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From: "Jane Burgess"
To: teycc@toronto.ca
Date: Mon, Nov 14, 2005 1:48 PM
Subject: Don't Demolish Riverdale Hospital
Council:
I am an architect specializing in heritage restoration and the past vice chair of the Toronto Preservation Board. You cannot demolish Riverdale hospital. Toronto suffers from having very few good examples of modern architecture and this one is one of the finest. The design of this building is of such a high caliber that it is probably of national significance.
I am also the architect responsible for the Heritage Significance
Study and Designation
of the Old Don Jail. This study included the cultural landscape
of the entire site. The Riverdale Hospital is a significant component
of this landscape. (The City of Toronto purchased the portion
of the Scadding farm that stretched from Gerrard to Bloor Street
to house its infirm, insane, diseased and criminal element.)
I am told that in writing to Council, something I have not done
before, I must give my address. I come from three generations
that have lived within the shadows of this site. I myself was
born on Playter Crescent, lived much of my life on Dearbourne
and presently reside on Hillside Drive. I am well qualified to
speak to the fact that this building, this site, defines an integral
part of the very being of our east of the Don community.
Jane Burgess
Stevens Burgess Architects
40 St. Clair East, Suite 301
Toronto
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