ION - Waterloo Region's Light Rail Transit

[Bytor]

I think more accurately, the complaint was the LRT-inspired construction was displacing affordable housing along the corridor and forcing those seeking affordable housing to move further from transit and services that they could access.

After condos started getting built, yes, that complaint has been made. And for good reason, too.

But my friend's claim is that affordable housing was part of the official LRT corridor from the beginning and integral to it. Indeed, they always phrase it as it some sort of deal was made—more affordable housing in exchange for getting the LRT.

[panamaniac]

I think more accurately, the complaint was the LRT-inspired construction was displacing affordable housing along the corridor and forcing those seeking affordable housing to move further from transit and services that they could access.

After condos started getting built, yes, that complaint has been made. And for good reason, too.

But my friend's claim is that affordable housing was part of the official LRT corridor from the beginning and integral to it. Indeed, they always phrase it as it some sort of deal was made—more affordable housing in exchange for getting the LRT.

A deal by/with whom?  It rings no bells with me.

[ac3r]

There has never been anything specifically relating to affordable housing in relation to the LRT as far as I know...I don't even see why they would think that would be the case. Keolis nor GRT would have any say over what kind of housing private developers build on their own property and it would be weird to even negotiate something like "if you want to build an LRT, you'll need to only permit affordable housing along its route". Maybe they once heard something involving affordable housing near the LRT and are just misremembering what they heard?

[tomh009]

I think more accurately, the complaint was the LRT-inspired construction was displacing affordable housing along the corridor and forcing those seeking affordable housing to move further from transit and services that they could access.

After condos started getting built, yes, that complaint has been made. And for good reason, too.

Very few affordable units have been actually lost to the new construction: most of it has been either empty land or commercial properties. None of these actually lost units, for example: City Centre, 1 Victoria, 100 Victoria, Garment St, Arrow 2, Drewlo, The Scott, Civic 66 match this. Market Flats replaces a handful of low-cost housing units but most others really do not. (The 19-31 Mill St project will lose a number of units, though -- and the Victoria Park Neighbourhood Association pushed the developer to change the construction plans, and now there will not be any affordable units.)

The bigger factor, I think, is that many property owners are renovating their properties, and this typically results in substantial rent increases. This would happen without the LRT, too, but likely less often.

[KevinL]

 Keolis nor GRT would have any say over what kind of housing private developers build on their own property 

No, but presumably the Region could, and they are ultimately behind the project. That said, nothing was actually required as a result of the project.

[GarthDanlor]

After condos started getting built, yes, that complaint has been made. And for good reason, too.

Very few affordable units have been actually lost to the new construction: most of it has been either empty land or commercial properties. None of these actually lost units, for example: City Centre, 1 Victoria, 100 Victoria, Garment St, Arrow 2, Drewlo, The Scott, Civic 66 match this. Market Flats replaces a handful of low-cost housing units but most others really do not. (The 19-31 Mill St project will lose a number of units, though -- and the Victoria Park Neighbourhood Association pushed the developer to change the construction plans, and now there will not be any affordable units.)

The bigger factor, I think, is that many property owners are renovating their properties, and this typically results in substantial rent increases. This would happen without the LRT, too, but likely less often.

The old Mayfair Hotel building obviously housed affordable units but that was vacant since 2007 or 2008 so those weren't lost due to the arrival of the LRT.

[nms]

There is also the question of whether the number of units lost and ultimately replaced in construction include an equal replacement of similarly priced units for those who were displaced. You would also need to stretch back nearly ten years to see what properties might fit that definition. Of the top of my head I can think of (north to south from Waterloo):
- Any second or third story apartments that were renovated above the Uptown Waterloo businesses
- Red Condos
- The Midtown Lofts
- Any second or third story apartments that were renovated above the Downtown Kitchener businesses
- The apartments at 48 Weber St W

I'm not as familiar with the urban fabric below downtown Kitchener, but you can bet that any property close the LRT has increased in value which would then encourage landlords to raise their rents as quickly as possible within the limits of the rental rules.

[tomh009]

There is also the question of whether the number of units lost and ultimately replaced in construction include an equal replacement of similarly priced units for those who were displaced.  You would also need to stretch back nearly ten years to see what properties might fit that definition.  Of the top of my head I can think of (north to south from Waterloo):
- Any second or third story apartments that were renovated above the Uptown Waterloo businesses
- Red Condos
- The Midtown Lofts
- Any second or third story apartments that were renovated above the Downtown Kitchener businesses
- The apartments at 48 Weber St W

I'm not as familiar with the urban fabric below downtown Kitchener, but you can bet that any property close the LRT has increased in value which would then encourage landlords to raise their rents as quickly as possible within the limits of the rental rules.

Yes. Although some renovations would happen even without the LRT.

We should be encouraging the developers to include affordable units, and pushing the city to regulate the same. Unfortunately many neighbourhood associations (such as VPNA) are adamantly against affordable housing.

[KevinT]

Ion's cousins, the Eglinton Crosstown trains, are taking their first test runs on street-based parts of the line in Scarborough.

https://blog.metrolinx.com/2021/05/25/eg...irst-time/

And they're testing in triplets, the most we've seen here is twins:

[jamincan]

Are their platforms actually long enough to handle triples?

[KevinT]

Are their platforms actually long enough to handle triples?

Yes. Initially they'll always be in coupled pairs (they each only have one cab and will be back-to-back for dual ended operation) but the system is built to ultimately handle triples.

[ijmorlan]

Are their platforms actually long enough to handle triples?

Yes. Initially they'll always be in coupled pairs (they each only have one cab and will be back-to-back for dual ended operation) but the system is built to ultimately handle triples.

Are you sure they aren’t ready for 4-car trains? Or maybe I’m just remembering Bombardier’s marketing materials?

I wonder if they’ll buy any 0-cab vehicles for use in the middle of the trains?

[KevinL]

Triplets is their system design, and they may even be seen from day one on peak periods only. Doubles will be most common.

[ac3r]

Oops...! I guess we were due a collision, the last one was back in December.

Credit: https://twitter.com/jeffmackw

[panamaniac]

I’ve been waiting and waiting, every time I see a new post in this thread.

Apart from it generally being a bad idea to turn into the path of a moving train, are left turns allowed at that location?