Toronto Islands-goers are a step closer to not feeling like herded cattle. Yesterday, Waterfront Toronto revealed the teams short-listed to redesign Jack Layton Ferry Terminal and Harbour Square Park, an 11.4-acre site between York and Yonge streets. The ferry terminal, which sees 1.3 million people pass through its gates each year, dates back to 1972, and the area around it is in need of redevelopment, with better ties to the expanding downtown core. “We are looking forward to seeing how the teams propose to connect this orphaned site with the rest of the city,” says Waterfront Toronto CEO John Campbell (snapped below).

The short list includes local design firms architectsAlliance, KPMB Architects, Greenberg Consultants, Quadrangle Architects, Janet Rosenberg & Studio, and ZAS Architects, which joined forces with international firms on proposals. In all, 33 design teams from 12 countries submitted designs to be reviewed by a group that included reps from Waterfront Toronto and the City of Toronto. Lest anyone doubt the integrity of the process, organizers note it was overseen by an “independent fairness adviser.” Short-listed teams will put their visions on display at a public exhibition planned for March.