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.

The two buildings were an integral part of wartime aircraft production at Downsview, which accounted for almost 17 percent of Canada's aircraft production at that time. And, unlike many other aircraft hangars of the day, when most hangars were built in a purely functional manner, these two buildings are notable for their design and materials. Clearly, great attention and pride was taken in their construction. These buildings are representative of the major role that the aircraft design and production industry played in the City of Toronto for many years.

On other parts of the Downsview site, Parc Downsview Park is showing how military structures can be successfully adapted to new uses. We understand that there has been interest from the private sector in Buildings 55 and 58 and urge you to look seriously at all options presented to you which might help to meet your Department's financial goals while at the same time taking leadership in preserving our aviation and military heritage. We need to encourage all interest from the private sector in investing in creative ways to adaptively reuse our built heritage.

- Peter Ortved, Board Chair, Heritage Toronto

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News about the National Hotel courtesy of Cathy Nasmith at Built Heritage News:

My head is still spinning from watching Toronto East York Community Council overturn the advice of the Toronto Preservation Board to permit demolition and re-construction of the facades of the National Hotel. (See Item 13 BHN Issue 150) Councillor Rae and Councillor Vaughan reversed the positions they had taken at the Preservation Board, leaving the other Board members who had voted to support Councillor Rae's motion high and dry. There were several deputants asking for refusal of permission to demolish, and a large petition was tabled asking to preserve the hotel.

The 1878 hotel, with 1905 additions by architect Henry Simpson was designated a scant two months ago.

Councillor Pam McConnell stepped out of the chair to move motions to receive the TPB motion, to support the staff advice and refuse permission to demolish the building. In addition her motions asked for a peer review of the advice of E.R.A and Morden Yolles recommending the demolish and rebuild approach. They all passed with an overwhelming majority.

McConnell commented on the how the cart was before the horse here. If the designated walls could not stand up to being dug under to create six storeys of parking or stand the vibration of construction then perhaps the conclusion should be that development approach needed rethinking instead of assuming the designated structure should be demolished. McConnell is asking for other options to be considered that would retain more of the hotel.

However, no one should count their chickens yet. You can bet that when this matter gets to the OMB, the Toronto Preservation Board agreement to the demolition will be a big thorn in the side of those trying to preserve the building, and that the OMB will likely take a dim view of a topsy turvy process.