Underwhelming compromise that, unfortunately, doesn't make the city stand out in any way in my view. Perhaps it's the original renderings, but they truly made the downtown look like an exciting destination to bring vibrant life to downtown. Now, I feel this compromise is all a bit meh... And all we will be left with is a sleepy quiet downtown. Oh... And still car traffic/roads? No pedestrian only space. Way to be behind the times Pickering. Thanks again for the update. I hope I'm completely wrong.
Valid points! While it could definitely be better, they do have a few pedestrian-only areas in Phase 1 and potentially more in later phases. With all the new density, I’m hopeful that will bring liveliness to the downtown and create something unique 🙌
I think this plan should include a green/pedestrian corridor to connect the downtown with Diana Princess of Wales Park, which in turn should be developed into Pickering's version of Central Park. Add an outdoor amphitheater for performances, formal gardens and other attractions to make it a destination. They should start planting the cherry trees now 🙂
I moved away from Toronto to get away from all of this and have a quiet home here. Now we are turning into another Toronto....high towers, congested spaces, more people and traffic, more noise. Looks like I may be moving again.
Thank you for the great presentation, Fahad! And yes… I’m hoping to live in a vibrant city, but 45+ storey towers sounds a bit crazy high for Pickering… maybe they will reduce it??
Thanks for watching! Certainly a departure from what we’re used to - but it’s definitely a land/resource efficient way to build. Hopefully, with thoughtful design and attention to other details - we can create a unique, walkable downtown that is full of life. Pickering style!
I participated in the Lets Talk surveys, I'm looking forward to how the City Centre project unfolds. It's been a long time coming and Pickering has lacked that diverse portfolio of commercial and residential space. It has the feeling of being Square One East ala Mississauga. I hope this spurs more business into the downtown location. Yes I understand the need for condos, but I hope that 2 towers allocated for the library and senior / youth centre are a mix of affordable and rental units. The question remains on how traffic will flow through that area. Not just the car traffic but public transit. Did not know the performing centre was moving to Valley Farm Rd. Personally I don't feel it'll be tucked out of the way, I think of it as another facility adjacent to the Chestnut Rec Complex. They'll compliment and draw attention to each other. The sore spot I think it the Glenana Rd & Hwy 2 southeast corner. Along with traffic entering the medical plaza and the PTC, just before the new public park space. The medical centre build could use some renovations to provide more medical procedures since we lost out on the hospital proposal.
Part of this and any other development is a review that happens with the MTO, and road widenings and such that happen as a result. Alongside the GO station and the existing Pickering Parkway bus terminal, there are also plans for bus rapid transit (BRT) making room for eventual light rail (LRT) down Kingston road. This will connect the many pockets of density/shops in Pickering, as well as connect it to the rest of Durham and Scarborough.
Underwhelming compromise that, unfortunately, doesn't make the city stand out in any way in my view. Perhaps it's the original renderings, but they truly made the downtown look like an exciting destination to bring vibrant life to downtown. Now, I feel this compromise is all a bit meh... And all we will be left with is a sleepy quiet downtown. Oh... And still car traffic/roads? No pedestrian only space. Way to be behind the times Pickering. Thanks again for the update. I hope I'm completely wrong.
Valid points! While it could definitely be better, they do have a few pedestrian-only areas in Phase 1 and potentially more in later phases. With all the new density, I’m hopeful that will bring liveliness to the downtown and create something unique 🙌
Thank you for this! It’s a lot of new information but you made it very clear.
I think this plan should include a green/pedestrian corridor to connect the downtown with Diana Princess of Wales Park, which in turn should be developed into Pickering's version of Central Park. Add an outdoor amphitheater for performances, formal gardens and other attractions to make it a destination. They should start planting the cherry trees now 🙂
Really cool ideas! Thx for sharing!
I moved away from Toronto to get away from all of this and have a quiet home here. Now we are turning into another Toronto....high towers, congested spaces, more people and traffic, more noise. Looks like I may be moving again.
Thank you for the great presentation, Fahad!
And yes… I’m hoping to live in a vibrant city, but 45+ storey towers sounds a bit crazy high for Pickering… maybe they will reduce it??
Thanks for watching! Certainly a departure from what we’re used to - but it’s definitely a land/resource efficient way to build. Hopefully, with thoughtful design and attention to other details - we can create a unique, walkable downtown that is full of life. Pickering style!
I participated in the Lets Talk surveys, I'm looking forward to how the City Centre project unfolds. It's been a long time coming and Pickering has lacked that diverse portfolio of commercial and residential space. It has the feeling of being Square One East ala Mississauga. I hope this spurs more business into the downtown location. Yes I understand the need for condos, but I hope that 2 towers allocated for the library and senior / youth centre are a mix of affordable and rental units. The question remains on how traffic will flow through that area. Not just the car traffic but public transit. Did not know the performing centre was moving to Valley Farm Rd. Personally I don't feel it'll be tucked out of the way, I think of it as another facility adjacent to the Chestnut Rec Complex. They'll compliment and draw attention to each other. The sore spot I think it the Glenana Rd & Hwy 2 southeast corner. Along with traffic entering the medical plaza and the PTC, just before the new public park space. The medical centre build could use some renovations to provide more medical procedures since we lost out on the hospital proposal.
Some great ideas! Definitely all very important considerations for building a downtown that works. 🙌
A question: How will this impact the Light rail system that is planned along highway 2 from Scarborough Town Centre to Oshawa.
Too bad condo market is going to collapse and has already started. These won’t get built for years if ever.
So maybe this will look like 10 Market St, KY1-9006, Cayman Islands, but with added community buildings and condos? And of course no palm trees.
what are they doing re roads and transit bus service sucks roads way to busy
Part of this and any other development is a review that happens with the MTO, and road widenings and such that happen as a result.
Alongside the GO station and the existing Pickering Parkway bus terminal, there are also plans for bus rapid transit (BRT) making room for eventual light rail (LRT) down Kingston road. This will connect the many pockets of density/shops in Pickering, as well as connect it to the rest of Durham and Scarborough.
Which year will this major project be complete?
Should disabled people house . And school park and “shopping walkways “ like premium outlet.. Pickering outlets walk mall
Instead of raising taxes every year to pay for such unnecessary shenanigans, just sell the land and stop raising taxes
15 minute city... just like all the mall locations in Peel.
What happens to the Pickering shopping centre?
Staying as is, for now.. I imagine in the future it will also be redeveloped.
@FahadxRehman Thanks Fahad!