Silos once again draw city, developers’ attention

By Kimberly Spice —

Plans for the future of the crumbling Canada Malting Silos remained uncertain even has fences went up and Phase I work started on the demolition of adjacent buildings.

More than 50 Bathurst and Queens Quay area residents listened intently as a representative from the Heritage Preservation Service of Toronto explained, during a meeting at the Waterfront Community Centre on Oct. 21, that the buildings are in such disrepair that concern is growing for community safety.

“Change had to happen with the site,” stated Mary MacDonald of the city’s Heritage Preservation Service. “There are serious problems with the western buildings particularly with regards to safety.”

Phase I of the project, which has a budget of $12.2 million, calls for the demolition of the surrounding buildings, removal of the marine leg east of the silos and restoration of the east dock wall.

The restoration of the east wall will open a promenade at the waters edge from Ireland Park to Queens Quay and is currently underway.

For the moment the silos will remain intact because of their heritage significance.

Area residents are eager to see the silos remain believing they will help control the future development of the area.

“I would be afraid if these silos were torn down, and in the city’s current financial state, the pressures to sell this site to a developer and build an even bigger development would be irresistible,” said one resident. “The presence of the silos may actually be a defence against more development.”

While work is already underway final plans for the project have yet been decided.

Proposals brought forward by the city included a public pool connected to the Harbourfront Community Centre, a 16-storey residential building, town housing and commercial property providing area residents a social hub.

Residents warmed to the suggestion of commercial business coming into the area but opinions were mixed with regards to condominiums and townhouses.

Councillor Adam Vaughan asked residents to be part of a steering committee that will help frame the future of site development.

More information about the silos will be on Vaughan’s webpage at adamvaughan.ca. Bathurst Quay Neighbourhood Association (bqna.org) will host a Federal Bureau of Heritage Research report on the heritage significance of the silos.