Dupont Station losing its charm due to neglect
Dupont subway station is my absolute favourite station on the entire TTC subway network. Designed by Dunlop-Farrow Architects and built in 1978, the station is simply beautiful. Its unique orange colour palette, gorgeous floral-themed mosaic tile work by James Sutherland, and many rounded surfaces and finishes (including benches that blend seamlessly into the walls, rounded wall corners, and bubble-like light fixtures) make it a truly special underground design marvel.
But things have gotten a little worse for wear of late, with tiles crumbling, and countless light fixtures either missing covers or having bulbs blown out or both.
One of the station's defining features are its many lighting fixtures, which dot both the ceilings and walls throughout the station at platform level, and all the way up to near street level. Curved fluorescent bulbs fit inside the circular metal mounts that are covered by either plastic or glass (I'm unsure) covers.
I counted more than two dozen of these funky and chunky light fixtures that are missing covers (and have been for quite a long time). As a result, the station is starting to lose its visual charm as it appears to be falling victim to ongoing neglect.
Before readers jump on me and stomp me for expressing what is admittedly a minor problem in the grand scheme of things (we all know the TTC is struggling with major staffing, financial, and other problems), I want to make it clear that my concerns are rather superficial in nature.
But seeing one of the most loved places on our public transit system fall into such an embarrassing state of disrepair is reason for concern, in my opinion. I mean, how much money and effort (or how little, perhaps) would cost to replace just the missing light covers? I've posed the question to the TTC on numerous occasions, but haven't heard back.
In addition to the lighting problems, tiling is also is need of patch-up fixing. And makeshift solutions to decay (like this non smoking sign held up by green masking tape) aren't making the situation any better.
TTC manangement: if you're reading this, let it be known that I'm willing to volunteer a day or two of my time to help with the required labour. I'm almost certain that my volunteering to do union work would be problematic, but I just thought I'd throw that out there anyhow.
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