End of an era for Bay and Dundas bus station

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Greyhound Bus Lines folded up its tents last month and shut down most Canadian operations.

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Bus travel has declined in recent years and an entire pandemic year of no business has sounded the death knell.

In July, the lease between Greyhound and Toronto ends, and the 610 Bay Street bus station, which has been in operation since 1931, will face a new future.

The magnificent art deco building was created 90 years ago by architect Charles B. Dolphin and has been listed as a historic monument since the 1980s.

You won’t see a lot of people crying into their handkerchiefs when the filthy bus station closes. It’s been a place for heels for a long time.

There is a stigma attached to bus travel – cheap and efficient as it can be – that began with the increase in car ownership after WWII.

The building of the bus station belongs to theToronto Coach Terminal Inc. (TCTI), a subsidiary of the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC).

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The TTC will not use or develop the property.

According to a report from TTC’s capital manager to the board of directors of Toronto Coach Terminal Inc., permission will be sought to transfer management of the properties to the City of Toronto once Greyhound’s lease expires on July 7.

And what else?

The report to TCTI’s board of directors states:

“In October 2019, the City of Toronto identified the properties as underutilized and as such provides the City of Toronto with the opportunity to meet specific needs and construction goals, such as housing affordable, jobs and community infrastructure.

Respected local architect John Potter, a longtime Torontonian, says owning the Bay and Elizabeth Street bus terminal is a rare opportunity and it will be interesting to see what the city does with it.

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The city could of course sell the entire plot to developers.

“But it’s a perfect place for affordable housing,” Potter said. “And the city already owns the land. It depends on whether Toronto is willing to forgo the proceeds of the sale and develop the land instead. “

This area offers a good mix of housing, Potter continued, with rental properties and condos in the neighborhood as well as the YWCA Elm Center, which offers affordable, market rental and special housing for women.

“It would be great to see the property put to the best use for Toronto, given the challenges our city is facing,” said Potter.

TCTI’s board of directors will vote later this month on the recommendation that ownership be transferred to the city of Toronto.

Greyhound, meanwhile, will use the new bus depot near Union Station when their service to Buffalo and New York resumes after the pandemic.