Rail Deck Park (?, ?, ?)

[ChesterCopperpot]

Based on the cost of Millenium Park in Chicago of $33million an acre - puts the pricetag in the range of $700million

 

[rbt]

That's what I *thought*, but it's only the Barrie line that's proposed to have a stop there. It can play the support column role I suppose.

It's only the Barrie line for now. Metrolinx has proposed a station in that location for several different lines in the past (including a DRL stop)

I think it's safe to assume their long-term vision sees several lines stopping near that location as an alternative to Union.

 

[salsa]

yup, haha. I always underestimate the size of Central Park. Regardless, this would be a massive park for Toronto, probably the largest in the downtown core.

There was an interesting graphic that compares the size of Rail Deck Park to other Toronto parks. It's still quite huge even if it's not exactly Central Park.

 

[smably]

I'm as excited as anyone for this, but I gotta say I'm a little cynical about the lack of funding sources or even cost estimates. My gut says $700m might even be on the low side.

 

[AlvinofDiaspar]

I'm as excited as anyone for this, but I gotta say I'm a little cynical about the lack of funding sources or even cost estimates. My gut says $700m might even be on the low side.

Good to see them think big - we just needed to see more than just thinking. And yeah, I wouldn't be surprised it might cost 1B - though presumably some of the cost can get rolled into various infrastructure projects.

AoD

 

[WislaHD]

Just wow!

 

[WislaHD]

So do we have a timeframe for this park?

 

[AlvinofDiaspar]

So do we have a timeframe for this park?

Staff report to Exec Committee in September. Guess that's when we will get some hint of the nitty gritty.

CityPlanTO ‏@CityPlanTO 5m5 minutes ago
Construction of decking for #RailDeckPark will be completed over time, a resource that grows with the increasing population of the City & DT

Looks like a phased approach, which is pretty expected.

AoD

 

[Tulse]

That is tremendous. It really could go a long way to making the waterfront more accessible from that part of the city. Now if they would just do that over the whole dang rail lands.

 

[smably]

Vaughn, paging Adam Vaughn. Time to go to work.

He was there, says @jpags on twitter: https://twitter.com/jpags/status/760881719595700224

MP Adam Vaughan, who was councillor for this area, pitching federal cooperation with city (but not specific funding for this park)

 

[ADRM]

A Planning spox essentially said that recommendations regarding funding sources and/or preliminary cost estimates may or may not come in the September report...

Tory also declined to hypothesize about timeframe, but noted construction might not begin during his next term (*aggressively sheds tears for multiple assertions contained in that statement*).

 

[AlvinofDiaspar]

City of Toronto Backgrounder:

http://www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/c...nnel=84a7e03bb8d1e310VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD

AoD

 

[DonValleyRainbow]

I'm floored this is being proposed as pure parkland. If there were proposed development parcels mixed in with this and it was paid by the developers, I could believe it. But a standalone park? Please, show me the money. We have over $20 billion in unfunded projects as is, and we want to tack on another billion to build downtown parkland? Don't get me wrong, I think it's a worthy investment, but I also believe it is lower on the priority list compared to other outstanding items.

 

[syn]

I love the idea, but how will it be funded?

Development will probably integrated into the scheme to cover at least some of the costs.

 

[dunkalunk]

I'm floored this is being proposed as pure parkland. If there were proposed development parcels mixed in with this and it was paid by the developers, I could believe it. But a standalone park? Please, show me the money. We have over $20 billion in unfunded projects as is, and we want to tack on another billion to build downtown parkland? Don't get me wrong, I think it's a worthy investment, but I also believe it is lower on the priority list compared to other outstanding items.

It wouldn't be too diffucult to imagine the Bathurst Yard being partially acquired and south side of Front being opened up to mid-rise development.