19 May 2009
Centre for Massive Change Proposed for City Rail Lands
Sudbury Ontario - A world-renowned
thinker and designer, Bruce Mau, wants to site a world class centre of innovation in downtown Sudbury. In what he calls a Centre For
Massive Change, the facility would generate solutions for urban challenges, such as housing, recreation, and commercial space. It
would preferably be built in the rail lands area, if an agreement with CP Rail can be obtained.
Laurentian University economist David Robinson made a presentation to the Greater Sudbury Development Corporation last week about the
concept. Robinson, also a founder of the Northern School of Architecture, is a member of a group called Imagine Sudbury.
"Imagine Sudbury is a group of community volunteers who see the development of the rail yards as a vital component of Sudbury's
future development. They have been working with Bruce Mau, Sudbury native and internationally acclaimed designer and author,"
said the group in a release.
Mau is currently designing an innovative 50-year plan for the City of Chicago and has also done planning work for the
City of Denver. He has a model already for what he proposes, said Christian Elliott, a local businessman and member of Imagine
Sudbury.
The proposed redevelopment of the rail yard lands has some history.
"In the 1970s, apparently CP Rail approached council at the time to see if they wanted to partner to move the rail yards. At the
time city council did not show the interest necessary because they considered other projects more important," said Robinson.
He said the railway company would be open to move its yards because there is not enough room for them. For the city, the rail yards
offer a spectacular opportunity to overhaul the downtown.
"There is room for 20,000 people there," said Robinson. If the tracks were kept, it could be the basis of a light rail line
to connect the outlying areas of the city.
Realtor and GSDC board member Jean Leblanc noted that Lethbridge, Alta. has been involved recently in moving its rail yards.
"This excites me as a real estate person. The downtown core is the soul of a community," he said.
Robinson said more community support is needed before CP Rail can be approached formally.
He said Mau is interested in developing centres of innovation because he believes the world faces major challenges and that
"radical education is the way to lead."
As part of that education, designing a better world, is emerging as a key force for renewal. That was a main argument presented by
Robinson and his group for seeking city support for the Northern School of Architecture. The city set aside $10 million over an
11-year period, as the city's contribution to the project. Councillors agreed the community would benefit from the
building design talent in terms of its faculty and staff for helping to renew the downtown and surrounding areas.
"The talk about the Northern School of Architecture has excited me and others to think a bit bigger about what the downtown could
look like."
Imagine Sudbury wants to up the ante with Mau's help, Robinson said.
Debbi Nicholson, acting chair of the GSDC, said the ideas were exciting, but more dialogue was needed with members of the board.
Cambrian College's president Sylvia Barnard encouraged Robinson to link with the college. "You will have a sympathetic ear from
us," she said.
Bill Bradley.
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