New library will be the first on Toronto’s waterfront

A new Toronto Public Library branch will be the first City-run library located on Toronto’s waterfront.

The new library has been proposed for Quayside, the developing 12-acre area at the foot of Parliament Street, comprising about 8 acres of developable land.

The City of Toronto, Toronto Public Library, and Waterfront Toronto are expected to make the official announcement on Friday morning.

It’s expected to be one of many new developments taking shape in the new Quayside waterfront community.

Developed by Waterfront Toronto, the new community is planned to be a vibrant hub that will link nearby neighbourhoods like St. Lawrence, the West Don Lands, the Distillery District, Bayside, and the new island, Ookwemin Minising.

“This area of our waterfront represents an extraordinary opportunity to create one of Canada’s most sustainable low-carbon communities, serving people of all ages, backgrounds, abilities and incomes,” says Waterfront Toronto.

“A place that is inviting and lively year-round and provides the spaces and amenities to support residents in their daily lives – creating a true sense of community.”

The area was originally chosen to be developed into a high-tech “smart city” by Google affiliate Sidewalk Labs in 2017.

Later, Waterfront Toronto announced that it would be working with companies Dream Unlimited Corp. and Great Gulf Group to develop Quayside after Sidewalk Labs left the development, citing  “unprecedented economic uncertainty.”

The companies intend to bring 800 affordable housing units and a two-acre forested green space with an urban farm sitting atop a residential mass timber building to the 12-acre site in downtown Toronto.

They also plan to build an arts venue on the land and kit out the property with low-carbon innovations meant to make Quayside the first all-electric, zero-carbon community at this scale.

With files from The Canadian Press