Post: Canon Canada moves HQ downtown

[simply Dan]

Air Miles® just moved their corporate headquarters from Yonge + Lawrence to 438 University Avenue at Dundas taking up most of the floors in the building. Another large company moves back downtown!

 

[Prometheus The Supremo]

http://youtube.com/watch?v=8GVE7lRZuFM

 

[Edward]

I always thought a lot of firms moved to the burbs so their executives could be close to golf courses.

 

[junctionist]

I'm beginning to think yuppies have an effect on where firms choose to locate.

 

[syn]

Yes, in fact, because we're talking about the GO Train; indeed, I'm championing points that ought to make it more viable for some people who currently DO drive.

With regards to the company moving downtown, that's a far more convenient location for everyone than somewhere in the suburbs.

As for making it viable for people who do drive...the only way to do that is improve transit and reduce the number of cars on the road.

Or they can just stay in their cars if it's a pain in the ass, which is clearly what they're doing.

Well, it would appear staying in their car is just as much of a pain in the ass as taking transit.

The limitations of the subway system in Toronto mark it as hugely parochial. York University has been up on Steeles for what, 50 years now? I was there on course in 2005 and the number of buses hauling in and out of there was literally astounding; I'd never seen anything like it. Clearly, the need is critical, there and beyond, while the Spadina line ends at Sheppard. But now, after all this time, there's a provisional, probably, fingers-crossed plan to build the line a little further... to York? Swell, terrific... what about Vaughan? Richmond Hill? Why does the Bloor line end at Kipling like Etobicoke Creek is the Berlin Wall? Why didn't did to go Square One by 1975; why isn't it bringing people in from Oakville Place today? There are cities our size -- five, six million -- with vastly better interurban transit and more extensive subway systems than we have. But the thinking here is pokey and feudal. But then you turn around and tell me the car culture is the problem.

We're talking about going downtown. There are many stations that offer parking space for those who'd like to leave their cars at the station and take transit downtown.

You'll get no argument from me as far as transit expansion goes. As for car culture, that certainly is a problem if it closes one's mind off to all options but the car, although, I don't recall saying that car culture was the problem here. You're the one complaining about taking transit.

If you're expecting your "let 'em eat cake" solution to impress anyone, don't hold your breath... or maybe you'd better, because it's no solution to smog at all. You're just trading one car-accessed destination inside 416 for another car-accessed destination inside 416; there's hardly a difference. And so people are going to continue to drive to save time and money, and there's going to continue to be pressure for business to locate and relocate outside the core. I've been on both sides of it; I know how I feel about it: let down by people 40 years ago.

What are you talking about? They're moving from Markham to Downtown Toronto, the latter of which is far more transit connected and accessible than Markham.

I know many, many people who have ditched their car and started taking the GO train to their downtown jobs. Why? Because it's more convenient and faster than the car. You may be unwilling to give it up, but transit does work for a lot of people.

We can do better for the people 40 years from now than this.[/quote]

 

[scarberiankhatru]

They've been located in Markham for many years. If most of their employees live in Markham, they will now have a much longer trip to work. But if their employees' homes are more scattered, many will find it much easier to go downtown...maybe not quicker, but easier.

 

[syn]

They've been located in Markham for many years. If most of their employees live in Markham, they will now have a much longer trip to work. But if their employees' homes are more scattered, many will find it much easier to go downtown...maybe not quicker, but easier.

Well, I'm not sure that's a reasonable assumption. Some people move close to their place of employment, but these days commuting is the norm. Look at how many people work downtown but don't live there. I know a lot of people in Mississauga that work in companies with offices in Scarborough...and vice versa.

Downtown Toronto is a central, connected area. If you live in Markham, yes, you have a longer trip. But what if you live in Mississauga...or Toronto?

 

[scarberiankhatru]

Did you even read the third sentence I wrote?

 

[syn]

Did you even read the third sentence I wrote?

Apparently not.