Why would anyone think of any other outcome? Nothing in the way of heritage conservation comes to mind when I think of the City of Toronto - our politicians are far to concerned with keeping their jobs and making sure they get a salary increase than to actually worry about things happening within the city. While it might not be the most significant building, it is the action, or lack there of that counts.
Most often developers have the city in their pocket to the tune of "new development," that the city is reluctant to make too many requests of them and down the buildings come- or most of it. Our heritage is not in retaining facades of the building - naturally, some cases will not allow for anything but the retention, but in all honesty, we do not try hard enough to fit our needs and really what it boils down to is profit vs. cost. And ultimately this is how they justify it to the city. "We can't afford the restoration" ; "we need to design for tomorrow" ; "we are building a better building for tomorrow" "our plans call for more dynamic spaces" ; "we can't make it work, its just not workable" and the list goes on- believe me I have heard them all.
I think once all we have left are the few token heritage properties in the city and a multitude of facades we will suddenly realize that history came and went and no one cared enough or felt it worth their while (sic. money) to maintain anything. You may call me an alarmist, but I have spoken with a number of highly respected restoration architects and most say the same things - "we just don't care enough!"
p5
