CreateTO releases plan to redevelop 8 landmark properties across the city

By Mark McAllister

Eight city-owned properties worth at least $450 million are being considered for redevelopment by Toronto officials, including the landmark coach bus terminal at Bay and Dundas Streets.

The proposal from the city’s real estate branch – CreateTO – would see some current offices relocated, while other sites — like the former coach terminal — made into something brand new while keeping the building’s heritage intact.

“We can take the value of those pieces of real estate and deliver some much needed to add much value city-building opportunities,” said Vic Gupta, CEO of CreateTO.

The proposed plan for 611 Bay Street, where the old bus terminal sits, is a mixed-use, high-rise development with affordable housing and condos and space for paramedics and ambulances due to its proximity to hospital row University Avenue.

“On all the sites, but that one, in particular, affordable housing is a major priority, sort of priority one for us with all the sites, but at that particular site, there will also be an EMS hub going into that location.”


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Murtaza Haider, professor of Real Estate Management at Ryerson University, said the affordable housing focus should be on the social housing side.

“I think the first thing to realize is that the real need for affordable housing is on the social housing side where we have not built enough social housing to accommodate individuals who have been priced out of the cheapest rents in the city,” said Haider.

Among the other city-owned properties mainly scattered throughout the downtown core, two others are considered short-term projects.

They include the Toronto Public Health building on Victoria Street, next to Yonge-Dundas Square, where the infamous “Sam the Record Man” sign sits on top and “The Works” safe injection site sits on the ground floor.

The proposed plan would be redeveloped into a high-rise, mixed-use, institutional development with retail or community space on the ground and second floors.

“One of the recommendations will be looking for us to work with our partners at Toronto Public Health and other divisions in the city to identify a location where that site could be relocated,” said Gupta.

The Toronto Community Housing head office at 931 Yonge Street would be moved shortly, and the site would be redeveloped for affordable ownership housing.

In the long term, the TTC main headquarters at Yonge and Davisville is considered prime real estate to build up while preserving the heritage.

All proposals are just now being brought forward, so private partnerships and total dollar figures have yet to be determined.

“These properties can be catalysts for another sort of city alignment of other city development opportunities that are happening in those areas,” said Gupta.

The redevelopment plan for each site will be determined “with input from local councillors, impacted communities, impacted City divisions, current occupants, and external partners,” read the report from CreateTO.

They say they hope the proposed outcomes can be achieved within the next five to seven years.

The CreateTO board met Monday afternoon and suggested reaching out to healthcare organizations about a possible use for the site at 611 Bay Street.

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