CWNA - Church Wellesley Neighbourhood Association
  • Home
  • About CWNA
    • What We Do / Mission
    • Our Members
    • Board of Directors
    • Contact Us
  • Development
  • Placemaking
  • Heritage
  • Safety
  • Join Us
  • News & Resources
    • Church Wellesley Update
    • Board Meeting Minutes
    • Community Directory
    • Planning Documents
  • Map
  • Contact Us

Church Wellesley Update

News from the Church Wellesley Neighbourhood Association
Subscribe to Church Wellesley updates

Development Proposal Expected for Site of Crews & Tangos and Boutique Bar

2/28/2020

 
Picture

506 to 516 Church Street, which is now occupied by Crews & Tangos, Boutique Bar and a Target Park parking lot, will be radically transformed in the coming years.  

The properties are owned by Graywood Group, a Toronto-based real estate developer.  Graywood is undertaking preliminary consultations with community stakeholders, a precursor to a development proposal that will likely be submitted to the City later this year.  

According to a representative for Graywood, "the vision for this site is to introduce a mix of uses, including retail and residential. The development proposal is early in the process and Graywood is committed to working closely with the community as this proposal progresses through the development application process." 


In meetings with Graywood, Councillor Wong-Tam has strongly advocated for the Village's character, safe spaces and LGBTQ2S+ communities.  According to her office, she in particular requested that Graywood meet with Crews & Tangos and Boutique Bar to discuss extending their leases as well as the possibility of returning to the space post-development. Graywood agreed to a two-year lease extension so that the businesses can continue to operate during the planning stage.

On March 17, Greywood and Crews / Tangos released a joint statement outlining an agreement to keep the bars in the new development. The full text is below:


Statement re: Church Street development on behalf of Graywood Developments and Michael Ramawad of Crews & Tangos

As many are aware, Graywood Developments has recently acquired the 506-516 Church St. properties. Part of this development site includes the location of Toronto’s beloved drag bar, Crews & Tangos. Since acquiring the property, Graywood has been in dialogue with business owner Michael Ramawad, as well as local Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam regarding the future of the business.

While the spread of COVID-19 and the immediate safety of our friends, patrons and community members remains top of mind, Michael and the team at Graywood Developments felt it was important to address the long term viability of Crews & Tangos. The significant challenges before us do not diminish the fact that the future of Crews & Tangos remains a vital concern for many.

Though the development process has just started, it has always been Graywood’s intention to continue working collaboratively with the community to respect and honour the fabric of Toronto’s Gay Village. Graywood and Michael have been in constant, productive dialogue since Graywood acquired the property. To ensure the Church-Wellesley and LGBTQ2S+ community do not lose an inclusive, safe space, the Crews & Tangos lease has been extended for two years during which time regular operations will continue (notwithstanding any potential interruptions due to the impact of COVID-19).

We are also happy to announce that Graywood Developments and Michael Ramawad are exploring a joint plan aimed at maintaining a presence for Crews & Tangos in the future, new development. In the coming weeks Michael Ramawad will join Graywood in meetings with key neighbourhood and community organizations in an effort to solidify the community engagement process. Any and all meetings will follow protocols set forth by local health authorities amidst the spread of COVID-19.

“Over the past few weeks, the outpouring of emotion towards Crews & Tangos has been incredibly heartwarming. Crews & Tangos has been a home to me for more than 10 years now,” says Michael Ramawad, Owner, Crews & Tangos.

“It was the first place I was comfortable enough to come out and to live my truth. I’ve witnessed proposals, weddings, and people’s journeys as they discovered a place where they felt safe and accepted. Crews & Tangos means as much to me as it does to you, and together, with Graywood, we are committed to finding a  solution to maintain this crucial space for the LGBTQ2S+ community.”


“Since the beginning of this process, we’ve been very fortunate to listen to and learn from Michael. While we understood the significance of this venue, Michael has deepened our appreciation about how valuable this space is for LGBTQ2S+ community members,” says Christine Yee, Director of Development, Graywood. “Though we are still early in the process we are committed to working with Michael and the community to preserve and maintain the cultural heritage and legacy of Crews & Tangos.”
​

The Graywood project is still in the pre-application stage. Further discussions with the City and stakeholder groups, including the CWNA,  will take place before Graywood submits a development application.  At that point, more community consultations will be undertaken and City staff will report on how the application fits with the City's Official Plan  and urban design guidelines, which call for low- to mid-rise buildings along Church Street. 

Comments are closed.
    Subscribe to Church Wellesley Updates

    Archives

    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    March 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    August 2017
    April 2017
    February 2017
    September 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    October 2015
    August 2015
    March 2015
    June 2013

Join CWNA Today!   -   Subscribe to email updates
Home      Development      Placemaking     Heritage     Safety      Map     CW Update
  • Home
  • About CWNA
    • What We Do / Mission
    • Our Members
    • Board of Directors
    • Contact Us
  • Development
  • Placemaking
  • Heritage
  • Safety
  • Join Us
  • News & Resources
    • Church Wellesley Update
    • Board Meeting Minutes
    • Community Directory
    • Planning Documents
  • Map
  • Contact Us