The Toronto Port Authority is a federal agency that has power along the waterfront. It controls things such as the Island Airport and access to it. It sometimes is a willing partner with the city and sometimes not.
In today's G&M we have an example of this agency claiming a federal right to build a 400 car parking lot (underground) where there are structures (large concrete silos) from Toronto's past that the city wants to preserve and develop as an historical heritage site.
While the TPA chief officer sees nothing wrong with the city heritage statement he wants to maintain a federal right for something that seems to require the destruction of these structures.
Why the TPA would need a 400 space parking lot as public transit becomes more accessible along the Queen's Quay is not indicated in the G&M report.
But we see an unwanted federal finger poking into our urban design. While the city pushes for greater use of public transit as part of a greater city greening strategy we see a federal officer wanting the option to bring more cars to the waterfront at some future time_ more traffic and pollution. Dah & dah.
You can build under things without destroying them. Plus, maintaining the right to do so is much different than doing it.
ReplyDeleteThe City of Toronto has legal agreements with the port authority in place. Are you suggesting the City has the right to ignore these?
ReplyDeleteAn underground garage would do no harm and would actually provide an opportunity to improve the waterfront. What good do the current crumbling silos provide?