GraphicMatt
Looking forward to a FRESH START for Toronto
Let's fight to make this a livable city for its residents, not just for the property developers and other commuters. Leave the grade level near the waterfront for pedestrians and cyclists, we don't need another University Avenue down by the lake. I think we need a pedestrian market under the overpass.
Sounds not bad, don't you think?
There's a lot of talk of 'beautifying' the underside of the Gardiner in this thread, which admittedly is probably a better tact than doing nothing at all. But it all still feels really disingenuous. Call me cynical, but I think the people proposing 'pedestrian markets', 'art installations' and 'cafés' underneath are exactly the same kind of person who would NEVER visit any of those, were they to be built. Essentially, you're just proposing something you hope will be cheap that will placate those who want the thing torn down, so you can keep driving on it.
I've yet to see a really nice example of a 'beautified' expressway overpass. Certainly some look nicer than the Gardiner, but that's an easy feat, roughly akin to beating John Goodman in a swimsuit contest.
Also: Demonizing University Avenue doesn't ring true at all. People cross it daily. No one thinks twice about walking from City Hall to the MuchMusic building because they'll have to cross big-scary University avenue. Hell, I saw somebody getting wedding photos taken on the median a few weeks ago. I sincerely doubt anyone has ever taken wedding photos under the Gardiner.
I was walking near Lakeshore/Leslie on the weekend where the eastern end of the Gardiner used to be. While I can't say like I felt like they did a GOOD job with the space (development around the intersection feels very suburban), the area was PACKED with cyclists, rollerbladers and pedestrians. It was really nice to see.