Toronto Union Station Revitalization | ?m | ?s | City of Toronto | NORR

Happy to report that the central section bollards are all complete and their fencing taken down. The western section is the last remaining.

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Le Gique said:
Sorry, Nightstreak, the wording in this "update" seems too vague to infer the original booth has been kept somewhere.
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Richard White said:
I agree.

It sounds more like they are disassmbling the current booth and reinstalling it.
Click to expand...

I went down a rabbit hole one night to get to the determination that I came to. I found references to the original booth being in storage at a city warehouse in Liberty Village and in restoration. I've tried to retrace my steps but haven't found all the original articles I read on the matter. You'll just have to take my word for it.

For context, while I can see how it may sound like they're referring to the booth that is about to be removed, this reference on the City of Toronto website was there for the 2010 Union Station Revitalization Public Report so "originally located at the centre of the Great Hall" wouldn't make sense to be referring to a booth that hadn't gone anywhere. It was clear they were referring to the one that was there... originally.

I also found that there was another info clock at the centre of the Great Hall between the period of the original and the booth there now:

1923
505113767_29952980021011930_3447889197858239114_n.jpg


1970s
144202.jpg


1990
1-14-1990 Union Station.jpg


Still think that "originally located at the centre of the Great Hall" refers to the third booth installed there?

Further consideration: the booth there now will not survive disassembly. It's made of pressed wood that is already peeling and breaking off. It's also not the original and not worthy of restoration.

For additional context, one can look at the scope of the Union Station Revitalization. The clock outside was meticulously restored to its original 1920's condition in 2015. They reversed the 70's change of the face of the clock to roman numerals back to the original UNION STATION letters. One would take from this that the intention of the Union Station Revitalization is to restore as much of the station to its original condition as practical given its modern requirements.

1923
Union Station 1923-09-01 clock2015-02-79_383623.jpg


1970s:
unionclock.png


Early 2000s

Toronto-Union-Station-Clock.jpg


Post 2015:

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Here's a fascinating article about restoring the door hardware throughout the station. https://trillium.group/content/hardware-restoration-at-union-station/
It outlines the city's objectives for the revitalization:
The City of Toronto launched a massive renewal project with three main objectives:
  • improve pedestrian movement around the station
  • add shops and restaurants
  • restore the station’s heritage elements
Click to expand...
That last one speaks for itself. Suffice to say, I don't think they're going to restore a 1990's pressed wood desk that is most certainly not heritage.

And last but not least, the rendering for the Union Station Revitalization:

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Let's zoom in....

Screenshot 2026-04-14 at 10.51.14 PM.png


Well gosh darnit...
 

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nightstreak said:
I went down a rabbit hole one night to get to the determination that I came to. I found references to the original booth being in storage at a city warehouse in Liberty Village and in restoration. I've tried to retrace my steps but haven't found all the original articles I read on the matter. You'll just have to take my word for it.

For context, while I can see how it may sound like they're referring to the booth that is about to be removed, this reference on the City of Toronto website was there for the 2010 Union Station Revitalization Public Report so "originally located at the centre of the Great Hall" wouldn't make sense to be referring to a booth that hadn't gone anywhere. It was clear they were referring to the one that was there... originally.

I also found that there was another info clock at the centre of the Great Hall between the period of the original and the booth there now:

1923
View attachment 729210

1970s
View attachment 729209

1990
View attachment 729228

Still think that "originally located at the centre of the Great Hall" refers to the third booth installed there?

Further consideration: the booth there now will not survive disassembly. It's made of pressed wood that is already peeling and breaking off. It's also not the original and not worthy of restoration.

For additional context, one can look at the scope of the Union Station Revitalization. The clock outside was meticulously restored to its original 1920's condition in 2015. They reversed the 70's change of the face of the clock to roman numerals back to the original UNION STATION letters. One would take from this that the intention of the Union Station Revitalization is to restore as much of the station to its original condition as practical given its modern requirements.

1923
View attachment 729204

1970s:
View attachment 729238

Early 2000s

View attachment 729205

Post 2015:

View attachment 729207
View attachment 729208

Here's a fascinating article about restoring the door hardware throughout the station. https://trillium.group/content/hardware-restoration-at-union-station/
It outlines the city's objectives for the revitalization:

That last one speaks for itself. Suffice to say, I don't think they're going to restore a 1990's pressed wood desk that is most certainly not heritage.

And last but not least, the rendering for the Union Station Revitalization:

1230-2992.jpg


Let's zoom in....

View attachment 729237

Well gosh darnit...
Click to expand...
1776363935236.png

here is the top corner of the 1970's version in the silver streak movie with AM Road Plates Covering The Real Logos
 
They were putting up fences around some of the blocks, supposedly to repaint them. But what's upsetting is that they're drilling into the brand new paving to secure the fencing. There will be holes left all along plaza where they're repainting the blocks.

https://imgur.com/a/EhGXdS8

Honestly, nobody cares about doing anything right and taking care of our public spaces in this city.
 
nightstreak said:
They were putting up fences around some of the blocks, supposedly to repaint them. But what's upsetting is that they're drilling into the brand new paving to secure the fencing. There will be holes left all along plaza where they're repainting the blocks.

https://imgur.com/a/EhGXdS8

Honestly, nobody cares about doing anything right and taking care of our public spaces in this city.
Click to expand...
This will be a full time job for you.
 
nightstreak said:
They were putting up fences around some of the blocks, supposedly to repaint them. But what's upsetting is that they're drilling into the brand new paving to secure the fencing. There will be holes left all along plaza where they're repainting the blocks.

https://imgur.com/a/EhGXdS8

Honestly, nobody cares about doing anything right and taking care of our public spaces in this city.
Click to expand...
Eh, just fill 'em with asphalt!
 
Possibly good news: it appears to me that they're going to remove 3 of those concrete blocks to replace them with bollards. The blocks are too close to the corner and cause backups of people crossing the street. The Bay Street side has a series of bollards while the Front St. side only has 2 bollards and 3 concrete blocks. Looks like they're evening them out.

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And if they're doing this, might as well fix this shin breaker on York St.
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Or... why not just remove all the blocks and use bollards exclusively?

P.S. Our favourite pole is still there. Toronto Hydro is really stretching the meaning of "a few weeks".

Edit: Ah shit.... the "Reported Issue" with that pole on Toronto Hydro's site has been resolved.

Screenshot 2026-04-17 at 2.20.50 PM.png


I might have to follow up with Jack.
 
nightstreak said:
Possibly good news: it appears to me that they're going to remove 3 of those concrete blocks to replace them with bollards. The blocks are too close to the corner and cause backups of people crossing the street. The Bay Street side has a series of bollards while the Front St. side only has 2 bollards and 3 concrete blocks. Looks like they're evening them out.

View attachment 729949

And if they're doing this, might as well fix this shin breaker on York St. View attachment 729950

Or... why not just remove all the blocks and use bollards exclusively?

P.S. Our favourite pole is still there. Toronto Hydro is really stretching the meaning of "a few weeks". I might have to follow up with Jack.
Click to expand...
To Hydro a week is a normal person's month or more!

Somewhere above someone was obsessing about the old wooden Hydro poles on Queens Quay at Rees/Robertson.

I asked WT and they replied as follows:
"
"Thank you for reaching out to Waterfront Toronto and for sharing your concerns.

For questions or follow-up regarding the remaining poles and wiring along Queen’s Quay, Toronto Hydro has advised that residents connect directly with Shannon Jackson at Toronto Hydro: SJackson@TorontoHydro.com, CCed on the email.'"

I assume that sooner or later they will respond, if/when they do I will post an update but I am sure it will take a while to respond and FAR longer to get the damn wooden poles removed.
 
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