For all of those who oppose the Portlands heist by the Frauds check out this website:
http://codeblueto.com
Write a letter to City Council who will be voting on it in the next month, I believe.
Here's what I wrote:
Toronto's waterfront is this city's crown jewel. It will be there for generations to come, enriching the lives of all of those who choose to use it. After decades and decades of neglect Waterfront Toronto was established to kick start development and begin the process or turning a neglected wasteland with loads of potential into a thriving, revenue generating community and destination. Their work is finally producing results like the spectacular Sugar beach and Sherbourne Commons. These projects have been winning awards for their innovation and design and they indicate the enormous potential waiting to be unlocked in the rest of waterfront lands.
Much money and time has been spent thus far, and incredibly detailed plans have been created for the most challenging section of the waterfront: The Portlands. A financial plan is already in place and there is no reason to think that Waterfront Toronto won't be able to succeed in bringing its masterplan to fruition. It will take time, there is no question of that, but the timespan for such a large, challenging and complex site is reasonable. Doug/Bob Ford's notion that the Portlands can be completed in ten years is ludicrous and cannot be taken seriously.
Cityplace, a private project built on easily prepared land, with much of the infrastructure and transit links already in place, will have taken, when finished, at least fifteen years from concept to completion. And this is only a 44 acre site--less than one fifteenth the size of The Portlands. And it has occurred during the longest sustained building boom in Toronto's history. Thus, when looking at the 25 to 30 year window for the Portlands, one really has to admire the planners for their confidence and optimism rather than chide them for their perceived pokiness.
The Rookie Councillor from Etobicoke, Doug Ford's plan, crafted in the backroom with his friends, likely has an ulterior purpose: dazzle the public with images of Ferris wheels and other amusements, while quietly selling the land to Ford insiders, and throwing the ill gotten gains at Toronto's widening deficit. It's a cash grab, pure and simple. Moreover, such a laughably cartoonish, Disney inspired "vision" with its "Venetian" hotels, lavish shopping malls and a cute monorail, is not worthy of this city and is an insult to the democratic process.
If City Council and Toronto's citizens allow this travesty to occur it will destroy the waterfront's potential, harm this city's reputation in the eye's of international developers and architects, and place a general pall over this city for generations. It will be, perhaps, this city's gravest mistake and greatest failure of the past century and will cause much regret and distress to future generations. It cannot be allowed to happen.
City Council, please show some spine and fortitude when it is your time to vote on the Ford Plan. Show that you care about the city more than your own short term political careers. If Waterfront Toronto is torn up, you will all be wearing it for the rest of your lives. Please do the right thing and vote against the Doug Ford Plan. Doing so will pay great dividends down the road for the city, for future generations and possibly even your own long term political prospects.