jmacmillan
Active Member
I think the TDSB is closing the elementary school on the southwest corner due to low enrollment. Given its prominent location, redevelopment could accelerate an underground connection.
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TTC: Dufferin Station Modernization (TTC, U/C)
- Thread starter West End Boy
- Start date
M II A II R II K
Senior Member
Kent is a Junior High School, don't know about their enrollment numbers though.
Observer Walt
Senior Member
The decision has been made to close Kent school within the next two years. Bloor Collegiate, on the same block, is a good possibility for closure as well, although I don't think that decision has been formally made. Considering the age of the buildings, and the location on a major corner, IMO it would be a good idea to close both of them, demolish them, and sell the land for a very significant amount. Certainly an entrance from that corner to the subway would make sense and should be integrated into any new structure.
MetroMan
Senior Member
It would be quite a stretch but a Dufferin Mall extension would be great there.
adma
Superstar
I think with Kent School, at the very least, a potential heritage issue has popped up...
M II A II R II K
Senior Member
They've been wanting to extend the mall for ages, particularly to get retail on Bloor St.
W. K. Lis
Superstar
I would like to see a real mixed-use development, with retail, residential, instituation (schools), office, and an underground connection.
MetroMan
Senior Member
When I said it's a stretch.... it really is a stretch. They'd have no almost double the length of the mall for it to reach Bloor. I'm also concerned about Kent. It's a nice building and because it doesn't meet the street, I don't see how Dufferin Mall would be interested in preserving it.
Dufferin Mall has been trying to shed its ghetto mall reputation so they've gone a little more upscale. An entirely new wing would be consistent with this desire. It would be their opportunity to build a more light filled, higher ceiling building that could be their new face.
Dufferin Mall has been trying to shed its ghetto mall reputation so they've gone a little more upscale. An entirely new wing would be consistent with this desire. It would be their opportunity to build a more light filled, higher ceiling building that could be their new face.
M II A II R II K
Senior Member
They could add a large movie theatre at the street too, and perhaps a couple of 50 storey condos especially if there's open space left. And throw in a Mandarin restaurant too.
Observer Walt
Senior Member
^ Ha ha, I assume this is tongue in cheek. It's more than a full block up Dufferin Street from the mall to Bloor. There is a street in the way (unlikely to be closed by the city), not to mention a church.
I'm not sure that Kent school could be saved, if the School Board decides to close it and sell it. It's an old property (1920s?). While I don't know this for sure, such buildings are often energy-inefficient, and may contain lead pipes, asbestos, etc. But the overriding consideration here is the value of the site for other uses. It would be a darn good location for a mixed use high-rise.
I'm not sure that Kent school could be saved, if the School Board decides to close it and sell it. It's an old property (1920s?). While I don't know this for sure, such buildings are often energy-inefficient, and may contain lead pipes, asbestos, etc. But the overriding consideration here is the value of the site for other uses. It would be a darn good location for a mixed use high-rise.
M II A II R II K
Senior Member
There could be an additional building for the mall north of Croatia St. and have underground and skywalk connections.
adma
Superstar
Okay, then, Artscape is wasting its time salvaging old Givins/Shaw
...and by extension, you might as well not bother saving *any* old schools, or any old *anything*...
Read. This. Please.
Morgan Edge
New Member
Oh that's great, I just logged on to come to the defence of the Kent school and had forgotten about the Artscape conversion, but it's a perfect example.
I'm all for the dead space between the existing mall and Bloor to be utilized -filled in with more retail/services/residential towers/subway entrance/etc but including Kent really has to be part of that vision. Demolition would be very disappointing, heck if Bloor Collegiate was opened up a bit to Bloor street it would also be very nice. Great entranceway to BC, love the deco styling.
I'm all for the dead space between the existing mall and Bloor to be utilized -filled in with more retail/services/residential towers/subway entrance/etc but including Kent really has to be part of that vision. Demolition would be very disappointing, heck if Bloor Collegiate was opened up a bit to Bloor street it would also be very nice. Great entranceway to BC, love the deco styling.
M II A II R II K
Senior Member
Carleton Village recently got knocked down for a police station.
Morgan Edge
New Member
I didn't know this school but I'm looking at it on streets view now and if this is the place you're talking about (on Osler street) then that's a real shame because it was a very good looking building, and appeared to be in decent shape. Just terrific colouring and entranceway! Is it all demo'd or was some of it retained?