Sydenham-Pearl Brownfield Project 

Background

The Sydenham Pearl Brownfield site consists of two properties: 17 Sydenham Street is the former Crown Electric manufacturing site and 22 Sydenham Street is the former Domtar (Northern Globe) manufacturing site. Both properties have frontage onto Pearl Street.

The site area is approximately 2.4 ha (6 acres) and is mostly surrounded by a residential neighbourhood. 22 Sydenham Street directly abuts the CN rail line on the north side, and both properties are bisected by a section of Sydenham Street that ends at the CN property. Sydenham Street is used occasionally for access to the loading docks of Canadian Velvet Textiles (formerly Mott Manufacturing) located at 70 Wadsworth Avenue and which abuts the northern boundary of 17 Sydenham Street. The City became the owner of both properties in 2006 following unsuccessful tax sales. Phase II environmental site investigations carried out by the city indicated that both properties were contaminated by past industrial operations and environmental remediation would be required to obtain a record of site condition to allow the redevelopment of the site for more sensitive uses, such as for housing or parkland.

From 2004 to 2006 Ward Councillors and City Staff carried out extensive public consultation to develop a preferred concept plan for the area. The overwhelming preference was for the site to be redeveloped for residential uses. The City issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the purchase, remediation and redevelopment of the Sydenham Pear Brownfield site. The RFP asked for proposals for a residential development based on the preferred concept plan developed by the community. The preferred concept plan included a mix of single family and town homes, totalling 59 dwelling units. In 2007, a proposal submitted by Associated Brownfields was accepted by City Council, and the City entered into a Land Sale Agreement with Associated Brownfield for them to proceed with remediation and redevelopment of the two properties for residential uses.   However, after considerable project delays, City Council voted on March 21, 2011 to terminate the existing agreement with Associated Brownfields. Councillors and Staff are in the process of determining the next steps for this project.