Subscribe to my City Hall and Community Updates!
South Bayview Bulldog: Meeting hears of a Midtown Hub at Davisville School
February 16, 2016
South Bayview Bulldog
A meeting was held at Greenwood College School at Davisville and Mt. Pleasant Tuesday night to discuss possible concepts and challenges related to a proposed construction of a Midtown Hub on the property of Davisville Public School. The meeting was organized by Josh Matlow (Ward 22) and members of the Midtown Hub Advocacy Group. There were about 50 members of the public present including South Eglinton Ratepayers and Residents Association (SERRA).
SCHOOL PROPERTY
The meeting heard that negotiations for the purchase of about three-quarters of a hectare (or nearly two acres) of the present school site are ongoing. Although snug, it a valuable piece of Midtown property which might fetch $7 to 8 million. It is money that must be found through the auspices of City Hall and public subscription. The land is now occupied by the sprawling footprint of the old Davisville School. The meeting heard that the Toronto and District School Board might break ground for the school in 2020. The intent of the City’s Forestry, Parks and Recreation Department is a Midtown Hub which complements the school and is used by students, but also provides recreational facilities for the public, both youthful and senior.
Metroland: Will Pearson-Union Express get derailed?
February 12, 2016
The Mississauga News, Metroland Media
On paper, the Union Pearson Express (UPX) linking downtown Toronto to Pearson Airport looked like a win-win for taxpayers.
All world-class cities have a direct link between their downtowns and major airports.
Besides, UPX would help alleviate some of the congestion that makes getting to and from Pearson such a huge hassle for everyone.
But six months after the launch of the $456 million project, it has been a bust.
Metro: Toronto needs to get its priorities straight on infrastructure: councillors
From potholes to different subway lines, city council can't agree what to spend federal infrastructure dollars on.
February 7, 2016
Jessica Smith Cross
Metro News Toronto
Toronto's over-burdened transit system could be a potential recipient of federal infrastructure funding.
If Toronto wants billions from the feds, it’s time to stop arguing, local politicians say.
The city is due a slice of $60 billion in federal infrastructure money, but the city’s oft-divided council will need to first decide what to spend it on.
“The clearer council is on Toronto’s priorities, the more likely we will be to receive funds for them,” said Coun. Josh Matlow. “For far too long there have been bickering and divisive debates on what priorities Toronto has.”
Toronto Star: Metrolinx reconsidering Union Pearson Express fares as ridership sinks
Ridership has dropped since the Union Pearson Express launched in June, the latest numbers show.
February 5, 2016
Tess Kalinowski
The Toronto Star
Union Pearson Express ridership levels were down significantly from the summer, hitting a low of 65,593 riders in November, 13,000 fewer passengers than the October high of 79,000. Photo: STEVE RUSSELL / TORONTO STAR
Toronto’s new airport train is struggling to attract riders amid continuing criticism that the $456 million Union Pearson Express is simply too expensive.
On Friday, Metrolinx, the provincial agency that runs the train, said it will consider price adjustments among other options for building ridership.
The standard one-way adult fare on UPX is $27.50 but riders paying with a Presto card can board for $19.
Globe and Mail: City proposes Queen Street route for Toronto’s downtown relief line
January 29, 2016
Oliver Moore
The Globe and Mail
Plans for downtown Toronto’s first subway in decades are taking shape, with the city’s planning department urging that it run below Queen Street.
Details of the long-awaited downtown relief line – a route that has been discussed in various permutations for a century – emerged on Friday. According to information obtained by The Globe and Mail, staff have concluded that the best approach involves a connection from Pape Station near Danforth Avenue to the area around City Hall.
Although the plan is primarily about diverting passengers from the overcrowded Yonge subway line, a briefing for councillors made clear the value of the new line to the city centre as well. According to a draft staff presentation, the subway plan would “fill [a] rapid transit void in the core” and “recognizes that downtown is 24/7.”
Toronto Star: Transit debate continues to rumble before Toronto digs in on digging down
Could taking the one-stop subway plan for Scarborough above ground save the city cash?
January 29, 2016
Jennifer Pagliaro
The Toronto Star
The Bloor Viaduct stretch over the Don Valley is among the numerous areas where the Toronto subway already travels in the open air. Photo: TARA WALTON / TORONTO STAR
To bury it or not to bury it? That’s the next big question for the Scarborough subway.
As the city faces ongoing budget pressures, experts and councillors say the city should study whether running the subway above ground instead of below could save significant cash for the same level of service.
“There’s no need to put the whole thing underground,” said senior transportation consultant Edward Levy of the new plan for a one-stop tunneled subway along McCowan Rd.
