Archive for August, 2016

Sometimes a product is just completely designed well.

In 2013, 

Below in August 2016, looking north from track side of the property.

Below Looking south east  from north extent of the property.

The dip in the ground with the fresh green, is the footprint of the Cadet Cleaners Building. White containers  around the property are part of the cleanup effort.

W

Passing over Queen Street West, the rail bridge will be widened to facilitate an additional track for the Barrie GO corridor, needed to facilitate increased service as part of the GO RER program. Meanwhile, the expanded bridge will also allow for an extension of the West Toronto Railpath, a multi-use “rails to trails” path used by both pedestrians and cyclists.  All text the site 

photo August 15th 2026 click for full size image

This then comes to making it harder for community groups to get funding from the railroads.

Back in the 90’s Jerry McKenzie was the CPR man in charge of keeping  the railroads right of way clear, free of dumped waste and painting of fences in the Junction down to were the track of Toronto Terminal Railways st Union Station.

Jerry was a hard railroad man, but was fair, he always brought up the issue that it was our community dumping stuff over the fence and o to the tracks, and marking up their fences and cars. 

Yet the CPR still indtalled smart start on all the locos, which would stop in the Junction, give 5000 dollars  to the WTHS to do a study of the roundtable. 

And the community needs funds from them now to save as fast as possible  the Junction railroad that is going away so fast.
 

Text from city site,

This scenic and historic park, formerly known as Guildwood Park, is a sculptural sanctuary and has beautiful gardens. It also has an interesting history that reflects famous artists, powerful political figures and contributions made to the art community. Although the park is not open for wedding ceremonies, wedding photography permits are allowed. More info
In 2014 the Guild Park & Gardens Management Plan was prepared to provide the City of Toronto with a comprehensive framework to guide the management of the Guild Park & Gardens.

Revitalization and Development of Restaurant and Banquet Centre Facilities complete details after the continue link

Continue Reading →

A few of these fruit and veg stalls have popped up around Toronto’s downtown core, south of Dundas St. 

They operate long hours, and are much faster when picking up fruit and veg. 

Some information on Mr Clay.

Michael exhibited at various art shows and was invited to become an artist-in-residence at Scarborough’s Guild Inn in 1980. During his 13 years there, he created stone sculpture that is found in public spaces and private collections. He focused primarily on contemporary human and animal forms, working in materials such as limestone, alabaster and serpentine. He collaborated with E.B. Cox on a variety of installations and was commissioned for restoration work for the Canadian Heritage Foundation, museums and governments.

When his marriage ended, his “cottage” at the Guild Inn became Michael’s home, as well as his studio and gallery. It was a hub for artists and friends and the scene of many a bacchanalia. Weekend visits with sons Michael Jr. and Jeremy were filled with camping on the beach at the Scarborough Bluffs, treks in the woods, archery practice, and love. Because Michael never forgot the fear of displacement, his door and his heart were open to anyone who needed a bed, a shower or a beer.
Text From http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/facts-and-arguments/lives-lived-michael-john-clay-60/article17499319/

Scarborough, Ontario | The Guild  | 201 Guildwood Parkway
Commissioned by Spencer Clark, The Guild of All Arts

Intention to Designate Under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act – 68 Baby Point Road
Origin

(August 5, 2016) Report from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning Division
Summary:

This report will recommend that City Council state its intention to designate the property at 68 Baby Point Road under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act.
 
This report will be made available prior to the Toronto Preservation Board meeting of August 25, 2016.

Background Information:

(August 5, 2016) Report from the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning Division – Intention to Designate Under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act – 68 Baby Point Road – Notice of Pending Report

(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2016/pb/bgrd/backgroundfile-95262.pdf)

Abstract, 
This paper examines the factors responsible for the gentrification of The Junction, a west-end neighbourhood located on the edge of downtown Toronto. After years of neglect, degradation and deindustrialization, The Junction is currently in the midst of being gentrified. Through various forms of neighbourhood upgrading and displacement, gentrification has been responsible for turning a number working-class Toronto neighbourhoods into middle-class enclaves. The Junction is unique in this regard because it does not conform to past theoretical perspectives regarding gentrification in Toronto. Through the use of an instrumental case-study, various factors responsible for The Junction’s gentrification are examined and a number of its indicators that are present in the neighbourhood are explored so that a solid understanding regarding the neighbourhood’s gentrification can be realized. What emerges is a form of ‘user-friendly’ or ‘community-driven’ gentrification that places emphasis on neighbourhood revitalization and community inclusion, as opposed to resident displacement and neighbourhood exclusivity. Document analysis, observational fieldwork and twenty-one, one-on-one interviews with various residents, business owners, related professionals and city staff members work together to provide context regarding the neighbourhood’s user-friendly from of gentrification. Although The Junction’s gentrification has not yet reached a state of maturation, the neighbourhood has thus far been able to successfully breakaway from some of the negative narratives associated with the process, replacing them with a form of gentrification that is both inclusive, and community oriented.
Full paper here 

Balzac’s tweeted this interior image on their Twitter account with the following text.

Here’s a peek at our Powerhouse café, coming soon to the Davenport Village neighbourhood of Toronto. Lots to do!
Also Blogto article here 
Thks to blog reader Josh for sending this in.

Compressed air locomotives, use air compressed to between 900 and 1000 PSI to provide the energy to move the wheels of locomotives. The locomotives required a separate charging station capable of delivering the compressed air from a compressor. This example has sat at the Andrew A. Merrilees Company on Old Weston Rd, for many years.

H. K. Porter Company, Inc. (“Porter”) was originally organized in 1866 as Smith & Porter. In 1878 the name was changed to H. K. Porter & Company and in 1899 to H. K. Porter Company. Porter’s early business was primarily in the manufacture and repair of locomotives. In 1926 Porter claimed to be the largest manufacturer of locomotives in the United States.

Note in the upper right hand corner of the above images that the wheels have a rather thick section shaped like a fan, these are part of the wheel balancing design.

The above model is very close in design to the loco sat at Andrew A. Merrilees in the Junction. However the cab design is different, pictured above is a side  door design, while the loco in the Junction has a rear door.

It is the opinion of some local PRN rail staff the large upside down bell jar looking item on top is a pressure release valve, not really sure.

Had to do up a few pages of diagrammatic photo pages detailing how simple HSS box steel and inexpensive I beams can be used to offer great design gains in span and space creation for small width houses. Thought the photos may be of interest to Junction persons who are doing renovations. The method is becoming common in small lot development projects that consist of usually up to ten houses on former small industrial or commercial sites in Torontoad it provides a good deal more internal space then only wood or manufactured wood structural elements.

Renovation using steel in small width house like those in the Junction.