Being urban, transit-focused set Markham apart in York U. bid

YorkRegion.com
June 24, 2014
Amanda Persico

It appears Markham has what York University wants – an urban centre, transit, recreation and amenities for students.

Which is why Markham’s star got a little brighter yesterday with the announcement the university has selected Markham Centre for expansion.

When the university put out a call for satellite campus locations in York Region, it put forward a list of about 10 requirements, including having a campus within an urban centre, easily accessible across the GTHA, transit oriented development, use of public infrastructure and strong local partners.

The Markham Centre proposal exceeded those objectives, Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti said.

“This wasn’t about the highest bidder,” he said. “We didn’t throw a whole bunch of money to get the bid. It was more about what resources you can bring to the table.”

Markham has a reputation for having bold initiatives, the mayor said. “It’s not just talk. We can deliver.”

Scarpitti pointed to the city’s efforts in attracting major business such as Enbridge, Honda and Aviva as well as attracting the Pan Am games to the city.

The new York U. campus will be at the centre of the new urban downtown fabric.

“The campus will be in the heart of a vibrant urban centre, close to Ontario’s transit investments and adjacent to the Markham Pan Am Centre and other amenities for students,” university spokesperson Joanne Rider said.

The proposed campus will be built on the south side of Enterprise Boulevard, west of the Markham Pan Am Centre, Rider said.

It’s the same approximate location of a proposed NHL-size arena that the city had considered building through a public-private partnership, before the city’s direct involvement was curtailed six months ago in the face of local opposition.

The timing of York U.’s announcement could not have been better.

Transit, parkland and local secondary plans are currently underway.

The city can fully integrate a university within the new downtown urban fabric, Scarpitti said.

The Cineplex complex could be used as a lecture facility during the day, local councillor Don Hamilton said. There is already an established private sector in the area as well, he said.

“The community has been after a university for a long, long time. There was always an undercurrent of hope,” he said. “The area is taking shape. Eventually, there will be a lot of activity in the area. It will be a high-end, viable area for entertainment, live, work and now education.”

Markham was selected over other municipalities that made a pitch to York U. this spring, including Richmond Hill, Vaughan, Newmarket,/Aurora, King Township and East Gwillimbury.

Scarpitti said no matter which municipality was selected, the region will benefits.

“I applaud the other municipalities and what they brought to the table,” Scarpitti said. “This is a game changer in terms of the benefits it will bring to the York Region community.”

That’s the sentiment expressed by other municipalities across the region.

“This is exciting news,” said Newmarket Regional Councillor John Taylor. “I wouldn’t say it is bittersweet. The bitter is gone and only the sweet part is left.”

A post-secondary institution was part of the region’s economic action plan, Taylor said.

“I’m thinking of my own children,” he said. “They will have the option to attend university in York Region. Now, we can offer a York Region option to all students.”

Vaughan Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua agreed, it is the next generation of university students who will benefit from a post-secondary institution within the region’s borders.

“York University’s expansion into York Region will benefit us all by bringing more opportunities for students to pursue their post-secondary educations closer to home,” he said. “I look forward to the day it will open for many people in this region and beyond from an educational, economic and social perspective.”

The campus will also create jobs, he said.

Newmarket put forward a joint plan with Aurora but did not make the York University short list that included Markham, Vaughan and Richmond Hill.

“We felt disappointed a few months ago,” Newmarket Mayor Tony Van Bynen said. “But having York University in York Region is good news. It’s hard to argue with the site location when you look at population density. Markham fits the bill.”

Markham’s mature population growth and advanced downtown plans were some of the factors that persuaded York U.

That doesn’t mean visions for another satellite or virtual campus in the northern part of the region are off the table.

The hope is to build on Newmarket’s health and sciences capacity for a future university connection, which is still part of Newmarket’s strategic plan, Van Bynen said.

“While I am disappointed that the campus will not be in Richmond Hill, I’m excited about the possibility of having a campus so close to Richmond Hill,” Richmond Hill Mayor Dave Barrow said.

“We look forward to working with our neighbours to the east and with the entire York Region community in supporting York University’s bid for a campus in our region.”

The region’s Viva rapidway project along Hwy. 7 and through Markham Centre is in the last final stages with bus lanes set to open by the end of the year.

It is believed the announcement from York U. will put York Region’s transit plans higher on the priority spending list when it comes to GO and subway expansion and more bus rapidways.

“Having a university in any region makes transit all the more important,” Taylor said.

The university will be putting forward a letter of intent this week and a final proposal will be presented to the province in September for final review, site and approval.

SIDEBAR

Each municipality was evaluated based on its ability to demonstrate alignment with 10 core principles, including the following:

Easily accessible to Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) residents by multi-modal transit.

Supporting the Ontario government’s “Big Move” plan through adherence to principles of transit-oriented development.

Delivering professionally oriented programs to support the needs of York Region.

Defining an identity through its physical presence in the urban centre.

Being a catalyst for social and economic development.

Being a model of smart growth and sustainability.

Proximity to partners for experiential learning and possible spin-offs.