ION - Waterloo Region's Light Rail Transit

[Canard]

I still say it would have been the perfect place for ULTra PRT. Given how high-tech we are, this is a no-brainer.

I'd even be content with 2getthere shuttles or even EZ Mile's battery powered autonomous busses running on a segregated MUT-like "guideway".

[ijmorlan]

I guess the problem is that the built-form in the R&T park is not conducive toward people using transit. So even though LRT comes within the vicinity of the offices there, people are less likely to use it to access the area due to the poor built form. It's a bit of a chicken and egg scenario, though. Once you have higher-order transit, it's far more likely that development will occur at a density and in a form that is going to foster transit. On the other hand, without the proper built form, it's far less likely that transit use will increase to a point that would normally justify rapid-transit.

You are of course correct. However, my complaint about the built form in the park is actually independent of transit. I claim the built form is bad for everybody. If the buildings were built continuously along the street with parking behind, walking from one to the next would be easy even if walking anywhere outside of the park was unlikely due to distance. I have similar complaints about some shopping areas which are not conveniently laid out for anybody, including the car drivers who are most of their customers.

[highlander]

Open Text employees are a lot less likely to use Ion than employees of a future building right next to the station- hopefully that future building is a large one.

Well, I think evolv1 (3-storey, 100,000sf) and evolv2 (3-storey, 130,000sf) are going to disappoint you unless you mean future buildings beyond those.

   

[Canard]

That map!! Why are they showing Canada Geese instead of ducks????

[tomh009]

Or mallards!

[Canard]

...mallards are (the best) ducks!!*

* - Except for maybe Eider ducks... but I haven't met any of those yet

[NotStan]

Open Text employees are a lot less likely to use Ion than employees of a future building right next to the station- hopefully that future building is a large one.

Well, I think evolv1 (3-storey, 100,000sf) and evolv2 (3-storey, 130,000sf) are going to disappoint you unless you mean future buildings beyond those.

I think the zoning in the Research Park limits buildings to a max of 4 stories

[timc]

I still say it would have been the perfect place for ULTra PRT. Given how high-tech we are, this is a no-brainer.

I'd even be content with 2getthere shuttles or even EZ Mile's battery powered autonomous busses running on a segregated MUT-like "guideway".

All of these ideas would be great. Walking a kilometre or more in the cold in February is not so great.

[timc]

That map!!  Why are they showing Canada Geese instead of ducks????

I don't see that many ducks in the R&T Park. The number of geese on the map, however, is incredibly small compared to reality. It's a shame, really, because ducks are way less aggressive than Canada geese.

[MidTowner]

highlander, I was thinking about future buildings, specifically the site between Evolv1 and the station. That site, immediately adjacent to Ion, should be taller.

I had no idea about the four-floor zoning. That's not good.

[Canard]

Not to go too far off topic, but the Ducks like to hide in the lake opposite the Laurel Trail and ion tracks, and then there's a "secret" duck lake behind OpenText.

I like the little Spur off the Laurel Trail right by the R&T station that goes down to the water. When you pop down there all the Ducks come over to say hi.

[UrbanCanoe]

Well, I think evolv1 (3-storey, 100,000sf) and evolv2 (3-storey, 130,000sf) are going to disappoint you unless you mean future buildings beyond those.

I think the zoning in the Research Park limits buildings to a max of 4 stories

The zoning for the entire R&T Park is 25 storeys (BI-25 zone). The exception is a buffer adjacent to Corrie Crescent which is limited to 6 storeys. The current scale of development seems to be influenced by market trends and land availability.

[rangersfan]

Hopefully the station will pull users from Factory square, and employees from nearby employers like Axonify and GHD ( http://www.ghd.com/global/about-us/news/...eaquarter/). It would be great to see some denser employment buildings built on the remaining nearby lots.

As mentioned previously by others I am not sure how many people from Open Text or RAC I or RAC II will be walking to the R&T stop.

[KevinL]

Don't forget, everyone - especially if you missed it in April - the OMSF is open tomorrow 10AM - 5PM as part of Doors Open. See the train in person (even if it doesn't take you anywhere)!

[Canard]

Don't forget, everyone - especially if you missed it in April - the OMSF is open tomorrow 10AM - 5PM as part of Doors Open. See the train in person (even if it doesn't take you anywhere)!

...and for those who missed the fine print: You can also enter via the Northfield ION stop.