While the rail corridor is a wide, deep physical barrier west of Yonge Street, the rail berm (embankment) is a huge, elevated barrier east of Yonge Street, separating the city from the waterfront.
This embankment is also viewed as an ugly feature on the city's landscape that rivals the elevated expressway.
Only a few crumbling access points (north/south) through the berm are found at major streets such as Sherbourne.
It is proposed to replace the embankment with a one-level modular concrete building (via phased construction) that can house a variety of commercial, retail cultural and social venues.
Section sketch of East Lakeshore Mall and the viaduct above.
This building will serve the waterfront's new populations by providing important services, shopping and even parking, as well as establishing crucial pedestrian connections between The Distillery District, the new West Donlands neighbourhood, and south to the East Bayfront.
BEFORE
AFTER
Future interior view: retail opportunities, parking etc.
