Feasibility of plans for Danforth Garage site to be discussed at Toronto Planning and Housing Committee meeting this Thursday
By MATTHEW STEPHENS
In 2021, the Danforth East Community Association (DECA) sought feedback from the community on redevelopment plans for the property on the southeast side of Danforth and Coxwell Avenues – a site generally known as the Danforth Garage and home to a TTC facility, a library and Tobias House (non-profit housing).
Redevelopment plans at 1627 Danforth Ave. included a new library, the new 55 Division police station, a number of mixed-use residential buildings and a TTC building.
However, five years later, Toronto city staff say redevelopment plans “continue to undergo feasibility work.” as the project heads to an upcoming Planning and Housing Committee meeting on Thursday, May 7.
“City staff have reviewed the allocation of the city’s limited resources to ensure that projects are fully funded prior to advancing,” said the city’s media relations team in an email to Beach Metro Community News.
“As a result of this review, the project at 1627 Danforth Ave. is not yet fully funded, and so will continue to undergo feasibility work in the near future.”
Staff said the TTC project is part of the city’s “first three-year Toronto Builds workplan,” which will outline the status of all housing plans carried out on city lands, including the Danforth Garage site.
Toronto Builds is a policy framework designed to establish a consistent approach to guide redevelopment of city-owned land to build new affordable rental homes. According to the city’s website, the Toronto Builds portfolio consists of 39 housing development sites, of which the city’s Housing Development Office has been granted “end-to end oversight,” as well as the authority to add or remove sites.
Beaches-East York Councillor Brad Bradford said the Danforth and Coxwell site is “ripe for transformation,” and that he is hopeful for an opportunity to provide more housing options in the area.
“Like many community members, I am passionate about reimagining what this site could hold in the future, including more housing,” said Bradford in a statement to Beach Metro Community News.
He added that development plans for the site are currently “on hold” due to concerns regarding land use.
“Because of uncertainty about how various city agencies and divisions may need to use or access the site to serve the community, further development is on hold at the moment until those questions can be addressed,” said Bradford. “While it’s certainly frustrating to see it stall, I continue to pursue other opportunities to bring investment and new homes into our community – including the 72 Amroth Avenue Missing Middle Pilot and the Housing Now mixed-income project at 1631 Queen Street East.”
At the time of reporting, it remains unclear whether the Danforth Garage project will move forward at the May 7 committee meeting or be removed from the city’s portfolio altogether.
