Morning Brew: Jack Layton's funeral is today, Fords look to seize control of the Port Lands, BIXI bikes to get splash of international colour, Spadina subway extension update, Ontario colleges offer raise to support staff, and Rays beat Jays
Sometime after 11 a.m. this morning, Jack Layton's body will move from City Hall to Roy Thomson Hall where about 2,300 dignitaries, family members, and select members of the public will have the chance to say their good bye. Bracelets will be given to the first 600 in line (who've apparently been in queue since last afternoon). The VIPs expected to attend include Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Governor General David Johnston, and former Prime Ministers Jean Chretien and Paul Martin.
Looks like the Ford administration is getting ready to take control of development at the city's eastern waterfront. A report to the executive committee recommends that the city agency, Toronto Port Lands Co., should now take control of the revitalization that's happening there, instead of Waterfront Toronto, which is operated by three tiers of government. This isn't really surprising considering how much the Fords have championed developing the area, and of course, privatization.
Getting tired of the dour black BIXI bikes? Well, for the last little while BIXI has been mixing it up by integrating BIXI bikes with international flavour. Bikes from Melbourne, Montreal, London and more will be in Toronto's racks until September 1st, popping out with their bright colours of red, blue, and green. But good luck finding them: there are only 12 in the city.
Is Downsview Station going to renamed when the Spadina Extension pushes the subway north of Sheppard? Urban Toronto takes a look at the state of construction on the line, and explains why some think it makes sense to re-brand Downsview as Sheppared West and to call the first station of the extension Downsview Park, due to its closer proximity to, you know, Downsview Park.
IN BRIEF:
Photo by Scott Snider in the blogTO Flickr pool
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