Some non-profit groups are sounding the alarm about the risks of a vacant historic property, where they and dozens of other associations have operated from, as the city decides on a new leaseholder. Read More
Some non-profit groups are sounding the alarm about the risks of a vacant historic property, where they and dozens of other associations have operated from, as the city decides on a new leaseholder. At a rally on Wednesday, they said they will have to vacate their offices at the city-owned YWCA building which they have
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Some non-profit groups are sounding the alarm about the risks of a vacant historic property, where they and dozens of other associations have operated from, as the city decides on a new leaseholder.
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At a rally on Wednesday, spearheaded by an advocacy group called Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now, they said they will have to vacate their offices at the city-owned YWCA building which they have called home for decades after a lease between their landlord — Community Wise Resource Centre — and the city comes to a close on Sept. 30.
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In addition, they asked for a holdover lease to avoid having to leave the building before the city could finalize a new arrangement.
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“This has resulted in many organizations scrambling to find office space elsewhere, with some groups moving into storage or having to dissolve,” said Tara Laverdure, community development worker at Arusha Centre, a non-profit that provides resources for social justice and environmental causes, and which is seeking a lease takeover from the city.
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Community Wise had decided to terminate its lease with the city a little more than three months ago. The city later told Postmedia in an emailed statement that it provided Community Wise with its subtenants an opportunity to remain at the historic YWCA building for 18 months while the expression of interest, a formal process of seeking another leaseholder, was active.
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However, Community Wise chose to terminate the lease on three months’ notice, the city said.
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“It was up to the tenant (CWRC) to inform their subtenants of the lease termination,” the statement read.
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Laverdure cited the dangers of leaving the building vacant.
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“If the historic YWCA is left vacant for any period of time, it will become an eyesore in the area and diminish any semblance of public life on the block,” she said. “A vacant and unoccupied site is unmanaged, vulnerable and not a good solution for anyone involved.”
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Meanwhile, the city said the property cannot be demolished due to its heritage status: “Our goal is to preserve this important heritage building and identify a new tenant who can continue to make it a place where community can thrive.”
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Community Wise, which is reportedly moving elsewhere, didn’t immediately respond to Postmedia’s request for comment.
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