Chief Planner Jennifer Keesmaat has broken rank from Mayor John Tory on the issue of whether to replace or remove an elevated highway along the city's waterfront. The cost to replace the expressway, $919 million, is more than removing it.
"Toronto chief planner Jen Keesmaat is calling for the removal of the eastern Gardiner, putting her at odds with the mayor on one of the most important issues facing the city," reports Oliver Moore.
Keesmaat's prompted the coverage by making the following remarks in support of removing the elevated roadway recently at a conference in Toronto: "This is a decision that needs to be made by looking into the future and thinking about the kind of city we want to be in the future….We have an opportunity to create a grand new landscape in our city." Mayor John Tory supports the more expensive proposal to leave the road in place.
According to Moore, "[t]he decision over the eastern stretch – with a price tag that could range up to close to $1-billion – is set to come to council in early June." The article also includes a discussion about city staff speaking out on this issue and others. Until Keesmaat's recent remarks, a report by Waterfront Toronto had offered the most pointed opposition to the idea of replacing the elevated roadway.
FULL STORY: Toronto chief planner at odds with mayor over eastern Gardiner removal

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie