Tuesday
September 30, 2003
St
Clair Streetcar Right-of-Way: Is it a Done Deal?
St. Clair West Revitalization Committee (SWRC) questions the integrity
of the Environmental Assessment process following comments by
TTC Chairman Moscoe.
Toronto: Despite local concerns and an environmental assessment
(EA) process that had not yet begun, Howard Moscoe, acting as
TTC Chair, was reported to state in June that construction of
a proposed TTC exclusive right-of-way along St.Clair Avenue West
would likely proceed. His statement appeared in the July issue
of “The Annex Gleaner” newspaper. When contacted directly
by a concerned local citizen, Mr. Moscoe said that he personally
favours the right-of-way, and that local concerns are probably
unfounded. He further stated that City politicians, not the Provincial
Minister, will make the decision, based on the review of the environmental
assessment information. He said that, despite his bias, he would
weigh the information before making a decision, although he stated
that EAs are not always reliable. He proposed that additional
parking could be provided to address local merchants' concerns.
When
the City's EA Project Manager was contacted regarding Mr. Moscoe's
comments, she stated that the City of Toronto and the TTC would
issue a press release clarifying the matter. She further stated
that the City had committed only to track replacement with possible
enhancements in 2005. However, to date the City has not issued
the press release, nor has any other public clarification been
provided. A local group, the St. Clair West Revitalization Committee
(SWRC), feels that the EA process has been compromised. One member
stated that it looks like the proposed exclusive right-of-way
is a "done deal". He stated that any additional parking
will not attract shoppers because the resulting increased traffic
congestion from the right-of-way will keep them away from the
area.
Further exacerbating the situation, the City’s environmental
assessment front-end schedule has been significantly delayed,
while the back-end schedule has remained unchanged. The study
design was originally to be submitted by the end of July, but
is so far not completed. In fact, the City is soliciting input
to the study design up to October 8, 2003. However, the City is
still committed to developing their preferred alternative by January,
2004. The truncation of the EA study process together with no
refutation of Mr. Moscoe’s comments leads the SWRC to question
the integrity of the whole process.
As a volunteer group representing the various views of all stakeholders
in the community, the SWRC wants an open and traceable environmental
assessment process that fully addresses all of the issues and
concerns expressed by local citizens and business leaders. The
SWRC fears that this TTC initiative could jeopardize the efforts
to revitalize St.Clair Avenue West. A comprehensive list of local
issues has been presented to the City and the EA consultants.
The SWRC wants to have meaningful involvement in the EA process,
and in the decision making that will affect the community. At
this time, the SWRC has no confidence that the decision to proceed
with the TTC exclusive right-of-way has not already been made.
Background on the SWRC
Responding to the economic and social decline that emerged in
the 1990s along St. Clair Avenue West, concerned citizens, business
owners and the local city councillor reached an agreement with
the City to designate an Employment Area Revitalization District
by forming the St. Clair West Revitalization Committee (SWRC)
in 2001. The SWRC is composed of a broad mix of citizens, business
leaders and other stakeholders. The defined study area extends
from Glenholme Avenue in the east, to the CNR tracks in the west,
Rogers Road to the north and the CPR tracks to the south. In 2002
the strategy, “Our Future Together” was developed,
containing 82 recommended revitalization actions organized around
seven themes. The SWRC is now working towards the implementation
of this strategy.
For more information, please contact SWRC Co-chairs Jeff Gillan
at 647-223-9064, or Connie Lamanna at 416-654-8790.
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St Clair West Revitalization
Committee (SWRC) Website
Editor's Note:
It should be noted, if it has not already been evident in the nature
of our reporting, that our sole interest is to keep everyone informed
of the issues surrounding this project and not to promote any particular
point of view. 
