Another proposal for the Guild Inn??

The Guild Inn ...Once a beautiful property overlooking Lake Ontario now a desolate place.

For over 10 years the Guild Inn has been boarded up and neglected by the City of Toronto.

Few years ago before the security fence was installed I stepped through the open front door of the building to take a look around.

The vandalized interior and foyer was appalling.

The wooden staircases to the upper level where covered with dirt from animals and large amounts of mold. When mold spores are present in abnormally high quantities, they can present a health hazard to humans, potentially causing allergic reactions, producing mycotoxins, causing fungal infection (mycosis). Furniture where damaged and graffiti on the walls was visible.

Asbestos presents another problem in the Guild Inn. In previous years security guards hired by the City of Toronto did not enter the building because of health hazards. The guards remained in their cars parked in front of the Guild Inn. 2009 the Guild Inn Hotel tower was demolished and is now a parking lot.

The remaining buildings should be condemned and demolished as recommended by the City staff report from March 9, 2005 
http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/2005/agendas/committees/sc/sc050531/it004.pdf
More references:
http://www.paulainslie.com/FILES/MAY2007GUILDUPDATEBACKpage.pdf

City of Toronto news release August 7, 2009
City Council approves Centennial College redevelopment plans for the Guild Inn

Toronto City Council has approved an important initiative that will create a vibrant new future for the Guild Inn site in Scarborough. An agreement in principle has been reached between the City of Toronto, Centennial College and the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority that allows the college to construct a new home for their Cultural and Heritage Institute.
BACKGROUND
TRCA is the owner of the Guild Inn and leased the buildings and lands to the City of Toronto. Under the terms of the lease, the City of Toronto assumes all responsibility for the 88 acres of Guild Inn lands and buildings to September 1, 2083.

The city has sought proposals for redevelopment and revitalization of the Guild Inn on several
occasions, most recently from Centennial College.
The city is proposing to enter into a binding letter of intent whereby about 6.76 acres of the 88
acres will be subleased to Centennial College. Centennial College will operate its Institute of
Cultural and Heritage Management from the site using the Bickford Residence. Centennial
College will partner with a city approved developer/hotel operator to build a 120 room hotel,
spa, restaurant and conference centre. The new centre involving an investment of about $30
million will also create workplace and learning opportunities for students in Centennial's School
of Hospitality and Tourism.

RATIONALE
The city has negotiated a mutually satisfactory term sheet which will lead to the signing of a
binding letter of intent to enter into a sub lease with Centennial. The City of Toronto
Government Management Committee has approved the project and a recommendation will be
before City Council in July, 2009.
TRCA will have an opportunity to review with City of Toronto staff the project as proposed and
to consider any implications for the adjacent lands. As proposed, the Centennial College
project is superior to other proposals considered by the city in terms of protection of natural
areas. Among aspects of the project of relevance and importance to TRCA are:
�� approval of site plan, boundaries, regulatory limits, access routes, walkways and access to
the bluffs;
�� financing arrangements;
�� protection of TRCA interests in terms of insurance, indemnities and security for construction
and other matters;
�� TRCA release from any damages arising from erosion of the bluffs; and
�� TRCA in its capacity as landowner and as a statutory regulator.
TRCA and its solicitors will work with city staff to ensure that TRCA interests are protected.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS
Under the terms of the Guild Inn lease with the City of Toronto, and consistent with the
management agreement between TRCA and the city, the city is responsible for all costs related
to the management and development of the Guild Inn. TRCA will incur modest legal costs to
ensure that TRCA interests are protected.
TRCA staff have also met directly with representatives of Centennial College who have
indicated an interest in TRCA continuing its stabilization work along the Scarborough shoreline
and the provision of trail connections to the Guild Inn property from the east and west. The
gap in the waterfront trail along the Scarborough shoreline of Lake Ontario is the most
significant within the TRCA's area of jurisdiction. TRCA staff are preparing funding estimates for
future federal and provincial infrastructure stimulus programs to begin to address this work.
http://www.trca.on.ca/
 
.August 2011
After failing to secure funding for the project  Centennial College proposes now to restore the remaining Guild Inn (Bickford Residence) and build condos in the park. 
The Guildwood community is waiting for City Councillor Paul Ainslie to announce a public meeting in September 2011 dealing with this new proposal.
 
 

Centennial College released a drawing of a site plan containing a condominium building with about 100 units, seven or eight storeys high, with 50 parking spaces underground.

http://www.insidetoronto.com/news/local/article/1058711--centennial-college-proposing-condominium-residences-for-guild-inn