EJQ3 - Winter 2025 - Journal - Page 10
He also pointed out how the entire waterfront along Queen’s Quay
is built on 昀椀ll, so it’s a challenging foundation to build on. Despite
surprises that cost millions, they “got it done” and created the city of
the arts community across the street from Sugar Beach, including o昀케ce
condominiums, residential buildings, and other institutional partners
such as George Brown College and Ontario College or Art & Design
University.
“Real estate development must deliver positive outcomes for all
stakeholders, not just the developer,” said Cohen, whose background
in the non-pro昀椀t housing sector shaped the trajectory of The Daniels
Corporation, which has grown from three people in 1984 to 300 people
today.
Cohen shared lessons learned about brown昀椀eld redevelopment projects
over the years, including the Goodyear tire plant project. “We learned
the importance of communicating openly and honestly with local
stakeholders, among every aspect of decommissioning and demolition.”
The project team addressed concerns about air quality and mitigating
dust issues while reusing materials such as concrete and brick.
“Today, our city of the arts community is a clear demonstration of what
can be achieved at the intersection of business and the arts,” said Cohen.
“It took years of pushing and negotiation with the city, but we were
ultimately able to access brown昀椀eld remediation incentives – hugely
important building blocks to successful development on contaminated
sites. There is no doubt, however, that the city needs to make access to
these programs much easier to navigate.”
Cohen’s new book, entitled “Rhythms of Change: Re昀氀ections on the
Regent Park Revitalization,” explains what is possible when the private
and public sector come together to solve brown昀椀eld challenges and
reimagine stigmatized neighbourhoods.
E N V I RON M E N T J OURN A L QUA RT E RLY RE PORT • W I N T ER 2 02 5 • P AGE 1 0
