Subway naming delayed again
People trying to convince the TTC to change its mind on the name of Vaughan’s final subway station have lived to fight another day once again.
At its Wednesday afternoon meeting, the commission deferred its decision on what to call the Spadina subway extension’s new stations, particularly the one to be located at Jane Street and Hwy. 7.
York Region, the City of Vaughan and its mayor have fought for the station to be called Vaughan Metropolitan Centre, while TTC staff recommended going with the shorter Vaughan Centre.
Calling the station Vaughan Metropolitan Centre is integral to the city’s strategy of creating a “vibrant, avant garde” downtown near Jane Street and Hwy. 7, Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua said Tuesday.
His opinion appeared to be in the minority.
The TTC hosted an online survey earlier this year, attracting 3,600 respondents, and 80 per cent favoured Vaughan Centre. Only 9 per cent were on side with Vaughan Metropolitan Centre.
The survey targeted Toronto residents who wouldn’t know or appreciate the scope and ambition of Vaughan’s efforts, Councillor Sandra Racco countered.
While some might ask, “What’s in a name?” Ms Racco thinks it makes a big difference.
“I think it’s quite important. We took the time to name that area and brand that area,” she said. “Vaughan Centre doesn’t tell you anything.”
The city and region argued Vaughan Metropolitan Centre was the “brand” for Vaughan’s new downtown, voted on by its residents, and riders could confuse Vaughan Centre with the new civic centre, several kilometres away.
The TTC countered the name was unwieldy and the shorter name was similar to other system names, like Scarborough Centre and North York Centre.
“The TTC does not select names to promote or advertise nearby developments or corporate or commercial enterprises,” the commission’s report said.
“(Vaughan Centre) effectively and simply describes the general station location as a major regional hub.”
The former point is one that has irked local officials, since neither Vaughan Metropolitan Centre nor its prior name, Vaughan Corporate Centre, is a specific project, but the name of the larger district.
It’s frustrating because the city has been consistent and emphatic in its position, Ms Racco said.
The issue of the name first arose more than a year ago.
A decision was pushed off so the public could be consulted, leading to the survey.
Vaughan and York Region, via its Rapid Transit Corporation, made their preferences official in September 2010.
They kept up that message, right through to a letter sent to the TTC by Mr. Bevilacqua last month.
“Adopting the name Vaughan Metropolitan Centre ... will help identify to the rider a location filled with choice, a location of diversity, a destination of business and resident, a cultural hub,” very different from a commuter parking lot, he wrote.
Mr. Bevilacqua said TTC chairperson Karen Stintz understood the city’s position and Vaughan staff would be at the meeting to make their case. They would get a fair hearing, he said.
Instead of rendering a decision, the commission opted to postpone it for the time being to consult further both with Vaughan and the public.
Other changes are proposed further south along the subway line.
The current terminal station, Downsview, will be renamed Sheppard West. A new station to the west will be right at Downsview Park and named after the park.
Other names are more straightforward: Finch West, York University, Steeles West and Hwy. 407.
In each case, the names were those preferred in the survey.
In the meantime, subway construction is proceeding full steam ahead and on schedule. Cranes can be seen where the stations are being built, such as at Millway Avenue and Hwy. 7.
That provides at least a little comfort for people concerned about the details of the execution.
“It really hits you,” Ms Racco said. “It’s actually coming along.
