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48 Abell Street

48 Abell Street - Click to Enlarge

Arguments for Saving 48 Abell

It is very rarely more cost effective to tear down an old building and replace it with a new one. That is an old wives tale - but one which, unfortunately, is often cited as some kind of universal truth. If, in the odd case, it is more effective in cash - it is at great cost to the environment and the character of the city. Forty percent of the contents of our landfill sites are the debris from demolished buildings. To demolish a building the size of 48 Abell is to throw away enough “embodied energy” to drive a car around the world 250 times! None of that is wasted if the building is retained.

Another important point: 48 Abell currently has approximately 80 affordable housing units. (“Legal” or “illegal” everyone – including the City and the owner - knows that is how the building is currently being used and has been used for the past 20 years) These units will be demolished and then replaced in the new building but - $5.4M of public money will be spent in subsidies to recreate those 80 units ($70,000 per unit). No net gain of affordable housing in the City at a cost of $5,400,000 – hmmm – that doesn’t sound like a really wise use of public funds.

Why else should we keep an old run-down building like this? Go back and read Chapter 10 of Jane Jacobs’ "Death and Life of Great American Cities" entitled "The Need for Aged Buildings". She says a "district must mingle buildings that vary in age and condition, including a good proportion of old ones" later in the chapter she comments that "Old ideas can sometimes use new buildings. New ideas must use old buildings."More could be said on this point but - please - go and read it – the argument is so beautifully stated and the reasoning more subtle and complex than can be conveyed here in just a few words. There is no doubt, however, that whoever wrote the Garrison Common Part 2 Plan (the Area Plan which governs the Queen West Triangle where 48 Abell is located) had carefully read and understood this chapter of Jacobs’ book because that Plan states that every effort will be made to retain any existing buildings in the Area. Unfortunately the City’s Planning Department envisions every single old industrial building on the site being torn down.

And, just in case you need one more reason: there are a few odd souls in this City that rather appreciate the patina, character and all that comes with an old building. I suspect many of the residents of 48 Abell are such people. Shouldn't there be places in the City for all of us?

Reports

This report provides preliminary information and seeks Community Council's directions on further processing of the application and on the community consultation process.

48 Abell Street - Staff Report - September 1, 2005



Evidence for the OMB

Halsall Report on 48 Abell Street
48 Abell Street - Elise Hug Testimony (City Planner)


Designation of 48 Abell Street under the Ontario Heritage Act

48 Abell Street - Designation
48 Abell Street - Designation Withdrawal

Councillor Giambrone has put forth the motion at Community Council and City Council to designate 48 Abell Street under the Ontario Heritage Act. This item will be debated and voted upon at the City Council meeting Sept 25th - 28th.

 


Development Proposal for 48 Abell Street

Phase I: Tear down existing W portion of 48 Abell; build with 19 storeys, 8 & 3 storeys. Affordable housing with artist and small business lofts at street (yard) level

Phase II: Tear down remaining portion of 48 Abell; build condo: 25, 16 & 10 Storey.


Owner: Merv Hollinger
Developer: Verdiroc Development Corp (division of Greenwin)
Verdiroc Planner: Anita Braun
Architect: Climans Green Liang Architects

Articles

Links

A Blog for a Building
http://48abellstreet.blogspot.com