Adi Astl, a retired mechanic, is facing charges after he designed a $550 solution to a $65,000 problem.
Multiple complaints had been filed with the city of Toronto about the steep path connecting the parking area to Tom Riley Park in Etobicoke, Ontario. The local government created a city project to fix the problem with an estimated cost of $65,000 – $150,000 to build a new staircase.
Astl couldn’t believe the figure they quoted. “I thought they were talking about an escalator,” Astl told CTV News. One of Astl’s neighbors had slipped and fallen down the steep path, so the retired handyman decided to develop a cheaper solution.
With a little cash from his neighbor, Astl hired a homeless person to help him construct a simple wooden staircase that cost about $550. His wife Gail says the stairs were a huge improvement. “I’ve seen so many people fall over that rocky path that was there to begin with,” she told CTV. “It’s a huge improvement over what was there.” Sadly, the city of Toronto didn’t agree with her.
Mayor John Tory admits that the original estimate was “completely out of whack with reality” in a statement released last Wednesday. “I think everyone will understand that it will be more than $550,” he continued. “We just can’t have people decide to go out to Home Depot and build a staircase in a park because that’s what they would like to have.”
Astl has already been thanked multiple times by the members of his gardening club who frequently visit Tom Riley Park. “To me, the safety of people is more important than money,” Astl said. “So if the city is not willing to do it, I have to do it myself.”
City safety inspectors claim that Astl’s staircase was not built to regulated standards. They determined the railing, incline, and lack of foundation as unsafe and wrapped the staircase with yellow hazard tape.
Councilman Justin Di Ciano thinks Astl’s stairs were a notable improvement and the path is safer with them even if they are not built to spec. “I think we all need to have a bit of common sense here,” he said. Di Ciano requested that the stairs remain in place until the city can decided what to do instead. He isn’t a fan of “wasteful spending” and suggested the staircase be upgraded instead of torn down completely.
Astl could face several charges for interfering with a public works project. At this time, no official charges have been filed against him.
Local resident Dana Beamon was frustrated by the city’s decision to block off the staircase. “We have far too much bureaucracy,” she said. “We don’t have enough self-initiative in our city, so I’m impressed.”
Watch the news report below to learn more about Astl’s staircase.
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