Province may be open to retaining elements of foundry
Ministry seeks input how parts of buildings could ‘inform’ development
The Ontario Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing says it is now open to the possibility that some portions of a downtown Toronto heritage site may be preserved if demolition is allowed to resume in late February.
The ministry on Friday said it is now seeking input from residents on how “some elements” of the existing buildings at the Dominion Wheels and Foundry Co. on Eastern Avenue in the West Don Lands could “inform development” going forward.
The province controversially started demolishing the foundry buildings last month despite opposition from the city and local residents before a judge ordered a pause until the matter could be argued in court later this month.
The province has earlier said the site must be completely demolished “to facilitate full environmental remediation of the site.”
The ministry says it will accept community input on the development by email until Mar. 4.
Local Coun. Kristyn WongTam (Ward 13, Toronto Centre) dismissed the move Friday. “The city and community doesn’t want to play heritage Lego with the Premier — picking and pulling at bits and pieces of windows, trims, columns or bricks,” she said in a tweet. “Such an announcement is insincere.”
Work on the Dominion Wheels and Foundry Company buildings was paused Jan. 29 after Ontario Divisional Court Justice David Corbett found the province had breached its obligations to the city of Toronto by not disclosing to the city its heritage assessment report and its intention to demolish the buildings, as well as not conducting public engagement on the plan.
Another hearing to determine whether the demolition will proceed is scheduled for Feb. 26.
The province maintains its intention to continue with the development of two market condo towers, of 34 and up to 43 storeys, and one 18-storey building containing affordable housing units.
“We have been clear that we intend to create new affordable and market housing, and community space at the site, in response to numerous requests from the city of Toronto for increased affordable housing,” said Stephanie Bellotto, a spokesperson for Minister of Municipal Affairs Steve Clark.