City looks at expropriation to make Rail Deck Park a reality

Torontosun.com
January 22, 2020
Bryan Passifiume

The city needs to look at expropriating 1.2 hectares of “air space” above a downtown rail corridor in order to make dreams of a long-awaited downtown park a reality, says a report to Mayor John Tory’s influential executive committee.

Deputy City Manager Josie Scioli is recommending to Thursday’s executive committee meeting that the city initiate expropriation proceedings if ongoing negotiations with CN Rail and Toronto Terminal Railways (TTR) continue to go nowhere.

The city is looking to acquire more than 12,000 square metres of “air space” above the western portion of the Union Station Rail Corridor (USRC) -- a web of railway tracks leading into the busy downtown train station -- between Spadina Ave. and Blue Jays Way.

The acquisition is needed to complete the planned $1.7-billion elevated Rail Deck Park -- an expansive and unique urban space, stretching from Bathurst St. to Blue Jays Way.

Integrated into Metrolinx’s planned GO Transit expansions, plans call for the elevated green space to connect with existing parks and provide uninterrupted access to attractions like Rogers Centre, Ripley’s Aquarium and Fort York.

Agreements on building overtop the railway corridor need to be in place this year to meet Metrolinx’s procurement deadlines, the report says.

Not meeting that deadline means the city would most likely be forced to wait until after Metrolinx’s expansion program is complete, between 2030 and 2032.