I think we cannot be confused as to whether our attachment is to our community or the EH. Mine is to the community and I await a facility we can be proud of. As sad as it is, there is a need to consolidate. Why not on Madison, where there is a thriving Tartu College. TC is solvent, which I am not sure EH house.

really well written article. Outlines the lost projects... the costs in trying to get those projects to work.. and shows that our LARGE Estonian House at times cannot even meed the needs of our community on Saturdays... so how can a smaller foot print location ... with subway below it ... and no parking... be able to address the needs of our community?
I cannot even imagion how many restrictions to construction will be laid out during construction... since the construction must ensure no disruption to the subway system... with weight restrictions or and also what time of day the construction would be allowed for the safety of the passengers under ground... now I understand why the design was more an open space...

There is so little parking in the Tartu College area... you WILL lose students...You will lose seniors.... our community will NOT be as vibrant.

Estonian organizations will use other facilities instead.

I think that many years ago the board of the Estonian house, where it seems no one understood maintenance of a commercial structure... and thus perhaps just hired a person to just "patch" the place up.

Really the board should just focus on their energey and funds on hiring staff who know how to Market the property, and who know how to hire competent staff to give structural integrity reports... and also roofing assessments...

And the companies that get hired need not be Estonian because it seems that whenever we hire an Estonian (and not go out to tender) then really we have been ripped off... we need a Building manager (not necessarily and Estonian) who knows how to put out Request for Proposals, and can over see and manage contractors... you can have a marketing person who is not Estonian to market it to the non-Estonian crowd... Really if any board member who has a business...they would look for the best person to manage a multi-million dollar asset properly and STOP hiring their friends, and family... and really there should be rules that the board members should NOT be deciding who gets hired... except for the Building manager and a Liason person for our Estonian Community... get a competent NON Estonian to start taking care of the asset with a proven experience... because years of no RFP's and no fund raising and no applications to the city or the Hydro (for rebates on energy efficiency incentives) or applications to the city water (low flow toilets to keep costs down) or fund to maintain our heritage buidlings... and finally like the volunteers who asked the city to fund the roof replacement... How is it the board is not really representing the people who voted them to maintain our VALUABLE asset and allows mis-management to erode it's value and ignore for YEARS the necessary cost in up-keep....

Thank you for the detailed update. The participant observations are relevant and encouraging.

EM sought an alliance with developers that proved out of synch with zoning priorities for the quiet neighbourhood.

Has anyone looked into funding and support for restoring and renovating the heritage property as such, i.e. the Chester Public School, in the Romanesque architectural style, and the Estonian Canadian heritage site? A mix of the 1905 era, and the fifties-sixties, such as the city prides itself in preserving in its architecture as a testimony to its diverse history?

Please see a sample of the interest below. And yes, mid-fifties design is of vintage architectural interest. So are "hybrid" designs. What's been the thinking on this?

http://urbantoronto.ca/news/20...

For anyone who'd like to dig deeper into the context of the city's architecture and history, there's a fascinating introduction in the popular Toronto Architecture: A City Guide. "Highly readable, well-illustrated and clearly organized" writes the Toronto Star. It includes a tour through the Bloor Street district, and why not Broadview-Danforth? Ours is a prime neighbourhood. The land is very valuable. What’s the plan for the area north of Riverdale, or The Danforth, or Greektown, with its Independence Parade? A new edition of the book is on its way in 2017. I'd like to see all 16 copies currently available at the Toronto Public Library signed out before the EM meeting!

I'm glad you checked it out and commented. There's more to address your points in the links below, and to my knowledge the heritage links (I see two actually) were never addressed, or if they were, not publicly. Alar Kongats is/was involved in work with Jaan Meri on the Tartu College residence, as I recall reading in EWR or EE, and he declined to comment on the EM in the Q & A after his lecture there. But he did show slides of restorative work he'd done, and it was not on the large scale shown below on the historic schoolhouse in Yorkville. The Chester Schoolhouse in EM dates from 1891 and if you scroll to the "Ex-Montrealer Girl, Feb. 20, 2015" in the forum there's a "photo" that describes the still existing and valued properties of "the oldest school structure in East York". Romanesque architecture, of which the EM Chester Schoolhouse is an instance, abounds in the Annex area around Tartu College if you want to see what it looks like spruced up. e.g. the York Club.

In EM in East York the Romanesque style is special and the thing is, a double case could be made to extend the concept of heritage preservation, if it hasn't been already, to structures that double as heritage sites for Toronto's fabled ethnocultural communities. As it happened EM preserved much of the Schoolhouse and added the now "vintage" fifties "modern" large hall etc to house the activities (musical etc) of the post-war immigrant wave. As you say these need work to function and show well.

http://urbantoronto.ca/forum/t...

http://urbantoronto.ca/news/20...

At every Town Hall and AGM meetings over the past 10 years, Architect Guido Laikve's, strong opinions were voiced to the EM board and shareholders regarding each of the proposed development “opportunities”.
Guido is a well respected retired architect in design, development and construction of many community facilities and condominiums in Canada.
He made it clear, the collaborative developer/EM Board proposals would never happen and to-date all of the proposals have not come to realization.
He has always been steadfastly of the opinion that keeping the existing house is a viable option and as such, some years ago gave the Board a proposal and direction of how the revitalization of the Estonian House could be achieved.
The EM Board is going to make another proposal to the Estonian community on March 29th. Lets revisit alternative plans, such as, renovating and revitalizing the existing Estonian House. Lets look at the pros and cons of each proposal, lets ask for all proforma cost projections and financial statements; the proposed return on the investment; the 5 year projections. Lets demand an opportunity to make a truly informed decision about the future of the Estonian House and potentially the future of the Estonian Community.

further to question about Guido's plans, he needs to also present a budget and clarify how he believes financing could be arranged.

Thank you! Your questions are excellent. The Board will have your answers. Based on good governance practices of a Corporation they will have the Minutes from the presentation; what was presented, who was present, discussion points, summaries of discussion and resolution.

If that was an viable alternative, why was it not presented by the EM Board. Let the shareholders decide if it is something to be considered. I am not alone in this, others have asked this question. Doesn't everyone have the right to be heard?

Eesti Maja's 31,000 sq. ft. rental capacity isn't anywhere near its potential utilization, at best it is renting at 25% of its capacity. The total revenue from rental & leasing in 2015 was $345,000.00, and incredibly the amount of advertising and promotion dollars allocated was a mire $1,800.00 (.5 of 1% of expenses). (citing 2015 Juhatuse Ulevaade). With virtually zero dollars for promoting Eesti Maja, surprisingly, it was the “non-Estonians” that brought in 30% more rental revenues than the Estonians and in 2014 it was even higher. Eesti Maja is attracting “non-Estonian” business despite any meaningful, marketing budget. This says alot about the iconic reputation of Eesti Maja in Toronto, its ability to attract business and a strong indicator of potential revenue growth for Eesti Maja.

No one brought up the idea of suspicion except you. Here is the issue:
If you read the EM 2011 report - page 21, it clearly states that "TC and EM governance structure are significantly different". In other words they are not on the same page in terms of direction for its shareholders.

It is my understanding all of us who believe the Estonian House is still our best option to service our community are really out numbered in terms of who has all the votes... and if the Esto Bank has controlling shares... they control if we restore/renovate the Estonian House or not... they did purchase a building beside Tartu Collage way back when we had the tridel deal being envisioned... I have heard some hearsay that this was not such a great purchase decision since the bank cannot rent it out nor can it use the space as a bank... only allowed uses are for community space by the the current zoning... so... will the bank try and protect a possible mis-guided building purchase by voting Tartu College location where the building can then be used by the Estonian groups... but no matter how you look at it the PARKING is a HUGE issue....And less functional space... and LESS space for sure...

again... this was hearsay... if anyone can share the reality.. that would be nice to know... because then the majority voter has extra reasons to promote Tartu College option.

The Alterra 7-storey condo project on Hazelton Ave (Aug 2013) is not the old and new I had in mind but it does raise an interesting question about the EM-EH announcement Oct. 2016 regarding the end of its partnership with Alterra, with reference to an unspecified "impasse". A proposal to rezone Broadview Avenue was initiated in Nov. 2013, to allow only low and mid-rise building, and this came into effect in June 2016. EM reports "intense negotiations" over the following summer with Alterra. In October 2016 the EM was officially designated a Heritage property. Was Alterra interested in the Heritage EM property (facade?) and a new building within the allowable 5-11 (?) storeys? What was EM "negotiating" during the summer with Alterra (what ended Tridel? Tribute?) or were they waiting for the decision on the heritage designation and its restrictions? The language of the announcement is obfuscating.

http://urbantoronto.ca/news/20...

The proper evaluation of Laikve’s proposal, and the significance and value of the existing EM architecture and property are among the outstanding issues and questions. The EM Report of 2011 reinforced an attitude of dismissal towards an “old” building. EM in fact comprises two recognized architectural styles with enduring appeal, and that appeal has only intensified. In the meantime the scheme of selling the land to a developer as a way of obtaining the money for a new facility has failed. After the official designation of EM as a Heritage property in October 2016, EM ended its partnership with Alterra, the third developer with whom it has done business, over an unspecified “impasse”. Many want to see cause for optimism in the agreement of the Boards of four community organizations to facilitate a merger of EM and TC, on the site of TC. Others are sceptical, bitter over expenditures made and not made, and wary of proceeding without a clarification of what has happened.
We may have ceased to appreciate what surrounds us at the EM, since for years the EM Board has not been investing in upkeep or property management. The Modernist architect of the EM large hall, an Estonian, Michael (Mihkel) Bach, helped bring Modernism, and other Estonian architects, to the U of T Faculty of Architecture in the fifties and sixties. He was part of the five-member team hired to design the neighbourhood of Don Mills, where many Estonians have lived and where the Japanese Canadian Cultural, Noor Cultural, Aga Khan and Ismaeli Centres exist today with a mix of traditional and modernist aesthetics and in valued proximity to Toronto’s ravines. Evident in prominent architectural publications and the national news media, there has been an intense revival of interest in fifties-sixties design: architecture and interiors that emphasize ample windows, bringing the outdoors in to promote health and vitality, visual lightness, and functional simplicity. These qualities of freshness should be enhanced at the EM. At the same time, the EM maintains intact Richardsonian Romanesque and Queen Anne features of the original East York Chester Schoolhouse. The third part of the EM building, the newer addition by Guido Laikve, did not destroy the vintage turn-of-the-century or modernist architectural features, and his proposal foresaw the revitalization and integration of the three parts of the building.
I am awed by Laikve’s partnership with Aslam Choudhary and his understanding of the future of the Toronto Eesti Maja as a concern for Estonians. His arguments as well as his proposal may not have not received the attention due to someone of his background, knowledge, and experience as the architect and overseer of the building of small and large community centres.

https://www.pressreader.com/ca... *

http://www.eesti.ca/kohtumine-... **

Yes, EM is still in business with Alterra.
We have been lead to believe that the Alterra LOI ended - but this is not true.

The problem with Laikve "proposal" is the fact that it is nothing more than an opinion. There is little to no research, concrete proposals, etc.

The second problem is the money. We need money to renovate, where would it come from? The Alterra, Tribute plan got monies from developers, the TC plan relies money from the sale of current EM. No sale of EM, no building at TC.

It is possible that the same developer will end up buying EM, without the baggage of building a community centre.

your right, it is a proposal, one that EM Board ASKED Laikve to provide. After which the Board decided (not the shareholders) that it was not suitable. But ALL OF YOU are missing the point...it's not about one design vs another. It's about the fact that there are OTHER proposals (not just Laikve's) to be considered, all of which have not been discussed or presented by the EM Board to its shareholders. Here is my question...why are we selling a 8 millon dollar lot to buy a 2 million dollar lot...it is irrelevant what's on it....land is the value. Broadview and Madison are both downtown locations, both will grow in value.

There is an organization that is specifically collecting funds to repair/maintain/improve the Estonian House. These are volunteers who have carried out much needed repairs/paint/clean up and carpeting ALL at NO EXPENSE to the shareholders. The EM Board has chosen NOT to endorse these volunteers or the work they are doing. In other words the EM Board do not endorse the repair of the Estonian House.

Here are images and a description of what architect Kongats did to much acclaim, to renovate a mid-century (1954) building not far from Eesti Maja:

https://robertmoffatt115.wordp...

And here is Kongats' surprising restoration and renovation of a historic library building which is said to have brought renewed life to the community. The story is itself worth a read. Kongats' work on the original 1923 building below and the 1954 building above can be compared with his sketch for the new Madison project that Eda Sepp analyzes in her recent article.

https://www.canadianarchitect....

I am looking forward to the Town Hall Meeting on the 29th. I would like to ask if Guido Laikve would be willing to submit his professional opinion of the 9 Madison site, so that the shareholders can better understand this proposal.