Yesterday, we reported on concerns among Kensington Market residents about a proposed condo complex at the old Zen Buddhist Temple site. But it's not gentrification that's pushing the monks out of the neighbourhood—it's the noise and crime.
As reported yesterday, condos and chain-stores may finally have arrived on Kensington Market’s doorstep—but now we’ve learned that inhabitants of the free-spirited low-rise neighbourhood might have staved off the development for at least a couple more years, if only they hadn’t pissed off the monks.
Fed up with the neighbourhood’s noise and rowdiness, monks at the Zen Buddhist Temple at 297 College St., situated on Kensington’s northern border, will be moving to a new—and, they hope, more peaceful—building near Bathurst and St. Clair in December, leaving their old location in the hands of Tribute Communities, a developer. The news was discussed by community residents at an information meeting at the Lillian H. Smith library last night.
Tribute, a less Zen-like organization, is proposing a 15-storey condo tower for the site, subject to City approval. The second floor would have about 20,000 square feet of retail space. Some members of Kensington’s business community believe, not unreasonably, that the tenant will be a Loblaws—a nightmare scenario for the neighbourhood’s many small grocers, fruit stands and bakeries.
“We think a grocery retailer would be a good tenant,” confirmed Steve Deveax, vice president of land development for Tribute, during an interview. “Or it could be a drug store, something of that ilk.”
Samu Sunim, the temple’s head monk, who was hoping to broker a deal with U of T for the site, isn’t pleased with this outcome. “Of course it bothers me,” he said. But, he added, “We have been robbed. Some drug addicts, when they run out of money, they become desperate.”
Computers were stolen, and general rowdiness has also been an issue. “All night they would make noise and breaking bottles and fighting,” Samu said. “We have been troubled some time.”
The temple always has between three and five full-time residents, so tranquil nights are important.
