Portlands' development needs some city building
[attach]5865[/attach]In Sept. 2011 council decided to undertake a review to look at ways to expedite the development of Toronto’s Portlands. This review of the lands, which extend from the inner harbour east to Leslie Street, has been completed and newly proposed recommendations have been put forward by Waterfront Toronto.
The original plan, which was developed by Waterfront Toronto and includes a detailed design to naturalize the river’s banks, is the result of years of consultations and an environmental assessment. The recent study has taken a second look at other options in the environmental assessment and proposes larger areas of land for development and a smaller parcel of green space with the creation of a narrow strip of parkland.
I have worked on the Portlands issue since it originally came to council in early Sept. 2011 and at that time defended Waterfront Toronto’s original vision as this plan ensures revitalization of the Don, and protects the green space and mixed-use community plans. As the Don River flows through Ward 25, I am particularly concerned with the development of the mouth of the Don, and the protection of nearly 16 hectares of green space that were found in the original Waterfront Toronto plans.
I support a world-class multi-use design and timely development of the city’s waterfront but feel it is crucial to ensure that any advancement of the process does not sacrifice solid city building.
This latest Portlands proposal will be coming to Toronto city council in mid-summer, and I look forward to hearing from residents on this important issue prior to that time. For developments on this issue and my position on other city issues, please visit my website at: [url]www.jayerobinson.ca.[/url]
I also welcome residents to visit the Waterfront Toronto website at: [url]www.portlandsconsultation.ca[/url] where information, including presentations from the open house, is available for viewing.
