Polluted and Neglected: The Corner of Queen St. West and Close Avenue

1375 Queen St. West, which comprises the southeast corner of Queen Street West and Close Avenue, has been emptied and fenced in since August 2003, with no signs of positive development for Parkdale residents. The PRA is spearheading a dialogue to help this site be developed as soon as possible in ways that bring benefit to our community. Our intermediate goal, if it is necessary, is to put the site to some beneficial community use until the site is developed more permanently.

The site is owned by Imperial Oil and managed by its real estate arm, Devon Estates. The PRA has made contact with both Imperial Oil and Devon Estates several times, only to be informed that the site is a brownfield in remediation. At this point we know that Imperial Oil is doing “in situ” (in place) remediation. According to Devon Estates, there are no offsite conditions or adverse affects. Although they cannot say when the remediation will be complete, they anticipate completion “in the next couple of years.” Moreover, there may be an opportunity for temporary improvements to the site, but more consultation with the Remediation Manager is needed to see what is possible. The PRA has also asked the Ministry of the Environment if any record of remediation is filed, and we have been told there is no record.

Over the coming months, the PRA will be addressing questions such as: