HISTORIC HANGARS AT DOWNSVIEW AIRPORT COMING DOWN
ACO Demands Stop to Demolition
November 16, 2009
Press Release: Monday November 16 2009
They are historic, iconic structures enclosing vast space, with dramatic monitor windows filling them with light. They are within walking distance of subways and could serve any number of uses. They have recognized heritage status- the Federal Heritage Buildings Review Office wrote:
“These two structures illustrate the massive expansion of the company under government auspices during the Second World War, in support of the war effort. Their functional role, as aircraft hangars, directly supported the wartime responsibilities of the company in the assembly and maintenance of aircraft, and this relationship places them among the more significant buildings on site”
And without asking anyone, the Department of National Defence is planning to knock them down tomorrow. Lloyd Alter, the President of the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario, is outraged.
“Here is a government that purports to care about the environment, yet they will throw away all of the embodied energy it took to create these buildings, that are so accessible, that could serve so many uses. A government that just made a big deal about Remembrance Day last week, yet this week will demolish such an important part of our history.”
Others agree. Paul Oberman, President & CEO of Woodcliffe Landmark Properties, a Toronto developer know for restoring and preserving historic buildings including the Flatiron Building and the North Toronto Station (Summerhill LCBO), has contacted former City of Toronto Mayors The Honourable David Crombie and Senator Art Eggleton and MP The Honourable Ken Dryden and others who have lent their support.
ACO President Alter calls it all a huge waste. “Times have changed, we don’t treat our buildings like an old piece of kleenex any more. We have to reuse, repurpose, repair, restore, and most importantly, refuse to accept that some bureaucrat in the DND can destroy an important piece of our city’s history on a whim.”
To see the original press release, click on the link to the pdf.
Type of News Item: News
For More Information Contact:
Lloyd Alter
President, Architectural Conservancy of Ontario
(t)416 346 5738
Location Information:
(f)Toronto
Associated Document:
Press Release, November 16, 2009
(Acrobat PDF file)
