A few years ago Toronto lost a significant business in Sav-a-Lot. For the residents of the third ward it was a convenience, and for all of Toronto's citizens it was a budget-friendly way to buy groceries. Unfortunately, they closed their doors when the building began to fall into disrepair as their rent was increased. As a result, the building has sat vacant and boarded up for the past few years with no sign that any new business is going to come in and take its place.
It is my understanding that the city has had to bill the owners on several occassions for such services as applying weed killer to the property so the area did not become over-run with foliage that might serve as a respite for vermin. This is something which I feel the people of Toronto cannot abide. Something must be done and done soon.
Toronto underwent a renaisance a few years ago under former Mayor Wilson. New sidewalks and streetlights made the downtown a potential showplace. Add to this the fine work done by the Beautification committee on the landscaping of the area, and the addition of Newburg landing, and our downtown could be a huge draw for new business as well as a river-based tourist trade. But this is unlikely to happen so long as delapidated buildings and cracked and litter-strewn lots make up a sizeable portion of a central city block.
Pressure must be put on the owners of the parcel in question to either renovate or abandon claim on the property so that a new owner can be found for it, and that city block can be incorporated into the vision for Toronto's future.
Monday, March 23, 2009
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