All posts in City of Toronto

Got Its Name, Bloor Street

By On February 28, 2017 In City of Toronto With Comments Off on Got Its Name, Bloor Street Permanent Link to Got Its Name, Bloor StreetPermalink

august 25th 1925

Auto created transcript by this blog.
Bloor Street, which, with the bridging of the gap, last night entered a new period of expansion, has an interesting history of its own. After being known as at. Paul’s Road, then Sydenham Road, it changed to its present title some time in the forties when Mr, Bloor, a general tavern keeper and brewer, of Toronto, undertook an extensive real estate development at Yorkville. For a time it seemed as if the name Bloorville would take the place of Yorkville, but from this Toronto was saved. In the early days, when Bloor Street lacked a name and was simply  a rough concession, farmers turned east at Yonge Street to reach the Town of York.by way of Parliament Street. Then Yonge Street had not been opened to the Bay. It gained the name of St. Paul’s Road after St. Paul’s Church had been erected near its present site, and the citizens of Toronto had been amazed at the engineering feat of raising the steeple of the new church In one day. Its later title of Sydenham Road commemorated the first Governor of the United Canada, while the present name is a memorial to one of the most popular citizens of the early days of Toronto of old.

Regent Park,

By On January 25, 2017 In City of Toronto, John Tory With Comments Off on Regent Park, Permanent Link to Regent Park,Permalink

 

https://www.thestar.com/news/city_hall/2017/01/14/108m-sought-to-get-regent-park-rentals-built.html <– full story

Toronto is inviting senior governments to a “conversation” about how they can help fund the third phase of the successful, but costly, Regent Park revitalization.

Mayor John Tory, councillors Pam McConnell, who represents Regent Park, and Ana Bailão, the city’s housing advocate, make the case for provincial and federal help in a letter dated Thursday and obtained by the Star.

“The plans to expedite the complete of Phase 3 are ambitious and require creative financial solutions to bring them to life,” they wrote to local MPP Glen Murray, Ontario’s environment minister, and local MP Bill Morneau, the federal finance minister.

“Any delay in proceeding with the current construction schedule for Regent Park revitalization will disrupt the momentum that has been built and demoralize the tenants who are waiting to return to new units.”

The redevelopment of what had become a troubled 69-acre Toronto Community Housing project started in 2005. TCH and lead developer Daniels Corp. are reaching the midpoint of its five-phase remake into a vibrant, mixed-income neighbourhood of condos, rental units, sports and community facilities, retail and more.

Phase 3 includes construction of 637 replacement rental units in four buildings, two of which are under construction, and the Regent Park Athletic Grounds that opened last summer. The cost, excluding some Daniels buildings to come later, is $256 million.

Toronto is $108 million short, prompting the letter.

PodShare, a coliving experiment

By On January 10, 2017 In City of Toronto, Urban communal living With Comments Off on PodShare, a coliving experiment Permanent Link to PodShare, a coliving experimentPermalink

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An amazing blog about small space living. https://faircompanies.com/

All text the site,

Calling it “a social network with an address”, Los Angeles entrepreneur Elvina Beck created PodShare, http://podshare.co/ a coliving experiment where dozens of “Podestrians”- travelers, mobile workers or new arrivals to the city- share a communal space filled with sleeping pods or “bunk beds for adults”.
Beck, who built the first PodShare in 2012 with her father, wanted to respond to her demographic’s rejection of widespread home ownership and embrace of the sharing economy. She set out to transform the American bunk bed, creating a more open (and co-ed) version of the Japanese capsule hotels.
For $40 to $50 per night (or discounted weekly and monthly prices), Podestrians can choose a bottom or top sleeping pod (equipped with a lamp and a small flatscreen television with Internet access) along with all the shared spaces, including a kitchen (with communal food, and space for individual storage in the pantry and fridge), bathroom, showers (toiletries included) and a communal lounge.
Currently, there are 3 locations in Los Angeles, but Beck sees the model as scalable across the country and, similar to a gym, members could have overnight access at any location.
PodShare doesn’t own any of the locations, but instead rents empty space from landlords. http://podshare.co/

Torstar has a interesting story on the Union Lofts church condo conversion, by one of the paper most hawkish reporters

By On November 21, 2016 In City of Toronto With Comments Off on Torstar has a interesting story on the Union Lofts church condo conversion, by one of the paper most hawkish reporters Permanent Link to Torstar has a interesting story on the Union Lofts church condo conversion, by one of the paper most hawkish reportersPermalink

 

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Full Torstar story here, a bit below,

a older post on this blog on the project here

Buyers in the Union Lofts church-condo conversion waited through years of construction delays only to be told their purchases were cancelled. Now the developer is reselling at a higher price.

Although the original purchasers of Union Lofts are getting first right of refusal and a $20,000 discount off the new offering, one buyer said he expects his unit will have a price tag more than $100,000 above what he paid.

Buyers need to know if the builder has an out if it can’t complete the project.

“There’s some escape clauses in the agreement, which are there to protect both the builder and the purchasers against certain situations that can happen,” said lawyer Ted Charney, who specializes in real estate class-action suits.

Sometimes those clauses are abused.

“But, in other circumstances, if the clause is in the agreement and it was properly negotiated and it was relied on in circumstances where it legitimately should be, one of the risks of buying these condos is, years down the road, you could just end up with your money back,” Charney said.

The developer, http://www.unionlofts.ca/,

Union Lofts combines the old and the progressively new in the coveted west-side neighbourhood of Toronto. In this project, Windmill repurposes a former Church into 40 contemporary units infusing a new, modern style to compliment the heritage architecture of the legendary community. logo_en_windmill

The existing building is retrofitted to the highest green standards of healthy living, designed not only to stand the test of time but also to defy the high energy costs of the future.

The companies web site

Windmill Development Group (“Windmill”) is a visionary company dedicated to transforming conventional development practices by using a triple bottom line approach to our projects. This ensures that strong ecological, social and financial returns are achieved in all of our projects. Everything that we do is conceived, designed and constructed to protect and enhance the local community and its ecosystems.  We harness innovations in land use, water, air, energy, design, waste management and smart building technologies to create healthy, high-performance green buildings and communities.

Continue Reading →

Junction Heritage Conservation District really needs more Community involvement

By On November 18, 2016 In City of Toronto, Junction Heritage Conservation District (community group) With Comments Off on Junction Heritage Conservation District really needs more Community involvement Permanent Link to Junction Heritage Conservation District really needs more Community involvementPermalink
Junction Heritage Conservation District Life by the Rails and on the Avenue

Click image graphic to visit their site

 

 

The Junction HCD group has regularly been holding meeting and maintaining a web site to establish heritage preservation in the Junction.

They need more Community involvement.
Dedicated to heritage preservation in the Junction

Below the break their 3 September 2015 Etobicoke York Community Council

Continue Reading →

Steam cleaning city poles

By On November 3, 2016 In City of Toronto With Comments Off on Steam cleaning city poles Permanent Link to Steam cleaning city polesPermalink

Why are other areas of the city, receiving so much more money than the Junction for infastucture.

By On October 25, 2016 In 200 Vine Ave, Annette Recreation Centre, City of Toronto, Malta Park, The Junction With Comments Off on Why are other areas of the city, receiving so much more money than the Junction for infastucture. Permanent Link to Why are other areas of the city, receiving so much more money than the Junction for infastucture.Permalink

Regent park is over 50 percent completed in its  revitalization,  with large tracts of community house being built in smaller sections of market rate housing.  At the beginning of the video through the below easy block 23 of the Daniels corporation,  A small block consisting of market rate homes starting at 1.2 million.

Just up the street in a bit to the right and being close to Nelson Mandela public-school is a high-rise long also developed by the just up the street in a bit to the right and being close to Nelson Mandela public-school is a high-rise block also developed by  The Daniels corporation.  The Daniels corporation is developing both the community housing in the private housing in the area. The quality and design of the Daniels Corporation  development layout and building construction  In subsidized and market rate housing  is exceptional.

The community funds the Daniels Corporation  is required to contribute to community structures and spaces in the area as part of their agreement to be the master developer of the Regent Park  revitalization,  are what is really revitalize you the area.

However the Daniels community funds as required by the city,  commonly referred to as  commonly referred to section 37 funds,  we are not the only major contributing funds to the redevelopment spending spree on community spaces buildings and ongoing activities.

The MLSE Foundation  has  contribute a large amount towards the region are green space and sports green.

…but I live in the Junction, why should I care about all this

image

 

Simply because the Junction community buildings and cultural spaces are outmoded and thread bear. In no way can any of the parks, recreation centres service the current situation and needs of the community. And as This blog author travels non stop accross the city to community building and municipal public use space, I rattle.  The Annette recreation centre (1972) does not have an older adult room nor a  Multi use room for the community. The junction has an unused police station but a few number of people have worked diligently to the community use what do you just not have neede The junction has an unused police station but a few number of people have worked diligently to the community use,  but they have just not had the support needed. Well in in Parkdale area, the community  has taken control and retrofitted to older use buildings,  One being the w being the Walbash Building.

As the system of section 37 funds disbursement into the areas only adjacent to the real estate development providing the funds, sp disbursement into the areas only adjacent to the real estate development providing the funds,  section 37 does not work.

But section 37 funds are not the only way for community to revitalize itself, community groups with directed intention and solicit funds to greater magnitude the most people expect from foundations,  at higher levels of government. As this happens in good measure in the area such as Regent Park, North Bathurst, Cork Town and more, and the Junction  in the Junction triangle lag significantly in  receiving this funny.

This post is getting a bit long, but the Junction is a great community, and does not need to settle for less.

Contruction in Regent Park today.

 

 

 

 

 

London UK Artists fight to save one of London’s last studio colonies from development

By On October 22, 2016 In ART, City of Toronto, The Junction With Comments Off on London UK Artists fight to save one of London’s last studio colonies from development Permanent Link to London UK Artists fight to save one of London’s last studio colonies from developmentPermalink

An article from the www.theguardian.com site copylefted

Artists study City of London UK / click image to download report

Artists study City of London UK / click image to download report

Artists, craftspeople and fashion designers in one of London’s largest remaining studio colonies are fighting plans to bulldoze their premises and replace them with almost 1,400 mostly luxury apartments.
In a new frontline in the battle against the capital’s gentrification, housing giant Berkeley Homes has applied for planning permission to demolish studios on a former gas works site in Fulham in southwest London, which is currently used by more than 200 businesses in the creative industries.
Tenants opposed to what they describe as a Dubai-style development of blocks rising to 27 storeys include one of the Duchess of Cambridge’s favourite fashion designers, Pepa Gonzalez, who has made clothes for Prince George and Princess Charlotte; and Julius Schoonhoven, a leading clockmaker who works for the National Trust and the Royal Palaces.
The affected businesses include fine artists, architects and designers and have a combined multi-million pound turnover.

The bubble that turned into a tide: how London got hooked on gentrification

Read more

The dispute is set to test a manifesto promise made in May by London mayor Sadiq Khan to “protect London’s workspaces and venues threatened by encroaching development”. The plans are set to go before the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham’s planning committee in the coming months and Khan’s spokesman said it would “inappropriate to comment while this is still a live case”.
The threat to the studios is not an isolated case. Between 2014 and 2019, 3,500 artists were predicted to lose their places of work in London – a 30% cut, according to a report by the Greater London Authority.
The temptation to replace them with private housing is strong for developers. The artists pay as little as £500 a month in rent, but Berkeley Homes is currently selling three bedroom apartments for £6m at a neighbouring site, Chelsea Creek.

The stories you need to read, in one handy email
The housebuilder’s founder and chairman, Tony Pidgley, earned £21.5m last year.
But on a visit by the Guardian this week, the tenants argued they form a vital part of London’s creative industries sector, which provides one in eight jobs in London.
Fashion designers described how they manufacture clothes in other parts of the capital while fine art and furniture restorers said they worked for Sotheby’s and major galleries. They are likely to face eviction next year.

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2016/oct/22/artists-fight-to-save-one-of-londons-last-studio-colonies-from-development

Below is a link to the Artist Work Space study from the City of London UK

https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/artists_workspace_study_september2014_reva_web_0.pdf

and below here is a link to the  Artist Work Space study from the City of London UK named artists_workspace_study_september2014_reva_web_0

stored at this blog

http://www.junctioneer.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/artists_workspace_study_september2014_reva_web_0.pdf

 

The future memory heartbreak junction:

By On October 16, 2016 In ART, City of Toronto With Comments Off on The future memory heartbreak junction: Permanent Link to The future memory heartbreak junction:Permalink

https://vimeo.com/susannahoodhum

127020
Sensual and cinematic, The future memory heartbreak junction – diptych, is an analysis of archetypes surrounding fatal love, the ecstatic psyche of performer, and the pleasure/pain reflex. This work exposes the compulsive nature of the heart, the blind-siding effects of love, and the heartbreak of loyalty within loss.
The solo reveals a torch singer, a woman trapped in a mysterious landscape reliving a lifetime of heartbreaks and triumphs. A detailed character study and an exploration of repetition, the solo is, quite simply, a tour de force from Sasha Ivanochko, one of Canada’s most accomplished performers. The solo and duet premiered on November 4, 2010 at the Enwave Theatre in Toronto as part of Danceworks Mainstage series.

About

Susanna Hood
I am a choreographer and performer in dance and music and the Artistic Director of hum dansoundart a dance-based interdisciplinary performance company that focuses on the integration of dance, music, and theatre to create powerfully transformative performance work.
External Links
www.humdansoundart.ca

https://vimeo.com/susannahoodhum

 

 

Energy use at Vine Ave playground and Malta Park

By On September 14, 2016 In 200 Vine Ave, Malta Park, The Junction, Vine Ave Parkette, Vine Parkette With 1 Comment Permanent Link to Energy use at Vine Ave playground and Malta ParkPermalink

 

In the Junction Vine Ave playground use the most electricity per year, while Malta Park use 11 times less electrical energy

 

Operation Name Malta Park
Address 3187 Dundas St W
Electricity (kWh) 453

Operation Name Vine Avenue Playground
Address 200 Vine Av
Electricity (kWh) 5,447

GHG Emissions (Kg) 463

Total Energy Energy (GJ) 20

The great TTC

By On August 15, 2016 In All Wards, Councillor Cesar Palacio, Councillor Di Giorgio, Councillor Doucette, Councillor Frances Nunziata, Councillor Perks, John Tory, Transit, Transportation, TTC With Comments Off on The great TTC Permanent Link to The great TTCPermalink

Sunday August 24th 2016


TTC information host, why cut funds to public service that understands it needs to go this far.

Video of Metrolinx Davenport Diamond Meeting: 2016-04-27

By On June 29, 2016 In Councillor Ana Bailão, Councillor Cesar Palacio, Councillor Doucette, Councillor Frances Nunziata, Councillor Perks, Junction Triangle, Metrolinx, North Junction, Ontario Goverment, Parking, Railways, South Junction Triangle, Transit, Transportation, TTC, Upper Junction, Ward 11 (York South-Weston}, Ward 13 (Parkdale-High Park), Ward 14 – (Parkdale-High Park), Ward 17 Davenport, Ward 19 - Trinity-Spadina, West Bend With Comments Off on Video of Metrolinx Davenport Diamond Meeting: 2016-04-27 Permanent Link to Video of Metrolinx Davenport Diamond Meeting: 2016-04-27Permalink

Metrolinx Davenport Diamond Meeting: 2016-04-27

Published on Apr 28, 2016

A mostly complete video of Metrolinx’s meeting regarding the Davenport Diamond Grade Separation on April 27 2016, at St. Sebastien Catholic School 

by Vic Gedris.

Parkdale Residents Association concerned about The Ex grounds, so glad they are making an effort on this deep problem.

By On June 27, 2016 In City of Toronto, Councillor Doucette, Councillor Perks, Councillor Peter Milczyn, Exhibition Place, The Junction, Ward 13 (Parkdale-High Park), ward-12--york-south-weston, ward-14--parkdale-high-park With Comments Off on Parkdale Residents Association concerned about The Ex grounds, so glad they are making an effort on this deep problem. Permanent Link to Parkdale Residents Association concerned about The Ex grounds, so glad they are making an effort on this deep problem.Permalink

A few mths ago I started a blog about the destruction of public use of the Exhibition Grounds. I never got around to finishing it, yes my bad, but I did get pictures.
And now the Parkdale Residents Association have put out some real good info on the situation,

 

 


All text below from

The Parkdale Residents Association (PRA) is very concerned about what is happening at the South end of Parkdale.
Exhibition Place (EP) is a City-owned regional amenity of extremely high public value, comprised of 192-acres in the core of one of North America’s largest cities.

As Toronto’s population continues to grow and the City becomes increasingly developed, Exhibition Place has the unparalleled potential to offer the residents of Parkdale, Liberty Village and all Toronto access to much-needed open green space.
But this potential is under threat.

Recent events indicate that, under the problematic direction of the Exhibition Place Board of Governors, the City is in grave danger of losing much of this valuable open green space amenity for future generations.
The case of MUZIK is a particularly egregious case-in point. Unbelievably, the Board has proposed an Official Plan Amendment (OPA) that would extend the lease period of MUZIK beyond the current 21-year limit to allow the lease to extend to 2034 (!).

The proposed means of extending the lease period is to *change the designation of the lands in the Westerly portion of Exhibition Place from ‘park/open space’ to ‘rejuvenation area’*—in other words, *to remove public open space in order that private businesses may benefit from public assets indefinitely into the future*.

Attend the once annual Exhibition Place Community Liaison Committee Meeting to have your interests and opinions heard.


Date: Monday, June 27th

Time: 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 pm

Place: FountainBlu – Queen Elizabeth Building, Exhibition Place, 

190 Princes’ Blvd

 

Today public use meeting an extremely important save the EX for the community meeting

By On June 27, 2016 In City of Toronto, Councillor Doucette, Councillor Perks, Councillor Peter Milczyn, Exhibition Place, The Junction, Ward 13 (Parkdale-High Park), ward-12--york-south-weston, ward-14--parkdale-high-park With Comments Off on Today public use meeting an extremely important save the EX for the community meeting Permanent Link to Today public use meeting an extremely important save the EX for the community meetingPermalink

 

see this post for complete details 


Attend the once annual Exhibition Place Community Liaison Committee Meeting to have your interests and opinions heard.


Date: Monday, June 27th

Time: 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 pm

Place: FountainBlu – Queen Elizabeth Building, Exhibition Place, 

190 Princes’ Blvd

 

The Junction is just feet out of the cities proposed cordon car travel tax area, meaning junction people will be taxed to drive into the city core.

By On June 25, 2016 In City of Toronto With Comments Off on The Junction is just feet out of the cities proposed cordon car travel tax area, meaning junction people will be taxed to drive into the city core. Permanent Link to The Junction is just feet out of the cities proposed cordon car travel tax area, meaning junction people will be taxed to drive into the city core.Permalink

The CP Rail corridor near Dupont St. to the north,is the west / north beginning of the fee applied to vehicles entering or exiting, feet from the widely accepted Junction demarcation line.

The Junction retail strip  least to Malta park should be included the cordon area, for the Junction economic future. as the line exists now cars will be charged to come into the Junction from the city core . and charged to leave the Junction into the city core

 

A “cordon” fee applied to vehicles entering or exiting a predetermined area during a certain time period has the potential to generate substantial revenue. The report defines Toronto’s downtown cordon zone as Bathurst St. to the west, the CP Rail corridor near Dupont St. to the north, Bayview Ave./Don River to the east, and Lake Ontario to the south. Cordons, or congestion zones, are increasingly common worldwide and, despite initial “mixed consensus,” have generally received positive public support after implementation.

Congestion tax

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