Proposed Large Retail Development at Richmond and Portland

This message is being distributed by KSRA News for the
Wellington Place Neighbourhood Association (WPNA)

In January 2006, RioCan (Canada’s largest real estate investment trust) acquired a site one block east of Bathurst Street and bordered by Queen, Portland and Richmond Streets.

RioCan is exploring a number of development scenarios including a pure retail facility of approximately 125,000 square feet or a multi-use facility of about 200,000 square feet. A residential tower is also being considered.

Negotiations with several national retailers (thought to be Home Depot and Dominion Grocers) to occupy all of the retail space are well advanced.

This project would not have been possible if the City of Toronto hadn’t quietly sold the laneway that formerly ran through the middle of the lot to the developer.

So far, the City has demonstrated an unwillingness to disclose details of the project to local retailers and residents.

It is imperative that we organize a response to the potential construction of a “big-box” retailer on Queen Street West.

We need to make sure that:

• whatever parking is built on the site is public;
• traffic planning must respect the local neighbourhood.
• any structure must be sensitive to the architectural heritage of Queen Street West.
  

Please consider attending the first of three public meetings on:

Tuesday, August 29th,
6 pm – 7 pm,
The Cameron House,
408 Queen Street West (Back Room)

Please Note:
WPNA is circulating a petition for those who are interested.
Ans as is usual, the City does not give a great deal of advance warning for proposed new developments.
If you wish to add your name to this petition, send an email to: support@king-spadina.com

KSRA News will forward that information to WPNA in time for the Public Meeting.

KSRA wishes to add a caution about Rio Can that the WPNA people were not aware of. This company owns Rio Can Hall (formerly Festival Hall) at John St and Richmond St West. Rio Can Hall is the site of 2 very large night clubs – Circa (formerly Lucid), capacity 3000 persons; and Republik, capacity 1100 persons. Rio Can appears to be encouraging Circa in spite of the fact that its alleged owner has had some rather serious legal issues arising out of his night club ownership in New York City.

Thank You
KSRA NEWS

-forwarded by the KSRA Communications Centre