Ugh. And they already demoed the only really interesting thing on site, the soap factory. I'd like to be more of a booster for this city, but it's tough when we're in this place where dev's cheapen and cut until there's nothing left but vapourware and a dearth of vision. (and I get it with socio economic factors at play but)
We invested billions in flood protections to get this area serviceable for a future neighbourhood, we can't just plan will nilly and put up neighbours reminiscent of City Place. My fear with these token office components is they could easily be nixed or made into office condos, not unlike what you see in the Hullmark Centre - though I'm sure this area would have more success down the line being more central and closer to Union/downtown.
My personal take is that we’re in a super bad period right now, because I think everyone from politicians to voters to the completely disinterested are being overwhelmed by everything in life, and that’s in general before you even get to folks just trying to keep up with capitalism.
So what we have is a dearth of imagination if not hope, not on a scale to move action. I look back on the Miller years when it seems there were a lot of young people being civically minded and engaged. Hell put that to the Obama years too-
But now it’s all about having to make a buck, no allegiances beyond sports teams, and a disenchantment with the systems meant to bring us together to do something special and lasting. We’re all in our phones, trying to side hustle to pay rent and have left building to the multi billionaires, who- if we’re lucky DON’T have a utopian idea for the future. Cuz ugh, have you seen what they really think about humanity? Eep.
Put up slop, nobody has a choice but to buy or rent- if the economy goes down the rich will get bailed out, cuz god forbid we punish these “builders of society”.
East Harbour is yet another brilliant opportunity to build a new community using emerging tech that weaves seamlessly into environmental protections. But political and economic forecasts will likely put it as an austere recession build, if that. The flood plain work will be done, and people will move into these buildings because it’s tied to major transit. Govt officials will show up to cut ribbons and backslap and Torontonians will still complain about crap transit and traffic (as if they aren’t part of it).
I know it’s a long shot but I’m transferring my optimism to the Innisfil Orb, or whatever it’s called.
(Also I will momentarily not go to look up that project for fear the cheapening has occurred there already. No spoilers)
Maybe we can have greater hope for the areas around GO stations outside the city, which seem moribund at best rn.
