by Colin Leslie
Now Magazine, January 2, 1997
Some of the city's couriers are trying to relay the message that Metro Hall is an unsafe place to make deliveries.
Unlike most downtown buildings, Metro Hall bans messengers from using the complex's front doors, instead demanding that they take their packages to an underground drop-off area. But couriers argue that the twisty, narrow Wellington Street ramp that goes down to the underground area was designed only for motor vehicles - not for cyclists and pedestrians.
Foot courier Wayne Scott says that while he was heading down the ramp during a rainstorm last spring, he heard a honk and fell while trying to scurry out of the way. He suffered a compression fracture to his back and had to take a month off work.
"All I'm looking for is that an alternate access be made available for those who want it," says Scott.
But Chris Hubbard, manager of operations for Metro Hall, says that when the building first opened, couriers had access, but there were problems. "When we first opened the building, there were footprints on the wall because when (couriers) had their hands full they'd kick up their feet to hit the elevator button."
Hubbard maintains that the ramp is safe. Still, after Scott's accident, Hubbard says Metro did add more convex mirrors and painted lines blocking off bike lanes on the ramp. And on November 21, Metro paid Scott an out-of-court settlement of $3,000.
Bike courier Derek Chadbourne, who puts out Hideous White Noise, a magazine that, among other things, deals with courier issues, says that while many downtown buildings have courier drop-off areas, Metro Hall is one of the few that requires messengers to use it. "I only know of one other building that really frowns on couriers going through the front door, and that's BCE Place."
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