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From the Globe:
Archeological find at Ex hinders hotel project
JENNIFER LEWINGTON
CITY HALL BUREAU CHIEF
What lies beneath has put a crimp in what is supposed to rise above the ground at Exhibition Place.
The site first proposed two years ago for a new mid-sized hotel and conference centre sits on an archeological site tied to Toronto's earliest days, an investigation has confirmed, forcing project sponsors to scout for nearby sites.
"The archeological remains are still there and there was some concern you don't want to disturb them," said deputy mayor Joe Pantalone, chairman of Exhibition Place.
In 2004, the city and property developer George Friedmann owner of the Windsor Arms Hotel, signed a letter of intent to develop a 175-room hotel and a 50,000-square-foot conference centre on lands south of the National Trade Centre between the 75-year-old Automotive Building and the Stanley Barracks. The development is part of a broader strategy to generate more year-round activity at Exhibition Place, home of the Canadian National Exhibition.
But an archeological investigation, required under city and provincial heritage rules, confirmed what history buffs already knew about Stanley Barracks, built in 1841 to replace Fort York. Only one stone building remains (braced by an old CNR locomotive and the steam tug Ned Hanlan) of what was once six military buildings surrounding a parade square. The stone and wooden footings of the other five structures, including a hospital and officers' mess, lie only a foot or so below the surrounding parking lot.
"All of us have been surprised by what we found, especially the archeology," Mr. Pantalone said. "We are redirecting it [the project] to protect this part of the heritage of the city."
The news is a relief to heritage advocates. "It's wise and prudent," said Stephen Otto, a director of Friends of Fort York.
The finds are expected to delay the hotel project initially forecast to open in April, 2007, by at least a year.
"All of us are committed to making it happen because it is needed," Mr. Pantalone said. "The negotiations are proceeding." Mr. Friedmann could not be reached for comment.
In the meantime, the hunt is on for a new site. One option is to renovate the Automotive Building as a conference centre, while retaining the historic facade, and locate the hotel to the south.
Financial details of the proposed long-term deal between the city and the developer remain under wraps. But the broad concept is that the developer would put up key financing for the project (the conference centre could cost up to $40-million) and be repaid through profits generated by the conference centre.
AoD
Archeological find at Ex hinders hotel project
JENNIFER LEWINGTON
CITY HALL BUREAU CHIEF
What lies beneath has put a crimp in what is supposed to rise above the ground at Exhibition Place.
The site first proposed two years ago for a new mid-sized hotel and conference centre sits on an archeological site tied to Toronto's earliest days, an investigation has confirmed, forcing project sponsors to scout for nearby sites.
"The archeological remains are still there and there was some concern you don't want to disturb them," said deputy mayor Joe Pantalone, chairman of Exhibition Place.
In 2004, the city and property developer George Friedmann owner of the Windsor Arms Hotel, signed a letter of intent to develop a 175-room hotel and a 50,000-square-foot conference centre on lands south of the National Trade Centre between the 75-year-old Automotive Building and the Stanley Barracks. The development is part of a broader strategy to generate more year-round activity at Exhibition Place, home of the Canadian National Exhibition.
But an archeological investigation, required under city and provincial heritage rules, confirmed what history buffs already knew about Stanley Barracks, built in 1841 to replace Fort York. Only one stone building remains (braced by an old CNR locomotive and the steam tug Ned Hanlan) of what was once six military buildings surrounding a parade square. The stone and wooden footings of the other five structures, including a hospital and officers' mess, lie only a foot or so below the surrounding parking lot.
"All of us have been surprised by what we found, especially the archeology," Mr. Pantalone said. "We are redirecting it [the project] to protect this part of the heritage of the city."
The news is a relief to heritage advocates. "It's wise and prudent," said Stephen Otto, a director of Friends of Fort York.
The finds are expected to delay the hotel project initially forecast to open in April, 2007, by at least a year.
"All of us are committed to making it happen because it is needed," Mr. Pantalone said. "The negotiations are proceeding." Mr. Friedmann could not be reached for comment.
In the meantime, the hunt is on for a new site. One option is to renovate the Automotive Building as a conference centre, while retaining the historic facade, and locate the hotel to the south.
Financial details of the proposed long-term deal between the city and the developer remain under wraps. But the broad concept is that the developer would put up key financing for the project (the conference centre could cost up to $40-million) and be repaid through profits generated by the conference centre.
AoD