I wanted to give you an update on the future of 450 Pape Avenue.
I wanted to give you an update concerning the future of 450 Pape Avenue. As you know, it has been a Salvation Army facility for almost 80 years serving as a home for young mothers and most recently as a temporary location for the Harbour Light tenants while a new facility was being rebuilt on Jarvis Street.
When the new Harbour Light was finished the Salvation Army found they no longer had a use for the 450 Pape Avenue site and put it on the market. They received an offer to purchase with the intent to demolish the existing building and erect condominiums. This proposal prompted a huge response from the community and an outpouring of support for it to be designated a Heritage property. This designation was ratified at the August meeting of City Council and gives the property legal protection under the Ontario Heritage Act. It means the building can’t be demolished or physically altered on the outside without the permission of the City.
A private daycare subsequently made an offer to purchase but that fell through when Pape Avenue School became a full day kindergarten. While this use would have been a good fit for the community there were concerns about the traffic associated with dropping off and picking up 120 children each day at the busy corner of Pape and Riverdale.
For some time now, a group of local visual artists has been working to create affordable housing. While the creative sector is an important part of Toronto’s economy, artists very often qualify as low wage earners. Now that the City has purchased 450 Pape Avenue, it will look for a partner with whom to build affordable housing when the next Federal-Provincial housing program is announced.
This use of 450 Pape Avenue is a win-win:
My spring newsletter is out! Plus: free compost this weekend & 2024 Environment Days.
Read my latest update on engagement and enforcement activities at Tommy Thompson Park and the Leslie Street Spit.
