Retail plans for Toronto's Old City Hall put on hold

Many Torontonians weren't too pleased to hear that the city was looking at transforming Old City Hall into a shopping mall. But now, there's renewed hope that council might actually do something civically engaging with the 116-year-old historic building.

Today, members of Toronto's Government Management Committee voted unanimously to look at the feasibility of transforming Old City Hall into a museum. They'll also look at other potential uses for the building at Queen and Bay and they will consult the public in the process.

It's not the first time the idea has been floated to use the EJ Lennox-designed building as a museum, so let's not hold our breathe that civic pride and heritage concerns will win the day, but at least a discussion is bound to happen now.

Since 1972, Infrastructure Ontario has been leasing part of Old City Hall for provincial courts. However, as CBC News reports, this lease is set to expire in 2021.

Do you think Old City Hall should become a museum? Let us know in the comments.

Photo by mooncall2012 in the blogTO Flickr pool

by Amy Grief via blogTO