Danforth East Streetcar Yards

DANFORTH EAST STREETCAR YARDS

IVANA DIGIROLAMO, ANNE KWAN, DANA SALAMA, ALVIN YONATAN TANOKO, STEPHANIE TUNG. PLX 599 For Dr. Ian MacBurnie November 16, 2014

TABLE OF CONTENTS 4

Overview: Context

6

Overview: SWOT Analysis

8

Overview: Approach

10

Timeline

12

Proximity to Transportation

13

Land Use Amenities

14

Proximity to Parks

15

Figure-Ground Analysis

16

Site Images

18 17

Site SunPlan Study

19 18

Program Axonometric Distribution Program

20

Sun Site Study Plan

21

Elevation

22

North-South Section

24

East-West Section

27

Conclusion

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References & Image Citations

OVERVIEW CONTEXT This scheme Danforth East Streetcar Yards was conceived by a small group of Ryerson University Architectural Science students, in collaboration with the Danforth East Community Association (DECA), and faculty experts. This project aims to further Danforth East’s vibrant community endeavors, provide services for local residents and business owners, and to respect the heritage of the site. We hope that this will ignite an initiative to protect public interest on this valuable and historic site.

Special thanks to: Faculty Experts Dr. Ian MacBurnie Dr. Mark Gorgolewski Hitesh Doshi, P.Eng. Danforth East Community Association Stephen Wickens Brian Spratley

A view of the site from Danforth Avenue.

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5

SWOT ANALYSIS STRENGTHS 1. The ‘bones’ of the building are historically and aesthetically important.

2. DECA has been playing an active role in generating public interest for this site.

3. The size of the site allows for a myriad of schemes which could benefit the community.

WEAKNESSES 1. Poor structural integrity of existing building—there are many solutions to this.

2. Site contaminated with diesel fuel—site remediation is required 3. Connection to Coxwell TTC station across the street is indirect .

4. Lack of street crossings to the North side of Danforth Avenue.

5. Length of residential blocks on the north side of Danforth Avenue are too long. This is not conducive to pedestrian activity.

6. Vacant storefronts on Danforth Avenue.

OPPORTUNITIES 1. Large open space in a low-density residential neighborhood 2. Bringing vitality and pedestrian activity to the Danforth strip 3. Bring public amenities to the Danforth strip 4. DECA: community in need of a “fish market, really good supermarket, places to purchase clothing, bike infrastructure” THREATS 1. Securing funding to develop the site as a public amenity

An image of the scaffolding garden (phytoremediation site) looking north.

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APPROACH 1. MINIMAL INTERVENTION Minimal intervention has a two-fold benefit. Firstly, it allows for a light approach which strategically brings as much benefit onto the site as possible while maintaining the bones of a valuable heritage building. Secondly, by deploying a sustainable process of phytoremediation on the site, we provide a fantastic vegetated public space while allowing the site to rejuvenate naturally.

2. MIXED-USE BLOCK By supplying a mixed-use block, the Danforth East Streetcar Yard becomes a vibrant community hub. Catering to different user groups and bringing spaces where these occupants may meet brings vitality to the Danforth Avenue strip—positively influencing community spaces, businesses, and bringing intellectual capital to the Danforth East neighborhood. The variety of users within this block will allow for a wider range of pedestrian activity at different times of day.

3. PUBLIC INTEREST The crux of these efforts is to create a community space—where varying interests and collective goals mix. A site which contributes to a healthy neighborhood becomes a valuable amenity—one which people will want to protect and develop over time. This plan intentionally leaves room for growth; a back garden with temporary structures which can become anything once the soil is remediated, and large flexible open spaces wrapped by an envelope which references old industry and collective effort.

4. CAPITAL FUNDRAISING We suggest that the community consider the Build Toronto financing model for this site. Build Toronto lists its strategic priorities as “Engagement, Livable Neighborhoods, Sustainability, Employment and Transit-Oriented Development (Build Toronto.)” These values are in line with the development of the Danforth East Streetcar Yards as a community hub.

A view of the street adjacent to the community cafe looking south at the live/work units.

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9

1915

1959

1964

(Source: Transit Toronto)

1891

1912

1925

(Source: Transit Toronto)

1946

1954

1967

1968 (MAY 11) – FINAL DAY OF BLOOR-DANFORTH// CARHOUSE IS NOW AN AL 1967 – CARHOUSE IS RENOVATED TO HANDLE 134 BUSSES, SPACE FOR WASH INSPECTION PITS 1966 – SUBWAY TRAINS BEGIN RUNNING UNDER BLOOR

1954 – CARHOUSE BEGINS SERVICE AS BUS GARAGE – RESPONSIBLE FOR HANDLING SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF 1946 – CITY OF TORONTO RESIDENTS APPROVE SUBWAY PLAN 1923-1925 – FULL CONNECTION TO WEST END OF CITY 1921-1922 – EXPANSION PLAN TO SERVICE NEW CAPACITY IS FORMED ($235 000) 1918 – NEWLY FORMED TTC EXTENDS/CONNECTS EASTERN DANFORTH LINE TO DOWNTOWN 1915 (SEPTEMBER) – DANFORTH CARHOUSE BEGINS SERVICING STREETCARS 1913-1915 – WORK BEGINS ON BUILDING DANFORTH CARHOUSE (BLDG. COST IS $25 000) 1912- TRC ABANDONS FRANCHISE WITH CITY OF TORONTO AND CITY BEGINS MUNICIPAL PROJECT TO EXTEND STREETCAR SERVICE TO EAST VILLAGE OF TORONTO (DANFORTH AVE) 1893- ELECTRIC CARS COME TO BLOOR STREET 1891- CITY OF TORONTO GRANTS 30 YEAR FRANCHISE TO THE TORONTO RAILWAY COMPANY (TRC)

(Source: Transit Toronto)

2000

2014

WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR THE DANFORTH EAST STREETCAR YARDS?

2002 – DANFORTH BUS GARAGE OFFICIALLY REPLACED AND BEGINS SERVICE AS TTC SURPLUS MATERIALS STORAGE SPACE, OFFICE SPACE FOR STATION COLLECTORS AND SUBWAY OPERATORS 2000 – ADDITIONAL STORAGE BUILDINGS WHICH OCCUPY SOUTH SIDE OF LOT USE UP VALUABLE SPACE – NEEDED EXPANSION IS NOT POSSIBLE AT THIS TIME

LL-BUS GARAGE RACK, DIESEL FUELLING STATION, SIX HOISTS, 8

F TTC BUS FLEET

(Mallion)

11

PROXIMITY TO TRANSPORATION MAIN STATION

WOODBINE STATION

DANFORTH GO STATION RAIL

COXWELL STATION GREENWOOD STATION DONLANDS STATION

N 5 MIN WALK 10 MIN WALK

12 SUBWAY STATION STREETCAR LINE N

500 m

100 0

50

200

LAND USE

1. Holy Trinity Eastern Ortodox Church 2. Pegasus Studios, Kimbourne Church , East End Children Center 3. Earl Beatty Jr and Senior Public School 4. St Brigid Catholic School, Childspace Daycare 5. Toronto Public Library 6. Earl Haig Jr Public School 7. Monarch Park Collegiate Institute 8. Robertson Parkette 9. Monarch Park 10. East Lynn Park 11. Merrill Bridge Road Park 12. Williamson Park Ravine 13. TTC Subway Danforth Station 14. Monach Park Stadium 15. Shoppers Drug Mart 16. TD Canada Trust 17. McDonalds 19. Ethiopian Association in Toronto

4

3 2 1

18

Parking Recreation Market Communal

10 13

16

Commercial, Bank Restaurant, Cafe Health-related, Clinic

15 17 5

Transportation Park Sports Institutional

8

Housing Rails

11

6

12 7 N

9

14 100

20 0 10

50

500 m

13

PROXIMITY TO PARKS 18

A : 1555 Danforth Road Park B : East Lynn Park C : Merrill Bridge Road Park D : Williamson Park Ravine E : Monarch Park

B

A

C

D

E N

100

20 0 10

50

500 m

14

FIGURE-GROUND ANALYSIS

15

N

10

2 0 1

5

500 m

SITE IMAGES

1920’s Commercial Strip Buildings - North Danforth

DANFORTH & COXWELL - looking East

Existing Mid-Rise - South Danforth

Coxwell Subway Station & Shoppers - North Danforth

DANFORTH & HILLINDON - looking South

Garage Elevation - South Danforth

Library Elevation - South Danforth

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17

SITE PLAN

18

PROGRAM DISTRIBUTION

19

SUN SUN STUDY STUDY

SUMMER 9 AM

SUMMER 1 PM

SUMMER 6 PM

WINTER 9 AM

WINTER 1 PM

WINTER 5 PM

20

ELEVATION

10 0

5

20 m

21

NORTH-SOUTH SITE SECTION

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EAST-WEST SITE SECTION PHYTOREMEDIATION ON SITE Modular assembly of lightweight steel scaffolding in the site allows for various configurations of temporary sculptural walkways.

An elevated boardwalk allows for pedestrians and users of the site to cross its expanse. This also allows for the uninterrupted continuation and first-hand observation of the phytoremediation process to occur.

Hordeum Spontaneum (a barley species of vegetation) will be used for the phytoremediation of this portion of the deisel-contaminated site.

This species of plant has demonstrated a notable resilience to deisel-contaminated soils, and an ability to germinated within them (Saadoum).

Several growing seasons may be required for the full remediation of these soils depending on their specific level of toxicity. (Saadoum).

Once vegetation has taken root in the soil and has germinated results should begin to appear (Saadoum).

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CONCLUSION Danforth East Streetcar Yards will be a crucial revitalization project for the Danforth East community. The site holds tremendous value for the neighborhood, and should be developed to promote collective needs and values. This is not a new model for the City of Toronto—Wychwood Barns, Artscape projects, 401 Richmond, and Evergreen Brickworks have demonstrated that existing industrial or institutional buildings can become invaluable social and cultural facilities.

Our scheme for Danforth East Streetcar Yards sees the opportunity to create playful gathering spaces and bring vitality back to Danforth Avenue. On a site that has been directly tied to the growth and decline of the neighborhood, a new trajectory can be initiated.

This site should incorporate program which brings revenue, density, and innovation to Danforth East. The building becomes a mixer for different demographics, activities and collaborative projects, bringing latent community activities to the public realm.

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REFERENCES

Build Toronto. "A New Model for City Building." Build Toronto. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Oct. 2014.

Saadoun, Ismail, and Ziad Al-Ghazawi. American-Eurasian J. Agric. & Environ. Sci. Rep. no. 1818-6769. N.p., 2010. Web. 5 Nov. 2014.

IMAGE CITATIONS Mallion, Godfrey. “Transit Toronto.” Danforth Carhouse and Garage. N.p., 15 Oct. 2014. Web. 20 Oct. 2014.

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