[dob467]

When I first saw these concrete boxes outside Union I too was disappointed, but then thought perhaps when people start using them they wouldn't be so unaesthetically pleasing.

"Rectangular concrete boxes, in a line, near the edge of the sidewalk. Their primary job (sadly) is to keep cars from mounting the sidewalk and endangering pedestrians. They serve a secondary practical purpose as benches, where people can rest while they wait for a taxi or soak up the sunshine in the plaza."

Edward Keenan: Toronto finally made some progress on a long-promised reno to an historic location. What took so long?

Toronto’s approach to the Union Station revamp looks for all the world like that reno project at home you keep putting off for no good reason.

www.thestar.com

 

[xmyth_]

As far as I know, nobody has really bothered to explain what the "necessary job" is. Sure it's a high traffic pedestrian area, but there are many places all through Toronto that have pedestrian volumes as high or higher and we don't protect them all. Why was this plaza singled out? And the one thing that has never been apparent: were aesthetics considered as part of the requirements?

I’d imagine the police and their lofty budget were consulted as to high risk targets. Was Dundas square protected?

I’d wonder if that hostage taking at union years and years back put points in the “possible threat” box when being assessed.

I think the rash of Christmas market “drive-thru’s” drew attention to ours- but funnily enough they’ve blocked off all entrances for ticketing it’s almost unnecessary.

 

[Adjei]

I just drove by them and they don’t seem as bad but I think they should be a darker colour.

 

[Amare]

The thing is, if the secondary purpose of them is to serve as benches then you choose a darker colour (which doesnt have to be the standard depressing Toronto grey).

With the colour that was chosen, they are going to look horrid in less than a year.

 

[DSCToronto]

The thing is, if the secondary purpose of them is to serve as benches then you choose a darker colour (which doesnt have to be the standard depressing Toronto grey).

With the colour that was chosen, they are going to look horrid in less than a year.

Frankly, arguing about the colour of these concrete blocks is a bit like arguing if the pig would look better with pink or bright red lipstick!

 

[UtakataNoAnnex]

Frankly, arguing about the colour of these concrete blocks is a bit like arguing if the pig would look better with pink or bright red lipstick!

That's probably insulting to pigs though. But I get the point... >.<

 

[DSCToronto]

The City are about to award the EVEN MORE EXPENSIVE Contract for Part 2.

BA130.2 - Award of Doc4919130062 to South Central Inc. for the Union Station Procurement and Installation of Hostile Vehicle Mitigation Barriers Located at Front Street West for Corporate Real Estate Management​

Consideration Type: ACTIONWard: 10 - Spadina - Fort York

Origin​

(April 24, 2025) Report from the Chief Procurement Officer

Recommendations​

The Chief Procurement Officer recommends that the Bid Award Panel grant authority to award the following contract:

Solicitation Number:
Request for Tender Doc4919130062

Description:
Union Station - Procurement and Installation of Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM) Barriers, the Procurement and Installation of Trench drain and Partial Installation and Replacement of Granite Pavers at 65 Front Street West, Toronto for Corporate Real Estate Management

Recommended Supplier:
South Central Inc.

Contract Award Value:
$5,458,623 net of all applicable taxes and charges
$6,168,243 including HST and all applicable charges
$5,554,694 net of HST recoveries

Contract is expected to start on the date of award and end December 31, 2025.

Summary​

Solicitation Issued: February 5, 2025 Solicitation Closed: March 13, 2025
Number of Addenda Issued: Five (5)
Number of Bids: Four (4)

Table 2: Summary of Bids Received including bid price

Supplier Name	Bid Price (excluding H.S.T.)
South Central Inc.	$4,548,922.56*
7850891 Canada Inc. o/a Egnatia Paving	$5,262,057.00
Atlas Paving Company Inc.	$5,380,075.53
Clifford Restoration Ltd.	$6,938,900.00

* Pursuant to the Request for Tender document, the contact award value includes contingency

Financial Impact​

The total contract award identified in this report is $6,168,243 including all applicable taxes and charges. The contract award amount includes Base Bid Price, cost to the City is $5,554,694 net of HST recoveries.

Funding is available in the 2025-2034 Capital Budget and Plan for Corporate Real Estate Management. Funding details are summarized in Table 1 as follows:

Table 1: Financial Impact Summary of Recommended Contract

WBS Element	Date of Award to December 31, 2025	Total (net HST recoveries)
CCA253-12	$5,554,694	$5,554,694

The Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer has reviewed this report and agrees with the information as presented in the Financial Impact section.

 

[evandyk]

They’re too bright yellow right now, but I assume the idea is that when they get a little bit weathered, they’ll match the shade of the stone on Union Station and the Royal York?

 

[Dr. Snoot]

They’re too bright yellow right now, but I assume the idea is that when they get a little bit weathered, they’ll match the shade of the stone on Union Station and the Royal York?

I thought this as well. In a year they will blend in much more closely.

 

[evandyk]

But for now they look like giant sticks of butter dropped on the plaza.

 

[nightstreak]

Recommended Supplier:
South Central Inc.

Contract Award Value:
$5,458,623 net of all applicable taxes and charges
$6,168,243 including HST and all applicable charges
$5,554,694 net of HST recoveries


Table 2: Summary of Bids Received including bid price

Supplier Name	Bid Price (excluding H.S.T.)
South Central Inc.	$4,548,922.56*
7850891 Canada Inc. o/a Egnatia Paving	$5,262,057.00
Atlas Paving Company Inc.	$5,380,075.53
Clifford Restoration Ltd.	$6,938,900.00

South Central again? Does the city always award a contract to the lowest bidder or is quality of work considered? South Central bid the lowest both times, they were selected and then the budget was increased.

They’re too bright yellow right now, but I assume the idea is that when they get a little bit weathered, they’ll match the shade of the stone on Union Station and the Royal York?

Will the graffiti and spilled food and other unknown substances add to that patina?

I predict these will be slathered in more yellow paint to cover up graffiti for a while before the city gives up and then considers wrapping them in ads to generate revenue. Can't believe it's not Butter. this is your chance!

 

[mrxbombastic]

While not great and it took forever, at least it's done. I'm not sure how pedestrian flows at the intersections will be effected by having massive rectangular obstacles to navigate... The jersey barriers have been chaotic at best and outright infuriating and dangerous at other times

Rounding the blocks could have been aesthetically nicer and safer on the all our shins...imo

 

[rdaner]

Is this going into the large space on the south side of the foodhall? Grocery store?

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

 

[Northern Light]

Is this going into the large space on the south side of the foodhall? Grocery store?

No grocery stores.

I believe this is probably Harvest Clean Eats.

This is their menu:

Our Holistic Clean Eats Menu — HARVEST Clean Eats

Delve into our wholistic menu at Harvest Clean Eats, where every dish is crafted for wellness. Enjoy balanced, nutritious meals that cater to your health and taste buds.

www.harvestcleaneats.ca

I think there the only one being worked on that doesn't have teaser film/hoarding.

Nord-Lyons (bakery/patisserie), Bingz and Miniso are also on the way.

 

[WB62]

I think there the only one being worked on that doesn't have teaser film/hoarding.

Harvest has had film over the unit for a few months: