allabootmatt
Senior Member
I've been pretty depressed by the news this week, and by much of corresponding discussion here on UT. In the interest of cheering myself up, would love to discuss some of the many GOOD things still going on in our wonderful city, even under Mayor Edsel (who, by the way, I think is headed for a crash and burn that will make even some of his staunchest Council allies reconsider their support). So, herewith some causes for optimism or even happiness I am trying to keep on my mind:
Skyscrapers! The city is undergoing one of the most comprehensive series of changes to its physical landscape ever, and it's almost all for the better. The surging downtown population, meanwhile, is putting Ford and co on the wrong side of demographics.
The waterfront! Real results are finally evident, and there is much more on the way, with rock-solid federal backing. Even the Queens Quay rebuild is going ahead.
The Crosstown! It seems we will finally get rapid transit on Eglinton. I would be shocked if even Hudak messes with it.
The airport link! It isn't perfect but it's long overdue.
Bixi! Enough said.
New streetcars! Knocking on wood here, but I figure Ford would have already tried to cancel these if he really wanted to. When they come they will transform downtown transit if used properly.
The Spadina extension! Any new subway is good news, and one more suburban gravybahn ticked off as we move down the list toward the DRL.
Separated bike lanes! I may be giving Denzil too much credit, but working toward a real, high-spec bike network is a good thing and he should be commended for it, Jarvis notwithstanding.
Sensible councillors! This may, again, be too optimistic, but clearly Ford hasn't convinced everybody to drink the Kool-Aid, as evidenced by his stunning defeats on a number of votes in this week's Council meeting.
Civil society! If there is a silver lining to the Ford era, I think it will be in convincing citizens, businesses, and non-governmental organisations that it isn't wise to rely too heavily on City Hall for leadership. The likes of Chicago have, I think, much more robust private-sector involvement in city-building, and given the amount of money sloshing around TO there's no reason we can't too.
So, what am I missing?
Skyscrapers! The city is undergoing one of the most comprehensive series of changes to its physical landscape ever, and it's almost all for the better. The surging downtown population, meanwhile, is putting Ford and co on the wrong side of demographics.
The waterfront! Real results are finally evident, and there is much more on the way, with rock-solid federal backing. Even the Queens Quay rebuild is going ahead.
The Crosstown! It seems we will finally get rapid transit on Eglinton. I would be shocked if even Hudak messes with it.
The airport link! It isn't perfect but it's long overdue.
Bixi! Enough said.
New streetcars! Knocking on wood here, but I figure Ford would have already tried to cancel these if he really wanted to. When they come they will transform downtown transit if used properly.
The Spadina extension! Any new subway is good news, and one more suburban gravybahn ticked off as we move down the list toward the DRL.
Separated bike lanes! I may be giving Denzil too much credit, but working toward a real, high-spec bike network is a good thing and he should be commended for it, Jarvis notwithstanding.
Sensible councillors! This may, again, be too optimistic, but clearly Ford hasn't convinced everybody to drink the Kool-Aid, as evidenced by his stunning defeats on a number of votes in this week's Council meeting.
Civil society! If there is a silver lining to the Ford era, I think it will be in convincing citizens, businesses, and non-governmental organisations that it isn't wise to rely too heavily on City Hall for leadership. The likes of Chicago have, I think, much more robust private-sector involvement in city-building, and given the amount of money sloshing around TO there's no reason we can't too.
So, what am I missing?