Hood not happy with new Ryerson building

A 27-storey, mixed-use Ryerson development for 270-288 Church St. at Dundas will help consolidate the school’s programs, says its Dean of the Faculty of Community Services.

But nearby residents aren’t so pleased.

The development has “created a considerable conversation in the surrounding neighbourhood,” Samuel Lapidus, director and secretary of MTCC 1369, said in a letter to Toronto and East York Community Council.

Lapidus said he was speaking on behalf of residents at other nearby buildings. Community council wants to see site plan approval “for consideration.”

Said Lapidus “our greatest objection is not the size or height of the tower but rather the sheer magnitude of the podium which it will sit on … (it) will be a monolith greater in size, height, depth and length than any other existing building in the area or any that are currently being proposed.”

He asked council to reject the proposal saying it’s not “in keeping” with the nieghbourhood or the city’s Official Plan

But Usha George, Dean of Ryerson’s Faculty of Community Services, sees things differently. “I’m looking forward to this proposed building as it will bring together many of the programs and schools in my faculty that are currently scattered across campus,” he said in a letter to community council.

George said the tower with clinical suites, large classrooms, lecture halls and nursing labs will also revitalize the Church-Dundas intersection. The tower portion includes 100 student residence units with 332 beds plus 4 levels of underground parking with 155 spaces.

A staff report to council said the building is consistent with Official Plan policies.