A local architect thinks it is a good idea to add a roof to the Gardiner Expressway that could be turned into a park with trees, bike paths and concession stands – while cars would zip along underneath.

The plan comes from Les Klein, founding principal at Quadrangle Architects and was unveiled this morning at Moses Znaimer's ideaCity, the annual conference of thinkers.

Klein's firm is best known for taking old buildings and giving them new life. Examples include the BMW showroom near the Don Valley Parkway and 299 Queen St. W., the CHUM-Citytv building.

"I've been appalled at the folly of taking down the Gardiner," Klein told the Star in advance of his speech. "It's about thinking innovatively, keeping it, adding on to it, renovating it, and renewing it. That's the fundamental part of the organic growth of cities."

His idea, dubbed the Green Ribbon, calls for the addition of a new level about 8 metres above the highway's elevated section from Dufferin St. to the Don Valley Parkway. Columns would be added to the side to anchor a new level, which would become a linear park stretching for 7 kilometres. The estimated costs range from $500 million to $600 million.

"I happen to love old structures. I'm not in love with every old structure. They have to have good bones, but the Gardiner has great bones," Klein said, noting it is also a critical traffic artery that hundreds of commuters depend on daily.

Over the years, various ideas have been floated for the expressway, which first opened in 1965 and was named for former Metro Toronto chair Fred Gardiner. While some have advocated for its teardown, calling it an eyesore and a barrier to the waterfront, others have touted solutions such as creating a park underneath or tunnelling the expressway.

None of those proposals have gathered steam, though Toronto Mayor David Miller and Waterfront Toronto officials support a plan to tear down a section just east of Jarvis St., saying it is fundamental for the waterfront's redevelopment.

An environmental assessment is underway on that proposal, with a final decision not expected before 2011. The price tag is projected at $300 million.

Given that the city has just recently endorsed a policy of mandatory green roofs on buildings of a certain size and height, Klein thinks that's exactly what the Gardiner needs. It would also include solar panels and wind turbines to power new lighting along Lake Shore Blvd., which would also be beautified and made pedestrian-friendly.

"The bottom line is, instead of tearing down the Gardiner and sending hundreds of tonnes of material to landfill, and losing this critical connection to tie our city together, let's put a roof on it," he said, adding he has discussed his idea with some city councillors, though not with Waterfront Toronto officials.

The benefits include reduced maintenance costs and improved public safety for the highway because it would be covered -eliminating the need for snow plowing and salting. The lack of penetrating rain and salt would reduce corrosion and deterioration of the roadway, a large expense in itself.

Other cities have used the same principle. There's a thriving market below the Queensboro Bridge in New York, and Manhattan's west side now boasts High Line Park, built on an abandoned elevated rail track.

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The Gardiner was a symbol of progress when it opened more than 40 years ago ,and Klein believes it would be a shame to remove it.

"If you tear it down now, it is gone," he said. "I just think it would be horrible waste, because it's a great piece of civic architecture. It serves a vital function."

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