Toronto’s chief planner backs east removal of Gardiner
Tear-down position puts Jennifer Keesmaat at odds with mayor’s hybrid support
In a position at odds with Mayor John Tory, Toronto’s chief planner says taking down the eastern section of the Gardiner Expressway, and replacing it with a boulevard, is the right choice for the city.
“It’s very clear removing is in the best interest of . . . (the) long-term vision, as articulated in our official plan,” Jennifer Keesmaat said Friday after appearing at an international landscape architecture conference.
“This is an opportunity for us to create a grand boulevard that weaves together the waterfront with the rest of the city, and opens up new development parcels, allowing us to create complete communities within walking distance of the downtown core.”
In what’s expected to a highly contentious debate on the floor of council next month, Keesmaat will be answering questions about the two options on the table.
“It’s not like my opinions on the matter were a secret, or they should be a secret. This is the role that the chief planner in the city plays — informing the decision making and the debate.”
Keesmaat played down the fact her opinion differs sharply from the costlier, Tory-endorsed hybrid option, which retains most of the aging structure.
“It sounds a bit melodramatic to say ‘oh, it’s an oppositional position to the mayor,’ but this isn’t an unusual thing to do, particularly on a matter of such critical importance.”
She added her recommendations are based on her professional expertise and the analytic work done by planning staff.
As well, “I am free from some of the other constraints that politicians might have in making a recommendation.”
Tory minimized their opposing views Friday.
“We’re going to have a debate and we’ll hear from lots of people and we’ll make a decision — but I’ve set out my own position and she’s set out hers and she’s perfectly entitled to do that as the city’s chief planner,” Tory told reporters.
On Friday, Keesmaat appeared at a conference at the University of Toronto sponsored by the Washingtonbased Cultural Landscape Foundation. Tory opened the conference but left before Keesmaat was interviewed on stage by Paul Bedford, Toronto’s chief planner from 1996 to 2004.
During the exchange, Keesmaat referred to the expressway as “antiquated, dark, crumbling infrastructure.”
Bedford, who also supports the “remove option,” applauded Keesmaat for staking her position so clearly.