{"id":2334,"date":"2007-09-27T13:33:06","date_gmt":"2007-09-27T17:33:06","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/spacingtoronto.ca\/?p=2334"},"modified":"2013-01-21T14:54:15","modified_gmt":"2013-01-21T19:54:15","slug":"challenge-whats-better-than-a-parking-lot","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/spacing.ca\/toronto\/2007\/09\/27\/challenge-whats-better-than-a-parking-lot\/","title":{"rendered":"Challenge: What’s better than a parking lot?"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

My gut reaction to the question “What’s better than a parking lot?” is naturally, “Anything.” But let’s get a little more specific now that the Toronto Parking Authority is trying to convert a cultural landmark into 20 parking spots.<\/p>\n

Shawn Micallef wrote a great post<\/a> about why ripping down the Matador — a local icon with a great deal history inside it — for the express purpose of a parking lot is, to paraphrase, a completely loony idea. More than 20 people (myself included) responded in kind, agreeing that there couldn’t be a worse decision than to exchange the storied club for a slab of pavement. But instead of just nodding our heads collectively, I’m challenging you, Spacing Toronto readers, to come up with the best use possible for the Matador, given that its owners are intent on selling it.<\/p>\n

Here’s my idea: Since some prime real estate could be had for approximately $800,000, I think snapping up this property is a sound financial decision for the City (assuming that there aren’t any catastrophic issues with the structure or something of that nature). However, instead of ripping down the building, I propose turning it over to Artscape<\/a>. Artscape could manage an art gallery at street-level and turn the four apartments that currently exist on the second and third floors into affordable live\/work space for artists, while maintaining the historical elements of the building.<\/p>\n

Now it’s your turn!<\/p>\n

Photo courtesy Irina\/Riri<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

My gut reaction to the question “What’s better than a parking lot?” is naturally, “Anything.” But let’s get a little more specific now that the Toronto Parking Authority is trying to convert a cultural landmark into 20 parking spots. 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