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What's new in this master plan? |
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A. The master plan consolidates concepts presented in a collection of documents generated over the past 15 years. It:
- Defines Union Station as an urban precinct
- Prioritizes objectives for the Station
- Recognizes the Station as the centre of an east west cultural corridor
- Deals with development over the tracks
- Creates significant public domains in the proposed Front Street Plaza and Union Plaza and proposes a north west pedestrian PATH connection
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How do the four big moves – an integrated public realm, a modern station accommodating change, revitalization of underutilized spaces and maximized porousness through extended pedestrian connections – fit within the master plan? |
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The four big moves outlined by the peer review team highlight their vision for Union Station and illustrate the possible bold outcomes of the policies found within the master plan. |
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How does this master plan relate to the master plan proposed by City staff in January 2004 and the document approved by Council in 1991? |
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The peer review team's report concludes that the technical underpinnings of the January 2004 draft master plan developed by staff remain intact and affirms its overall direction. While earlier documents dealt predominantly with the internal functioning of Union Station, this plan focuses on how Union Station relates to its surrounding environment. |
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Will this document affect the master agreement reached in May 2004 with Union Pearson Group? |
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No. The master plan provides a roadmap for the restoration, revitalization and operation of the Union Station complex. The peer review team met with the Union Pearson Group as well as other stakeholders during their extensive consultations and have tried to reconcile the varied points of view of these groups. The master agreement with Union Pearson Group requires both parties to be satisfied with the outcome of the master plan review. |
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Does the master plan recommend development over the Union Station complex? |
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The document states that no development should be permitted above the head house (the main building of the Station complex on Front Street) and sets out principles to guide the review of any proposal to develop over the tracks and the trainshed. This must be undertaken in close consultation with Parks Canada, which is the approval authority under the terms of the Heritage Easement Agreement for Union Station. The Heritage Easement Agreement is between Parks Canada and the City. |
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Does the master plan change the heritage protection measures already in place for Union Station? |
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No. The master plan does not change any of the protections and procedures in place. It reinforces the need to recognize the heritage character of the Station in all aspects of its redevelopment and supports the requirement for a comprehensive Historic Structures Report, mandatory signage and tenant design guidelines. |
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What does this plan say about pedestrian traffic in and around Union Station? |
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The master plan advocates for strong pedestrian connections leading to, through and from the Station. It defines parameters for specific studies that must be undertaken to help improve the overall pedestrian amenities in the vicinity of the Station. This includes the potential for new weather protected connections and improved public spaces on both the Front Street and Bremner Boulevard facades of the Station. |
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How do the proposals accommodate the expected growth associated with GO Transit, VIA Rail and the proposed air/rail link? |
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The plans are consistent with the requirements of the transportation operators. The details associated with the implementation will be worked out in consultation with the operators and Parks Canada. |
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How does the master plan address issues raised by the Save Union Station Committee? |
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The plan addresses these concerns directly and provides recommendations to deal specifically with accessibility in the station and to the platforms. However, given the heritage constraints on Union Station and the geography of the rail corridor, not all of these concerns can be resolved in the short term. If, in the longer term redevelopment of the trainshed is feasible, additional connections may be appropriate. In all instances, however, it will be a priority to ensure continued public safety and that the City's accessibility guidelines are met. |
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How does the Union Station revitalization project compare to other rail station projects across North America? |
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The Master Plan proposes principles that will allow the revitalization of Union Station in a way similar to other station revitalization initiatives:
- Providing a combination of stairs, escalators and elevators as appropriate
- Providing platforms that conform to safety standards
- Pursuing immediate opportunities to improve the trainshed
Toronto Union Station is among a number of major North American rail stations undergoing revitalization. Comparing other rail stations' revitalization initiatives to Union Station is not straightforward because of heritage considerations, operating characteristics, ownership/ jurisdictional issues and funding arrangements (e.g. other government funding).
City staff and the independent peer review team reviewed a number of stations that the Save Union Station Committee indicate include a new/renovated roof, wider platforms, and escalators between platforms and concourses, as part of their renovations. Renovations associated with New York City's Grand Central Station and Philadelphia's 30th Street Station did not include a renovated/new roof because these terminals are located underground.
Similarly, these stations and the Washington D.C. Union Station project did not include renovations to widen station platforms.
None of these stations rely solely on the use of escalators to move passengers to and from platforms. They incorporate various elements including stairs, escalators and elevators in their revitalization plans. In fact, many of these stations are designed as "terminal stations" where passengers walk from the platform directly to the concourse area at the same level. |
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What are the next steps? |
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The City's goal is to move quickly to implement the necessary heritage restoration and other capital improvements to the Station to improve commuter and inter-city transportation functions.
City staff will report on a strategy to implement the vision provided in the master plan, including an urban design study for the Union Station precinct.
City staff and Union Pearson Group are moving to finalize the Station lease and other closing documentation. Staff anticipate reporting to Toronto City Council on those details in the spring of 2005. |
