOK MCILROY 622,000 square feet of new Lyne Kyle told NRU. community agency staff. ARCHITECT: BROOK MCILROY construction, restored heritage buildings, and streetscape improvements. The development will include an emergency shelter program with 100 beds for men experiencing homelessness, a 378-bed long-term care home, a 130-bed transitional living program for homeless individuals requiring intensive health care and substance abuse support, 21 units of affordable housing, UN WORLD URBAN PAVILION AT REGENT PARK UPCOMING DATES

NOVEMBER 23 Budget Committee, 9:30 a.m., SHOWCASING REVITALIZATION (video conference)

25-26 Council, 9:30 a.m., (video conference) Rob Jowett 26 Design Review Panel, time TBC, (video conference) he United Nations as well as virtually. And the idea condominium units. The 30 General Government & Licensing Committee, 9:30 is creating a space to is it’ll be a centre where best project, which began in 2005, a.m., (video conference) T showcase the Regent Park practices and lessons learned is occurring in five phases to Toronto Preservation Board, revitalization and share its [around] building sustainable, minimize impacts on existing 9:30 a.m., (video conference) innovative approach to low- resilient cities will be projected residents and is expected to be DECEMBER income community revitalization both locally and internationally,” completed between 2025 and 1 Infrastructure & Environment Committee, 9:30 a.m. (video on a global stage. Daniels social impact vice- 2030. The project is currently in conference) UN-Habitat is partnering president Heela Omarkhail told phase three, which is expected to 2 Toronto & with the Urban Economy Forum NRU. “There are so many lessons be completed in 2023. Community Council, 9:30 a.m. (video conference) (UEF), the Daniels Corporation, from Regent Park, but also “The vision for the Canada Mortgage and Housing from Toronto [and] in Canada Regent Park World Urban 3 Community Council, 9:30 a.m. (video Corporation (CMHC), and around sustainable development, Pavilion by UN Habitat is to conference) the City of Toronto to create Canadian urbanism [and] shine a spotlight on the best 4 Budget Committee, 9:30 a.m. the Regent Park World Urban affordable housing, that can be examples of urban development (video conference) Pavilion, an approximately shared with different cities and and the positive impact safe, York Community Council, 9:30 a.m. (video 370-square metre physical academics and governments inclusive cities can have on conference) space and an associated virtual around the world. And at the the lives of the people who live CreateTO, 9:30 a.m. (video space that will showcase the same time, locally and nationally, there,” CMHC media relations conference) Toronto Community Housing we’ll be able to benefit from senior officerAngelina Ritacco 7 Economic & Community Development Committee, 9:30 Corporation’s innovative learning what else is happening told NRU. CMHC is contributing a.m. (video conference) revitalization of Regent Park. The around the world.” $1-million for construction of 8 Planning & Housing pavilion will be located on the Regent Park is undergoing the pavilion and an additional Committee, 9:30 a.m. (video second floor of Daniels’ DuEast a revitalization to transform $1.25-million over five years for conference) condominium complex at 660 the housing cooperative into a programming costs. 9 Scarborough Community Council, 9:30 a.m. (video , where Daniels is mixed-use and mixed-income “We view housing as key conference) building 29 and 11-storey towers community while providing to the economic prosperity, 10 Executive Committee, 9:30 containing 434 condominium new affordable housing units to sustainability and social inclusion a.m. (video conference) units and 2,571.6-square metres replace the existing ones, which of our cities,” says Ritacco. Design Review Panel, time TBC, (video conference) of commercial space. The are aging and have fallen into “Housing is as much a part of development is expected to be disrepair. In total, the revitalized a city’s critical infrastructure as 14 Board of Health, 9:30 a.m. (video conference) completed in early 2021. Regent Park will include 2,083 roads, public transit, health care “The world urban pavilion replacement rent-geared-to- and power facilities. CMHC has will essentially be a knowledge income units, 399 new affordable an ambitious aspiration—that by

exchange hub, both physically rental units, and 5,400 market CONTINUED PAGE 3

NRU PUBLISHING STAFF NRU PUBLISHING INC

Ian A.R. Graham, Publisher Rob Jowett, Reporter Jeff Payette SALES/SUBSCRIPTIONS Novæ Res Urbis Toronto Corporate Office Billings Department [email protected] [email protected] Design/Layout is published 50 times a Ext. 222 Ext. 226 [email protected] [email protected] 1200 , Suite 1101 NRU Publishing Inc. year and is not to be Ext. 228 Toronto, ON M5R 2A5 PO Box 19595 Manulife PO, Irena Kohn, Editor Peter Pantalone Annual subscription rate is redistributed without the Tel: 416.260.1304 Toronto, ON M4W 3T9 [email protected] Planning Researcher Samantha Lum $409 +HST (ON). written consent of the Fax: 416.979.2707 Ext. 223 [email protected] Sales and Circulation Complimentary trial publisher. ISSN 1918-7548 [email protected] Marc Mitanis, Senior Reporter subscriptions are available. Ext. 224 [email protected] Ext. 225 Advertising rates available upon request. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2020 NOVÆ RES URBIS TORONTO 2 told NRU that the United Toronto and Canada as a global Nations is looking to showcase hub for urban economy and SHOWCASING the Regent Park revitalization sustainable resources. The as a part of its 2030 Sustainable Pavilion is drawing attention REVITALIZATION Development Goal 11: to make to the innovations that are cities inclusive, sustainable, occurring here in Toronto

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2 resilient, and safe. He says the and Canada to share the UN World Urban Pavilion challenges, opportunities and 2030, everyone in Canada has a From what I’ve seen, with is meant to bring together lessons learned with other cities home that they can afford and Regent Park, they’ve actually governments, city leaders, globally.” that meets their needs.” built physical spaces, they’ve academic institutions, non- Omarkhail says there will The redevelopment of actually built housing that that profit organizations, the private be several ways the pavilion Regent Park is an innovative reflects that.” sector, and the general public could be used to showcase approach that cities around Ragan says a major to discover new thoughts and Regent Park, such as for the world can learn from, UN- innovation in the Regent Park ideas around how to undertake rotating exhibitions, debates, or Habitat children and youth revitalization is the creation of revitalization projects a speaker series. She adds that specialist Doug Ragan told a social development master specifically, and sustainability much of the early programming NRU. He says that revitalizing plan. The social development and inclusive development will be virtual due to the low-income areas can be plan contains 53 actions more generally. UEF will COVID-19 pandemic. challenging due to factors such developed by residents that manage most of the day-to-day “The pavilion will be a very as high crime rates and lack of are intended to bring together programming of the pavilion. flexible space,” says Omarkhail. access to services, and that the new and existing residents to “Through the Pavilion, UEF “It’ll [offer] the opportunity Regent Park experience can create a feeling of community is able to create an interactive to host events and design demonstrate how to engage and social inclusion. Ragan involvement in revitalization charrettes. It might have some residents in a revitalization says this is a unique approach projects, such as Regent Park rotating exhibitions, depending project to address some of that will greatly improve the and other similar projects on what it’s showcasing at a these issues and make the social conditions at Regent in Toronto, to introduce the given time.” community more livable for all. Park and will create a sense of potential and [the]challenges The UN World Urban He adds that he managed the community between new and of urban regeneration,” says Pavilion at Regent Park is Environmental Youth Alliance existing residents. Pourvaziry. “UEF and the expected to open in the spring in Vancouver’s downtown east UEF chair Reza Pourvaziry Pavilion also will establish of 2021. side for 17 years and witnessed

many attempts at similar Renderings of the UN World Urban revitalization projects that were Pavilion at Regent Park. The “well-meaning failures”. Pavilion will be a physical and virtual knowledge exchange hub meant to “The other [major challenge] showcase the Regent Park revitaliza- is the mixed income and the tion on a global stage.

ability to create mixed-income SOURCE: THE DANIELS CORPORATION spaces, and houses and housing and communities. And this is not an easy thing to do,” says Ragan. “There’s a lot of barriers to that just people … the better off not wanting to live with poor people, and so on. I think there are a lot of [those] cultural barriers. But as well, it’s just trying to find a ‘secret sauce’ into how to create the spaces…

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2020 NOVÆ RES URBIS TORONTO 3 TRANSIT INVESTMENT SPURS KEELE-ST. CLAIR LOCAL AREA STUDY PLANNING A COMPLETE COMMUNITY

Marc Mitanis

planned GO/Smart from Union Station via the transportation grid. Planned connect to Union Street. Track station near Keele GO Kitchener line, a number alterations include the widening “There’s a lot of change and A Street and St. Clair of other transportation and of St. Clair Avenue West from public infrastructure investment Avenue West, approved local infrastructure improvements to Old Weston in the area,” Ward 9 Davenport infrastructure enhancements, are coming to the Road, an extension of Gunns councillor Ana Bailão told and a Growth Plan (2019) neighbourhood. Road from to NRU. “With that, I think there’s conformity exercise have Completed by the city Union Street, an extension an opportunity to create a prompted City of Toronto in August 2019, the St. Clair of Keele Street south to the vision for what the community staff to begin a local area study Avenue West Transportation Gunns Road extension, and an will look like.” to unlock lands and enable Master Plan includes extension of In October 2019, the the creation of a complete significant changes to the area’s northwest over St. Clair to CONTINUED PAGE 5 community in the area. A public consultation Clockwise from top: Map showing proposed planning framework for held on November 18 invited Map showing the boundar- transportation and infra- the neighbourhood. members of the Keele-St. Clair ies of the Keele-St. Clair structure improvements SOURCE: CITY OF TORONTO community to learn more Local Area Study. City included in the St. Clair staff are developing a Avenue West Area Trans- Graph showing the process about the study and to provide planning framework for the portation Master Plan, and timeline of the Keele- feedback to city staff. The area to create a complete which was completed St. Clair Local Area Study. local area study will result in community in the wake in 2019. Improvements Currently in the consulta- of transportation and include the widening of a planning framework being tion phase, the study will infrastructure improve- St. Clair Avenue West ultimately produce a site proposed to city council that ments approved through and extensions of Gunns and area specific policy will likely consist of an official the St. Clair Avenue West Road, Keele Street and (SASP), land use designa- Davenport Road. Together plan amendment with a site Area Transportation Master tion changes, and a parks Plan. The lands are located with the proposed St. and public realm strategy and area specific policy, land in close proximity to the Clair-Old Weston for the area. SmartTrack Station, the use designation changes, and a proposed GO/Smart Track SOURCE: CITY OF TORONTO parks and public realm strategy. station near the intersec- planned transporta- tion of Keele Street and St. tion investments have “We are creating a planning Clair Avenue West. catalyzed a local area framework for a complete SOURCE: CITY OF TORONTO study that will produce a community: somewhere we can live, work, and play,” said city of Toronto senior planner Steven Dixon at the November 18 community consultation. “We’re looking at the existing area and the local characteristics and experiences to see how we can improve them.” In addition to the proposed GO/Smart Track station, which will provide service to and

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2020 NOVÆ RES URBIS TORONTO 4 province limits to PMTSAs recalls the southwest corner of A COMPLETE and areas where a development Keele and St. Clair as the former permit system by-law is in place location of the Stockyards, [See Accommodating Affordable once the epicentre of Ontario’s COMMUNITY Housing, NRU Toronto, meat packing industry. While September 25, 2020.] some slaughterhouses and CONTINUED FROM PAGE 4 The need to accommodate meatpacking facilities remain, planning and housing The Growth Plan also affordable and diverse housing the massive Canada Packers committee voted to prioritize requires the city to delineate the types in the area was among plant has now been succeeded the local area study of the Keele- boundaries for over 180 Major several themes that emerged at by a collection of big-box stores. St. Clair neighbourhood as part Transit Station Areas (MTSAs), a previous public information Nunziata told NRU that the of a Growth Plan conformity defined in the Growth Plan as session in October, themes community is changing, and exercise and Municipal areas within an approximate largely echoed at the November a new planning framework is Comprehensive Review (MCR). 500 to 800-metre radius of a 18 consultation, which further something she and councillor Following the province’s release transit station. The Keele-St. elaborated on desires to Bailão have been pushing for. of a new Growth Plan in May Clair area has been identified as prioritize community green “It’s really important to 2019, Ontario municipalities a potential MTSA by city staff, space, to optimize public revitalize the area,” Nunziata have been given until July 1, and under that designation infrastructure and to address told NRU. “We have a number 2022 to undertake a Growth would be required under transportation congestion, and of buildings that have been Plan conformity exercise and the Growth Plan to achieve to attract new jobs to begin vacant for 20 or 30 years. We MCR to align their official plans minimum density targets of 150 shifting away from the area’s have vacant land, and we still with the policies and objectives residents and jobs per hectare. industrial roots. have slaughterhouses.” of the provincial Growth Plan. The Keele-St. Clair Local Area “What we’ve heard is we Nunziata said residents “The MCR is something that Study will be used to inform need to assess the social and frequently ask when the falls from the province that the delineation and density community infrastructure of slaughterhouses and a series of we are required to do every calculations for the MTSA. the area,” Bailão told NRU. auto body shops along St. Clair so often, typically every five “All the MTSA delineations “Affordability is an issue in Avenue will be removed. “You years, where we look at all are being done as part of the the city. Very often, I have can’t get rid of them, but once the employment lands across Growth Plan conformity people in my neighbourhood they leave, you can rezone the the city,” said Dixon at the exercise, and that work will saying ‘I wouldn’t be able to land,” Nunziata told NRU. November 18 community likely be done separately [from] afford my own home and my The public consultation consultation. “But we also have the Keele-St. Clair Local Area kids can’t afford to live in this phase of the Keele-St. Clair to look at the Growth Plan to Study,” Dixon told NRU. “The neighbourhood’,” Bailão said. Local Area Study is expected make sure our official plan Keele-St. Clair Local Area Study Bailão added that to wrap up in December, conforms to and aligns with the is effectively an input into the accommodating different levels with completion of the study Growth Plan.” MTSA work.” of affordability and a range targeted for the first quarter of The MCR can either take The Keele-St. Clair area of new job opportunities will 2021. Dixon told NRU that the the form of a new official plan could also be designated as create socially cohesive and completion date for the study or a city-initiated official plan a Protected Major Transit healthy communities. “This could be delayed depending amendment. The conformity Station Area (PMTSA). A is an opportunity to create a on the extent of the planning exercise and MCR provide PMTSA designation requires complete community. How can framework required, which the city with an opportunity the development of a detailed we make sure we have jobs, will be shaped by community to address major municipal planning framework indicating residential uses of different consultations in the coming challenges, including local permitted land uses and tenures, and spaces where weeks. housing affordability, mobility minimum building densities people can enjoy themselves?” through neighbourhoods, local for the area. Designation would Bailão told NRU. public health challenges, and open the door to inclusionary Ward 5 York South-Weston resiliency to climate change. zoning policies, which the councillor Frances Nunziata

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2020 NOVÆ RES URBIS TORONTO 5 ST. JAMES TOWN OASIS FOOD HUB ADDRESSING FOOD INSECURITY

Rob Jowett

he City of Toronto is senior communications “The OASIS project is a could generate 200,000 heads considering investing in coordinator Natasha Hinds- community organization that’s of leafy greens, 7.7 tonnes of T local food production Fitzsimmons told NRU. “The driven to create and produce fish biomass, 7,212 kilograms to support a mixed-income rising cost of food also has a food on site through several of specialty mushrooms, neighbourhood where residents disproportionate impact on means,” Ward 13 Toronto 4,263-kilograms of tomatoes are often underserved by residents who already face food Centre councillor Kristyn and 862-kilograms of lettuce in existing food purchasing insecurity. All of these factors Wong-Tam told NRU. “You a rooftop farm, while diverting options. However, there is suggest a targeted approach can basically create an urban 485 tonnes of organic waste concern from community is needed to combat food farming project that will allow from landfills annually. advocates that the city’s insecurity in a community the harvest of that product to “[That’s] looking at the approach cuts out the residents that already faces heightened feed the community locally.” minimum space that we would who first conceived of the vulnerability to external shocks Food would be produced need to be able to run our project. and emergencies.” within the hub through facilities in a way where it could At its meeting November The report being presented aquaponics—growing be at a level where it could be 25-26, council will consider to council recommends staff produce such as leafy greens self-sustaining, so beyond just a a feasibility assessment for a be directed to determine the or mushrooms in water—and shipping container, aquaponics, food hub in St. James Town. approvals necessary to allow fish farming in aquaria. The [or other] project site that The Organic Agro-ecological and fund the hub, including food production facilities just needs way more money Sustainable Integrated System determining the rezoning would be located in shipping than it’s able to produce in (OASIS) hub would allow for necessary to allow food containers, in dedicated spaces food,” says Cohen. “St. James food to be grown locally to production uses in residential within the TCHC buildings, Town also has a very unique combat food desert effects in buildings. The findings of and on rooftop gardens. St. opportunity when it comes the community and to serve that study are expected to be James Town Community to creating a self-sustaining as a model for urban food presented to the economic Cooperative content curator food hub in that there are two production. Just two grocery and community development Roxanne Cohen told NRU that high-income neighbourhoods stores serve the community of committee in 2021. a technical study conducted [bordering] it—Rosedale and over 26,000 people, which does The hub was first conceived by the co-op shows that based Cabbagetown… a certain per not provide enough grocery by the St. James Town on space currently available in cent can be sold at a higher options for all of St. James Community Cooperative but the neighbourhood, the hub CONTINUED PAGE 7 Town, especially its lower- city staff are recommending income residents. it be operated by the Toronto “St. James Town’s high Community Housing The OASIS project is a community organization population density and Corporation (TCHC). The that’s driven to create and produce food on prevalence of low-income hub would be hosted within a site through several means. You can basically and food insecure households TCHC building. There are four create an urban farming project that will present notable challenges TCHC buildings in St. James in securing affordable, Town, located at 275, 325, and allow the harvest of that product to feed the accessible and culturally- 375 Bleecker Street, and at 200 community locally. appropriate foods for its Wellesley Street East, which are - Kristyn Wong-Tam diverse community,” Toronto proposed to host the hub.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2020 NOVÆ RES URBIS TORONTO 6 a housing corporation, has no economic and community ADDRESSING experience in food production. development committee She says the city is co-opting meeting on November 12 on and making unnecessary behalf of Wong-Tam, who does FOOD INSECURITY changes to the proposed project not sit on the committee, to

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6 that the cooperative is not in require the city to work with all favour of and is not striving neighbourhood stakeholders, rate, at a higher price to our with that because education to work meaningfully with including the cooperative. neighbours, and therefore and pairing with universities the group. She adds that the “There wasn’t a real record allow for lower price ranges to and local schools is a big part of city’s feasibility study is greatly of their proposal anywhere on be offered to St. James town our model as well. And then by slowing down the early phases the agendas of city council,” residents.” phase two, that’s when we get to of the project at a time when says Wong-Tam. “Even though The project is being growing—where we are looking the food hub is most needed— they had a proposal that advanced in phases. Phases at aquaponics as a key system in the midst of the COVID-19 they were talking about, and 0.5 and one, which consist of that we can grow food.” pandemic. perhaps shopping to different preparing for the food hub In phase two, the hub would “We don’t have any of individuals, including elected and developing programming expand into an underground our own space—dedicated officials… none of them respectively, are currently aquaponics farm and indoor space—other than my home had taken it to a level where occurring simultaneously. mushroom farm, which or wherever we can [operate it actually got government These phases include using are proposed to be in an any part of this hub],” says approval and government shipping containers located underground space and pool at Grey. “We could have had this support and government at one of the TCHC buildings 325 Bleecker Street, and would shipping container… there’s financing. So, it was a little for food production spaces, cost an estimated $2.1-million. no reason to hold that up in perplexing to me how they organizing a bulk food buying Phase three involves further order to have this broader could be pitching this idea club to source food from retrofitting that underground conversation [the feasibility for seven or eight years… and local farms to provide for the Bleecker Street space for study]. So we are asking the somehow it didn’t land on any residents immediately, finding bio-digestion and compost [economic and community public agenda.” a food storage and distribution production, and would cost an development] committee [to] Grey says the cooperative space, and establishing a estimated $1-million. In phase encourage the implementation will continue looking to commercial kitchen. City staff four, rooftop and at-grade of the food depot, which is maintain as much operational estimate it would cost $644,000 gardens would be built, as well really a pandemic-appropriate control of the project as to complete these initial phases. as a permanent retail space, all strategy.” possible, though their ultimate “That [phase] would look of which is estimated to cost Wong-Tam says that while goal remains providing like a shipping container $2.5-million and could take five she recognizes the group’s affordable and good-quality kitchen with storage space years. frustrations, the cooperative food to the community. where we could amp up our St. James Town Community does not have the finances or food buying club and do a lot Cooperative OASIS food hub the capacity to run the hub of food entrepreneurship and project founding director by itself, and that the city has support that within the kitchen Josephine Grey told NRU to follow its own rules, such space. So processing [or] that the organization has been as planning laws and contract dehydrating [food], being able advocating for the food hub sourcing. She says city staff to share emergency meals with for several years, to no avail, first became aware of the families, do more nutrition and while they are glad to see project in 2019 and had no education, have a little rooftop the project finally be advanced prior knowledge of the group’s little garden and kind of build by the city, they are concerned proposals. Nevertheless, up [slowly],” says Cohen. “[We about the city’s approach, Ward 10 Spadina-Fort would have to have] some office especially in recommending York councillor Joe Cressy and workshop space to go along it be led by TCHC, which, as introduced a motion at the

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2020 NOVÆ RES URBIS TORONTO 7 range of housing, integrated as a whole,” Culverwell said, A CATALYST and specialized programs and is the 378-bed long-term care services to meet the unique and facility. “A lot of the folks that FOR CHANGE complex needs of homeless, might be in this social services vulnerable and elderly system for an extended period

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 individuals in the community.” of time are actually aging to the Member of Provincial point where they require long- centrepiece of the action plan. function of the residents of Parliament for Toronto-Centre term care, as opposed to just a “The one concrete anchor at the Seaton House, it’s the criminal Suze Morrison told NRU place to sleep in and get a meal,” centre of the whole thing seems element that preys on the the area is in great need of Culverwell told NRU. to be the redevelopment of residents of Seaton House,” supportive and shelter housing The George Street Seaton House and north George Culverwell told NRU. and the wraparound services Revitalization project will also Street.” Kyle told NRU the physical that entails. “I’m really excited include an enhanced streetscape Culverwell told NRU that design of the new facilities to see this project progress, and that recognizes the historic Seaton House, the largest and the way services are I think it’s really commendable Indigenous presence in the area. homeless shelter in the city, delivered will create a more of the City of Toronto and my The streetscape will incorporate is inadequate, and was never welcoming, safe, and vibrant colleagues at city council to Indigenous narratives through designed to accommodate the neighbourhood. “The vision advocate and push this forward the use of natural materials current volume of clientele. for [the project] is to create because we know how badly like wood and stone, medicinal “Despite the fact it’s labelled a centre of excellence that needed shelter spaces and plantings, and patterned paving. as an emergency shelter, the promotes new approaches to supportive housing spaces are “In addition to providing vast majority of people just live integrated service delivery in our community.” Morrison for mobility, the proposed there,” Culverwell told NRU. and exemplifies innovative said. streetscape is being designed “They have nowhere else to go. partnerships and research,” said One of the most to transform the character Seaton House was at the bottom Kyle in an emailed statement encouraging aspects of the of the existing roadway by of the social services ladder. The to NRU. “George Street will be redevelopment and a “net reimagining it as an extension place of last resort to send you transformed with a dynamic positive for the neighbourhood of [local] healing facilities was Seaton House.” to create a greater sense of Before city council approved belonging for all residents in the redevelopment project the historic Garden District and in principle in July 2013, the [to] serve as a catalyst for safe GDRA and members of the and vibrant community in the community had informal Downtown East area,” Kyle told discussions with the local NRU. councillor to express concern Seaton House is the largest about the deteriorating and one of the oldest shelters condition of the street, the for homeless men in the City frequency of police calls CONTINUED PAGE 9 for public safety issues, and rampant public drug dealing. Map showing the location of the 581-bed Seaton House, Culverwell said that during Toronto’s largest homeless shelter serving men, and other public consultations that significant buildings along George Street in . In early November, the City of Toronto and Infra- followed, it became apparent structure Ontario issued a Request for Qualification for the that the facility itself was the George Street Revitalization project. The development will issue. “The police would agree transform the northernmost block of George Street into a social services hub including a 378-bed long-term care, a that the issue as far as public 100-bed emergency shelter, a 130-bed transitional living safety and vandalism on north service, and 21 affordable housing units.

George is not primarily a SOURCE: CITY OF TORONTO

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2020 NOVÆ RES URBIS TORONTO 8 The George Street experience and the financial A CATALYST Revitalization will be delivered capacity to undertake the through Infrastructure Ontario’s development of the project. FOR CHANGE design, build and finance The city and Infrastructure public-private partnership Ontario will establish a shortlist

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 8 model, which transfers risks of project teams brought to associated with project design, their attention by the RFQ, who of Toronto. It is expected to sites, the construction, and financing to will be invited to respond to a be fully decommissioned by Residence at 3306 Kingston the private sector. The RFQ will Request for Proposals, which July 2022. The Seaton House Road and Junction Place at 731 identify project teams that have is anticipated to be issued in Transition Plan will ensure Runnymede Road, are already the design and construction spring 2021. existing clients are relocated operational. A third site at 705 to new program spaces and Progress Avenue is targeted for housing units. Two transition opening in early 2021.

Rendering portraying the George Street Rendering portraying the George Street Revitalization project, which would trans- Revitalization project. In early November, form the existing Seaton House men’s the City of Toronto and Infrastructure shelter into a social services hub with a Ontario issued a Request for Qualification The City of Toronto holds public consultations as one long-term care home, transitional living for the project, which would transform way to engage residents in the life of their city. facility, an emergency shelter, affordable the existing Seaton House men’s shelter housing, and community space. The City into an integrated social services hub. Toronto thrives on your great ideas and actions. We of Toronto and Infrastructure Ontario The project will result in approximately invite you to get involved. issued a Request for Qualification for the 622,000 square feet of new construction project in early November. and multiple restored heritage buildings.

SOURCE: MONTGOMERY SISAM AND HILDITCH ARCHITECT SOURCE: MONTGOMERY SISAM AND HILDITCH ARCHITECT New Employment Areas ARCHITECT: MONTGOMERY SISAM AND HILDITCH ARCHITECT ARCHITECT: MONTGOMERY SISAM AND HILDITCH ARCHITECT Conversion Request User Fee

On June 29, 2020, City Council directed City Planning to review options on introducing a fee associated with reviewing written requests to convert lands designated Core Employment Areas or General Employment Areas. City staff are now prepared to recommend a new Employment Areas Conversion Request User Fee to recover anticipated processing costs. This matter is planned to be considered by Planning and Housing Committee on December 8, 2020 and City Council on December 16 and 17, 2020. To find out more, visit toronto.ca/opreview

We would like to hear from you. To comment contact: Christina Heydorn, Senior Planner SIPA, City Planning, City of Toronto 55 ,Toronto, ON M5V 3C6 Tel: 416-397-5616 E-mail: [email protected]

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2020 NOVÆ RES URBIS TORONTO 9 STANDING COMMITTEE AGENDAS

TORONTO PRESERVATION 100 Simcoe Street—Report Spadina Gardens, constructed in building constructed in 1923 BOARD recommends council state 1905-6 to the design of architect that incorporates elements of the its intention to designate Arthur Richard Denison. British-inspired Cottage style. Toronto Preservation Board the property under Part IV will consider the following at its of the Ontario Heritage Act. 96-98 Superior Avenue & 214 Queens 188, 190, 200, 209, 210, 211, 212 & 221 meeting Monday, November 30 The property contains a Avenue—Report recommends Berkeley Street and 210 Ontario Street— at 9:30 a.m. via videoconference. modified, early-20th century council include the properties Report recommends council industrial complex originally on the Heritage Register and include the nine properties on 55 East— occupied by Rolph and Clark state its intention to designate the city’s Heritage Register. The Report recommends council Limited lithographers, graphic the property at 98 Superior properties were located within state its intention to designate designers, and stationery Avenue under Part IV of the the South Cabbagetown Heritage the property under Part IV manufacturers. Ontario Heritage Act. The three Conservation District (HCD) of the Ontario Heritage Act. properties contain a “fine, study area but the final iteration The property contains the 41 Spadina Road—Report unique collection of early-20th of the HCD did not include the former Liquor Control Board recommends council state its century stone cottages” in properties. of Ontario headquarters, intention to designate the property the area. The report constructed in 1954 to the under Part IV of the Ontario indicates that the property at Toronto Heritage Register update— design of architects Mathers & Heritage Act. The property contains 98 Superior has design value The Preservation Board will Haldenby. an apartment building known as as a well-designed house-form CONTINUED PAGE 11

southeast corner of DRIVE TO 5 MIN HIGHWAY 404

DRIVE TO McNicoll Ave & HIGHWAY 407 China City Shopping Mall 5 MIN (Anticipated Completion 2020) DRIVE TO Milliken Blvd 10 MIN HIGHWAY 401 Toronto, ON

CBRE’s Land Services Group is pleased to offer for sale ±6.476 acres located at the southeast corner of McNicoll Avenue and Milliken Boulevard in the City of Toronto. The site benefits from its heavy industrial MIDLAND AVE zoning, allowing for a wide range of employment MILLIKEN uses with open storage permitted. With frontages in excess of 560 and 510 feet along McNicoll Ave. and Milliken Blvd. respectively, the site boasts outstanding TTC McNicoll Bus Garage exposure and accessibility.

The site is located within the sought after Milliken Neighbourhood of Scarborough, which is home to major employers, big box retailers, restaurants, and an abundance of amenities and services. This offering provides a rare opportunity for developers, investors, and users alike to acquire a prime heavy industrial RAIL CORRIDOR asset within a highly desirable employment node of Toronto. MCNICOLL AVE MILLIKEN BLVD PROPERTY Summary

PIN 060190145 Total Size 6.476 ac. KENNEDY RD 563 ft. (McNicoll Ave.) & Frontage 514 ft. (Milliken Blvd.) Official Plan Core Employment Area Employment Heavy Zoning Industrial (EH 0.5) OFFERS DUE: TH Existing Conditions Vacant and Unimproved TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8 , 2020 BY 4:00 PM (EST) 6.5 ACRES OF HEAVY INDUSTRIAL LAND WITH OPEN STORAGE PERMITTED

Mike Czestochowski** Lauren White* Emelie Rowe* Evan Stewart Executive Vice President Senior Vice President Planner Sales Representative T +1 416 495 6257 T +1 416 495 6223 T +1 416 495 6306 T +1 416 495 6205 VIEW BROCHURE & CA [email protected] WITHIN NORTH [email protected] [email protected] PLAN AREA [email protected]

www.cbre.ca/mclsg CBRE Limited, Real Estate Brokerage 2020 · Land Services Group · [email protected] *Sales Representative **Broker | All outlines approximate

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2020 NOVÆ RES URBIS TORONTO 10 council include 215 properties Hill Village Urban Design within the West Queen West Guidelines study as having STANDING and Parkdale area on the potential heritage value. city’s Heritage Register. The properties were identified King-Parliament area properties— COMMITTEE through the Report recommends council West Planning Study as having include 257 properties on the AGENDAS potential heritage value. city’s Heritage Register. The properties were identified properties CONTINUED FROM PAGE 10 — through the King-Parliament Report recommends council Secondary Plan review process be given an update on City West and include 39 properties on the as having potential heritage Planning’s refined approach to on the city’s Heritage Register. city’s Heritage Register. The value. the listing of multiple properties The properties were identified as properties were identified that merit inclusion on the having potential heritage value through the Ossington Avenue Danforth-Dawes properties— Heritage Register by Heritage through the Dundas Street West Planning Study as having Report recommends council Preservation Services senior and Roncesvalles Avenue Built potential heritage value. include 167 properties on the manager Mary MacDonald. Form Study, which ultimately city’s Heritage Register. The culminated in the adoption of Forest Hill properties—Report properties were identified Dundas West and Roncesvalles Official Plan Amendment 421. recommends council include 16 through the properties—Report recommends properties on the city’s Heritage Planning Study as having council include 162 properties West Queen West and Parkdale Main Register. The properties were potential heritage value. in the area of Dundas Street Street—Report recommends identified through the Forest

265 CATHERINE STREET, OTTAWA MIXED-USE FULLY ENTITLED CENTRETOWN DEVELOPMENT

• Entire city block | Lot area: 2.55 acres • Advanced approval status for GFA of 429,000 sf, 458 residential units • Rezoning opportunity for additional density • Central location with excellent access to Highway 417, all Centretown amenities and DEVELOPMENT CONCEPT Ottawa’s most desirable attractions CLICK FOR BROCHURE CLICK FOR CA

CONTACT: TORONTO ADVISORS OTTAWA ADVISORS CRAIG SMITH** STUART SYLVESTER* NATHAN SMITH** SCOTT BROOKER* Executive Vice President Senior Associate Executive Vice President Associate Vice President 416 359 2360 416 359 2471 613 780 1577 613 780 1582 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

©2020 CUSHMAN & WAKEFIELD ULC, BROKERAGE NO WARRANTY OR REPRESENTATION, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IS MADE TO THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN, AND SAME IS SUBMITTED SUBJECT TO ERRORS, OMISSIONS, CHANGE OF PRICE, RENTAL OR OTHER CONDITIONS, WITHDRAWAL WITHOUT NOTICE, AND TO ANY SPECIAL LISTING CONDITIONS IMPOSED BY THE PROPERTY OWNER(S). AS APPLICABLE, WE MAKE NO REPRESENTATION AS TO THE CONDITION OF THE PROPERTY (OR PROPERTIES) IN QUESTION. SALES REPRESENTATIVE* BROKER**

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2020 NOVÆ RES URBIS TORONTO 11 TORONTO DESIGN REVIEW PANEL AGENDA

The panel will consider the following of CreateTO’s HousingNow as well as mcCallum Sather Fukushima Architecture matters at its meeting Thursday, project. Presentations will be Architects architect Adam principal Ken Fukushima. November 26 at 1:20 p.m. in a made by Toronto strategic McCaughan and Ken virtual meeting hosted on Webex. initiatives, policy, and analysis project manager Annely 1:20 P.M. Clockwise from top right: Erratum Zonena, planner Thomas Rees, Map showing the site of CreateTO’s The November 13 story Scarbor- Planning and senior urban designer Housing Now project at 405 Sher- ough Junction Triangle should have bourne Street. Framework Study—Panel will Myron Boyko, as well as stated that the proposal from Republic SOURCE: SOURCE: CITY OF TORONTO undertake its first review of members of the design team. Developments and Harlo Capital contains 5,818 condominium units and the City of Toronto’s planning Rendering of the proposed Toronto 4:10 P.M. Public Library Centennial branch at 801 rental apartment units, not 5818 study. Presentations will be 578 West. condominium units, 309 rental apart- made by Toronto planner SOURCE: SOURCE: CITY OF TORONTO ment units. As well, sites B and C are 578 Finch Avenue West—Panel ARCHITECT: MCCALLUM SATHER ARCHITECTS / KEN FUKISHIMA Rory McNeil and senior urban owned and will be developed by other will undertake its first review of ARCHITECTURE designer Allison Reid, as well landowners but Republic Developments the ’s as members of the design team. Map showing the area of the Mount and Harlo Capital included them in Dennis Planning Framework study Centennial Branch project. their overall master planning process 2:45 P.M. Presentations will be made by where the city is preparing to revitalize the neighbourhood to take advantage to demonstrate how those sites would Toronto senior planner Perry of the coming Eglinton Crosstown LRT. fit into the precinct. NRU regrets the

405 Sherbourne Street—Panel Korouyenis and senior urban SOURCE: CITY OF TORONTO errors. will undertake its first review designer Michael Sakalauskas,

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2020 NOVÆ RES URBIS TORONTO 12 TLAB NEWS

SHEPPARD EAST VARIANCES The development had been the variances were described as with an objecting neighbour, APPROVED, WITH authorized by city council as being technical in nature and resulting in the elimination of MODIFICATIONS a seniors-oriented housing as arising from oversights and the request for angular plane development proposed by a drafting errors in the site-specific variances. In a November 9 decision, previous landowner. Pinnacle zoning by-law. The TLAB authorized TLAB Chair Ian Lord allowed subsequently acquired the Planner Joshua Butcher the majority of the requested an appeal, in part, by Pinnacle site and plans to proceed (Bousfields) testified on behalf variances, subject to International Sheppard Lands with the project as a general of Pinnacle, in support of the conditions, but amended the Inc. against the City of Toronto condominium development. requested minor variances. He variance for indoor amenity Committee of Adjustment’s Although the proposed described the character of and space, finding that the refusal of its application for amendments involve no provided planning justification applicant’s proposed reduction minor variances for 3260 change in use, unit count, or for each of the requested in indoor amenity space was East. building height, 11 variances variances. neither minor, desirable, nor in Pinnacle sought a series were required with respect to At the commencement keeping with the intent of the of minor variances to adjustments for parking, amenity of the second hearing date, site-specific zoning by-law. permit amendments to a space, setbacks, angular plane which was delayed as a result Solicitor Andrew Jeanrie standing approval for two encroachment, landscaped of the COVID-19 pandemic, (Bennett Jones) represented 30-storey towers linked by an area and LEED environmental the TLAB was advised that a Pinnacle International 11-storey mid-rise building. design standards. Several of settlement had been reached Sheppard Lands Inc.

in the kind of interdisciplinary Webinar to Showcase Affordable followed by a panel discussion to be collaboration necessary for next Housing Solutions in Six Canadian moderated by Housing Lab Toronto IN BRIEF generation planning. Led by Cities founder and president Jeanhy interim co-directors, professor of On Thursday, December 3 from Shim. Federal Minister of Families, Concordia University Establishes Building, Civil and Environmental noon to 1:30 p.m. EST, Kehilla Children and Social Development, New Urban Research Institute Engineering Ursula Eicher and Residential Program presents a The Honourable Ahmed Hussen Montreal’s Concordia University associate professor of Design webinar showcasing innovative will deliver opening remarks. has established a new research and Computation Arts Carmela affordable housing projects across For more information about this institute that will bring together Cucuzzella, the institute aims Canada. Coast-to-Coast Affordable webinar, and to register online, 14 of its existing institutes to to contribute to meaningful and Housing Innovations, Made-in- please visit the event website here. shape the future of urban life. The enduring change in urban centres Canada Solutions will consist Next-Generation Cities Institute around the world. For more of short video presentations of will provide a framework for over information about Concordia’s affordable housing projects from 200 Concordia researchers across Next-Generation Cities Institute, Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, 14 research centres to engage please visit its website here. Ottawa, Montreal and Halifax, PEOPLE

Ward 15 Don Valley West councillor Jaye Robinson is partially returning to public duty. Earlier this week, Robinson participat- ed virtually in a TTC board meeting. Robinson has served as chair of the TTC board since December 2018, but stepped away from council and associated duties in October 2019 to undergo treatment for breast cancer.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 2020 NOVÆ RES URBIS TORONTO 13