Port Lands planning is delayed another three months (surprise, surprise)

Amid all the Ferris wheel and monorail talk last fall, one thing council could agree on was that the Port Lands revamp should be moving more quickly. Unfortunately, the report on how to do that just got delayed. City staff and Waterfront Toronto were supposed to give recommendations by June on how to develop and fund the area—and speed up a process Rob Ford and allies said was taking too long—but they now say they need the summer to finish their homework. In a city newly obsessed with the possibility of a waterfront casino, rumours are already swirling that the delay will allow casino lobbyists and developers three extra months of “heavy lobbying”  to bring the complex to the area (councillor Paula Fletcher’s words). However, deputy city manager John Livey insists city staff have not been concerning themselves with the gambling complex. That may be so, but with casino speculation making headlines nearly every day, we wonder how long they can ignore it. [Globe and Mail]