Rail Deck Park a No-Go in Toronto

The Toronto Local Planning Appeal Tribunal chose a development project over the mayor's plan to build parkland over a downtown rail corridor.

1 minute read

May 16, 2021, 5:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


"Mayor John Tory and council’s dream of building a Rail Deck Park has been overruled by a provincial tribunal that says developers can build a proposed multi-tower office and condo development over the downtown rail corridor," reports Jennifer Pagliaro.

The decision by the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal, "a quasi-judicial body appointed by the province," effectively ends the mayor's plan to build a park over the active rail corridor that runs along Front Street om Toronto.

The developers plans that are superseding the rail deck park are not a sure thing, however. "The developers still have to submit plans to the city for what exactly they want to build, and council can still reject or approve those plans. That council decision can also be appealed to the tribunal," reports Pagliaro.

Planetizen first picked up news of the Rail Deck Park proposal in August 2016.

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