OBJECTION TO THE PROPOSED TTC MCNICOLL BUS GARAGE PROJECT

Toronto Transportation Commission (TTC) announced their plan to construct a Bus Garage just south of our property line, scheduled for 2016 completion.  The project will cause potential adverse impacts to our congregants and to the socio-economic environment of the neighbourhood.  It will also cause severe traffic congestion and serious health and safety risks to the community.    In particular, the TTC did not take into consideration Scarborough Chinese Baptist Church (SCBC) being the immedidate adjacent neighbour, in their impact studies.  The TTC design to have only one exit of their garage on the future Redlea Avenue will incur a serious risk to pedestrian safety – there will be more than 3,000 crossings by our congregants between our parking lot and the church building every Sunday morning, and a high volume of crossings throughout Saturdays and during weekday evenings, for regular and special events.  Our congregants include many seniors, children and young families with babies.    Also the proposed garage’s large fuel tanks, waste containers, and traffic for refueling and waste disposal pose severe potential hazards, particularly due to the railway right next to the garage. There are many other additional environmental issues to be dealt with.    SCBC has decided to take all necessary steps and actions to oppose the proposed plan by TTC to build the McNicoll Bus Garage.   Together with SCBC congregants, the Mon Sheong Court senior residents and staff,  Mon Sheong Long Term Care residents, their families and staff workers, the Bamburgh Gate Villa condominium and townhouse residents, Villa Elegance’s senior home residents, there are at least 5,000 people in the local community opposing this project, let alone Mary Ward Catholic Secondary School students, users of the L'Amoreaux Community and Recreation Centre, other residents, major malls and many business stores owners in the neighbourhood. 

We strongly urge the City of Toronto and the TTC Board to reject and cancel this proposed garage project.