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East-end TTC property back in the spotlight
CITY HALL
A decade ago, Martap Developments 87 Limited developed a portion of TTC property at Danforth and Coxwell, and caused a stink.
Then the press raised questions about how much money the TTC got for the land and about councillor Tom Jakobek’s ties to Martap’s president, Thomas Falus.
Well, it turns out that that chapter in our civic life isn’t entirely closed.
A recent TTC memo, obtained by NOW, to the city’s director of real estate, Doug Stewart, notes that the long-term lease and building agreement with Martap included a “right of first opportunity’ on the remainder of the property.
The March 24 memo, written by TTC superintendent of property management Graham Tulett, says, “Martap has recently confirmed its interest in proceeding with development of the Danforth site, and in anticipation of our transit needs being phased out, some discussions have commenced without the formal invocation of the first-opportunity option.’
TTC general secretary Vincent Rodo says if the Danforth yard is made surplus, they would first have to “negotiate in good faith’ with Martap before seeking other proposals for the property.
TTC chair Howard Moscoe, however, opposes declaring the property surplus.
Falus was unavailable for comment. SCOTT ANDERSON
