Dear Mayor Miller and Members of Council:

Re: Toronto Police Service new location at the former Carleton Village Public School

The Board of Directors of Heritage Toronto were surprised and disappointed to hear that the Etobicoke York Community Council rejected the City of Toronto's staff recommendation to list the former Carleton Village Public School on the City's Heritage Inventory. It is our understanding that the listing of the former school was supported by City staff as well as the Etobicoke York Community Preservation Panel.

The former Carleton Village Public School, located at 2054 Davenport Road, merits official listing as an important heritage resource for a number of reasons. The most obvious is the architectural quality of this fine building, with a landmark position on the corner of Davenport Road and Osler Street. The building is a fine example of institutional public architecture of its time period with quality craftsmanship and design. Secondly, the building represents, as a public school, a long standing history within the community. There have been thousands and thousands of children who have spent their formative years at this school, many who have remained in the community where they continue to share this building with the ongoing development of their lives. You can't get much more integrated into the community than a public school which has served the community for so many years. The former school building merits not only heritage listing, but heritage designation based on the three basic criteria as set out in Regulation 9/06, the Ontario Heritage Act, whereby it has physical importance in its design and architectural quality, historical significance for its contribution to the community, and thirdly a landmark in a prominent location, providing an important context in the neighbourhood.

We realize that the Toronto Police Services have certain requirements to make this building adaptable to its needs, but with some creative effort we believe this can be achieved. There are many examples throughout the City where our heritage buildings have been adapted for new uses and sustainable futures, including LEED standards. The integration of the 11 Division and heritage resources together in the community would be a winning solution for the immediate community and the City as a whole.

The Board of Directors of Heritage Toronto request that Council enable City staff to list the subject property on the City's Heritage Inventory and report on its feasibility of being designated under the terms and conditions of the Ontario Heritage Act.