BBBD Calls Developers into Mediation Over Bloor Dufferin Site

After more than 20 meetings with the City, Councillor, and developers in the past year, BBBD has requested a mediation process. Talks stalled earlier this month when it seemed that the proposed settlement with the developer would create only a fraction of the affordable housing, community space, and green space that we know is achievable on the site. BBBD sees mediation as an opportunity to both demonstrate the viability of our community’s vision for the site and build a bridge to a workable solution. In hopes of arriving at an agreement quickly, we will go into mediation next week, on October 2nd.

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We believe that the public land at Bloor and Dufferin has the potential to showcase an exciting new approach to redevelopment in Toronto that can help turn the tide on our housing crisis and the growing inequality in our city. Respected nonprofit housing developers have shown how we could build five times more affordable housing on the site than what’s currently on the table. We’ve endorsed a visionary plan that would see hundreds of units of affordable housing integrated into the 2,000 proposed condominiums, along with a beautiful, spacious community hub. This could be a new St. Lawrence neighbourhood—a truly inclusive community for residents across all income brackets, next to a subway station. What better use could we make of this public land?

The developers, in the meantime, are moving fast in the hopes of bringing a settlement to the next Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) pre-hearing on November 25th.  While we are hopeful about the mediation process, BBBD is prepared to use its party status at the OMB to stand up for community benefits like affordable housing, community space, green space and a successful rebuild of Bloor Collegiate.

We need your help to make this vision a reality. Scroll down to see how you can donate to help with BBBD’s legal costs. We also need your moral support! Wish us luck on Twitter, Facebook, or by email.