Lawrence West Subway Station

Lawrence West Subway Station

The Lawrence West station is located on the Yonge – University – Spadina line of the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC).  It was opened in February 1978 and serves about 20,000 people a day.

In 2008, Lawrence West was also reported as a “problem station” (see Lansdowne) but that has since changed.  Lawrence West station has bus lines that provide regular service to the Toronto Pearson International Airport (58 Malton) bus.

Lawrence Square Shopping Centre

Nearby the Lawrence Square Shopping Centre was packed today when we went to do some last minute shopping (and of course my photographs!)  It is one of Toronto’s largest malls.  Some big box store names are Canadian Tire, Zellers and Fortino’s.  This mall was once a Simpson’s warehouse back in the early 1980’s.  I do remember shopping there, but that had been since replaced by the current mall.

Eventually this mall will be replaced by more public housing and an extension of Marlee Avenue.  The retail outlets will then take the place of two nearby public schools that will be demolished.

Lansdowne Subway Station

Lansdowne station - inside and outside

The Lansdowne subway station is located on the Bloor / Danforth line of the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC).  It was opened to the public in 1966 and serves approximately 14,000 a day.

The Lansdowne subway station is located on Lansdowne Avenue just north of Bloor Street and is on the edge of the Bloordale Village strip.   

Lansdowne is considered a high risk station that requires attention from the Police vice squad...  especially around the area of the Coffee Time coffee shop across the street where there were obvious drug deals going on, prostitutes handing about and vandals.  In one month alone a few years ago, 94 people were changed with selling crack.  

Residents in the area are hopeful that 2 new police stations, # 11 and 14 divisions that will run along the railroad tracks west of Lansdowne, will serve as a deterrent to crime.   Having more police visible should reduce the drug and prostitution trade at Bloor and Lansdowne.    The TTC property on Lansdowne still remains empty as there is a legal dispute between GE and TTC over who should be doing the clean up of the soil so as of now the new police stations are still put on hold.