Will the construction of a new university in Brampton mean that parking will be eliminated as a result of Ryerson’s building plans? Not likely, according to Metrolinx.
The City of Brampton has released images that define the precise location of the new university to be built by Ryerson University in partnership with Sheridan College, the City of Brampton, and Metrolinx.
Located on the existing GO Train Station Parking lot, the renderings show a building located at the corner of Church Street West and Mill Street North, covering an area of approximately 3 acres.
The renderings are conceptual only, and do not represent the final plans for construction; however, Bramptonians who use the GO Train service have flooded social media with questions regarding the potential loss of parking that would occur as a result of building the new university there.
Stand UP for Brampton reached out to Metrolinx for comment and, according to spokesperson Anne Marie Aikins, GO users can rest assured that any plans for construction will incorporate a plan to ensure their parking needs are met.
“Our goal is to ensure minimal disruption to our GO customers,” says Aikins. “We are going to work with Ryerson and the City of Brampton on a parking strategy to have parking spots secured prior to any agreement.”
Transit users have noticed boarded-up homes in an area located directly south of the train station, along Railroad Street and Elizabeth Street. Metrolinx has been acquiring property there, likely in anticipation of a future need for their customers.
“The parking strategy may include that we use this piece of land temporarily and then this piece of land; so in that parking strategy, we are looking to minimise any disruption,” explained Aikins. “That is our policy for any kind of building, if we are working on a station, if it has to use parking spaces, we secure parking in other areas. That is a commitment we make to our customers.”
Satellite image depicting the Ryerson University location in Downtown Brampton. Source: COBBringing a new university to Brampton has been a key priority for the City. In September 2017, Brampton City Council made a historic commitment of up to $150 million for a new university and centre for innovation. The Province has committed $90 million.
In a press release Tuesday, Ruby Sahota, MP for Brampton North, said that she is working to ensure the Federal government is not on the sidelines with regards to support for the university project.
“I look forward to continue advocating for federal involvement in this project and others because this university will be a game changer,” stated Sahota, in her release.
In March, Stand UP for Brampton interviewed Ryerson’s President, Mohamed Lachemi who spoke powerfully about his desire to see Ryerson become tightly integrated within our community, emphasizing Brampton’s unique geographical positioning within the innovation corridor of the GTA.
“Brampton is the connector between Waterloo and Toronto, and if you can have a university like Ryerson that is focused on innovation and entrepreneurship at the center of the corridor; with the creation of an innovation hub at the center, we can attract people from both sides. It’s like a magnet attracting talent and people from both sides.”
You can read our full interview series with President Mohamed Lachemi by clicking the links below:
- Part I: Community collaboration to build a city – Click here.
- Part II: Economic Benefits and the Innovation Hub – Click here.
- Part III: Brampton as a world leader with specialized programming – Click here.
This is Ryerson’s first expansion of academic programming outside of its iconic downtown Toronto campus. Ryerson has a reputation as a city-building institution, and is globally recognized for its business-focused innovation zones. With a focus on career-oriented education, Ryerson receives the most applications, relative to spaces available, of any university in Ontario.
The project has an anticipated academic start date of September 2022.
Artist’s future concept rendering of the Downtown Brampton area, looking north from City Hall. Source: COB
The new Ryerson Building and Centre for Innovation looking south towards Brampton City Hall. Source: COBDid you like this article? Sign up here to follow this site, and follow us on Facebook.
