Revitalizing Lawrence Heights: Civil Engineering for a New Community
As we celebrate 40 years of MTE, we’re taking a look back at some of our most memorable projects—and the people who helped bring them to life.
For MTE’s Director of Business Development, John Goodwin, one of those standout projects is the Lawrence Heights Phase 1 Revitalization. The scale, complexity, and community impact of this redevelopment make it a project that continues to resonate for our staff with our commitment to our communities.
With over 26 years of experience, John Goodwin brings a depth of environmental expertise that has supported the success of countless projects across Ontario. Throughout his career, he has designed and managed environmental assessments and remediation programs for projects of all sizes and complexities.
Today, John continues to serve MTE as our Director of Business Development, and he takes great pride in the growth he’s witnessed throughout his career with MTE. From our early days to now operating five offices across Ontario, MTE’s reach has expanded significantly, reflecting both our evolution and the trust our clients place in us.
The Lawrence Heights Revitalization in Toronto is a strong example of how far we’ve come. With a growing presence in Toronto, this project highlights our ability to deliver meaningful work in diverse urban settings. It also underscores our commitment to shaping the future of cities across the province—through thoughtful engineering, collaborative partnerships, and a people-first approach.
Located between Lawrence Avenue and Ranee Avenue along Allen Road, the Lawrence Heights Revitalization is one of Toronto’s most ambitious redevelopment initiatives. This multi-phase project is transforming the area into a dynamic, mixed-income neighbourhood that blends social housing with affordable and market-rate homes, condominiums, and freehold townhomes. The revitalized community will also feature mid-rise mixed-use buildings, retail spaces, a new community centre, school, daycare facilities, and expanded public parks and recreational areas.
Building the Foundation for Change
Lawrence Heights Phase 1 spans 25.6 acres adjacent to the Yorkdale Subway Station. This initial phase includes the demolition and replacement of 233 Toronto Community Housing units, the introduction of new market condominiums and townhomes, and the addition of over 53,000 square feet of commercial space.
MTE was proud to contribute to this transformative project by providing civil engineering services for the development of Phase 1. From early-stage planning to detailed design, our multidisciplinary team played a key role in shaping the foundation for a thriving new community.
Planning and Collaboration
At the outset, our civil engineering team reviewed the draft plan conditions related to our designated blocks. We collaborated closely with the Consulting Engineer overseeing the overall draft plan approval, offering insights and input to help resolve conditions that impacted our scope of work. This collaborative effort laid the groundwork for a smooth and well-coordinated design process.
Groundwater Solutions: Hydrogeological Strategy
One of the key challenges of the site was groundwater management. Our Hydrogeological team conducted a study to understand existing groundwater conditions, including the water table’s relation to planned basement elevations. We installed 11 monitoring wells across the site, which provided the data needed to tailor groundwater strategies for different unit types.
Our groundwater management recommendations included:
- Waterproofing of foundation walls
- Installation of weeping tiles
- Use of sump pumps
The Hydrogeological Investigation was completed in accordance with the City of Toronto’s Private Water Discharge Approval Application, which came into effect in August 2018.
Site Servicing & Stormwater Management
MTE also led the site engineering design, including layout of the onsite watermain and both sanitary and storm sewer systems. All designs were completed in accordance with the Ontario Building Code and City of Toronto standards.
For grading and drainage, we ensured the site would achieve proper runoff flow, while integrating effective stormwater management solutions. Our approach to stormwater quality control used a multi-stage “treatment train” strategy, including:
- Roof downspout disconnections
- Vegetated buffer and filter strips
- Oil grit separators and filtration units
These measures ensure long-term sustainability and environmental protection, while aligning with municipal requirements.
Looking Ahead
As Phase 1 of Lawrence Heights takes shape, we are proud to have played a role in supporting the transformation of this important Toronto neighbourhood. This revitalization is more than just a redevelopment—it’s a reimagining of what community living can look like in an inclusive, vibrant, and future-ready city.