The Gordon Bell dispute put Canada Post on the wrong side of a couple of emotional issues, including the right of core-area children to have the same access to green space enjoyed by suburban children. The Crown-owned company certainly didn't deserve to be portrayed as the Grinch who stole the green space, but that is how it was viewed by many in the Gordon Bell catchment area.

The bottom line is that, although the former Midway Chrysler lot is well-situated for Canada Post's purposes, it would not have made an attractive addition to a portion of Portage Avenue desperately in need of a facelift. Now, with Vimy Ridge park located a couple of blocks away, there is a real opportunity to create a viable green space in an area that desperately needs colours other than grey.

All that having been said, let's keep our fingers crossed that Canada Post, the city and the province successfully complete negotiations on this land swap. We just don't get many success stories like this.