The Ontario Municipal Board has approved a plan for two Yorkville towers that will be visible above the Ontario Legislative Assembly when viewed south of College Street on University Avenue, thus altering the vista of our provincial building. 

Once again the OMB has decided to take heritage related planning into its own hands. It is nothing short of a mystery as to why this can happen when the Ontario Provincial Policy Statement clearly states "Significant built heritage resources and significant cultural heritage landscapes shall be conserved."

This letter is a response to the news of funding to commemorate the Montreal site of the Parliament of United Canada, created in 1844

The first few paragraphs of this article could apply equally to the site of the first Parliament buildings in Upper Canada, which lies similarly ignored at the corner of Parliament and Front streets in downtown Toronto.

Burned down during the War of 1812 by American forces, these buildings - commissioned by Upper Canada's first Lieutenant Governor John Graves Simcoe - were the birthplace of many important pieces of early legislation. It is disappointing to consider that tourists visiting the city during the Bicentennial of that conflict are likely to see only a ragtag collection of automobile related businesses, rather than a site which honours its past.

According to Councillor Kyle Rae's office, 1 Gould Street will be fully restored to its original façade. The building will not be demolished, but will be rebuilt using the original brick that fell during its collapse. The heritage listed 1888 building, formerly known as the William Reynolds Block, lost part of its Gould Street-facing façade on the Friday, April 16th afternoon.

The cause of the collapse is still being fully investigated, but a heritage consultant has been retained by the City to access the damage and ensure that the façade is restored to its original condition. Commercial façade grants were offered to the building's owners in 1997 and 2005, but were refused. Discussions continue with the owners regarding the future maintenance of the heritage building.

Thank you to the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario, and to Paul Oberman of Woodcliffe Landmark Properties, who worked tirelessly to save the Hangars, for this update:

Last Thursday, the Toronto Preservation Board voted unanimously to recommend that 7 Austin Terrace (the Maclean House) be included on the City's Inventory of Heritage Properties, and also that the City designate the property under the Ontario Heritage Act.

After a number of speakers, including local MPP Dr. Eric Hoskins and Councillor Joe Mihevc, had spoken strongly in favour of the motion, the lawyer for the owner of 7 Austin Terrace asked for an adjournment. He argued that the process had been "flawed, unfair and prejudicial" to his client. He said that the owner had not had the opportunity to speak at the Toronto and East York Community Council, nor had he received adequate notice of the intent to designate.

TPB members asked whether, if an adjournment were granted, the owner would agree not to recommence demolition until City Council had considered the issue properly. When it became clear that it was not possible to get such a commitment, the TPB voted unanimously to recommend that the property be designated.

Courtesy of the Heritage Canada Foundation:

Demolition has been temporarily haulted on the historic Downsview Hangars (Buildings 55 and 58) at former CFB Downsview air base in Toronto, due to public pressure. Discussions continue on the future of the Hangars.

Constructed in 1943, these structures were designated as heritage buildings by the federal government in 1992 for the role they played in Canadian aircraft production during the Second World War. The hangars are owned by the Department of National Defence (DND).

There is strong private sector interest in developing these buildings. Mr. Paul Oberman, President and CEO of Woodcliffe Corporation has been working tirelessly to find a solution that could both meet the needs of DND and save the historic Downsview hangars, including a land exchange under negotitation with Mr. Tony Genco, CEO of Parc Downsview Park. On December 24th, DND offered a short stay of demolition. Now, DND has taken the position that they are not interested in considering any proposals and are not responding to inquiries.

What has happened at 7 Austin Terrace is more proof, if any were needed, of a major weakness in the City's current approach to heritage preservation.

Heritage Toronto is shocked by the needless destruction of some of the defining heritage elements of this elegant residence, designed by renowned Toronto architect John Lyle.

Much to everyone's frustration, the current building owners have done nothing illegal in partially destroying key architectural features of the home. While local residents and heritage advocates are naturally angry and suspicious about the owners' motivation for this action being taken now, they have no legal recourse.

Time after time, the city pursues designation of a heritage building only after a developer has purchased the property and announced plans for its redevelopment. The result is a confrontational process through the relevant City committees, and sometimes on to the OMB.

The Downsview Hangars have been granted a 60-day reprieve from demolition. Heritage Toronto is in strong support of maintaining these structures, and we urge you to contact The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence to protest their demise.

On behalf of Heritage Toronto I am writing to urge strongly that you reconsider the proposed demolition of Buildings 55 and 58 at CFRB Downsview. These buildings are part of Toronto's valuable aviation and military heritage. Indeed, their value was already recognized by the federal government in 1992, when they were designated as heritage buildings.

Courtesy of Spacing and the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario, the Federal Government is scheduled to demolish the World World II-era hangars located in Downsview Park.

For more information:

http://spacing.ca/wire/2009/11/09/downsview-hangers-at-risk-of-demolitio...

If you would like to protect the demolition, please contact The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence.

By Mark Warrack, Chair of Heritage Toronto's Conservation Committee

The National Hotel

Toronto Preservation Board Decision Document