Continued from the above:
Questions of Clarification:
Bridge over GO Line - detailed vision: Aspiration to High Line, not replication but inspired by, bridge to be ~30M wide and able to support substantial, mature vegetation on the approaches to full height, actual cross of track more conventional.
Any clarity on which streets buldings are fronting onto vs rear-facing. Confusion due to unconventional street grid. Streets D and Taxiway to be more important, but all blocks are to be considered important for frontage purposes.
Question about relationship of public square in front of Hangar (where Taxiway Street will terminate) and relationship to the hangar. In response the slide below is shown:
Looking from the Square into the Hangar which is envisioned to have an internal main street that could read something like an extension of Taxiway street.
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Clarification on Downsview Park Blvd that it will in fact connect under the rail corridor.
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Any intent for adaptive use of the hangar roofs. Answer: Not known, as the applicant has yet to explore what load factor the roofs can handle. But possible to consider green roofs or other amenity spaces subject to the load-bearing capacity being sufficient. Will be examined further at Site Plan stage.
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Uses of hangars - Answer not known, exploring options for publicly accessible atrium: Render:
Panel Discussion/Comments:
Ralph - Tour de Force, very commendable.
Some concern over maintainability of plantings associated with pedestrian bridge. Bridge might benefit from open Design competition.
Central Square may be too large, might be too empty at times.
Maybe the proposed taxiway is too green, love the trees, but maybe here it makes it more difficult to recognize the historic taxiway.
Heather:
Transitioning to Ancaster neighbourhood very well done.
Maybe need to see renders for more street sections.
Agrees with Ralph on the Taxiway maybe being less green and more in line with its traditional scale/use
Doesn't see in the current renders, the relationship of the proposed bridge to the Highline. Under the High Line is a special place, could equivalent be achieved here?
Need to be cognizant that hangar roofs are like the 5th facade of these buildings.
Paul:
Need for greater clarity on hierarchy of roads and greater resolution on the varying design ethos.
Differ from Ralph and Heather, Taxiway can be green, and focus more on the main runway as the wide space that's more open and gives you that industrial/aviation heritage.
Don't like seeing the parking garages up against the rail corridor as envisioned, because it requires cars to drive through the village area to reach the parking. It would be good to intercept cars sooner.
Tempted to propose new N-S road through the City Works yard to access the parking, allowing cars to by pass the 'village' area.
Bridge is large enough at ~280M long to have more than one expression.
Jim:
Support more uses under the bridge............ washrooms, cycle parking, like he saw in Berlin a seedy after-hours dance club.
Solar canopy on bridge would be desirable, and weather protection against cold winter winds to make it usable in all four seasons.
Consider solar canopies over any surface parking lots.
Michael:
Concern about width of proposed pedestrian bridge. At ~30M, wider than the Gardiner Expressway. Maybe narrower would be better.
Concern that length over 4% grade may be the definition of accessible but makes for very long pedestrian trips, need for supplementary stairs/elevators so that pedestrian trips can be more efficient.
Street A could be a more generous greenway, better connectivity between parks.
Taxiway street character cannot be entirely vast and treeless, but maybe could better exhibit that massive, industrial scale on one or more blocks within the first phase.
Summation: (my paraphrase)
Consensus that there has been serious thought on sustainability, adaptive re-use, and public realm and this is greatly appreciated
Extremely great promise, panel will look forward to seeing future iterations hold this promise.
Hangars, Taxiways, Runways are not naturally urbane, there's great care and thought on how to preserve authenticity but adapt it to a viable urban environment.
Vote:
Panel votes unanimously in support.
