Taxes should reflect reality
Re Arts haven faces tax hike, Dec. 16 Edward Keenan almost has it right in his column. 401Richmond — and all the buildings Margie Zeidler has bought, restored, refurbished and maintained — have been small miracles.
They have provided excellent locations for artists, arts organizations and not-for-profits. These buildings have become creative hubs, centres of excellence and have attracted other businesses and developers to the area. This is city-building at its finest.
Taxing 401Richmond as though it were a 40-storey condominium is not wise public policy. Taxes should reflect reality, not fantasy. Marc Côté, Toronto We definitely need to revise our method of taxation when it is based on the value of the property alone. Its real value does not change until its use changes or the property is actually sold and its new value recouped. Harry Coupland, Rexdale
“I am outraged at the news that the arts centre at 401 Richmond is in danger of being taxed out of existence, presumably to be replaced by yet another nondescript building designed to make yet another developer richer.” JEAN COCHRANE TORONTO
The article on the tax hike at 401Richmond is excellent. Wellresearched facts, presented with excellent clarity. The conclusion? Provincially set property taxes will turn Toronto into an endless sea of condos. Geoff Foulds, York I am outraged at the news that the arts centre at 401Richmond is in danger of being taxed out of existence, presumably to be replaced by yet another nondescript building designed to make yet another developer richer.
401is a unique and important resource for artists, art organizations and businesses and for people who value their work — work that enriches the city.
Surely it is an example of why ideas such as creating a separate tax class for heritage buildings and maintaining some of King-Spadina as a heritage area make sense.
Toronto has improved beyond all recognition in recent years, and loves to brag about it, but there are still elements working hard to make it as boring as possible in the name of profit, sometimes destroying heritage and hope in one stroke. Jean Cochrane, Toronto I am shocked at the draconian tax hikes being imposed on 401 Richmond. No wonder we are losing Toronto, the city of neighbourhoods, to the endless siege of the highrise.
Developers are absolutely the only ones who can afford the “highest and best use” skyrocketing tax hikes. This will continue to kill our streets and our communities and the pockets of interest that make Toronto great. I am not being quaint and old fashioned, or nostalgic for the past. Diversity is the key to a good city.
I would suggest the city advise MPAC that there are two parts to the tax-hike equation. We all understand the “highest” part. But what about “best use.” These two terms are more often an oxymoron than complementary pairing.
401Richmond has got to be the paradigm of “best use.” People from around the world would concur. It is a hive of small, diverse, largely cultural industries.
What Margie Zeidler and Urbanspace have created is historically respectful, inside and out. It has evolved into a wonderful microcosm of a community.
Where else do you have a huge roof garden, a courtyard that houses a daycare centre (the sounds of happy kids on recess sail up through the inner offices), the aromas of the inhouse restaurant near the front door and halls filled with contemporary local art and lots of plants?
401Richmond has heart and soul and a waiting list. It is a marvel that should be copied, not a place to be destroyed by formulaic, ill-considered tax greed. Janice Lindsay, Toronto The city must increase revenues if it isn’t to deteriorate into decrepitude. But if any evidence were needed that raising property taxes is the wrong way to do it, it’s the risk to people and businesses whose incomes haven’t risen with the value of the space they occupy.
The city, with provincial support, must either institute a city income tax or the provincial and the federal governments must dedicate a percentage of their income-tax stream to municipalities. This way, the most able to pay will contribute the most.
Since any good idea takes decades to implement in Canada, there must also be a short-term and preferably temporary way to save treasures like 401Richmond. Julie Beddoes, Toronto My wish for Christmas is that the provincial government will stop patronizing Toronto and controlling how our city evolves. Here are three current conflicts:
The beloved cultural building at 401 Richmond St. is threatened by a tripling of property taxes that could push out the creative tenants. The reason is that more money could be made by replacing this retrofitted industrial building with a highrise, says the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation.
Residents of Toronto are struggling to change and curb the provincial powers of the Ontario Municipal Board, before the entire city turns into a developerdriven forest of glass towers.
A nightclub on the waterfront is applying for a liquor license to serve 15,000 customers at the eastern gap. The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario has a tribunal looking into this preposterous request from the Powerhouse Corporation.
Santa, before you grant this wish to curb provincial interference, remember that Toronto is too big to sit on your knee because we are grown-ups and can manage our own affairs. Ulla Colgrass, Toronto