Yonge Street Revitalization (Downtown Yonge BIA/City of Toronto)

[MisterF]

We don't know how to make public spaces here.

The frustrating thing is that it's not complicated. The basics of a well designed public square are incredibly simple. Maybe if design firms stopped trying to reinvent the wheel and focused on the fundamentals we'd have more engaging public spaces. Instead we get deconstructed play structures and vague philosophies mapped out in physical form. Designers seem to look down on traditional park and square layouts, and their symbolic designs end up deserted.

 

[AlvinofDiaspar]

The frustrating thing is that it's not complicated. The basics of a well designed public square are incredibly simple. Maybe if design firms stopped trying to reinvent the wheel and focused on the fundamentals we'd have more engaging public spaces. Instead we get deconstructed play structures and vague philosophies mapped out in physical form. Designers seem to look down on traditional park and square layouts, and their symbolic designs end up deserted.

Indeed. More often than not the local firms overeach (e.g. June Callwood Park).

AoD

 

[AlvinofDiaspar]

Piece on YDS by Shawn Micallief in the Star:

https://www.thestar.com/news/gta/2017/01/27/a-last-stand-for-public-space-micallef.html

Mock-ups of the proposed screens have some placed high on poles, visually reminiscent of the long-legged alien spaceships in Spielberg’s War of the Worlds: a bit top heavy and awkward.

At the executive committee meeting last week, representatives of the Eaton Centre and other surrounding buildings with media screens argued the signs were either too big or would block their own signs, although all were careful to say they’re not against screens themselves, of course.

Indeed, the Eaton Centre representative said they’ve majorly reinvested in their Yonge and Dundas corner, and that the proposed signs will significantly change the Square and affect their tenants.

Perhaps, but worrying about impact is a bit rich considering the Eaton Centre’s new H&M wall-of-light expansion on the corner is so bright it turns night into day.

Also making a deputation at executive committee was Outfront’s sign-designer, Jeremy Kramer, who said he designed the media towers and signage for the Eaton Centre, 10 Dundas E., and the Hard Rock Café building, all of which opposed this current proposal.

Good for him for calling out the hypocrisy of the parties involved.

AoD

 

[jozl]

It took 5 years to "design" this square? Wow, great gig! Too bad it's so #%^^%%#%!, ugly and uninviting.

 

[Midtown Urbanist]

Photo illustration of the reinstalled Sam the Record Man signs overlooking Yonge Dundas Square.

Received this rendering in a Ryerson CBI email. Dunno if it is a new rendering or not, but thought I would post it anyway.

Ryerson University announced the Sunset Neon company will restore and reinstall the iconic Sam the Record Man neon signs atop 277 Victoria Street near Yonge-Dundas Square. The project is expected to start in the spring and finish later this year. "We are very pleased to announce the iconic Sam the Record Man signs, with their spinning neon discs, will once again illuminate downtown Toronto,” says Ryerson President and Vice-Chancellor Mohamed Lachemi. “We’re very thankful to the City of Toronto and the Sniderman family for their ongoing support and patience. We are all looking forward to the signs lighting up Toronto later this year.”

 

[Irishmonk]

The frustrating thing is that it's not complicated. The basics of a well designed public square are incredibly simple. Maybe if design firms stopped trying to reinvent the wheel and focused on the fundamentals we'd have more engaging public spaces. Instead we get deconstructed play structures and vague philosophies mapped out in physical form. Designers seem to look down on traditional park and square layouts, and their symbolic designs end up deserted.

Great post. Theme parks are supposed to have rollercoasters in them, not highfalutin notions about soundwaves like that execrable June Callwood park.

 

[UrbanFervour]

The frustrating thing is that it's not complicated. The basics of a well designed public square are incredibly simple. Maybe if design firms stopped trying to reinvent the wheel and focused on the fundamentals we'd have more engaging public spaces. Instead we get deconstructed play structures and vague philosophies mapped out in physical form. Designers seem to look down on traditional park and square layouts, and their symbolic designs end up deserted.

It's true - no matter how high-concept and avant-garde a design might be, it will fail if it misses the basics.

 

[AlvinofDiaspar]

It's true - no matter how high-concept and avant-garde a design might be, it will fail if it misses the basics.

Though to be fair, the Brown & Storey design was probably the least avant-garde (or at least, least busy) design of the competition. The issue in this case is - beyond what's already been said about execution issues, the stage and the northern edge - the part of the public realm that is outside the bound of this project - the sidewalk; the street furnishings, the architecture of the surrounding buildings; etc.

AoD

 

[AlvinofDiaspar]

Thread bump - from CBC Toronto:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toron...inesses-during-transformation-phase-1.4226607

A couple visiting from Germany told CBC Toronto that people recommended they visit the area, but they weren't impressed.

"It looks sketchy," Jana Hill said. "We went to different places because this is kind of awkward scenery."

The downtown stretch of Yonge Street is the last place I would recommend tourist to go to for the last 10 years (save for specific attractions like the theatres).

"With that intensification, the retail changes to be able to support that lived experience," Garner said.

New smackword - "lived experience". Like, as opposed to dead experience?

In September, an environmental assessment study will be launched to have a conversation with the community about what Yonge Street will look like.

Haven't we had enough conversations about that already?

AoD

 

[jozl]

I attended a "conversation" sponsored by the south Yonge street BIA and city planners about 5 years ago. I asked the panel at the time if something comprehensive is actually going to happen to improve Yonge or is this just another pie in the sky hot air proposal such as those we've been having for the past 40 years. I was assured that this time something will actually "happen". Well, guess what, more bullshit, that's what happened. Let Yonge street crumble and when the tourists stop coming maybe City Hall and the BIA will wake up.

 

[AlvinofDiaspar]

I attended a "conversation" sponsored by the south Yonge street BIA and city planners about 5 years ago. I asked the panel at the time if something comprehensive is actually going to happen to improve Yonge or is this just another pie in the sky hot air proposal such as those we've been having for the past 40 years. I was assured that this time something will actually "happen". Well, guess what, more bullshit, that's what happened. Let Yonge street crumble and when the tourists stop coming maybe City Hall and the BIA will wake up.

The EA process requires public consultation - which makes the discussion 5 years ago kind of premature at that point. All this just to what's likely closing one lane, expand the sidewalk and plant some trees.

AoD

 

[jozl]

And, heaven forbid, keep the same shoddy piecemeal lighting and posts.

 

[AlvinofDiaspar]

And, heaven forbid, keep the same shoddy piecemeal lighting and posts.

No kidding. It clearly isn't about how much you consult - but who you consult. The branding and treatment is utterly forgettable.

AoD

 

[Lansdude]

Watch the news in the next few days. Should be a lot of material about small businesses on Yonge fighting a huge increase in their taxes because of land assessment changes by condo developers/speculators this past year. This could be the catalyst that really transforms Yonge.

 

[YDS]

Watch the news in the next few days. Should be a lot of material about small businesses on Yonge fighting a huge increase in their taxes because of land assessment changes by condo developers/speculators this past year. This could be the catalyst that really transforms Yonge.

Like this one??