The reason for such a short extension was that the provincial government was offering funds for subway expansion as part of the Network 2011 plan, but was debating whether an extension should curve east to interline with a future phase of the proposed Sheppard Line (which was only approved with a western terminus at the-then Sheppard station on the Yonge line),[4] or continue farther north as part of a loop to join the Spadina and Yonge line branches, either along the hydro corridor north of Finch Avenue or along Steeles Avenue via York University.

The Sheppard line interlining idea was dropped in favour of the loop proposal – itself superseded in 2002 by the Vaughan extension plan, which was ultimately what was built.

[5][6] Construction of an access track to Wilson Yard branching off the mainline south of station began in 2009 but was mothballed after a tunnel was completed in 2010.

[13] The renaming cost $800,000, which was largely spent on updating the Toronto Rocket subway trains' automated announcement system and destination signs.

[14] Prior to the renaming, Downsview was the only station in the system to have its name displayed in mixed-case lettering on the platform walls.

[16] The station features two pieces of artwork:[17] Nearby landmarks include Downsview Park, which was the site of the World Youth Day Papal Visit in 2002 and the SARSstock concert in 2003.

It is the site of an airstrip once used by a military base (CFB Toronto), and by an aircraft manufacturer (DeHavilland), separating the station area from the original village of Downsview.

There is a complex crossover just south of the station, which incorporates a switch to a single track which branches off to the west in a tunnel to access Wilson Yard.

South of this point, the line partially uses what were originally the non-revenue yard access tracks north of Wilson, the previous terminal station.