By Lauren Krugel
Parishioners of the Church of St. John the Evangelist have voted to negotiate a deal that could bring 118 units of affordable housing to Somerset Street.
At a special meeting Sept. 28, the church passed a motion to consider an offer from Teron Inc., a private development company, to convert part of the adjacent parking lot into a 12-storey condominium.
Bill Teron, a private developer, offered $1.8 million for the space beside the 111-year-old church at the corner of Somerset and Elgin streets.
While no exact deadline is set, Teron says he expects the structure will be completed sometime next spring.
Teron was the president of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation more than 30 years ago, where he introduced the city to several new affordable housing initiatives.
He says he will not make nearly as much profit on this affordable housing project as he would on high-end condos.
“I don’t need to acquire more wealth. I acquire far more satisfaction from helping the community,” Teron says. “It’s the sensible thing to do. It’s the right thing to do.”
He says all of the condominiums will be affordable, despite the city’s minimum requirement of only 25 per cent. They will cost between $95,000 and $135,000, and will be accessible to people with disabilities.
“It’s not only wheelchair accessible. It’s wheelchair friendly,” says Teron.
While about two thirds of the parishioners voted in favour of the proposal, parishioner Bill Gamouras said the church should have spent more time “digesting” the offer.
“If Mr. Teron is interested, he can certainly wait for the church to make up their minds,” he said. “It’s a big step to take. This should not be taken lightly.”
The church is an important part of the lives of the parishioners, and they should be certain they are getting the best deal possible, says Gamouras who is also a former employee of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp.
But Teron says he and the congregation have been mulling over ways to develop the parking lot for two years. A formal proposal for housing was submitted in June.
The income from the sale will help pay for ongoing renovations, said Gay Richardson, chair of the church’s architectural renewal committee.
“It’s a really exciting opportunity,” she adds. “We’re delighted we’ve moved one step along the way.”
One of the terms of the proposal was for the church to approve the façade of the condominiums, to make sure the architecture of the two buildings is harmonious.
The church will purchase 38 spaces on one level of the two-storey parking garage.
Gamouras says, “everyone is on board” with the ideaof building affordable housing beside the church.
Teron’s goals are “quite laudable. Everyone is appreciative of his ideals,” he said.
Somerset Coun. Elisabeth Arnold said there is a “huge need” for social housing, as more than 12,000 people are currently on the waiting list. Teron says the funding the federal government currently provides can only provide funding for 1,000 of these people.
“I think it would be an excellent site,” says Arnold, adding its closeness to bus routes and city services would make for an ideal living situation for low-income families.
Teron says many of the people who would be living in the building would be seniors and young singles. With the church next door, they would have access to its support systems.
An information sheet given to parishioners before the meeting says it is within the church’s mission to support social housing.
“It’s the most inclusive church in the whole community. They accept everyone,” says Teron.