New union station for Toronto

The Board of Railway Commissioners made an order, dated Feb. 23, with respect to the application of the G.T.R. for authority to expropriate certain lands, additional to those it now occupies, lying north of Esplanade St. and between Yonge and York streets, Toronto, and required for the purposes of the company. The following parties were interested in the application and appeared before the Board by counsel at the different hearings: G.T.R., C.P.R., James Bay Ry., Toronto City Council, W. W. Baldwin Estate, Eckardt Co., A.R. Williams, M. McLaughlin, Land Security Co., Dominion Transport Co., Toronto General Trusts Corporation, J. B. Smith Estate, H. W. Petrie Co., and the owners of the Walker House. From the facts laid before the Board it appeared that the G.T.R. requires for the convenient accommodation of the public and the traffic on the railway more ample space than it now possesses, or might take under section 18 of the Railway Act, and authority was given to expropriate the lands mentioned, subject to certain conditions set out in the order.

The lands to be expropriated are specifically set out in the order, which reserves to the public such portions of the lands named as are now enjoyed as public highways. It then recites that the lands taken are to be used only for a passenger station, and passenger station yard therefor, and for such purposes as are necessarily or usually connected therewith. The lands and the buildings to be erected thereon shall be a union passenger station, and shall be available for use by all steam railways which now enter the city or may hereafter do so; the terms and conditions of such use shall be settled by the railway companies interested and approved of by the Board; and if a dispute shall arise between the companies as to terms the same shall be determined by order of the Board. The amount to be expended on the building and its appurtenances shall be at least $1,000,000; construction within a year, and completed within three years, the Board, reserving power to extend the term should it be necessary so to do. The plans are to be approved of by the Board; all disputes between the companies, or between the G.T.R. and the city with regard to plans, to be determined by the Board. The G.T.R. shall make provision in the present Union Station and yards for the passenger trains and traffic of the James Bay Ry., as soon as necessary, until the new Union Station is completed and ready for use, on terms to be agreed upon. The value of the land is to be ascertained by arbitrators as at the date of the notice to expropriate, and 5% interest is to be paid from that date. In connection with the construction of the station the G.T.R. is authorized to carry across York St., York St. diversion, Bay St., Lorne St., and Esplanade St., such number of tracks as may be necessary, the plans of which are to be approved by the Board, which also may impose conditions. If the company closes Bay St., south of Front St., a bridge shall be erected between Front and Lake streets for foot passengers. The question of the closing of Station St., and the placing of tracks thereon was reserved.

The Eckardt Co. appealed to the Privy Council and the sub-committee, appointed to consider the case, head arguments and reserved judgment. A despatch from Ottawa dated March 20, stated that the appeal had been dismissed.

The agreement between the city and the G.T.R. was formally ratified by the City Council, Mar. 13. It has been decided that the new station will be placed on the plot of ground on the south side of Front St., and lying between Bay and York streets, and set back from the street line a distance of 25 ft. On the east side of Bay St., fronting on Front St., the Government is to erect a postal distributing station, and this building will be set back 25 ft., thus putting it on a line with the proposed new station.

Railways: C.P.Ry., G.T.Ry., J.B.Ry.

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