830 Lansdowne Ave Development

Recently a newer/updated application regarding development at 830 Lansdowne was received at the City Planning Department. It is a plan for sizable development and will have a large impact on the community. The developers reputation in that area has been so so and I suggest that people take a look and keep this on their radar.

Previously this developer improved their designs at 351 Wallace after community pressure and JT should have some say is what for concessions under section 37 are of best value to the community. I will send an email to the City and Ana's office asking to be part of that process.

I have attached a recent communication from the developer and some models that were created by the developer some time ago. One of the models also shows the stage two of the old American Standard plant. I will try to confirm these designs and update if needed.Don't take these as 100% accurate at this time.

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What is the development going

What is the development going on at Dupont and Dufferin?

Galleria Mall

Do you mean at the Galleria Mall? There have been some long term plans brewing for quite some time:

http://www.bousfields.ca/index.php/projects/galleria_mall_redevelopment

But I have no idea what the status is. That mall and corner could use a severe makeover.

UPDATE: I talked to the Bousfields Inc. people and they ceased to be involved a few years ago in this project.

Lansdowne/Dupont

I have lived at 1011 Lansdowne since April 1 2010. When I viewed the unit on the 19th floor it was in excellent condition. A showpiece. Under the impression that this was the unit I was to occupy when moving in, I agreed to take the apartment. The day I moved in I was informed that I was to be given another, inferior unit. With a hole under the sink, a constant drip in the bathroom and uncountable cockroaches and bedbugs. Being on ODSP due to major health issues, I, like many before me took the apartment due to financial restrictions. What was I to do with all of my furniture on the sidewalk? I, somwhat hesitant, took the apartment and settled in. Over the course of 2009-10 I sat back and observed the attitudes of the management and the tenants, while learning as much as I could about the history of the building. To find a positive description of the Dupont/Lansdowne neighborhood in the archives of Toronto has yet to prove fruitful. The residents, mostly individuals, of 1011 Lansdowne are, for the most part, struggle honestly through the day, relying on the support of one another to maintain a sense of normalcy while under duress from the dismissive attitudes of the management and the city at large. Incidents, some of which I have personally encountered, have led me to a conclusion that the management of 1011 Lansdowne are incapable of creating a atmosphere of community, not the tenants, as the residents/politicians of Toronto have so repeatidly espoused. Yes, there is a drug problem. Yes ther is a prostitution problem. Yes the building is in need of a complete overhaul and yes the management has to be held accountable to the people of Toronto and the tenants of 1011 Lansdowne. But beyond the negative impression that has been bestowed upon the residents of the building, the simple reality of the fact is that the reputation that is imposed on the neighbourhood, because of the building, is home to many diverse and capable individuals. Upon speaking with any number of residents one quickly realizes that they are bright, articulate and willing to create change for the better. All they lack is a belief that the management city will support them. Former residents who criticize the building, and there are many, are convinced that they are justified in the belief that the building should be torn down. That the residents are not woth the time or effort to intigrate into society. The only solution being to remove them from the neighbourhood by any means necessary.
The corner of Dupont and Lansdowne consists of recently build townhouses, six apartment buildings, with another currently being built, a couple of stores, a coffee shop, a men's shelter and a dentist office. The corner in itself is a microcosim of the city of Toronto and the country of Canada as a whole. With a large portion of families, with 50% or more, having children (the largest percentage in Toronto), a large immigrant population where English is being learned as a second language, the working poor, middle class labourers, the unemployable and increasingly well off individuals. With the erecting of a new building on the northwest corner, and the addition of a shopping plaza in the next few years, will continue to create a more diverse and multicultural comunity. All that is lacking is leadership in the neighbourhood. Not politicians who provide lip service at the time of elections, and the dismissal of the neighbourhood in non election years.
The economic investments within the neighbourhood that are currently being embarked upon provides an opportunity for all residents of the Dupont/Lansdown area to come together and work towards the betterment of all living situations in the neighbourhood. And if asked, the residents of 1011 Lansdowne would be more than willing to address the issues that effect them every day. Until this happens, the outside view of the building will always be in stark contrast to the reality of the lives that the individuals at 1011 Lansdowne face. Carrying a sense of shame and worthlessness that has been bestowed upon them for choosing to live in the greatest city in the world. Although ther are few who would have you believe that the residents are not worth the time or effort and are a hopeless cause. To believe this is to believe that a resident of 1011 Lansdowne is not worthy of being treated like a human being. Instead of offering a segratory and dismissive attitude towards the building, perhaps an attitude of compassion and a willingness to correct these misaligned attitudes would create a community worthy of being calling the greatest in the world.

what a great letter! the

what a great letter!

the issue of this building notwithstanding, one general issue that isn't properly considered or given enough weight is that healing and happiness are impossible in destructive or threatening environments

Letters like this can go a long way toward changing attitudes. such a considerate, well worded and humane plea is rare from any segment of society, and is humbling and stereotype shattering when coming from someone on odsp-

one struggler to another, (I too am on odsp, and aslo worked in social services for some years) if you have it in you i hope you can (or do) get your letters printed with as much exposure as possible- every time someone in the mainstream reads something like this it makes it better for everyone.

News on 1011 lansdowne

Back to Fiorito: A hellhole is not a home
Fiorito: A hellhole is not a home
February 14, 2011

Joe Fiorito

The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health may soon move 20 residents from its schizophrenia program into 1011 Lansdowne Ave., a building with a rotten reputation.

How’d that happen?

Turns out the landlord approached CAMH; turns out such overtures are not unusual, perhaps because such tenants provide a landlord with a secure source of income.

CAMH, of course, is not a landlord, but it does provide outreach; also, in this instance, an outside agency may be hired to provide on-site support.

Is everybody happy?

Define happy.

Last week, I talked to a couple who used to live at 1011 Lansdowne; they have mental health issues and they moved recently, after five years of being threatened, offered drugs, propositioned and eaten alive by bedbugs.

I also talked to two men who live there still; both men said they think the building is dangerous.

And then I talked to Dr. Kwame McKenzie. He runs the schizophrenia program at CAMH. He said that CAMH staff have sized up the building, and “the landlord has been trying to fix things up.”

Sounds hopeful.

“Some of our clients already live there, and they have support from out outpatient department.” He added, “We’ve also been relying on the experience of clients who are already there, who found the place by themselves. We’ve asked them if it’s safe. We haven’t had negative reports come back.”

Here’s one.

On Friday I had a note from a city social worker who said he had stopped housing clients in that building because the conditions were horrid; he added that anyone who is willing to house the mentally ill at 1011 Lansdowne ought to be prepared to live there themselves for a month.

McKenzie said, “We won’t move anyone if we think it’s bad for their mental health . . . we won’t put anyone in a place that isn’t safe.”

How far along is the deal?

A tentative contract has been drawn up between CAMH, the landlord, and an outside agency, Madison Social Services. I’ve seen a copy. I have been assured that nothing has been signed.

Not yet.

The contract requires Madison to provide round the clock support. “Supports may focus on visualizing the Client’s new living arrangements at a pace that works for each Client throughout the transition period.” Can you visualize a prostitute having sex in a stairwell?

I have a lot of respect for social workers, but I have yet to meet anyone who can handle a caseload of 20 vulnerable people while at the same time tackling bedbugs, drug dealers, thugs and prostitutes.

The contract also obliges the landlord to inspect and treat for bedbugs. McKenzie said the bedbug clause is a standard provision in such arrangements.

The question in my mind is not whether the landlord will or will not routinely treat for bedbugs. The question is, why would anyone want to move 20 vulnerable people into a building where there are bedbugs?

The most vulnerable among us need the safest housing; that does not sound like 1011 Lansdowne.

Oh, look, let’s be kind. This is a real and painful dilemma. There are hundreds of people waiting for high-support housing, and people with issues can’t stay at CAMH forever.

The lesser evil?

It is an evil.

I prefer to visualize Edmund Place, a residence in Parkdale, which sets the standard in this city when it comes to supportive housing for those with mental health issues. McKenzie said, almost wistfully, that Edmund Place is a one-off. I think it ought to be a template.

We need a housing strategy in this town. They have a housing strategy in Calgary.

More on Wednesday.

Joe Fiorito appears Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Email: jfiorito@thestar.ca

1011 Lansdowne

My grandmother lived in this building in the 80's. My father thought it would be a good option for her since the building was brand new and close to us that we could walk to her and help her out if she needed us. My father was wrong. The building might have been brand new but it came with problems from day one. The place was infested with cockroaches and they were even in her fridge. When my grandmother passed away in 1984 there wasn't much of her things that we were able to keep. Her grandchildren were not able to have any mementos because of the infestation. We pretty much had to throw out all her belongings. Things have not changed. I like the part where the landlord says he is working on fixing things. Why has this taken nearly 30 years?

Toronto Star Story About 1011 Lansdowne

The Toronto Star has a story about the apartment building at 1011 Lansdowne and efforts to make it better. http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/1303079---odd-bedfellows-make-ni...

V. BarrASSO should be in Jail

This man should be in Jail, he is not fit to own such properties. He is a crook only there for the money. It was sad the way he has treated his tenants. Also our previous City Councillor and the City should take some blame for what happened and responsibility for this landlord of hell. Everyone knew the state of the apartments and this landlord and they let it go on. Shame on them( past councillor, the City and everyone eles responsible for these vulnerable people) Jack

Silva was councillor

The problems in Barrasso's buildings started in the late 90's. Mario Silva was our councillor from 1994 to 2003. Part of the problem was that the only option the city had was to take them over and become a landlord which it was reluctant to do. You can find some stories online from that time.

I am happy to see them fixed up and people who need housing in there but I cant still cant help but feel that Barrasso is being rewarded for bad behavior.

Exactly! How is it possible

Exactly! How is it possible this man receives a grant to re-pair his own mess? Who can we contact to complain? I mean why is it if he is running a business and it ultimately goes into disrepair under his watch provincial funds go towards rewarding his negligence? I'm tired of the bailouts. It's his responsibility to clean up the place why are funds that could go elsewhere being used for a man that obviously has the resources to pay for things himself. Shameful!

I understand this point of

I understand this point of view to a degree but...If good is happening, which it appears it is, then I really don't care about the background of the story. Bottom line is it's a lot better then what has gone on at that building previously.

Dear Anonymous post from March 30th

Dear Anonymous,
How long have you been living in the hood? I can't think of anyone I know who would shop at a MUCH higher end grocery store on a regular basis, but I do know some folks would favour a local fruit and veggie stand. And what is wrong with renters and apartments in general? I live in one, on Dupont, it enables me to walk my child to the local school, pay for daycare and other expenses and still have some cash to do other things, like support some of our local businesses.

I don't think I'm "unsavoury" just because I don't have a mortgage, but unless you haven't been reading the news for the last two-three years, you would know how difficult it is to get a mortgage these days, and the federal government has just made it harder. In particular, somone who lives in a family with one income, geesh, it just seems really out of reach. But I can tell you, you'd probably think I would be a great neighbour if you met me and my child, you wouldn't think we were unsavoury if you met us on the street.

There are many facets to living in a great community. Although, I'm not opposed to community appropriate condo development because in truth, this would be what I could afford if I was in a position to purchase and wanted to stay in the hood, but do condos+high end grocery store=revitilization? I don't think the equation is as easy as that. It takes an understanding that a community is made up of all kinds of people and businesses. What would our neighborhood look like if it was made up of only mortgage holders? Oh, I think I know, it is called a planned development consisting of single dwelling homes with one road in.

Is 1011 Lansdowne primarily a crackhead home? Hmm, I'm not entirely sure, but my bet, is there are some people who live there because it is all they can afford, savoury or unsavoury. Is this really the "worst" intersection in the city? Do you have something to back that statement up? This is a much deeper discussion, I feel about poverty and affordability in our city, then we could get into here.

My advice, would be to re-consider your comments and reflect on how they may be offensive to others. If you want revitilization, take a look in the dictionary for the meaning, the definition I have found suggests nothing about condos or grocery stores, but rather life and vigor. People, all kinds of them make up "life" and yes, a condo development would add more people to the neighborhood, but I still have a right to live here, without my mortgage.

Oh and btw, I love the Galleria and support the shoe store, the bakery, the liquor store, the dollar store, the hairdresser, the grocery store (low-end I guess), the dentist, the family who sells the bags and luggage, all of them receive my money.
I love that I can walk there too and teach my child how to be a safe pedestrian along the way.

Galleria, again

BlogTO posted a scathing review of the Galleria today, followed up by quite a divisive set of comments:
http://www.blogto.com/fashion_style/2011/05/toronto_malls_in_need_of_mak...

Twitter was buzzing with commentary too.

I have to agree with the Galleria boosters though. The mall doesn't have all the lustre of many other malls, but it makes up for it in having various affordable goods and services, plus acting as a sort of meeting place for many of the locals.

Another generic upscale mall is not needed.

Regarding the BlogTO review: It appears the writer visited the mall when it was empty and all the stores were closed. No wonder the impression was so bad....

Thank you Brenda

Thank you for a thoughtful contribution. For the record, my problem with 1011 is the unsavoury LACK of people. At one point a couple years ago it was over 2/3rds empty. Work is being done to improve units and rebuild a stable resident base. The developer involved in the new proposal ran into a lack of people when he planned to build two towers on the south side of Bloor just west of the Value Village - he only ended up building one. If you were determined to build a tall tower, at least the Bloor / Lansdowne intersection has enough transit that it might not be a problem for traffic. This won't be the only development either. There has already be an approval for a massive development at the site of the Galleria Mall. So that empty feeling you get on Dupont Street won't last - assuming developers can actually sell all these new units they want to build. Of course, in many cases they sell to individual "investors" who plan to rent units out. These ambitious individuals may not do all their homework and underestimate the potential impact of development currently planned. If infrastructure can't support the addition of an additional two 26 story towers, we could end up paying the price for bad planning long after the developer is gone.
Oh, I rent too, nothing wrong with that.

Beautifully said, Brenda. I

Beautifully said, Brenda. I think when Anonymous speaks of revitalization, what they really mean is gentrification. I totally agree with your feedback.

Inclusiveness and Vigor

Here, here Brenda!! A wonderful neighbourhood is made up of wonderful people not just buildings and businesses.

life and vigor

brenda...i think your post is very thoughtful and well written. i happen to agree with you on all points. thanks for opening up the discussion because it isn't just about a new and pretty addition to the neighbourhood.

life, vigor and green grocers....

This is beautifully put, Brenda. I'm a homeowner, but I'm with you on everything here.

830 Lansdowne development community meeting

Community Meeting on proposal for development at 830 Lansdowne this upcoming Monday at Wallace Emerson CC at 6:30pm.

Re 830 Lansdowne development community meeting

Did anyone go to this meeting and have anything to share about it?

Meeting

It looks like the developer has signed a lease contract with a grocery store for the corner unit. They are working to sign on a drug store, a bank, and will have a few other retail spaces. They are talking about having a couple of 26 story towers.
The meeting was mostly positive about the proposal. My head count was about 50 people: including city staff, developer staff, multiple unit buyer, and local residents.
Several people were worried about traffic. One couple lives in a near by house and crosses Dupont to get to the grocery store. They find the traffic on Dupont aggressive and dangerous. There were a couple other similar comments. I thing there will be a couple more towers built on the site on the south west corner of Lansdowne and Bloor. And there has been an approval for a major development of the galleria mall site so traffic is likely to continue increasing in the area in the near future.
There were a couple of people who seemed to be multiple unit buyers, who felt motivated to speed along the approval process by confidently reassuring locals that this development would reduce crime in the area. There may be something to this. But there is also concern that 1011 Lansdowne is a strongly negative precedent there may be some wisdom in being particularly careful to encourage a walkable, approachable development that feels comfortable. In particular this development would have no publicly accessible green space. The existing building comes right to the sidewalk and with the existing traffic on Dupont, the sidewalk is not very comfortable for pedestrians. If most people will drive to the shops traffic may increase.
Ana seemed to understand the vested interests of various parties and made an effort to talk to those people who actually lived in the area over the cheerleaders. Her office is trying to push the developer to improve the materials. I liked this idea because I think it will be very important to break from the architectural pattern of 1011 in particular and I don't believe the material choices this developer has made at the Standard development has done that. Another concern is the overwhelming proportion of single bedroom units. Residents of two or three bedroom units are likely to have families and feel stronger commitment to the community. As you can tell, I was extremely concerned to break the pattern of 1011 Lansdowne and demand a much more approachable, livable development. However, particularly with a looming OMB, Ana can not even make many demands unless there is a strong push from the community. This meeting had only a few people pushing back. That said it was not well publicized and the developer had likely done a good job of getting out cheerleaders.

I am a local home owner who

I am a local home owner who thinks this is a great project. It is restoring the original building, (which is a heritage site, so they cannot tear it down, so any thoughts of having the building set back from the road are pointless.) It also brings a MUCH higher end grocery store to the neighbourhood. Also, remember that it is condo building, not an apartment complex. It is unlikely that unsavoury people could get a mortgage. All of those things point to the opposite of 1011 Lansdowne, bringing in higher end condo owners. It will bring new life to what has been one of the worst intersections in the city. Now if only we could somehow clean up 1011 Lansdowne, we might live in a neighbourhood without crackheads. I cant wait untill the Galleria site is re-purposed. It will do nothing but good for neighbourhood property values and safety. Bring on revitalization.

I Too Have Concerns

Although I live relatively further away at Lansdowne and College, I too am very concerned about how this will impact both vehicular traffic and pedestrian safety.

Despite the much opposed narrowing of Lansdowne by former councillor Giambrone, we still see terrific car traffic and often speeding because the road still looks like a main express artery. Any development that 'comes right to the sidewalk' and is a giant tower will simply add to the increased flow, not to mention packing in vertically more people that puts stress on the infrastructures (sewer, water, power, etc). I agree too many single units is not good for long term stability. Whatever happened to MIXED USE concepts to build community? And no greenspace? Sound like a cheap 1950's development to me.

From what I've heard about 1011 Lansdowne is that it should be torn down and replaced with something more suitable. It just adds to the industrial wasteland look of the area from the outside and inside it is poorly maintained.

And what of TRANSIT? Dupont at that point is a terrible bottleneck already. There have been serious pedestrian accidents and fatalities there due to road rage drivers and even TTC vehicles.

I hope the community pulls together and demands something more appropriate.

Is this a pig in a poke?

How do we encourage development that contributes to a vibrant community where people are happy to live? I think there are some areas including this one where development could be very positive. I worry about the discussion of cash-in-lieu of parkland as I do not have confidence the cash will be used in this community. I find this line particularly alarming: "there is no location for an on-site parkland dedication from this development that would be of useable size and the site would be fully encumbered with below grade parking."
This site is far enough away from the subway that I expect the sales office will sell most buyers a parking spot. This contrasts with the recently rejected Giraffe where a car would be superfluous. Cars are a very low density form of transit and this many would greatly slow traffic.
It is very important for sites like this to be developed. But when the developer leaves, people should feel they have a beautiful home, they should have grass and trees near by, they should be able to get to work in a reasonable time. We can not afford another 1011 Lansdowne.

830 Lansdowne

The infrastructure of our community is not capable of supporting this proposed density. We will be strapped to the outside of the Lansdowne bus since seats certainly wont be available. We will be dodging cars heading into this dense urban housing development. The postage stamp park the developer is supposed to be building will certainly not offer any offset to the increased pressures that this proposed housing development will have on our community - which already is significantly under serviced by recreational facilities. Rush hour on Lansdowne will no longer be stop and go traffic, it will be stopped. As will this development.