Festive Singalong – Volunteers wanted
Hey friends, don’t forget to come out to our festive singalong and tree-lighting this Saturday, December 3 at 530. Also, if you are available to volunteer for setup at 430 (and don’t mind lifting some heavy things) email us at info@deca.to.
From the DECA Visioning Committee:
DECA Community, miss the ULI TAP Danforth Garage Webinar?
Earlier this month the Urban Land Institute (ULI) held a webinar to summarize their recommendations for the Danforth Garage (SoDa Barns) project at Danforth and Coxwell Avenues after holding a ULI Technical Assistance Panel (TAP) focused on this project. DECA finds their insightful review of the site a valuable contribution to the evolving vision for this city building project and the discussion as to how to get there! The ULI TAP contribution reflects the expertise of a wide range of professionals involved in the building industry and the arts community. By providing a financial lens, among others, to this project they explored how to create a vibrant and sustainable project. Steve Wickens, the DECA Visioning Chair, provided a long and local perspective on the project having been in discussions about the site since initiating the event, “Imagine the Danforth” in 2014 with DECA Visioning members.
The ULI TAP provided five recommendations to direct the project moving forward (taken from the ULI report):
#1 Look at the project as a district to better use land and unlock potential funding sources beyond the 5-acre site. (see report for photos & similar scale maps)
#2 Increase the allowed density on the 5-acre site as well as on city-owned properties within the district. Add 750,000 sq.ft. of market residential housing to achieve the vision of a community hub for the Barns.
#3. Just start! Treat the Danforth Barns like a business incubator and start introducing interim uses.
#4. Future-proof the site by testing the circulation network in and around the site and
find out what works and what doesn’t, with different uses in mind.
#5. Attract a creative, long-term developer and funding partner to kick start the
revitalization of the site, help unlock potential city-owned real estate value, and phase
and maintain the project over time.
DECA also agrees we should get those interim uses going ASAP!
Peruse the report and watch the webinar for more, great information!
Below are the details from the webinar:
- Missed the Program: View the Webinar Recording
- View the TAP Report here
- Attached are the slides from the speakers.
We will keep you posted on this project in our community!
ULIToronto_DanforthGarageWebinar_Nov92022