The Government of Canada, along with the Province of Ontario and the City of Toronto have launched a competition to select a development partner for their Waterfront Toronto project in the Quayside lands. Their announcement last week is almost a year since Sidewalk Labs reported that it would drop its smart city plans for the area due to unprecedented economic uncertainty.
An article in Smart Cities Dive states that the international competition will be looking for partners to help Waterfront Toronto reach its goals to design a "sustainable community for people of all ages, backgrounds, abilities and incomes." The area will provide affordable housing in addition to amenities and support for seniors to live independently.
A short list of participants will be selected after the initial request for qualifications phase. RFQs will be accepted through May 12 and a winner will be announced by the end of 2021.
The Quayside site consists of 12 acres and is one of the last underdeveloped portions of land near Toronto's downtown and has garnered a lot of attention in recent years.
Sidewalk Labs' now defunct Quayside project has been in the works for more than two years and even though the project did receive praise for its ambitious and futuristic design elements, it was criticized by locals for its controversial data management plans and other privacy concerns.
"Technology can be a solution, but our focus for Quayside is on creating a complete community that will reorient Toronto towards the water. Our work with the community has told us that we need to be able to address service gaps such as facilities for aging in place, affordable housing and accessibility."
Waterfront Toronto CEO | George Zegarac
Inclusive planning for seniors seems to be the key component for the community's future design plans. Waterfront Toronto would like to see integrated living centers, where seniors can transition from independent to assisted living or long-term care.
The Central Toronto area currently has a waitlist of 5,700 people for long-term care facilities, according to a statement from President and CEO of the University Health Network Kevin Smith.
"The COVID-19 pandemic has amplified the need for the nation to look at new models of care for our seniors and we strongly support Waterfront Toronto's proposal to use its Quayside development to pilot a new model that will provide vital long term care capacity to a city with growing wait lists."
Sunnybrook Health Sciences President & CEO | Andrew J. Smith
According to The Toronto Star, Google sister firm Sidewalk Labs had planned to turn this parcel of land on the waterfront into a futuristic, high-tech smart district with buildings made of wood, data collecting sensors, self-driving cars, moisture-resistant heated pavements and more.
However, after a public backlash over their plans to use data collection in the district and the economic uncertainty caused by the pandemic, Sidewalk decided to walk away from the agreement with Waterfront Toronto last year.
Waterfront Toronto's plans will consist of the following:
- Mixed-use development
- Affordable and possibly long-term-care housing
- Parks
- Waterfront promenades
- Cultural amenities
- Large gathering spaces for the public
- Retail spaces
Waterfront Toronto is now looking for a development partner that has experience in urban design as well as financial capability.
Other features that are envisioned for Quayside will be Parliament Plaza, two large green spaces on either side of a realigned Parliament Street, a new Silo Park that will feature green space and recreational facilities near the two giant silos at the foot of Parliament, and a new boardwalk.
A new LRT line is also called for along this portion of Queens Quay but isn't a requirement like it was under Sidewalk Labs' plan.
DataBid was reporting on this project titled - Sidewalk Toronto - Quayside (0065101817)