Concerns over condition of construction site on south side of Kingston Road raised by residents
By MATTHEW STEPHENS
East Toronto residents are continuing to voice their concerns with the lack of maintenance at a prominent construction site on Kingston Road.
The site at 507-511 Kingston Rd., has been vacant for more than a year and a half. In the past, concerns about the site on the south side of Kingston Road between Lee Avenue and Waverley Road have centred around the large drop down into the slope beyond.
However, a recent email to Beach Metro Community News also cited garbage, bags of dog poop in a tree, and damaged sidewalk in front of the construction fencing as neighbourhood concerns. The email was titled “Dog poo adorns the pit at 507-511 Kingston Road”.
The site is basically now a fenced-off pit spanning 9.5 metres in height (just over 31 feet) from the end of Wheeler Avenue at the south end up to Kingston Road at the north end.
Property owner Marcus Tzaferis said he has been made aware of the site’s current state by Beaches-East York Councillor Brad Bradford’s office, and that work is being carried out to clean it up.
“We were unaware of the garbage accumulation at the site and sincerely apologize to the neighbourhood for any inconvenience this has caused,” said Tzaferis in an email to Beach Metro Community News.
“Our team was on-site yesterday to address the issue, and we will continue to monitor the location closely to ensure any future dumping is handled in a timely manner.”
In a recent statement to Beach Metro Community News, Bradford said the responsibility to make sure the site is properly maintained is on the property owner.
“It’s up to each property owner to make sure their property is clean and well-maintained – whether the site is vacant, under construction, or occupied,” said Bradford. “When properties are not maintained, city bylaw officers can inspect and issue a notice requiring the owner to clean up the site.”
The first zoning bylaw application to redevelop the 507-511 Kingston Rd. site was submitted more than nine years ago, in December of 2016.
By early to mid 2024, the existing buildings on the site were torn down and the slope was dug out. Work then halted on The Condoman Development’s The View project on the site, and residents have been left unfavourable views of an empty pit with metal framing and sand.
The latest proposal for the site was for an eight-storey residential building that was approved in July of 2024.
Bradford said a plan bringing supportive housing and affordable rental units to the area is now nearing final approval.
“507 Kingston is an exciting project. It will be home to a fully affordable rental building, including 30 units of supportive housing,” said Bradford.
“I have helped secure funding and support from the city for this project, and it is awaiting final approval from CMHC (Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation) before they can get shovels in the ground.”
In the housing market, “awaiting approval” from CMHC often means a developer is securing financing or insurance to ensure a project’s viability.
Tzaferis said he is currently working with the municipal and federal government to ensure construction of the affordable and supportive housing on the site can begin.
“We are working closely with the councillor’s office, the City of Toronto, and the federal government to bring forward a sustainable and affordable housing project that is much needed in the community,” said Tzaferis.
Despite the hardships afflicting the real estate market, Bradford said he’s “optimistic that we will see construction resume soon, creating more homes for people in our community who need them.”
