5.9K 
The University of Toronto has submitted a Zoning By-law Amendment application to the City to permit the development of the new Scarborough Academy of Medicine and Integrated Health (SAMIH) at its Scarborough campus (UTSC). The SAMIH will be located at the north end of the campus, on the University-owned lands at the corner of Morningside Avenue and Military Trail, and just south of the Toronto Pam Am Sport Centre (TPASC).
The proposed SAMIH development is a six-storey institutional building with a total floor area of 15,177m². Designed by gh3, this new medical academy would train the next generation of health-care professionals in the eastern Greater Toronto Area, and is anticipated to help address the critical shortage of medical professionals serving Scarborough and Durham Region.
The SAMIH site is currently occupied by surface parking lots available for the use of TPASC, students, and visitors. The application proposes to retain the majority of the site in its current condition, including existing open space and parking uses.
The site fronts onto a planned realignment of Military Trail, which would be extended along the site’s north frontage from Pan Am Drive to Morningside Avenue. The realignment is meant to provide a central car-free pedestrian spine for UTSC's growing North Campus on the current alignment of Military Trail, while giving cars a new road connection with access to the UTSC Parking Lot H and future Instructional Centre 2 building.
SAMIH's ground floor is proposed to include public-facing active uses, including food services and a pharmacy, which would contribute to the vibrancy of the pedestrian environment, while the basement and upper storeys would contain academic and clinical facilities, office spaces, and study areas. The top level is proposed to feature a rooftop patio. Entrances are proposed on the north and west frontages of the building.
According to documents submitted with the application, UTSC’s commitment to sustainability has informed the design of the SAMIH building through measures such as optimization of embodied carbon in the design of structure, foundation, and facade. The SAMIH building is designed to meet the requirements of TGS v. 4 Tier 1 and the University of Toronto’s Tri-Campus Energy Modelling and Energy Performance Standard through building materials chosen for their durability and sustainability.
Until such time as Military Trail is realigned, a new laneway would extend west from Pan Am Drive, and then turn south to extend along the east side of the development, providing access to a pick-up and drop-off area on the building’s east side. Parking would be provided within a proposed 'Retail and Parking Commons' located at 40 Pan Am Drive. Bicycle parking is also in the plans, with 92 long term spots and 42 short term spots proposed.
The site is served by transit, with two TTC buses that travel variously to Victoria Park and Kennedy stations. Additionally, the Eglinton LRT east extension — subject of a motion at the last Toronto City Council meeting to find funding for it as soon as possible — would have three stops within vicinity of the building.
UrbanToronto will continue to follow updates for this development, but in the meantime, you can learn more from our Database file for the project, linked below. If you'd like, you can join in on the conversation in the associated Project Forum thread, or leave a comment in the space provided on this page.
* * *
UrbanToronto’s new data research service, UrbanToronto Pro, offers comprehensive information on construction projects in the Greater Toronto Area—from proposal right through to completion stages. In addition, our subscription newsletter, New Development Insider, drops in your mailbox daily to help you track projects through the planning process.
| Related Companies: | Bousfields, Crossey Engineering, Diamond Schmitt Architects, EllisDon |
