Brampton's University - downtown campus preferred

NRU
April 18, 2018
By Rachel Williams

ith an election less than two months away, the provincial government is set to announce details of its plans to build a multi-million dollar university campus in Brampton.

Ryerson University, in partnership with Sheridan College, is planning to expand its operations into the City of Brampton. The province is committing $180-million, split between Brampton and Milton, to expand postsecondary education in two of Ontario's fastest growing municipalities.

Location details are expected to be announced Thursday, with downtown Brampton the preferred option.

"Opening a university site in Brampton will provide its residents with increased access to postsecondary education within their communities," said Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development spokesperson Tanya Blazina. "A site in downtown Brampton would also enhance the environment for students while contributing to the urban fabric of Brampton."

The university, which would accommodate between 1,000 and 5,000 students, is part of the city's $150-million investment in transforming Brampton into a vibrant, future-ready city. But opinions on where to build it are split between two locations near the city centre—one near the existing downtown GO station and the other near Rosalea Park and the Riverwalk.

"It would be much better if it went on the Rosalea Park lands," said Dave Kipal, co-founder of New Brampton, a citizen's group representing business and community leaders. "If the university goes in this location and is built the right way, it can help the flood issue in downtown Brampton."

Brampton's downtown lies within the floodplain of the Etobicoke Creek, which limits the type and amount of development that can occur. Kipal said building the university on the Rosalea lands would allow the appropriate infrastructure upgrades to be completed and ensure the downtown GO lands are preserved for parking as well as a future mobility hub.

A second alternative is to build the university on the Metrolinx-owned parking lot adjacent to the downtown GO station.

Metrolinx, the provincial transit agency in charge of GO, has purchased 11 other properties near the GO station, on Nelson and Railroad streets, some of which are slated for demolition. The agency planned to use those properties for additional surface parking to accommodate service improvements and provide greater "flexibility" for a mobility hub in the future.

"The worst thing they can do is build more parking," said Gil Penalosa, renowned urban planning expert and founder of 8 80 Cities, a non-profit organization committed to improving mobility and public space.

Penalosa said he is in favour of building an educational facility on the existing surface parking lot, as it would promote ridership and force transit users to find alternative ways to get to and from the GO station.

As for the surrounding properties, Penalosa recommended Metrolinx pursue transit-oriented development opportunities, keeping a portion of the revenues to fund future transit projects.

Downtown councillor Martin Medeiros said a university in the core would help diversity the area and would attract and retain local talent.

"Brampton is an example of a dormant downtown area," he said. "I think we have the potential to revitalize…but right now you don't know really know what the downtown stands for."

The rookie councillor attributes downtown's stagnation with poor decision-making by city council, specifically the controversial light rail transit vote when Brampton councillors voted 'no' to a $1.6-billion provincial commitment to build the Hurontario-Main LRT through downtown, connecting Mississauga's lakeshore to the Four Corners GO train station.

Medeiros is hopeful the university will help modernize Brampton's downtown with an engaged and diverse student demographic that will attract new businesses and inspire an overall transformation of the public realm.