Several residents in Toronto’s Riverdale neighbourhood say they’re furious to learn their homes are being expropriated for construction of the new Ontario Line subway route — after being assured their properties would not be affected.
Peggy Leung’s home is one of the 25 properties on Pape Avenue between Langley and Riverdale Avenue required by Metrolinx for the construction. Also among the properties is Riverdale Learning Loft, a brand new daycare.
Leung says the news of losing her home of 14 years has been consuming her. She grew up in Riverdale and runs her business from her home as well.
“I get a knock on the door, they say, ‘We’re taking your house.’ Just like that,” she said.
Metrolinx said owners are compensated at fair market value for properties, based on appraisals conducted by external accredited appraisers.
That’s not how that works. They are not selling their homes by choice, they are being forced out. Metrolinx owes them the maximum possible value for the properties as without them the project can not be completed.
Not to mention there are technological answers to this problem. They can lower the line, move it towards the center of the road surface, use a more expensive process that reinforces the tunnel more as it is bored or just pay for any fucking damage they do to the existing houses if and when it occurs.
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That’s not how that works. They are not selling their homes by choice, they are being forced out. Metrolinx owes them the maximum possible value for the properties as without them the project can not be completed.
Not to mention there are technological answers to this problem. They can lower the line, move it towards the center of the road surface, use a more expensive process that reinforces the tunnel more as it is bored or just pay for any fucking damage they do to the existing houses if and when it occurs.