The report on the Eucan Ecomupi-MegaBin trial (somewhat humourously, in the report the City still stubbornly calls them “EcoMupis” despite Eucan’s attempt to rebrand them as “MegaBins”) has been submitted by City Staff who are recommending a go ahead despite the fact that their online survey produced mainly negative results and that the majority of Toronto’s Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) have major concerns with the massive garbage bins, including competitition with local advertising and the threat of the large bins being used as mugging blinds. Luckily, the Toronto Public Space Committee (TPSC) showed up and challenged the city on their interpretation of the numbers and so the Works Committee has delayed the project until May 3, 2006. I am currently reading the report and will shortly highlight the City’s politically inspired manipulation of the numbers. For now, here is the TPSC’s latest missive:

MONSTER BIN BATTLE, HARMONISATION WAR ~ Planning Meeting!

The results of the three-month Monster Bin pilot project are in: Torontonians don’t want billboards masquerading as garbage cans! Although Eucan and, sadly, city staff attempted to spin the numbers and declare the pilot project a success, a TPSC intervention prevented this deceptive staff report from being accepted. This victory gives us more time to send a strong message to City Councillors: Stop Selling Our Streets!

The timing is crucial that City Council hears this message loud and clear, as they are about to embark on a “Street Furniture Harmonisation” process that will award a lengthy contract to one single company to design all of our benches, shelters, garbage cans, etc. This will massively shape the visual environment of our city for years to come. (See item #2 for more details.)

Come to our campaign planning meeting to help discuss and strategize how to encourage City Council to invest in our public spaces rather than sell them off for pennies – and for decades!

Wednesday February 15th, 6:30pm
Metro Hall, rm. 314 (King & John)

More info at: http://www.publicspace.ca/monster.htm