Archive for June, 2008

Bunge post 1 30 Weston Rd (old swift Packers site) redev- to retail

By On June 30, 2008 In Uncategorized With 2 Comments Permanent Link to Bunge post 1 30 Weston Rd (old swift Packers site) redev- to retailPermalink

The north west corner of Weston Rd north of St Clair Ave., a corner that helped to form the beginning of the junction community, is to be redeveloped by the Trinity Group into a mix of big box retail and other retail and residential uses. They will be building 650.000 square feet of retail use space which is projected to open in spring of 2010.

The site was formerly a plant for Swift’s Premium Meats for many years and most recently Bunge Ltd. (at this location a processor of edible oils)

Trinity Group WESTON & ST. CLAIR W., Toronto, ON diagrams at their site

The mix of residential and commercial is a welcome change. Many developments in West Toronto are one or the other.

Posted by Robert

Sorauren Farmers' Market Today with Field Sparrow Farms

By On June 30, 2008 In Uncategorized With No Comments Permanent Link to Sorauren Farmers' Market Today with Field Sparrow FarmsPermalink

…even though it’s a long weekend the Sorauren Farmers’ Market will take place today Monday June 30th. There will be live music, a market bingo, and a fairy container garden demo for kids.

from their email..

Due to a great mix of sun and rain we are also excited to be getting more and more produce every week, such as peas, beets, zucchinis, cucumber, radishes, onions, carrots…and of course there are still strawberries.

Please also market the 21st of July on your calender as we will be celebrating the grand opening

Sorauren Farmer’s Market, every Monday from 3 p.m. – 7 p.m. May 26 until October 27

Sorauren Farmer's Market

One of the vendors at the market is the Field Sparrow Farms is a family-run grass fed beef business,

from their site …  purely grass-finished beef. Compared with feedlot beef, grass-fed has less total fat, less saturated fat, less cholesterol, and less calories.  It also has more vitamin E, beta carotene, vitamin C, Omega 3 fatty acids, and conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) which is an anti-carcinogen.

field sparrow farms

Field Sparrow Farms

Posted by Robert

Studios for rent on Vine Ave. 142 – 144 Vine Ave

By On June 27, 2008 In Uncategorized With No Comments Permanent Link to Studios for rent on Vine Ave. 142 – 144 Vine AvePermalink

Hey, there are studios for rent on Vine ave  numbers 142 to 144 which was the A and B plastic building – until the mid 80’s? and more recently a textile company.

The current conversion to studios has the building owner taking the long enclosed loading dock to the west side of he building and opening it up to allow sunlight to enter the building.

part of CP rail's West Toronto yard being sold for housing

By On June 27, 2008 In Uncategorized With 2 Comments Permanent Link to part of CP rail's West Toronto yard being sold for housingPermalink

CP Rail is now selling a portion of the West Toronto yard to be used for a housing development. Most likely the front row of houses will front onto Ethel Ave.

Ethel Ave provides a major east-west route between Runnymede Road and Keele Street via it’s connection with West Toronto Street. The streets are two-way with a  width of approximately 10 metres and a 40 km/h speed limit.  While  the abutting avenues of  Ryding and Cobalt are primarily residential, with George Bell Arena on the south side. Sections of roadway at Gourlay Crescent, Ethel Avenue  are industrial/commercial. On West Toronto Street there are large retail facilities such as Home Depot, Rona, Staples and Dominion. Again this will bring up the issue of the industrial/commercial/residenal mix, much as it has on the old Benjamin Moore paints site just off of Keele St. where the city is having a difficult time finding the right way to integrate the threee land uses. The commuity needs the mix – the city needs a policy on this this issue.

Is Toronto in decline? (Toronto Star headline)

By On June 26, 2008 In Uncategorized With No Comments Permanent Link to Is Toronto in decline? (Toronto Star headline)Permalink

Using census data to identify problems the Fraser Institute has cited Toronto as a declining city, the census data does provide this sort of picture. While neighborhood people continue to develop their communities within the city, the municipal infrastructure that supports these communities is weakening. Look, at the condition of the roads – bad.  There are also continuing cutbacks in school services and parks.

Some points from the news release.

“While most other major cities across Canada have experienced growing incomes and job creation, Toronto has become a national laggard. It’s little wonder a feeling of unease has crept into the public’s consciousness,” Harris said.

Toronto may be losing its status as Canada’s pre-eminent city and business hub and that has city residents worried, according to a new study and poll from independent research organization the Fraser Institute.


Is Toronto in decline? (Toronto Star)

Fraser Institute News Release

Link to Fraser Institute report (PDF)

Posted by Robert

Possible streetcar route Exhibition to Roncesvalles and Queen W

By On June 26, 2008 In Uncategorized With No Comments Permanent Link to Possible streetcar route Exhibition to Roncesvalles and Queen WPermalink

Picture credit – 416style flickr

The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) and the City of Toronto are examining routes to extend streetcar service westward from Exhibition Place (where it now ends in the near the lakeshore) to the existing track at Roncesvalles Avenue and Queen Street West. Currently they are looking for best route. It looks like they want a run the streetcars in a protected right of way, one that is not interrupted by vehicle traffic.

The route extension would better serve communities from southern Etobicoke to downtown Toronto, including High Park, Sunnyside, Parkdale, and Liberty Village, with a clear passage downtown.

More information is posted at Waterfront West Light Rail Transit (WWLRT) Environmental Assessment at the TTC site

Interesting house of the day 1

By On June 25, 2008 In Uncategorized With No Comments Permanent Link to Interesting house of the day 1Permalink

This an fine looking home in a nice neighborhood – still an affordable neighborhood yet still with a little excitement from the grit. Highlighted in green below in some text from the realtors blurb (who is Tony Couto of Remax West ) are items that sounds wonderful about the house and in orange is a statement that is probably not so right. It may be just worth it for the instant Stunning Maple Kit that comes with the house – see text below. Realtors should not write house descriptions provided to the public in “realtor vernacular” english

Tony Couto of Remax West

Olde Minico Elegance & Grace, Circa 1905. Sun-Filled 4 Bedrooms W/New World Charm. Lovingly Cared For, Boasts Original Baseboards & Wood Trim, Lead Glass Windows, B/I Window Seat, Elegant Fireplace, Stunning Maple Kit, New Bath & Fabulous 20 X 10 Deck Overlooking Oasis. Features Formal Living & Dining Rooms. Close To Public Transit, Marina, Parks And Lake. Minutes To Downtown. Restoration & Attention To Detail Unsurpassed. Shows 10+++ Great Neighbours!!! (sic)

Heated Floors In Kitchen And Main Bath. All Elf’s, Fridge, B/I Oven & Microwave, B/I Gas Cooktop, B/I Dishwasher, Gb & Equipment Hwt (R). One Of A Kind, Show To Most Discriminating Buyers. 50 X 124 Lot.

P.S.  the agent name is given as a courtesy – don’t know him

posted by Robert

Industry St is cavalier towards it's demise

By On June 25, 2008 In Uncategorized With No Comments Permanent Link to Industry St is cavalier towards it's demisePermalink

Industry ave

On Industry Ave just above Eglinton Ave at Black Creek Rd.  you can see the last twisted remnants of the old Kodak plant gate. Through the gate you can see the land where a new residential development is to be constructed.  Right across the road an old industrial building is being brought up to todays workplace standards – great move by the people refitting this building. Having a  new residential development next to light industrial buildings is great, because it provides jobs for the people in the homes. Fewer of residents  will have to travel some distance to their jobs, saving energy and leaving then more time with their families. Hopefully the elected persons will see this and support more of it.

West Toronto Junction Historical Walking Tour on youtube

By On June 24, 2008 In Uncategorized With No Comments Permanent Link to West Toronto Junction Historical Walking Tour on youtubePermalink

The West Toronto Junction Historical Society  has placed a  video of their Walking Tour on YouYube.

sidewalks on Vine Ave Pacific to Keele

By On June 24, 2008 In Uncategorized With No Comments Permanent Link to sidewalks on Vine Ave Pacific to KeelePermalink

For ever – is the approx time  people on Vine Ave  and the greater junction have been waiting, to have sidewalks placed on the north side of the avenue.  In the spring the long stretch between Pacific Ave and Keele St is a mud hole in sections and in winter an ice field.  More when the person at the city who arranged this is found.

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