Toronto The Bentway (was Under Gardiner) | ?m | ?s | Waterfront Toronto

[Skeezix]

Not surprised if it's true. The fact they redid the poll for such an inconsequential competition was really odd. Then again, online poll manipulation is pretty commonplace, but nobody really cares since online polls rarely have any real impact.

I note the juxtaposition of your "nobody really cares since online polls rarely have any real impact" with the UT online poll on the name for this project, where Under Gardiner and None of the Above both beat The Bentway, but nobody cared and our poll had zero impact.

 

[AlvinofDiaspar]

RE: The lack of funding for the pedestrian bridge... Did the team reach out to the feds at all for infrastructure funding? It seems like this project would have no trouble securing funding with how far along it is in planning, and how soon it will be completed.

They are working on it - from the Exec committee:
http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-94187.pdf

Other Sources of Funding
It is expected that, over time, the non-profit entity will develop additional sources of revenue and its relative reliance on City funding will decrease in future years.
Other potential revenue sources examined in the HR&A study include the following:
•federal and provincial funding
•earned income
•philanthropy
•sponsorships
•grant funding
•BIA fees
The partners working through the Toronto Office of Partnerships have already started
fundraising. The City has submitted an application for funding through the Government of
Canada's "Canada 150 Fund" to support a sesquicentennial festival during the launch of Project:Under Gardiner in July 2017 and other year one programming

http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/ex/bgrd/backgroundfile-94187.pdf (p. 17)

AoD

 

[smuncky]

Here's a sneak peek of a performance space concept for The Bentway by our partner PUBLIC WORK. More: http://ow.ly/ftE7306G5b0

https://twitter.com/thebentway/status/805804036280750080

 

[ADRM]

Here's a sneak peek of a performance space concept for The Bentway by our partner PUBLIC WORK. More: http://ow.ly/ftE7306G5b0

https://twitter.com/thebentway/status/805804036280750080

Is that the space near the Strachan entrance?

 

[interchange42]

That's Strachan on the right.

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[AlvinofDiaspar]

Context and design - from the July WT DRP:

http://www.waterfrontoronto.ca/uploads/documents/pug___drp_presentatation_july_20_2016_1.pdf

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[interchange42]

If the pivoting panels are meant to buffer street noise during performances, why not build them to actually seal off the connection? The gaps, especially the wide one in the middle, are just going to turn the road noise into more of a staccato interruption.

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[ADRM]

If the pivoting panels are meant to buffer street noise during performances, why not build them to actually seal off the connection? The gaps, especially the wide one in the middle, are just going to turn the road noise into more of a staccato interruption.

42

I found that strange, too. I worry, more broadly, that they're underestimating the degree to which they need to shelter all users of the space from the effects of traffic, both physically and in terms of seeing/hearing.

And, looking again at that Strachan-fronting bit, it would be really smart to actually add some protection to the Strachan bike lanes to encourage people (especially families with children) to make their way safely down to the space, but that won't happen because Toronto.

 

[PinkLucy]

There is also noise from the trains nearby. And the rumble of traffic from the Gardiner above.

 

[AlvinofDiaspar]

Honestly I think it's more for creating a sense of enclosure more than actual enclosure.

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[MetroMan]

Embedded media from this media site is no longer available

Not surprised if it's true. The fact they redid the poll for such an inconsequential competition was really odd. Then again, online poll manipulation is pretty commonplace, but nobody really cares since online polls rarely have any real impact.

Wait. What?? I just watched the video and that's pretty damning regardless of if it came from some conspiracy from WaterfronTO or not. Clearly, someone voted repeatedly for Bentway and did it so easily to the point where they could vote hundreds of times per hour.

I didn't like any of the shortlisted names and the whole online vote thing seemed fishy from the start. I hope that it just picks up another name organically through word of mouth. No way to predict what or how it'll happen but just like the ACC got called "The Hanger" and the SkyDome "The Dome", a literal interpretation of what it is might lead to it being popularly known as something like the "Under Line" or "Under Park" or ultimately, the most obvious: "Under Gardiner".

 

[interchange42]

The video isn't damning as on its own it proves nothing: it could have been produced as a simple animation. Not that I don't think that they messed up the vote.

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[AlvinofDiaspar]

From the Dec WT Board CEO Report:

The Bentway

The design team completed 90% Construction Documents in early November and submitted them to City staff for review and comment. These documents are required to obtain a permit to commence construction and will be the basis for the construction tender process. Late December remains the target to obtain a construction permit, with a construction start in early 2017.

Waterfront Toronto completed the tender process for retaining the Construction Manager (CM) for the project, Peter Kiewit Infrastructure Co. They have been formally engaged on the project and have begun work with the team to develop a detailed cost estimate of the 90% Construction Drawings, a comprehensive schedule, a list of tendering packages, and the procurement documents for the sub-trades who will be engaged to complete the construction activities.

Waterfront Toronto has finalized the Environmental Study Report for the proposed crossing at Fort York Boulevard and expect to file it for public review and approval in December. In November, Waterfront Toronto finalized the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the City of Toronto and the Matthews Foundation, which now reflects the governance and funding approach approved by Toronto City Council in July. The Bentway Conservancy, a non-profit entity incorporated for the project by its sponsors, continues to advance the hiring process for several key staff members, including a Chief Executive Officer, Director of Fund Development and Director of Programming.

Waterfront Toronto continues to work with the Bentway team on programming and activation as it relates to the federal government’s Canada 150 fund, with a grant of $175,000 earmarked for 2017 programming and some activation items such as public art installations.

http://www.waterfrontoronto.ca/uplo..._report___december_12_2016_consolidated_1.pdf

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[W. K. Lis]

According to this link, the Underpass Park in Toronto, which was awarded the ASLA's 2016 Professional Award of Excellence?

See this link for more information.

Underpass Park is a highly imaginative public space in a rather unexpected place. Located beneath a complex of existing highway overpasses in Toronto’s downtown, an otherwise forgotten and derelict remnant has been transformed into an active public park providing diverse recreational and social opportunities while connecting new and existing local neighborhoods and nearby parks. This unique public space is part of Waterfront Toronto’s revitalization efforts of the celebrated new West Don Lands neighborhood. It serves to link Corktown Common, River Square and the neighborhoods of both sides of the overpass complex through the provision of safe and animated public realm design. At a time when urban open-space resources continue to dwindle, and city populations and densities increase, taking advantage of unexpected opportunities, such as the underbelly of an overpass, has proven to be both visionary and essential for the overall health and vibrancy of this area of the city.

 

[AlvinofDiaspar]

According to this link, the Underpass Park in Toronto, which was awarded the ASLA's 2016 Professional Award of Excellence?

See this link for more information.

Old news: http://urbantoronto.ca/forum/threads/toronto-underpass-park-m-s-waterfront-toronto.11766/page-19

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