The agreement to keep the land as a park was threatened when the city unveiled its St. Lawrence Centre Master Plan in 1962. The area bordering Yonge to Jarvis and Front to Richmond would be redeveloped as an arts centre with a theatre, art gallery, ballet school and museum, along with an art school where the park stands today. Only the Cathedral and St. Lawrence Hall would be saved. The Cathedral objected and eventually public opinion turned against the plan. A much smaller St. Lawrence Centre opened on Front Street.