I was flipping through the photoblog of Rannie Turingan and stumbled upon this great graffiti piece. It reminded me of the short article I wrote in the recent issue of Spacing about the City’s proposed gateways to Toronto. These major installations would be expensive, high-concept and fit into the very official world of public art.
But I like the idea of graffiti tourists coming to this city to wander Rush Lane behind Queen Street West stores and this piece acting as a gritty, urban gateway.
Here’s the gateway article:
Whether travelling into Toronto by vehicle or transit, there is little indication that you’ve arrived at the border of the city besides the modest blue signs containing its name and population.
Currently, Toronto’s City Planning division is contemplating the construction of three signature “gateways†near the edges and entrances of the city. The three locations under consideration are Dixon and Airport roads in the west, Eglinton, Victoria Park, and O’Conner in the east, and at the exits of the 401 at Yonge Street in the north.
The projects are being planned by the City and two Toronto architecture firms, Sweeny Sterling Finlayson & Co., and the IBI Group. Each site is unique, so each design differs greatly in scope and appearance. Renderings of the eastern and western entrances involve contemporary public art, while the design of the northern entrance uses light and vegetation features.
Even though City Council is facing a serious budget crunch, increased funding for the Civic Improvement Program (along with some private investment) could kickstart the construction of one of the gateways this year. Currently, there is no timeline set for full implementation of the projects.
rendering of western gateway at Dixon and Airport by Sweeny Sterling Finlayson & Co.
7 comments
Why should these “gateways” be confined to a few routes travelled by cars? Shouldn’t there also be some sort of gateway along the Lakeshore East and Lakeshore West train lines, clearly visible from GO and VIA trains?
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Dixon and Airport roads in the west, Eglinton, Victoria Park, and O’Conner in the east, and at the exits of the 401 at Yonge Street in the north.
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In general, I like the idea. However, two of these three “gateways” are in the mddle of the City of Toronto, not at an entrance.
The western one makes sense because it’s the first thing people see of Toronto as they ride in from the airport.
The northern one makes some sense because Yonge is our central spine and the 401 is the busiest road in – some say – the world.
The eastern one at Vic Park and O’Connor makes no sense and seems like some councillor’s pet project.
…like the graffiti idea… not sure what to think about the gateway project.
first, who cares where the municipal boundaries happen to be right now? such boundaries are subject to change. this is part of the reason why there are no landmarks for these boundaries already.
second, anything made by humans requires maintenance if it is to survive. i can already envision these gateways deteriorating into rusting, crumbling clutter in our public spaces, with politicians claiming that there’s no money to keep them in good repair. who wants to see junk at every entry to the city of toronto ten years from now?
third, other gateway projects have met with some ambiguous responses. the university of toronto has been installing similar gateways around the downtown campus and, as far as i can tell, there are mixed views about them.
I’d be very surprised to see Toronto’s boundaries change in our lifetimes, but your points are taken.
Pretty cool! The design firm’s site has more good pics. But, as gateway to Toronto, shouldn’t they be a bunch of giant dollar signs?
Beats fibreglas mooses at least.
Jason: the city of toronto’s boundaries changed in the late 1990s upon the implementation of the so-called “megacity.” so, it has already happened in my lifetime!