With the winning of the 2015 Pan American Games here in Toronto, the rush is now on to get the West Donlands project on a fast track. The West Donlands is the 80-acre area that runs from the Don River west to Parliament and from King Street south to the railway tracks.

 

For years it has been an industrial wasteland but the soil has been remediated, a berm has been built along the banks of the rushing Don River and the area is now ready for development. Front Street will be extended eastward and River Street will be brought south from King.

 

Fort York is the first of several projects to be built in the area and will comprise about 950 suites. Pricing is expected to be in the $500 per sq.ft area.

 

Overall the West Donlands will have 23 acres of parks and public areas including the soon-to-be largest park in Toronto - the 18-acre Don River Park. When completed after the Pan Am Games, there will be a total of 5,800 residences including 1,200 units of affordable housing plus 1,000,000 square feet of employment space. Schools, daycare and a recreation centre will be included along with restaurants, retail stores and easy access to public transit.