Comment 30007

By geoff's two cents (anonymous) | Posted April 07, 2009 at 21:12:25

bobsmyuncle, compare the relative dearth of business on the downtown section of the York speedway with the much more vibrant and successful (as well as people-centred and pedestrian friendly) Locke, Hess and James N. districts. (Throw in Robson, Denman, Granville and Davie from Vancouver as well). These latter places are areas I enjoy spending my time and money. On York, I might love the food at B&T, but I'm sure as hell not going to linger in the area for much else. (If I was a driver, I'd park, eat and leave). Rather, I'll save my coffee, dessert and pint money for neighborhoods more conducive to my enjoyment and personal well-being, all else being equal.

Assuming that a speedway does anything to attract car-bound visitors from places like London, Kitchener, Burlington and St. Catherines (and this is doubtful), it certainly won't do much to attract Montreal, Vancouver, or any one of a number of American cities. In other words, a speedway running right through the downtown might attract the occasional local suburbanite, but it can only tarnish a city's national and international reputation.

Oh, and as for efficiency, automobile-carrying roads are not the be all and end all. At any rate, that's what cities like Toronto and Vancouver have figured out. Then again, if you don't take their word for it, then there's no hope for you. . .

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