I question that figure.
When compared to the Fords?
Useless programs like kindergarten, health care, and Metrolinx? The polls suggested he was guaranteed to loose had the election been held last year and now it is a close race.
Expensive compared to a subway through the Golden Mile and a subway under Sheppard? Why would a three car LRT be blocking an intersection when they have dedicated lanes? I see one passenger vehicles blocking the intersection all the time.
What hole? The hole that didn't require the car registration tax and which was filled with gravy?
The residential development that prevents access to the waterfront was built by the private sector before the Waterfront Toronto Plan. Since planning started nothing that blocks access to the waterfront has been built, instead we have build HtO park, Sugar Beach, Sherbourne Commons, wave decks and boardwalks to increase walking space, and plan a Queens Quay with bike lanes. If Ford turns over the land to private developers why would you expect it to be less like the privately developed waterfront blocking condos and Home Depot plans of the past and more like the Waterfront Plans of today?
Because the Olympics brings people to the city, are master planned, are seen by a large audience, and billions of new money are brought into the city. People aren't going to come to Toronto for a mall and ferris wheel. Eaton Centre is better served by transit, and suburban malls are better served by car than a mall in the port lands. Largely the people shopping at a port lands mall will be from the area... so it isn't new money. Why would a location on the waterfront be more ideal for a mall where everyone stays indoors than anywhere else, like the failing Woodbine Live plan?
This will be my final argument to you. I'm sure you'll want to have the last word as most liberals do.
We'll start with Smitherman:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2009/10/07/ehealth-auditor.html
http://jackandcokewithalime.blogspot.com/2010/06/can-toronto-trust-frivolous-george.html
http://www.torontosun.com/comment/columnists/sueann_levy/2010/09/30/15538316.html
done.
Pantalone. Nothing to say but clearly yes.
I can guarentee you that McGuinty will not be voted back in.
The subway and Eglington Crosstown are actually cheaper. Even though there are two lines, they are much more reliable, scheduled and hold more capacity than the lrt system integrated into streets. Im talking left hand turns here. When one of these monsters makes a left hand turn, it blocks the oncoming lanes and if the lrt is stuck behind traffic from another red light, it would be blocking the entire intersection. This would have most definately happened very frequently with the traffic and the length of the new trains. The whole lrt is not designated lanes. Only portions of it are (mostly suburban), so once you hit the city's wall of traffic, your stuck. Expanding the subway system and elevated rt's are the best way to go. Cities turn out much more successful with these than conventional buses and streetcars. Portland, Oregon is a great example of how it can sound great, but ends up getting more negative views than positive in the end. London and New York have fantastic subway systems and run very well. A great canadian example would be Montreal (underground) or Vancouver (above/under).
When I refer to a whole I refer to the debt that Miller left the city with. Now Rob Ford is filling it back in. I dont care if he fills it with gravy as long as he fills it in so Toronto can get back on its feet again and actually earn a profit. The city may seem okay, but thats all the private investment you see, the infrastructure is what lacks due to Millers mistakes.
Home depot isnt mentioned in his plan and that is a past issue that was already turned down so stop bringing up the history of the waterfront and lets get moving on the future. Private residential property is ABSOLUTELY included in the Waterfront Toronto plan. PanAmGames will be low income housing (great just what we need near the waterfront...NOT) as well as River City, Pier 27, Bayside development, Parkside development. The Waterfront should be commercial and parklands that is more inviting than condos. Even if the grounds of these condos are accessable, theyre not as welcoming as public venues. Ford will get it done right and he'll get it done atleast 10 years faster than Waterfront Toronto. Not saying Waterfront Toronto is bad, but this proposal requires less tax money, will definately get done faster and includes a more grand vision.
Correct! Olympics bring in billions, maybe only millions but ill go with that. Problem is that the country, province and city pump in way more than they get in return. I have not heard of one profitable Olympic Games in my lifetime. I am all for the games, even though it would be a good year to apply for (2020), I dont think the city is ready for it with its current infrastructure and we cant suddenly pump billions of government money into temporarily useful venues if we are already trying to find our way out of debt. Its not viable and not logical. Yes, everyone hopes for an Olympics to come to their hometown, but right now, it doesnt make sense.
People DO come to see a ferris wheel and a mall. Toronto is a great city, but it needs a vibrant waterfront of attractions, parkland, residential land, hotels etc. to be successful. It cannot just depend on parklands and residential property with little return on money. I honestly like Waterfront Toronto, but I believe that this is a far better option from what I have heard so far.
I suggest we improve and expand upon his plan like I said in my previous comment and people have alredy started to do so.
Done.
