Toronto Hydro Street Lighting (THSL) have recently started to replace the old green metal streetlights in the blocks south of The Esplanade between Lower Sherbourne and Parliament. These older lights dated from the early 1980s, gave very poor light and were starting to topple over as the poles rusted. So far so good.
Both the local BIA, our Councillor and the St Lawrence Neighbourhood Association had spoken to Hydro about this in 2014 and 2015 and reminded them that several years ago they had replaced similar lights in the quadrant west of Lower Sherbourne with quite attractive short black poles and square luminaires. We requested they do the same thing here but we were told last summer that the project was not on their lists.
It was thus quite a surprise to everyone when work started last week and an unpleasant surprise to learn that they will be installing their standard tall white concrete poles with acorn luminaires. This is particularly unfortunate as the area was recently recommended for a Heritage Conservation District plan and these huge poles and ugly lights are NOT in keeping with the area.
It is unclear if the shorter black poles and square luminaires are more expensive then tall poles and acorns but if they are it is possible that some of the City's section 37 funding for heritage lighting in St Lawrence could have filled the gap. As THSL did not consult this idea was not even investigated. Sad!
This is an example (on Frederick) of what might have been.
is
View attachment 85537
