TheBulletin.ca Journal of Downtown Toronto
By Duncan McAllister —
Work is moving forward in the West Don Lands, Toronto’s newest community. New developments at the site promise to provide some exciting new changes to the old Corktown neighbourhood. Plans are underway for the first residential development, a flood-protection landform, an eastern gateway to the community where King meets Queen, a centrepiece boulevard, a new efficient district energy plant and an underpass park.
Area residents were given a progress report and update last month of major changes slated for the east end of King St. The meeting was arranged by the Corktown Residents and Business Association. The first residential construction for the community will be located at the McCord site, between St. Lawrence St. and the Don River. The development will consist of a mixture of condominiums, affordable housing for seniors and families, and commercial space on King St., and is based on the St. Lawrence Neighbourhood model. The project is to be developed by a group consisting of Urban Capital, Toronto Community Housing Corporation and the Daniels Group.
Planned is the creation of a new network of streets to reflect the traditional Corktown character. The design is to include innovative architecture in addition to mid-rise condominium and apartment units. Features will include townhouses, pedestrian-friendly laneways, and a signature tower at the Queen St. bridge.
The base of a new 18-acre Don River park will be built around the foundation of a flood protection landform designed to protect Downtown from major flood events. This project is the largest engineering operation currently under construction in the city and is scheduled for completion in 2010. The park is planned for completion in 2011, and will feature both natural green spaces and active recreation areas.
There are also plans for improvements to animate the King St. E. corridor, namely a new triangle parkette at the intersection and King and Queen streets as the gateway to the West Don Lands community.
Condo builder Streetcar Developments is currently constructing a number of infill buildings. According to Streetcar’s Alie Warren, “Our projects are classic infill developments. The sites are either currently abandoned, or occupied by banal commercial buildings. Intended to blend and not bully, we believe that by not displacing residents or doing away with architecturally significant buildings, Corktown District will enhance the current community.”
A centrepiece boulevard from the Cherry St. streetcar right-of-way promises public transit access within a 5-minute walk. A narrower, pedestrian-friendly promenade resulted from a recent community design charette that modified the initial plan for a 115 foot-wide street.
The streetcar will be on the east side of the street. Using paving materials and tree plantings to connect the transit with the sidewalks, the boulevard will continue up to King St., bringing with it street and landscaping improvements over to the south end of Sumach Street.
A network of underground pipes to be installed by District Energy will provide the heating and cooling for the new developments, increasing the energy efficiency for the entire neighbourhood.
Located at Cherry St. and the railway tracks, the new District Energy plant will be publicly accessible and feature a terraced, green roof. A design competition will be launched this fall to plan a new underpass park.
The unfriendly space under the Richmond and Adelaide St. flyovers has long been a hole in the fabric of the community. Funding has now been secured from Waterfront Toronto to reclaim this space and design a series of urban areas including seating, recreation, and public art.
