It seems as if the northeast corner of Yonge and Dundas has been under construction forever

It seems as if the northeast corner of Yonge and Dundas has been under construction forever. What’s the deal?—Jennifer Charbonneau, Liberty Village

The site belongs to Metropolis, a movie and shopping complex that was supposed to anchor the neighbourhood’s rejuvenation. Instead, the project—originally slated to open in 2000—has turned one of Toronto’s most important intersections into a boarded-up mess. So why the delay? For one thing, American conglomerate AMC was reluctant to commit to the 24-screen multiplex that the project hinged on. Other potential occupants—including an indoor Disney theme park and a high-tech arcade—sniffed around but backed out. Construction started in 2003, only to stop again in 2004, with just the basement built, because of financing woes. Work has resumed, and word is that the building will be finished by November 2007. The current roster of tenants includes AMC, the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and a Wolfgang Puck restaurant—small comfort for pedestrians who have spent years squeezing through blue construction hoarding.