Future Affordable Housing at 62 Bayview Parkway

62 Bayview Parkway is located in the Town of Newmarket’s Huron Heights-Leslie Valley neighbourhood. It is centrally located, just north of Davis Drive near The Tannery Mall, Newmarket GO Station and Southlake Regional Health Centre. The site also backs on to the Tom Taylor Trail, Newmarket’s portion of the Nokiidaa Trail System.

62 Bayview Parkway is the original site of the York County Administrative Building and operated as the first Regional headquarters until 1994 when the Administrative Centre opened at 17250 Yonge Street. For over 25 years, and ending in 2020, 62 Bayview Parkway was used as additional office space for York Region’s Community and Health Services Department to delivery such programs as Ontario Works and Employment Services.

A future redevelopment at 62 Bayview Parkway presents a timely opportunity to address York Region’s significant need for new affordable housing. The Region will explore building between 115 and 250 units on this site with a range of rental options that include affordable and market rents.

The planning and design components of the new building have just begun, so final details are not yet determined. However, the site will include parking and indoor and outdoor amenity space in addition to the residential apartments.

The safe and secure demolition of the existing building at 62 Bayview Parkway is required to make way for future affordable housing. Demolition work has begun and is anticipated to be completed this winter.

Redevelopment of new housing is contingent on funding sources and development approval from the Town of Newmarket. Pre-development activity, such as the planning and detailed design work, will begin this fall. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2023 at the earliest.

York Regional Council is committed to building complete communities with a full range of housing options and services to support residents at all ages and stages of their lives. For many, finding affordable housing in York Region is challenging and there are limited options for people to find supportive, safe and suitable housing.

Redeveloping 62 Bayview Parkway for affordable housing ensures the site continues to provide public services for many years to come while offering a unique opportunity to commemorate its history as the Region’s first headquarters. In addition, the site is well serviced by public transportation, including GO Transit, and is close to shops, restaurants, services and park space

The existing building at 62 Bayview Parkway was constructed in the 1950s and does not meet current accessibility or environmental sustainability standards. The building is currently vacant and would require extensive renovations to upgrade it to modern standards. As the building’s structural elements are nearing the expected service life of 75 years, significant repairs are anticipated in the near future or as part of any major renovation. Rehabilitating the existing building to convert it to modern affordable housing would create significant financial barriers and reduce the land’s efficiency. After careful consideration and to support new housing opportunities, York Region is undertaking the safe and secure demolition of the building. 

Fencing to secure the site at 62 Bayview Parkway was installed in early August 2021. Demolition work is underway. In spring 2022, the site will be graded (levelled) and seeded with grass.

York Region recognizes that some of the work on site may be disruptive. Every effort will be made to minimize the impact on neighbours and the natural area surrounding the property.

York Region recognizes the importance of access to green space and forest trails. The Tom Taylor Trail/Nokiidaa bike trail pass behind the property at 62 Bayview Parkway. Work occurring at the site will not impact existing trails and residents can continue to access these trails.

York Region recommends using one of the safe and accessible trail entry points located close by at George Richardson Park. For more information about local trails and the best entry points, visit the Town of Newmarket website.

Protecting the natural environment is a priority during all York Region construction projects. The proposed redevelopment is intended to be maintained on the portion of the property that is already developed and would not extend into the bordering Mabel Davis Conservation Area. An environmental impact study will be undertaken to identify opportunities to mitigate impacts on the surrounding area, including the bird sanctuary. To protect the natural area during the demolition and construction phases, all activity will take place within a fenced area. Regular inspections will take place to ensure the fencing is maintained.

York Region will continue to work with our partners at the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority throughout this project.

York Region is committed to increasing the supply of affordable rental housing. Investments from provincial and federal government will be needed to help fund this new development.

Like any development, the proposed affordable housing redevelopment at 62 Bayview Parkway still has to go through municipal approvals and rezoning from the Town of Newmarket, to allow for development. Features such as building design, site access, servicing, waste, parking, landscaping, and sustainability are reviewed by the Town of Newmarket as part of the Site Control Plan to ensure the development will be functional, attractive and compatible with the surrounding area.

The proposed redevelopment will need to conform to several policy and design documents, such as the Town of Newmarket’s Urban Design Guidelines, to ensure it is well designed and respectful of its surrounding area.

The property was gifted to York County by Mable Davis in 1954 with the intent that it always be used for public purposes in memory of her father, The Honourable Elihu James Davis, formerly Minister of Crown Lands in the Province of Ontario and Warden of the County of York and his wife, Margaret Johnston Davis.

Housing is the foundation of strong, caring, safe communities and is a key social determinant of health. The Region is satisfied that the construction of safe, secure and affordable housing to be by the Region’s wholly owned municipal corporation, Housing York Inc., satisfies the public intentions of the donor.

HYI has an important role in creating complete communities and connected neighbourhoods. The future redevelopment at 62 Bayview Parkway will also present an opportunity to explore options for broader community use.

Community consultation and engagement will be critical to refining the redevelopment plans. York Region has developed a robust community consultation and engagement plan to support the future affordable housing development at 62 Bayview Parkway. This plan will seek to engage diverse groups which may include nearby neighbours, local business owners, community agencies and special interest groups. By working with the Town and our neighbours throughout the planning and design process, we can address community considerations and build an inclusive community where everyone has a place to call home.

The new development will take approximately four years to complete and is subject to municipal planning approvals and federal and/or provincial funding assistance. This timeline allows for comprehensive planning, design and tendering processes, and an anticipated two-year construction phase.