A resolution has been reached between Metrolinx and the City of Toronto that will spare dozens of trees at Eglinton Park, to the relief of local residents.
Toronto City Council approved the new plan detailing the construction setup for the Avenue Road light rail transit (LRT) station on July 14. The decision came following several working group meetings between the local councillor, residents, local businesses and Metrolinx officials.
The initial plan drew widespread criticism when it proposed to bulldoze approximately 62 trees in the local park to make way for a staging area to store construction equipment. Instead, Metrolinx’s contractor Crosslinx Transit Solutions will occupy two westbound traffic lanes (instead of one) from Lascelles Boulevard to 60 metres east of Avenue Road to reduce impact on the park.
Tom Cohen, of the Eglinton Park Residents’ Association, was one of many who fought to preserve the trees.
“We said early on, sacrifice some asphalt and spare some park, and the solution clearly did that,” said Cohen.
According to Ward 16 councillor Christin Carmichael Greb, 16 trees will still have to be removed under the current plan, along with another seven that City of Toronto Parks, Forestry & Recreation officials have said are already sick and dying. “We’re not going to please everybody, but it’s definitely a big step from where we were,” she said.
Concessions have also been made for some local businesses who argued that the concrete barriers, fencing and lack of parking would act as a barricade to customers shopping in the area.
The new plan will allow public access in front of businesses such as The Healthy Butcher on the northeast side of Eglinton Avenue West, between Avenue Road and the station entrance site at 274 Eglinton Ave. W. Three parking spaces will also be opened for short-term public use, drop-off and loading.
Access to businesses on the northwest corner of Avenue Road and Eglinton Avenue West, such as Yitz’s Deli, will still be obstructed by construction. A north curb lane on the west side of Avenue Road to approximately 20 metres east of Braemar Avenue will be closed until the station’s completion.
Maureen Sirois, chair of The Eglinton Way BIA, was relatively pleased with city staff’s effort to ensure the plan improved visibility and access to local businesses.
“Although the changes to the construction plan are relatively minor, they may just give some of these businesses a fighting chance to survive,” said Sirois.
