Jack Allen

Jack Raymond Allen (1909 — February 11, 1992) was a Canadian landscape gardener and politician who served as reeve of East York, Ontario from 1957 to 1960.

"Bayview Ghost" He is best known for his responsibility for the Bayview Ghost, a partially constructed apartment building and white elephant which was begun after Allen personally ordered that a building permit be issued to the developer, over the opposition of residents until public opposition to the development resulted in the municipal council overruling Allen. The council first attempted to revoke the permit and then, when that proved not to be possible, refused to extend water and sewer service to the site - resulting in construction being halted and a stand off which was not resolved for over twenty years. The controversy contributed to Allen's defeat by True Davidson in the 1960 municipal election.

Early life Allen was born in East York in 1909. He was provincial flyweight boxing champion in 1932. Allen was blamed for construction of the Bayview Ghost, which contributed to his defeat.

In 1960, he proposed that a stadium be built on the Railway Lands, where the Rogers Centre is now located.