Realigning the Historic Fort York Shortline

[MetroMan]

A few years ago, as part of the planned alternative to beautify the Gardiner Expressway, it was proposed that the historic shore of Toronto be realigned to Fort York.

It would be a mini-lake, not a real shoreline, but I think it's a fantastic idea to add a new appeal to this deserted part of the city and contribute to the experience of visiting Fort York.

Here are the drawings I dug up:

Does anybody know if this proposal is still alive?

 

[SunriseChampion]

Wikkid. This is the first I've ever heard of this but I think it'd be a great thing to do.

 

[lightarchitect]

yeah totally. i think if we have to live with the gardiner, then lets make it pretty.

 

[Tewder]

What a fantastic idea! It would truly put the fort in perspective and announce its presence. Any chance this is in the works for 2012?

 

[CapitalSeven]

It is a very pretty idea, but I think the ship has sailed on this one. I haven't seen any reference to it for quite some time, and the TTC is planning to run a streetcar line straight through what would be the widest part of the "lake." I believe there were also ideas about putting water where the June Callwood park is going, or further to southwest below Fleet. It's not clear that any ponds are in the plans now.

 

[CityPlaceN1]

That's too bad. It is a good idea.

 

[whatever]

That would have been amazing. Would've made a nice rink in the wintertime, too.

 

[DSC]

Lots of documents - but not I think the Lake plan - on the Fort York site. See: http://www.fortyork.ca/management_docs.htm

 

[MetroMan]

Notice in the first photo how there is a wide green over the tracks. I looked it up on Google Maps and found that the "green bridge" would connect in line with Stanley Park and King St. That would be a sure way to reconnect Fort York to the city.

 

[drum118]

In the next couple weeks, a design contest well be held for a 10,000 sq/m presentation centre that has to be built by late 2011 so it open for the 2012 200 year event.

There supposed to be a short list of who will be asked to to do this design.

 

[DSC]

In the next couple weeks, a design contest well be held for a 10,000 sq/m presentation centre that has to be built by late 2011 so it open for the 2012 200 year event.

There supposed to be a short list of who will be asked to to do this design.

The tender is open (and not restricted to pre-selected biddrrs) until May 14. See: https://wx.toronto.ca/inter/pmmd/calls.nsf/0/EC8DF9CBA2F26C5F852575A00070BB22?OpenDocument

 

[MetroMan]

Any chance we'll see the other upgrades (north bridge, lake) come as part of the 200 yr celebration?

 

[achender]

There is an ongoing EA for the pedestrian/cycle bridge.

http://www.toronto.ca/involved/projects/ftyork_bridge/index.htm

Weather or not we'll ever be able to build anything interesting over the rail corridor is an open question though.

 

[MetroMan]

^ Thanks for that. So that confirms that the city does intend to have this bridge built in time for the 2012, 200th anniversary.

No mention of the lake however. I guess that was never a serious proposal, simply an attempt at beautifying the space under the Gardiner.

 

[41stfloor]

If anyone is interested in the archaeology of the central waterfront, including Fort York and the successive waves of lake filling from the 1820s onward, here is an excellent resource: http://www.toronto.ca/heritage-preservation/pdf/centralwaterfrontarchaeology.pdf