Spacing Saturday: Ice Bridge, Public Squares and Uptown St John

Spacing Saturday highlights posts from across Spacing’s blog network in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and the Atlantic region.

Alanah Heffez looks into the colourful history of Montreal to tell the story of seemingly ridiculous ice bridge. The bridge, actually a rail line laid over the frozen St Lawrence River, was a response by disgruntled competitors to the high toll rates on the Victoria Bridge.

Devin Alfro reflects on the recent passing of distinguished Montreal Coucillor Michael Fainstat and the important role he played in bringing greater accountability to city council.

In a western neighbourhood of Ottawa with a long standing bad reputation, Spacing documents the human scale of urban renewal taking place by following the transformation of one building from crack house to comfortable modern rental.

Evan Thornton takes a stab at what he feels are the best and worst public spaces in Ottawa. The oft-neglected Garden of the Provinces comes off well, while the McKenzie King transit station fairs poorly.

The latest instalment of the No Mean City series presented a fascinating look at the exciting design proposals for a new public square at John and King streets in the heart of the entertainment district.

John Lorinc focused his weekly column this week on pondering the question of when Mayor Rob Ford will have to face the fiscal reality of the city.

Sean Gillis takes a wonderful nostalgic look at the historic district of Uptown St John. While the area has preserved many of its century old buildings, a variety of changes have still fundamentally changed the character of the neighbourhood.

Crystal Melville profiles the Tilted Landscapes art exhibition in Halifax featuring contemporary painting in a unique venue.

Photograph by Sakura