Proposal for 11-storey residential building just north of Main Street Library received by city

By MATTHEW STEPHENS

An 11-storey mixed-use residential building is being planned for just north of the Main Street Library.

The City of Toronto has issued notice for a development application at 143-147 Main St. (south of Gerrard Street East and north of the library) for the building which will consist of 56 residential dwelling units (seven of which are rental replacement units), 98.3 square metres of retail gross floor area, four car parking spaces and 62 bicycle parking spaces.

According to the City of Toronto Application Information website, the development site is listed on the City of Toronto Heritage Register, and the proposal will ensure the conservation of the heritage property.

The building designated as a heritage site once served as the Main Street Village post office.

Currently, there are two businesses operating at the proposed development site: Kreative Rehab Inc. and Gemaro Bakery.

A Beach Metro Community News reporter reached out to local businesses owners operating on Main Street south of Gerrard Street East to get their thoughts on how the new 11-storey building might impact them.

Our reporter spoke with the owners of Hutchie Catering and Caribbean Restaurant; Red Tape Brewery; and Gemaro Bakery and they all said they had not yet been made aware of the proposal.

“If the application is approved, it is going to be disruptive to the whole corner,” said Sarabeth Holden, owner of Red Tape Brewery at 159 Main St.

In addition to concerns regarding building height, congestion, and length of construction time, Holden expressed disappointment that the current occupants of the existing building would need to be relocated until the project is completed. Potentially, that could take years depending on the timing of approvals and when construction might actually begin.

“The people currently living in the building would have to move, and we’d miss them dearly,” said Holden.

She also mentioned that, considering many private developers are now incorporating high rent, ground-floor retail into their mixed-use buildings, many of the small businesses in the area could soon be competing with a big-name corporate store.

“Main and Gerrard is going to change drastically in the coming years,” said Holden.

“Whenever private developers are looking for ground-floor retail with high rents, big-name shops regularly take up that space, which will make it challenging for small businesses in the area.”

For those who wish to receive information regarding the progression of the application, please make a request to the Toronto City Clerk at Clerk@toronto.ca.