Take your pick: Heritage Conservation Districts in Toronto (a) deaden past and future or (b) are long overdue

A press conference was held at the Small Arms Building on July 30, 2015 to announce that the Canadian Government has approved up to $1 million for restoration of the historic facility. Local MP Stella Ambler of Mississauga South, who broke the news, joined by Jim Tovey (centre) Councillor Ward 1, Brian Denney (right) CEO, Toroto and Region Conservation and architect Michael Spaziani (left) with some preliminary plans for the site. Staff photo by Rob Beintema. Source: July 30, 2015 Mississauga News article.

From time to time in recent years, there has been discussion regarding the concept of pursuing a Heritage Conservation District designation for some part or parts of Long Branch.

Following two links, forwarded by Michael Spaziani, are of interest. They deal with the advantages and disadvantages, as viewed from a range of perspectives, of the Heritage Conservation District concept.

I first got to know of Michael’s work through my blogging in recent years regarding the Small Arms Building in Lakeview (Mississauga), a project involving a remnant of the Small Arms Ltd. munitions plant that played a strong role in providing small arms to soldiers in Europe and elsewhere during the Second World War.

The two Spacing links:

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Con side of HCDs:

Sept. 15, 2016 Spacing article By Michael McClelland:

Misuse of Heritage Conservation Districts can deaden both past and future

Pro side of Toronto HCDs:

A Sept. 23, 2016 Spacing article by Mary L. MacDonald is entitled:

Heritage conservation districts are long overdue

Michael Spaziani and Small Arms Building

Michael’s Spaziani of Michael Spaziani Architect Inc. among his other heritage-related activities is currently involved with a couple of current HCD designation processes in Toronto. That is, he is familiar with Toronto HCDs, and also with HCDs in Mississauga.

The Cultural Heritage Landscape concept is as I understand a City of Mississauga way of approaching a particular form of designation. I find it fascinating that in Mineola West the streams flowing into the Credit River are protected, whereas across South Etobicoke they are part of a fabled “lost rivers” network of streams that Michael Harrison and others have documented extensively.

A press conference was held at the Small Arms Building on July 30, 2015 to announce that the Canadian Government has approved up to $1 million for restoration of the historic facility. Linda Wigley, a former bullet loader, in one of the buildings where she worked throughout the Second World War. [She is also featured in a recent, 3-munute, Heritage Mississauga YouTube video about the building.] Staff photo by Rob Beintema. Source: July 30, 2015 Mississauga News article.

Long Branch HCD investigation

Some years ago I began to look at the feasibility of an HCD designation for the neighbourhood around Long Branch Avenue, by the Lake Ontario shoreline, where the original Long Branch Park resort was developed starting in the 1880s. However, at that time other topics took hold of my attention. My interest in the concept of exploring an HCD designation here and/or elsewhere in Long Branch is now once again  a topic of interest for me.