Toronto's Premier AIR & SPACE Attraction
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Paul Oberman, Member of the Board
Paul Oberman was both friend and colleague. As chairman of the Canadian Air & Space
Museum I worked with Paul on a number of ventures including the recent effort to preserve
large World War II era hangars on the Downsview site. The exercise was a sometimes
astonishing demonstration of creativity and drive combining to underpin a project that at first
seemed impossible and, at the end assumed what should have been commercially inevitable
status. Where many proclaimed simply the hangars should be saved
and hoped others would
act, Paul Oberman instead recognized that a plan with commercial texture would lend stronger
heart to the case to save the buildings and ensure a durable role for them within the community
predicated on value delivered rather than taxpayer charity.
Paul followed this formula repeatedly with projects like the North Toronto Station. Like most of his projects, every day the site plays to the imagination of an entire community as they watch and enjoy the texture of a repurposed historic site as it plays a vibrant and active role in a major urban neighborhood. An entire neighborhood has grown cultured to the value of historic site restoration and redevelopment, ensuring increased sensitivity to the loss of other prospective heritage projects. It starts with a building that leads to a neighborhood re-energized about its heritage opportunities which ultimately yields a city with a practical, well-grounded heritage culture as part of its basic DNA. Books about urban development are useful but some living buildings tell the same story in ways that compel all the senses and predispose an entire community to major change. The people that accomplish this deserve every recognition.
Paul's efforts included aviation which has played a major, albeit unheralded role in Toronto's historical development. He realized that the architectural treasures within the precincts of Downsview Park have major, unexplored potential to revitalize the lifeblood of an important segment of our urban landscape. The importance of recognizing architectural values in the context of productive, commercial employments is irrefutably the most durable foundation for securing the future of historic building conservation. Where buildings contribute they have life. Paul knew that a stimulating community is its own best defense as it cements the economic and social bonds that preserve and restores an urban field. The very best practitioners of heritage conservation are developers like Paul who have the vision to recognize and work towards this end. They are the true community builders and it is their visions around the sites that they save which cements the community ground on which the buildings themselves must stand. Paul Oberman clearly earned a prominent if not preeminent place in these ranks. The enormity of his loss for Downsview, the Air & Space Museum, the aviation community and Toronto at large, is incalculable. A wonderful friend is gone.
Ian A. McDougall
Chairman