Waterfront Toronto has beaten the odds to find four palatable names for the Gardiner Underpass, as put forward by the general public.
And no, none of them are Passy McUnderpass.
Back in March the company behind the $25 million transformation of the area under the Gardiner Expressway asked Toronto and the internet for help in naming the area – estimated to be completed in 2017.
And the nominees are *drumroll please*…
The Artery, The Bentway, Gathering Place and The Canopy.
A “jury of engaged citizens” whittled down 884 name suggestions for the new public space and shortlisted these four.
Despite passing on my two excellent suggestions – Garbage Gardens or Troll Towers – the panel of judges seem to have found some thoroughly decent, albeit fairly unexciting, options to choose from.
But given the internet’s track record when it comes to choosing names for things, it looks like we may have dodged a bullet when it comes to christening the underside of the Gardiner Expressway.
We have sidestepped a potential Boaty McBoatface situation, which, undoubtedly funny in the short term, may prove a little silly in years to come, as British children ask their parents – “So, was this Boaty bloke a famous captain then?”
Currently The Bentway is leading the way, but you have until the end of May to cast your ballot and play a role in deciding a name for the 10 acres that has been proposed as an open-air market, a skating rink and an off-leash dog park in the space that will link seven downtown neighbourhoods to the waterfront.
The people’s choice will be unveiled in July, alongside a new logo for the Under Gardiner.
So if you want to be a part of Toronto history, get voting now.
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