Toronto, February 31 2010 Pedestrians walk across Yonge-Eglinton Square, at the northwest corner of Yonge St., and Eglinton Ave., Toronto. Photo by: Fernando Morales/The Globe and MailFernando Morales/The Globe and Mail
An expanded mall will replace the windswept, concrete square at the northwest corner of Yonge and Eglinton now that city council has approved a contentious redevelopment scheme.
City council voted 34 to 7 in favour of RioCan's proposal to add five floors to one of the square's office towers, seven to the other, and to construct a three-storey retail addition bringing storefronts to the sidewalk.
The plan also includes $250,000 for yet-to-be determined public art and a rooftop garden open to the public.
It was the fate of the square that stirred up vocal opposition to the proposal. A residents' organization calling itself Y-E-S for Yonge-Eglinton Square sprung up to agitate for improving the space instead of building over it.
"Great open spaces are part of what makes great cities great," Ben Daube, the chairman of Y-E-S and president of the Sherwood Park Ratepayers' Assocation, said after the vote. "You've got to have breathing room at major intersections in between tall buildings."
The fight for the corner had turned political, with local councillor Karen Stintz supporting the redevelopment and councillor Michael Walker, whose ward begins on the south side of Eglinton, opposing it. Two candidates vying to replace the retiring Mr. Walker - public school trustee Josh Matlow and Mr. Walker's former assistant Chris Sellors - spoke out against the redevelopment.
Ms. Stintz took a political risk in deciding to support the RioCan development after two years of planning and public consultation. In 2003, some of North Toronto's notoriously activist residents helped her knock off incumbent Anne Johnston because Ms. Johnston had supported the Minto towers on Yonge, south of Eglinton.
Mr. Daube suggested members of Y-E-S wouldn't need to mount a similar campaign to oust Ms. Stintz.
"I think the electorate will take care of Karen Stintz," he said.
Ms. Stintz argued there was little more she could do to improve the redevelopment. The existing square is private property. The city's planning staff endorsed RioCan's proposal, saying it fit well with the city's official plan and a detailed vision for the intersection was approved by council in 2009.
Ms. Stintz predicted the city would lose if pitted against RioCan at the Ontario Municipal Board, the provincial body to which parties in a development tussle can appeal.
"I will tell you right now that a no vote on this application will not give us a public square. It will give us an OMB hearing," she said. "I know this is an uncomfortable conversation and I don't like when members of my own community boo me. It does not abdicate me from doing my job."
But Mr. Walker said the city was letting slip through its fingers the opportunity to build a fantastic public square at one of Toronto's most important intersections.
"Is there something more important than profit and the almighty dollar? Or is there a vision of what works for a city for people?"
Jordan Robins, RioCan's senior vice-president of development, said he was pleased at the strong vote in favour.
Kelly Grant