How the $1.2 billion dollar injection will kickstart the Port Lands

A day after all three levels of government committed to funding the flood-proofing and redevelopment of Toronto's derelict Port Lands area, the man designing the district's first neighbourhood says it won't become a play place for downtowners.

"The potential is to create another great new district of the city," said Joe Berridgein an interview on Metro Morning.

As a partner withUrban Strategies Inc., he has been involved in planning the waterfronts of Singapore, London and San Juan and now VilliersIsland which is slated to be the first Port Lands area to be developed and populated.

The 800 acre plot located directly south of the Gardiner Expressway and south of theKeatingChannel, is roughly the same size of expanse from College Street, south to the water and as wide as the area betweenSpadinaAvenue to JarvisStreet.

"All of these old ports offer huge, flat acreage and every big city is taking advantage of them," said Berridge who has seen similar developments pop upin Australia and with the London Docklands.

But the difference and advantage Toronto has in comparison is the proximity of the Port Lands to the downtown core.

"This is an opportunity for Toronto to seize its future," Berridgesays, adding that it will also be a prime location for a music venue or any "symbolic buildings" to look out onto the harbour.

Flood-proofing the Port Lands

Prime Minister Justin Trudeauhas calledfora $1.25-billion plan to flood-proof the Port Lands on Wednesday, something Berridgeequates to "housekeeping before the party."

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The low-lying land is prone to flooding which isn't as devastating for the current make-up of the land that largely includes industrial yards, parking lots and gravel pits.

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The money will also go toward rehabilitating the mouth of the Don River which empties into Lake Ontario.

The idea is to have it flow into the KeatingChannel and wrap around VilliersIsland, which could alleviate flooding of the Don River and potentially further beautify the waterfront.

Berridge recognizes that accessibility will beof utmost importance to ensure that Villiers Island doesn't just becomea hotspot for downtowners.

"It's too big to be just for downtown," he said.

Another plan is also to create an artery for cyclists and walkers to VilliersIsland by connecting it to the waterfront trail, which will be located at the bottom of the Don Valley Parkwayand include lots of transit connections.

The artery will likely serve alarge portion of the Port Lands development that is slated foraffordable housing.