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Old island airport terminal moved to make way for tunnel construction
The port authority has been trying to find a suitor for the historic island airport terminal building
Workers had to move aside a 73-year-old building to begin work on the future of Toronto’s Billy Bishop airport.
The historic airport terminal building was in the way of construction on the new pedestrian tunnel that will connect the airport with mainland Toronto.
The tunnel will run under Lake Ontario, allowing travellers to walk from the foot of Bathurst St. to the airport.
“Right now we’re just moving it to the other side of the island to make room for some of the construction related to the tunnel,” said Suzanna Birchwood, spokeswoman for the Toronto Port Authority.
The blue and white terminal was built in 1938-39 to serve airport passengers. After a similar terminal was demolished at Pearson airport in the 1960s, this is believed to be the last surviving building of its kind in Toronto.
The building’s fate has been up in the air since July 2011, when it was formally decommissioned. The port authority has been trying to find a suitor for the historic property.
“We are looking to make sure it’s properly used as a heritage building, whether it’s to move it or keep it on site and make it accessible long term,” said Birchwood.
She said they are looking for a partner interested in preserving the aviation heritage of the building.
“We haven’t had a final firm offer but we’re confident that there will be interest,” said Birchwood.
The building will sit on the south side of the airport property until a suitable partner is found.
The tunnel is expected to open in 2014.
http://www.thestar.com/news/article...nal-moved-to-make-way-for-tunnel-construction
The port authority has been trying to find a suitor for the historic island airport terminal building
Workers had to move aside a 73-year-old building to begin work on the future of Toronto’s Billy Bishop airport.
The historic airport terminal building was in the way of construction on the new pedestrian tunnel that will connect the airport with mainland Toronto.
The tunnel will run under Lake Ontario, allowing travellers to walk from the foot of Bathurst St. to the airport.
“Right now we’re just moving it to the other side of the island to make room for some of the construction related to the tunnel,” said Suzanna Birchwood, spokeswoman for the Toronto Port Authority.
The blue and white terminal was built in 1938-39 to serve airport passengers. After a similar terminal was demolished at Pearson airport in the 1960s, this is believed to be the last surviving building of its kind in Toronto.
The building’s fate has been up in the air since July 2011, when it was formally decommissioned. The port authority has been trying to find a suitor for the historic property.
“We are looking to make sure it’s properly used as a heritage building, whether it’s to move it or keep it on site and make it accessible long term,” said Birchwood.
She said they are looking for a partner interested in preserving the aviation heritage of the building.
“We haven’t had a final firm offer but we’re confident that there will be interest,” said Birchwood.
The building will sit on the south side of the airport property until a suitable partner is found.
The tunnel is expected to open in 2014.
http://www.thestar.com/news/article...nal-moved-to-make-way-for-tunnel-construction