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What we're working on
A PLAN FOR COMPLETE, CONNECTED COMMUNITIES
Since we last shared our progress in fall 2020, our plans for Downsview have progressed based on participant feedback. At that time, we heard support for emerging ideas about parks, mixing residential and employment uses, building new connections, and reimagining these lands as a series of neighbourhoods.
We’ve been expanding on these ideas and have developed a vision with 10 key elements to guide our approach to these lands. The highlights of our plan are based on community feedback and can be grouped under two categories: public spaces and public infrastructure; and building vibrant neighbourhoods.
Have a look at the highlights below and share your thoughts. You can also download our Round Three Discussion Guide for more details.
Northcrest Developments, one of the two landowners collaborating in the id8 Downsview process, announced that a world-class film and television production studio is coming to our lands at Downsview—a $200M investment that will bring thousands of jobs! Read more here.
PUBLIC SPACES
& PUBLIC INFRASTRUCTURE
We know that public spaces and civic infrastructure are critical to vibrant and thriving communities. So, we’re planning complete, healthy neighbourhoods for all with vital new connections.
Active mobility network with better connections
100 acres of
new public parks
& open spaces
The need for public parks, nature, connections, community services and facilities, and arts and culture was raised repeatedly by participants. Public policy priorities are also clear about the requirement to deliver public assets and for landowners to financially contribute to public infrastructure—like parks, roads, community centres, libraries, etc.—that will ultimately be owned and operated by the City of Toronto.
Indigenous Placekeeping
Inherent in natural spaces
Indigenous spaces and land-based activities are important. Include Indigenous outdoor ceremonial space and spaces for sacred fire.
Incorporate Indigenous placekeeping efforts in architecture, landscape architecture, public art, commemoration and naming, public education, parks and open spaces, and dedicated cultural spaces and ceremonial spaces.
HIGHLIGHTS
STATUS TODAY
IDEAS FROM ROUND TWO
WHAT’S NEW IN ROUND THREE
Parks & Open Spaces
None
Downsview Park and William Baker woodlot are existing and important, and outside the application area
Network of new parks and open spaces connected to Downsview Park, the William Baker woodlot, and the ravine systems to link communities, provide habitat, support sustainability, and help shape the future identity of Downsview.
100 acres (40 hectares) of new connected parks and open spaces including neighbourhood parks, greenways, and connections to Downsview Park. Reimagine the runway as an important public space in the interim and as a destination in the long term. New residents will access open space within a 5-minute walk.
Connections
Limited
One GO line crossing at Carl Hall Road
More GO rail line crossings to connect east and west. People-first, complete street network. Improved connectivity and safe access for all modes—pedestrians, cyclists, and cars.
Four new GO rail line crossings: two vehicle/multi-modal and two to walk, bike, and roll across. Dufferin Street extended north through the site, and new north-south and east-west connections to surrounding neighbourhoods. Opportunities for transport beyond private vehicles.
Community Services & Facilities
None
Downsview Park is outside the application area
Participants want more facilities to support existing and new residents.
Financial support and land for a new Community Centre at Keele and Sheppard. Community Context Study has been prepared to understand local community priorities and guide civic infrastructure discussions. New facilities will be delivered over time.
Arts & Culture
None
Downsview Park is outside the application area
Participants said these are priorities.
Incorporate arts and culture in interim and in permanent installations. Activations will start this year (in partnership with local artists and the City) and continue while development unfolds.
CONNEC-TIONS
ARTS & CULTURE
COMMUNITY SERVICES
& FACILITIES
INDIGENOUS PLACE
KEEPING
HIGHLIGHTS
STATUS TODAY
IDEAS FROM ROUND TWO
WHAT’S NEW IN ROUND THREE
HIGHLIGHTS
STATUS TODAY
IDEAS FROM ROUND TWO
WHAT’S NEW IN ROUND THREE
HIGHLIGHTS
STATUS TODAY
IDEAS FROM ROUND TWO
WHAT’S NEW IN ROUND THREE
HIGHLIGHTS
STATUS TODAY
IDEAS FROM ROUND TWO
WHAT’S NEW IN ROUND THREE
PARKS &
OPEN SPACES
Artist renderings, for illustrative purposes only
Participants have been clear; we need to bring good jobs and more jobs to the area. The City of Toronto’s policy for employment requires that, at a minimum, existing space for jobs will increase fourfold. A range of housing options has also been identified as a need by participants and City Council alike, especially as Toronto is expected to grow by over 700,000 people over the next 30 years. And all development needs to be sustainable.
15-minute neighbourhoods
BUILDING VIBRANT NEIGHBOURHOODS
Supporting great places to live, work, and play has been at the heart of our thinking since the beginning. Our plans for neighbourhoods also continue to prioritize equity, diversity, and inclusivity.
Space for business and jobs
3 million square feet of employment space
Attract top talent, harness innovation, ensure compatibility with existing and future residential neighbourhoods, and support meaningful and valuable jobs for a strong local workforce.
Minimum 12 million square feet of employment space—a fourfold increase of what exists today. Prioritize workforce development and education to provide a range of jobs and training, especially for Indigenous peoples, local residents and youth, in collaboration with local organizations.
HIGHLIGHTS
STATUS TODAY
IDEAS FROM ROUND TWO
WHAT’S NEW IN ROUND THREE
Housing diversity
& affordability
None
Enable communities that are multi-generational and diverse. Locate housing with shops and services that are walkable and convenient. Deeply affordable housing needed for Indigenous peoples.
New housing supply that supports City policy and vision for a diversity of housing for young to old, in all types and sizes, as well as looking at affordability and implementing the City’s Large Site Policy Options, such as conveying 20% affordable housing, or equivalent measures.
Heritage
Limited number of existing buildings
Recognize heritage, including Indigenous ways of knowing and ways of being.
Repurpose existing buildings and heritage assets. Engage Indigenous voices to inform the built and natural environment with Indigenous values, history, and living culture.
Sustainability
More can be done
Downsview Park brings best practices in water management and habitat regeneration and is outside the application area
Development that is designed for all seasons, integrates the water cycle into everyday life, creates habitats for local species, considers sunlight and shade, provides health benefits, and will not contribute to basement flooding.
A new standard for urban development that integrates urban and natural systems in a concept we call City Nature, using climate responsive design, innovative stormwater management, and enriched natural habitat. Stormwater will be managed and will not contribute to basement flooding.
Built form
Limited number of existing low-rise buildings
We know a certain amount of density is needed to make it possible for mixed-use development that enables residents to meet most of their everyday needs locally by foot, bike, or transit.
Comfortable scale. New buildings will be predominantly midrise (up to 14 storeys), with higher buildings closer to transit stations and at key intersections. Transitions will respect existing neighbourhoods. This will support exceptional transit-oriented communities.
HIGHLIGHTS
STATUS TODAY
IDEAS FROM ROUND TWO
WHAT’S NEW IN ROUND THREE
HIGHLIGHTS
STATUS TODAY
IDEAS FROM ROUND TWO
WHAT’S NEW IN ROUND THREE
HIGHLIGHTS
STATUS TODAY
IDEAS FROM ROUND TWO
WHAT’S NEW IN ROUND THREE
HIGHLIGHTS
STATUS TODAY
IDEAS FROM ROUND TWO
WHAT’S NEW IN ROUND THREE
SPACE FOR BUSINESS
& JOBS
HOUSING
DIVERSITY & AFFORD-
ABILITY
HERITAGE
SUSTAIN-ABILITY
BUILT
FORM
Artist renderings, for illustrative purposes only
PHASING & INTERIM USES IN THE DECADES TO COME
This is a big area. We’re going to take time to develop these lands using a thoughtful, step-by-step approach that prioritizes collaboration, so that our decisions continue to be informed by community and stakeholder priorities, as well as public policy priorities and our priorities as landowners. Just as the neighbourhoods around Downsview were built over time, this plan will likely take over 30 years to fully implement.
Beginning with three neighbourhoods enables us to start close to transit (Downsview Park and Wilson Stations) and support the creation of new jobs—including in the existing Bombardier hangars, which will be repurposed. These first steps will likely take several years to realize.
We are also working on plans to animate the lands in the interim with local arts, activities, and culture.
While we focus on these neighbourhoods, we want to keep the rest of the area lively and interesting with engaging uses that attract people to the site. Interim uses also give us a chance to test and grow concepts—the best of which can ultimately be incorporated into the permanent development.
