When I started the thread I had just read the article and had not given it much thought. I just figured it was something people here would like to see/hear about/discuss.
I am still not sure what to think.
On the one hand, a hotel/convention centre (and I really think they mean a hotel with a lot of meeting space as opposed to a MTCC type development) has long been a goal for Brampton and they have looked at other sites in the past....and I have often thought that the sort of parky/low density site across Church Street from the GO parking made sense....so this site is not far from that. So, on its own merits, this is probably a very good development proposal and continues the momentum for downtown Brampton.
On the other hand, GO's primary role is to encourage commuters out of their cars and onto trains (or as it relates to Brampton currently, buses).....and this development has the potential to work against this role. The article notes that the current surface lot would be replaced with 250 - 300 underground parking spots. Those spots represent a significant reduction (from 629) to what is available now, they are not likely to be free and they are not likely to be dedicated to GO users (presuming that people will want to park at the new hotel/convention centre too) so, when this project is complete, there will be a significant disincentive for commuters to use this station........after the money that has gone into the station recently/currently this seems like a real shame (from a cost/return/utilization point of view and from a transit point of view). That does not even factor in that for, likley, 2 - 3 years of construction there would be virtually no parking at the site at all.
It is far too simplistic to simply say "they can drive to Bramalea or Mt. Pleasant"......both those lots fill up already and would represent a lengthier drive for the people who currently park at Brampton (presuming people park at the station most convenient to them) so once you stick people in their cars longer you run the risk that they fall into the "well I have driven this far I may as well drive to work" mentality. Add in that Mt. Pleasant leads to a more expensive commute (and is in the opposite direction) and that option probably dies fast.
Suggesting that they should just change their patterns and take Brampton Transit to get to the station is not much of a suggestion either as that is an option that is there now and, considering that those 600+ spots are filled by the time the second (of 4) rush hour trains has left the station a considerable number of people don't think of it as a viable solution.
Ideally, I guess, the combination of the hotel and the condos being built should lead to more people using that station and accessing it by foot....but that does not seem to make up for the potential of losing those drive to the station commuters.
So, I guess, from an urban planning/intensification/land use point of view this seems like a good develpment idea. From a transit utilization perspective, the risk seems very high (IMO).