The transit-oriented community (TOC) proposal at the future Lawrence and McCowan Station would provide more housing, including affordable housing, jobs, as well as retail and commercial space for businesses, with convenient access to transit, including connections to bus and subway services along the Scarborough Subway Extension (SSE).
The site would be developed by the province in line with the stated objectives of the TOC program.
The future Lawrence East TOC would add housing, including affordable housing, jobs, plus retail and commercial space for businesses, with convenient access to transit, based on its proximity to the Lawrence and McCowan Station.
The province, in consultation with the City of Toronto, is working on a development proposal that would serve the surrounding neighbourhood, with a mix of uses and amenities such as housing, including affordable housing, open spaces, other community spaces, and employment uses in close proximity to transit and local communities.
The Lawrence East TOC would be located on the southeast corner of Lawrence Avenue East and McCowan Road. The proposed TOC would be comprised of three residential towers with retail and commercial uses on the lower levels, below-grade parking, and open spaces.
The Lawrence East TOC would include commercial space well-suited for a potential clinic to complement the adjacent and existing Scarborough General Hospital Campus, other employment uses, retail outlets and multiple outdoor amenity spaces. The Lawrence East TOC would be expected to generate approximately 312 jobs in the area.
The proposed development supports sustainability objectives by:
The proposed development is anticipated to deliver approximately 738 new residential units, providing a range and mix of housing options, including affordable housing. These would be complemented by a Privately Owned Publicly Accessible Spaces (POPS) extending the transit plaza on the west side of McCowan and on the south end of the site, to allow for active uses and connectivity to the existing neighbourhood to the east.
The transit plaza would be framed by street furniture, double-rowed trees, and a pedestrian-oriented promenade across from the station main entrance and bus terminal on the southwest corner of Lawrence Avenue East and McCowan Road.
These transit-oriented and pedestrian-friendly streetscape improvements would contribute to the walkability of the area while further supporting active travel by providing over 700 bicycle parking spaces for transit users.