At the eleventh hour, residents presented their concerns over the proposed three-storey retail concourse development on the northwest corner of Yonge Street and Eglinton Avenue that would extend to the edge of the sidewalk, swallowing the existing open space.
“We’re concerned because we believe the open space could better serve the community with a more creative approach. It could be a centrepiece for Toronto,” said Jordan Applebaum, chair of the Eglinton Park Residents’ Association.
A public meeting took place Feb. 2 at the North Toronto Community Centre. It was intended to be an open house for the developers to showcase their drawings, but one local resident, Andre Leroux, decided to take over.
The vice-president of the Sherwood Park Residents’ Association offered a slideshow presentation comparing the location in question to Rockefeller Plaza in New York City. He said both are privately owned, roughly the same size and located in midtown.
The original development of what is now the RioCan towers was built over Starrett Avenue, which used to bisect the block between Yonge Street and Duplex Avenue. City planning staff said the current zoning bylaw for that property states that a minimum of 4,715 square metres of open space is required, but there is no suggestion that this related to the street closure.
According to a report, the proposal is deficient in open space. Coun. Karen Stintz said that as a result of public consultation, the developer has made accommodations, including a rooftop garden that would be more preferable because the food court is underneath the current square. RioCan could not be reached for comment.
