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Walker, who has always spoken with the "NIMBYs" in the area, and who opposed Minto-Midtown, supports the project:
Councillor backs Tridel proposal to rebuild North Toronto Collegiate, adding 2 high-rises
January 16, 2007
Donovan Vincent City hall bureau
A developer's proposal to demolish and rebuild North Toronto Collegiate and construct two condo high-rises on the same site has the support of the local councillor who says the plan is unusual but necessary.
"There's a socially redeeming factor to this (development) that warrants entering into this partnership with a couple of condominiums,'' Councillor Michael Walker (Ward 22, St. Paul's) said yesterday.
The redevelopment plan, which also calls for a new full-sized track and field facility on the site, is needed because North Toronto, the first phase of which opened in 1912, is crumbling, Walker said.
The Toronto District School Board has agreed to sell land at the Yonge St. and Eglinton Ave.-area site to Tridel, which will build on the property. The board will use money from the land sale to pay for the school's construction.
Aside from the new school and sports facility, the plan, which goes before Toronto and East York community council today and city council next month, also leaves room for a new swimming pool on the Roehampton Ave. site.
Tridel has pledged $400,000 to help pay for a pool.
The school board decided against renovating North Toronto Collegiate because it is too badly deteriorated, a decision supported by the city's Heritage Preservation Services, said co-ordinator Brian Gallaugher.
But historical and architectural features from the old school are to be preserved and incorporated in the new building, such as major entranceways, date stones, decorative stone panels and original brick, elements that will become part of the school's internal courtyard.
Under the plan, the project would roll out in two phases. First, a 24-storey condo building would be constructed while portions of the existing school are demolished to make way for an underground parking garage for 553 cars.
Construction of the new school would also begin.
In phase two, the new school would open and demolition completed on the old one. Work on the sports field would begin.
A 25-metre pool – for public and school use – would be built later under the sports field, according to the proposal.
Timing for construction of the other 27-storey condo tower on the site depends on pre-sold units.
The project ensures "we end up with a Class A high school carrying on the tradition that North Toronto has in the city, producing super students who go on to leadership capacities,'' Walker said.
He admitted it's a bit strange to see projects coming forward calling for newly built schools and condos on the same site. And though he said he's not a big fan of such arrangements, he predicts they'll become more common in the future.
"The money from Queen's Park just isn't there,'' Walker said.
He added that the high-rise condos will be in keeping with those built in the area.
"It's in an area of high-density residential uses.
"The project is not excessive or out of scale with what's around it,'' he said.
"We already have high density, and we'll need more recreational facilities," Walker said. "This is an opportunity to do that as cheaply as possible."
Councillor backs Tridel proposal to rebuild North Toronto Collegiate, adding 2 high-rises
January 16, 2007
Donovan Vincent City hall bureau
A developer's proposal to demolish and rebuild North Toronto Collegiate and construct two condo high-rises on the same site has the support of the local councillor who says the plan is unusual but necessary.
"There's a socially redeeming factor to this (development) that warrants entering into this partnership with a couple of condominiums,'' Councillor Michael Walker (Ward 22, St. Paul's) said yesterday.
The redevelopment plan, which also calls for a new full-sized track and field facility on the site, is needed because North Toronto, the first phase of which opened in 1912, is crumbling, Walker said.
The Toronto District School Board has agreed to sell land at the Yonge St. and Eglinton Ave.-area site to Tridel, which will build on the property. The board will use money from the land sale to pay for the school's construction.
Aside from the new school and sports facility, the plan, which goes before Toronto and East York community council today and city council next month, also leaves room for a new swimming pool on the Roehampton Ave. site.
Tridel has pledged $400,000 to help pay for a pool.
The school board decided against renovating North Toronto Collegiate because it is too badly deteriorated, a decision supported by the city's Heritage Preservation Services, said co-ordinator Brian Gallaugher.
But historical and architectural features from the old school are to be preserved and incorporated in the new building, such as major entranceways, date stones, decorative stone panels and original brick, elements that will become part of the school's internal courtyard.
Under the plan, the project would roll out in two phases. First, a 24-storey condo building would be constructed while portions of the existing school are demolished to make way for an underground parking garage for 553 cars.
Construction of the new school would also begin.
In phase two, the new school would open and demolition completed on the old one. Work on the sports field would begin.
A 25-metre pool – for public and school use – would be built later under the sports field, according to the proposal.
Timing for construction of the other 27-storey condo tower on the site depends on pre-sold units.
The project ensures "we end up with a Class A high school carrying on the tradition that North Toronto has in the city, producing super students who go on to leadership capacities,'' Walker said.
He admitted it's a bit strange to see projects coming forward calling for newly built schools and condos on the same site. And though he said he's not a big fan of such arrangements, he predicts they'll become more common in the future.
"The money from Queen's Park just isn't there,'' Walker said.
He added that the high-rise condos will be in keeping with those built in the area.
"It's in an area of high-density residential uses.
"The project is not excessive or out of scale with what's around it,'' he said.
"We already have high density, and we'll need more recreational facilities," Walker said. "This is an opportunity to do that as cheaply as possible."
