The property owners in this town are vision-less. They hyped up the possibilities during the tunnel planning phase and then did nothing when it became reality. It reminds me somewhat of the current office crunch; everyone knows it's an issue, but no one is stepping up to solve it, because they don't want to hurt the current profit margin.
Other than Morguard (Hilton Complex and Heritage Place) and Bentall (Sun Life Centre), no other property owner has done any significant work on their buildings. Even Place de Ville, with its direct underground link to the subway, little work has been done. The link itself, a narrow maze behind the stairs and escalator, is terrible.
Claridge will be building over its entrance any day now, but they haven't included any direct connection. I understand the security concerns with residential (though DND has a climate controlled entrance to the Rideau Centre, accessed by key-card), but they could have connected a hotel lobby (which is still unclear if a hotel will be included).
I'm extremely disappointed.
As for the idea of an underground city, I could support it as long as growth is controlled. At first, pathways from the stations to Sparks and Albert would help in alleviating foot traffic on Queen. Imagine the thousands heading in and out of the station, crossing the street. Some will wait at the light, some will cross without priority, others will j-walk. It's bad enough today, I'm worried about what it will be after the train opens. Add to that thousands of STO buses looping around Lyon. It won't be pretty.
Outside major renovations to underground paths and buildings around Queen, here is what I would like to see:
- Connect PdV to C.D. Howe within 2 years. Both are well established underground retail and food service areas, so it would not have much of a negative consequences to street life. It would also complete a vision from when C.D. Howe was first built;
- Build a new entrance into the World Exchange Plaza within 5 years, with indoor elevators and double escalators. I don't believe the current vertical circulation at Parliament will suffice and I'm disappointed the only two elevators were built, and outside to boot. Possibly connect Sun Life with WEP, but that could be difficult with the parking ramp;
- Build tunnels to connect the Convention Centre, old Union and the NAC within 5 years. The Château would be by default connected as well. As it stands, it is quite treacherous, especially for those with mobility issues, to get from Elgin to the Rideau Centre. This was another proposal that has come and gone many times over the years. An additional connection from the NAC across Elgin (Chambers Building, 90 Elgin, or Lord Elgin) could also be added.
- Connect PdV to Constitution Square, with 10 years, and Minto, within 15 years. The three largest office complexes would then be linked.
- Within 20 years, connect Minto with Jean Edmonds, which itself could connect to Standard Life I, II and eventually III years before.
Other connections could be made over time, but those are the main ones. The Rideau Centre complex could also expand with a new hotel and residential building along Nicholas, all connected together. Possibly single links though parking garages under George and York.