Following vacant building demolition, business owner hopes to see the renewal in Old East Village she expected more than a decade ago

CTV London’s Gerry Dewan with the demolition of a former derelict bank at the corner of Dundas and Lyle.

A vacant building that became symbolic of the challenges facing the Old East Village has been knocked to the ground.

It didn’t take long to level the former bank at Dundas and Lyle, with the last corner of the building razed around the noon hour.

The empty building at 687 Dundas, and the property around it, had become a magnet for people living rough on the streets.

There had been campaigns to remove tents and tarps where people camped, and in mid-January a fire showed evidence that individuals had broken in to find warmth.

Barbara Cysz owns Unique Food Attitudes, which specializes in Polish cuisine.

The restaurant sits just east of the demolition zone. She bought her property after hearing discussions of renewal in the Old East Village, “When I purchased this building 16 years ago there was a bright future that I saw. I’m sorry, but, you know, after 14 years, that future didn’t happen yet.”

Still, Cysz maintains a dedicated customer base despite the challenges. Kevin Morrison, General Manager of the Old East Business Improvement Area, admires her commitment, “Barb, is at that what I call ground zero. I mean, she’s, she’s in the hottest spot when it comes to our district; for the street crisis that we have, with the open drug use, with the addictions and mental health.”

Demolition work was supposed to start weeks ago, but Morrison said there were a number of delays, “the last hurdle they had was getting a fence permit to go around the property while they were taking down the old the old bank. But I’m getting nothing but positives when it comes to, comments and feedback from those in the neighborhood.”

The property owner, Toronto-based Medallion Corporation, already has a number of residential towers at 700 King Street, just south of the demolition site.

Kevin Morrison told CTV News he’s had discussions with representatives from Medallion about their plans for the future of this property, and he’s encouraged by what he’s hearing, “There’s a number of different things that are on the table. They certainly want to meet with me because Medallion really wants to step up and be a part of this neighborhood.”

Cysz hopes the demolition signals the renewal she still believes is possible - not only for her business, but for others in the area, “there are a lot of good businesses going on here and people doing great things.”

She believes the city can do more to support the Old East Village.