Toronto City Hall's green roof opens

CBC News video

From CBC News:

A green roof promoting environmental sustainability opened on Toronto's City Hall Saturday.

Approximately 3,250 square metres of concrete on the podium roof has been transformed to accommodate vegetation in an attempt to reduce the building's environmental impact, said a city news release.

"There's various plants that will grow and change colour over the season,'" said city spokeswoman Cindy Bromley. "It's designed to have pathways and benches, shade places and sunny places. We've already [seen] signs of wildlife — squirrels are coming to the garden, birds, bumblebees and butterflies."

The project is Phase 1 of the revitalization of Nathan Phillips Square, which aims to restore the heritage qualities of the area and make it an environmentally sustainable public meeting place.

"I'm tremendously pleased that we have been able to reopen and reinvent the podium for public use," said Mayor David Miller. "The landscaped gardens, a courtyard framing the council chamber, a podium terrace and new walkways and furnishings are a spectacular testament to Torontonians' passion for green spaces and their commitment to environmental sustainability."

Plans for the square, which opened in 1965, include a two-storey restaurant, a permanent stage, skating pavilion, and a new fountain.

Several trees will be planted around the square to provide shade and a border around the upgraded area.

Plans also call for new lighting and landscaping and elevated walkways linking the various features.

The $42-million project, first proposed in 2005, is expected to be completed by 2012.

The green roof is one of the venues that can be visited as part of Toronto's Doors Open weekend on May 29 and 30. Doors Open is an event allowing free public access to 150 buildings of architectural and cultural importance.