People living near Bloordale Village have launched a petition hoping to secure a community hub in the 30,000-square metre redevelopment at Bloor and Dufferin streets.

The land is one of 21 properties the Toronto District School Board is looking to sell in an effort to take some pressure off of its $3.3 billion-maintenance backlog. The three hectares for sale include the former Kent Public School and a portion of the Bloor Collegiate Institute site.

Neither school is currently occupied by the board's students. Kent Public School is being leased to other community organizations, including a German school and a daycare.

Residents are demanding that any redevelopment include community facilities, affordable housing and reinvestment in Bloor Collegiate. They say they're concerned the school board's open call for proposals overlooks vital community space.

A place to play

Steve De Quintal has been living in the area since he was a child, and now uses the area's green space to play with his five kids. His is one of 1,200 signatures on the petition to ask the board to impose a mandatory clause creating a community hub.

"I understand that there is a need for funds for the Toronto District School Board, but it's such a shame that we continue to lose public space," De Quintal said. "Our neighbourhood is [one] that is often limited in green space, so we're fortunate to still have this green space and I wouldn't want to see it go."

The Toronto District School Board is planning to sell 21 properties to take some pressure off of its maintenance backlog. (CBC News)

Noah Frank, who has been living in Bloordale Village for six years, says he doesn't have a problem with the land being sold to a condominium developer as long as there is a clause protecting the community's interests.

"As long as they're able to integrate some sort of benefit for residents, I think that is important," Frank said. "Otherwise I think there's going to be too much intensification in the area without any amenities that are really meant to build up the community."

Toronto Coun. Ana Bailao supports the neighbourhood's vision for community space.

She told CBC News that she is concerned about the Toronto Lands Corporation's plan for a 30-floor building there, especially if the developer buys the property with the intent of building condominiums.

"The city will not support that, and this is why I've been very vocal — and, thankfully, the community has been very vocal," she said.

Coun. Ana Bailao says the city must couple development with the protection of community space. (CBC)

Marit Styles, the school board trustee for the area, said her goal is to get the provincial government to ensure proposals for the site include a vision for the neighbourhood.

"There's been concern all along that when we sell off these public assets, the community needs to get something back."

An official in Premier Kathleen Wynne's office said the province is working with the city to hire an independent facilitator to help the area with its vision for a community hub at the site.

The province gets the final say in approving the school board's capital plans.