This might seem like a case of slippery slope, but I have to emphasize how small the destruction footprint for this entrance is, in comparison to virtually every other project that Metrolinx is undertaking, nevermind the more impactful sections like Overlea, Don Mills, and Leslieville on the same line.
Granted, it's a postage stamp sized area..
Some history:
The original drawings that laid out ML's intentions surfaced at Toronto City Council in December 2021. The submission at that time is pretty much what ML has been saying this week. The concerns over the placement of the entrances, and the impact on the Osgoode property, became pretty apparent at that time.
Agenda Item History 2021.EX28.14
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After learning that an entrance in the old Bank of Canada Building had been available, but rejected by ML, concerns with the Osgoode location were raised to the Planning and Housing Committee, which asked Metrolinx for a presentation - an invitation which apparently they never accepted.
Agenda Item History 2022.PH32.16
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At City Council last June, Council asked for further study and voted (unanimously, with three absentees) to communicate its "significant concern" with the Osgoode site plan.
Agenda Item History 2022.PH34.4
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Suffice it to say that over this period, ML was not particularly forthcoming. If you read the letters to the June debate it is clear that even the public consultation itself was a somewhat closed-doors proposition.
Over the same period Council dealt with other Metrolinx plans including the Don GO yard, the East Harbour right of way, and Smalls Creek. If you watched any of these debates, it was apparent just how frustrated local Councillors were with ML's evasiveness and determination to stay on a predetermined course in spite of input and concerns.
Most recently, the Parsons report was dropped on the City a very short time before the tree cutting was scheduled. Not much of a "let's sit and talk" opportunity. No surprise that an injunction was sought, that's what you do when you want something imminent to not happen.
So, all in all, while the trees may not be the city's biggest destiny issue, one can see how many people have been reaching "the end of the rope" with ML. It's hard to fault those involved for seizing the opportunity to highlight just how non-transparent, and just how bloody-minded, ML is in pursuing the Ontario Line in its most direct, no deviations manner. Some times in civic politics one has to bang on pots.
I'm all for efficiency, getting on with things, and not losing sight of the goal - but it's a bit of a myth to think that projects can be executed this fast and that plans must remain cast in stone. The point is that reasonable delay and discussion may make a good plan better, and cut down on oversights that are fixable.
- Paul
PS - If you look at the drawings of the other downtown stations, they do not have the large work areas that Osgoode and Moss Park have. It seems that if ML saw vacant space, they grabbed it. This does not mean they absolutely need it. Even setting aside the trees, I still question whether ML really needs to be this intrusive with the Osgoode property generally.