City staff will study options for transforming a defunct rail corridor into a linear park.

Toronto city staff will study the possibility of repurposing the decommissioned Scarborough train line, reports Shawn Jeffords for CBC News. “Staff will specifically look at the implications of adaptive reuse of the elevated portion of the line to create a new linear park or tearing the structure down to allow for other private development.”
Some city councilors think an elevated park would be too costly. According to Councilor Michael Thompson, “we're being sold an undefined vision based on a shiny object observed from a distance. Up close, and placed in Toronto context, the High Line Toronto may not be best for the abandoned RT corridor.” On the other side of the argument, “Coun. Jamaal Myers, who represents Ward 23, Scarborough North, has been pressing council to create a park on the elevated structure. It could give Scarborough residents access to new bike paths, affordable housing and more green space, he said.”
FULL STORY: Toronto to study reuse of Scarborough RT line

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