$40 million for Nathan Philips Square face lift, money well spent?

OK, so the whole thing is for the Square and the City Hall. Currently a design competition is happening where one team will get a contract to update the NPs area. Now there has been some uproar about Miller's begging the province for money while still going ahead with this update.

Me, I love the idea of a face lift for NPS. Although the basic City Hall is a beautiful structure, and quite a timeless piece of architecture, and one of the few "modern" pieces I really like. Where you run into a problem is the complete waste of a walkway. Sure it provides some shade, but is pretty much an eyesore. Now the immense use of concrete is also a little annoying, I would like to think of NPS as an oasis, and place to meet in the heart of the city, YEP make it a gathering place.

Now I won't say that you'll see me downtown whether they update the Square or not. I don't enjoy going to the city like I used to, but I do understand the need to keep Toronto in the mind of tourists and and as a place of business, and this certainly wouldn't hurt. Add some trees and a few nice little gardens. Get rid of some of the concrete and the biggest thing is get the homeless out of Toronto .... Hey, didn't they pass some bylaw about squeggee(sp?) kids? what about a new one to keep the homeless out of tourists areas?? Am I asking too much?

Now I don't dare get into the debate about Miller and his need to beg for money only shortly after voting himself a nice little raise, but c'mon, there must be ways to streamline the system and save money without cutting important programs or increasing taxes. No wonder people are moving out of the City, lots of taxes but no benefits Hmmmm!

Anyways ... although Nathan Philips Square/City Hall are still very nice, they aren't the drawing they once were. With the rapid loss of nature in the city, why not try to bring some back in the heart of the city?

What about the waterfront you ask??? The City of Toronto is screwing the pooch on this, Nathan Philips needs an update, but the waterfront REALLY needs a plan before it's all lost to condo development. My opinion is that Toronto is doomed without a solid waterfront, Ontario Place is cool but not enough of a drawing card. The beaches are nice, but they are more often than not CLOSED during peak tourist season, but the lost bid for the Worlds Fair really put the brakes on much needed development on the lake. Development, but not 20 more condo towers.

Brent