No, we are starting to agree that when ML gets sloppy, it erodes the quality of the Crosstown design, in ways that could end up delivering just another street car line - like St Clair Spadina and Harbourfront.
As the old woman in Python's Holy Grail said : "There you go, bringing class into it again".
It's true that ML has put a lot of architectural thought and effort into integrating the underground stations into the established streetscape along Eglinton. I don't see that as pandering to some elite. It's just taking the trouble to do things well. I would expect the same of any other project.
The minimalist approach to the above ground design is definitely a contrast. I attribute that to planning fatigue and maybe the budget didn't stretch quite far enough. Or the people who championed the design excellence in the early phases have moved on to other projects perhaps. Or the experience in at-grade station design just isn't there.
To the extent that inequality often comes from indifference or inattention, I take your point that this is not equal treatment. But - it is a stretch to declare a conspiracy in that.
Sometimes bureaucracy just does a mediocre job and it takes vocal opposition to get things right. That's how the west side of town got some elements of the extension to Renforth revisited. If the east end community doesn't unite and get active, the design will stand. Don't accuse the rest of us of bias if that happens. It's the local community's game to lose.
It's a fact that in the sixties, political pressure by Rosedale residents is what got a cover over the Line 2 Rosedale Ravine viaduct. Fewer people spoke up in the east or west ends, so those parts of the line that are above ground were not covered. That wasn't elitism, it was just good local community action by one group of ratepayers. There are winners and losers in community activism.
- Paul