Consultation process challenged by rep

[attach]1310[/attach]The Eglinton Crosstown LRT project is set to see shovels in the ground later this year but some are still unconvinced the TTC has learned anything from it’s work on the St. Clair right-of-way.

Ward 17 Councillor Cesar Palacio says the TTC isn’t making a strong enough effort to involve public input in the decision-making process of the $4.6 billion project that will extend for 33 km Kennedy subway station to Pearson Airport.

“The problem I’ve heard is that residents concerns are being dismissed once again and the TTC is pushing this project down the collective throats of local communities,” says Palacio. “The same thing that happened on St. Clair.”

Mitch Stambler, manager of the service planning department for TTC, says the concerns of local residents have been taken into consideration during four public consultation sessions.

“People do have legitimate concerns about affects on local traffic, traffic infiltration, safety, cost control and whether projects can be delivered on budget,” Stambler said. “From a taxpayer perspective these are all totally valid questions.”

Palacio said he’s all in favor of improving Toronto’s transit system but wants to ensure the TTC has learned its lessons from the St. Clair project.

“The LRT’s need to be based on pragmatic, realistic approaches rather than ideology, which in my opinion is exactly what’s happening,” said Palacio. “I hope the TTC have learned from the monumental mistakes that took place on St. Clair.”

But Stambler believes a lot of these concerns, including what Palacio saw as design flaws and big cost overruns, stem from misleading reporting on the St. Clair West right-of-way project.

Stambler said many of the problems with St. Clair were caused by things beyond the TTC’s control including the court challenge by resident group “Save our St. Clair” who petitioned to stop construction of the project.

Nick Alampi, Chair of the York-Eglinton Business Improvement Association believes there are both pros and cons with a project of this magnitude.

“In the short-term, yes it’s going to impact us, especially economically,” he said. “The construction impact is going to create more of a deterrent from people coming into the area to shop, but we are at the pinnacle point and if this does not happen for the City of
Toronto, we will not be a city of the future.”

Alampi points out another concern for some of his BIA members is their visibility to potential shoppers who will be underground for a 10 km stretch along from Laird Avenue to Black Creek Drive.

“Our biggest concern is that we’re going to lose visible advertising, we know there’s approximately a million people using the transit system on Eglinton,” said Alampi. “Looking out of the north or south side of the (bus) window, you’d see a storefront in a decorative and inviting way, the first thing you’d do is get off at the next stop and go and take a look, especially seeing a sign that said ‘Special’ on a particular item of interest … we know we’re going to lose that.”

Stambler points out that all of the development that’s occurred around the stations on Yonge St. is evidence that the provision of good public transportation brings upon development.

“Anything that gives more access bringing workers, shoppers and visitors to a site increases the value of the property,” said Stambler.

Alampi said there are many things the Eglinton-York BIA feel are going to impact their businesses but said he hopes the situation will change through the development and investment dollars that are going to come into our community because of it.

“This LRT has got to be the most vision-driven program (in Toronto) but we do know there will be problems,” said Alampi. “We’re trying to find ways we can benefit during construction by requesting additional parking spots.

“As for growth and opportunity, every major city, like Atlanta, has all types of access directly to the airport.”

Stambler concurs.

He said in regards to transit, Toronto is playing catch up with other cities but with incoming LRT project, the city is now on the right road.

“We’re a bit late coming to the party but we’re almost there, and that’s a good thing,” said Stambler.

Although Alampi sees the benefit of TTC’s expansion he, like Palacio, are asking TTC to involve more of the communities that will be affected.

“We all have an idea on how big this should be but when it comes down to it, there’s many obstacles they’re going to be leading into,” said Alampi. “My hope is that the people in power who’ve been assigned to this LRT are going to come out with more concrete information of how great of an impact it is going to be.”