A recent public consultation meeting on the design of the Eglinton-Scarborough Crosstown rapid transit line’s Bathurst station revealed that three local landmarks are likely to be appropriated and demolished for its construction.
Israel’s the Judaica Centre, a store selling Jewish books and other items that has been in Forest Hill since 1982 and at its current Bathurst Street and Eglinton Avenue location since 2004, will be moving to a new location nearby in February, said president Susie Kaplan.
Among the other properties likely to be demolished is the iconic House of Chan steakhouse and Chinese restaurant, a neighbourhood fixture since the 1950s. Staff at House of Chan declined to comment on the situation.
Coun. Joe Mihevc said that seeing the House of Chan go will be a big loss to the community.
“My hope is that one of two things happens: that [the TTC] finds a better alternative that avoids them taking out a main and vigorous economic player on the street, or if they do need to, that the House of Chan and the TTC find a suitable location on the strip where the business can continue to flourish,” he said.
The vacant building formerly occupied by Halleluia Restaurant and the plaza on the northeast corner of Bathurst and Eglinton are also slated for demolition.
Although the station design hasn’t been finalized, it’s unlikely the major components will change at this point, according to Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) spokesperson Susan Sperling. She said that the TTC is currently in talks with the affected property owners.
Tunneling work at Bathurst and Eglinton is set to begin in early 2013, and station construction is projected to start in 2014.
