The Globe and Mail

Toronto is the proud owner of two urban wastelands. Both are man-made disasters in the city's east end. Both belong to the waterfront. Though they are separated by mere kilometres, a deep chasm of opposing urban philosophies has formed between them. Something of an astonishing reinvention is about to occur at the West Don Lands, located next to the Don River. But, across the river, creating urban blight is not only routine -- it's being fostered at the city's gateway to Riverdale, the Beaches and the Portlands. You know you're close to the edge of Lake Ontario by the large Esso station laid out on Lake Shore Boulevard East. The sound of the surf is intense inside the car wash. Fortunately, the $41-million demolition of the east flank of the Gardiner Expressway has provided generous amounts of room to manoeuvre cars into the vast parking lots at the new Price Chopper and Loblaws. Oh -- and the drive-through at Tim Hortons. Welcome to the beach. Bring a blanket and a picnic basket.