Showing posts with label Ward 13 - Parkdale-High Park. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ward 13 - Parkdale-High Park. Show all posts

Friday, October 23, 2009

Parking meter removed today in relation to new High Park traffic lights

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Park link employees remove the  Parking meter today in front of the chocolate shop. Speaking to a few business  owners near the intersection, it is clear they like the lights.

The only change some would like is the placement back in use of a couple of the parking spots on the north side  to slow traffic - some of which uses the most north lane as a passing lane when exiting the lights.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Ribbon-cutting ceremony, Dundas High Park Ave traffic lights

[caption id="attachment_5390" align="aligncenter" width="473" caption="Pascal Abboud chair of the Junction BIA with Councillor Bill Saundercook and Martin Lennox of the JRA cutting the ribbon"]Councillor Bill Saundercook and Martin Lennox of the JRA with Pascal Abboud chair of the Junction BIA cutting the ribbon[/caption]

The ribbon cutting ceremony for the new traffic lights at was held today at lights with Councillor Bill Saundercook and Martin Lennox of the Junction Residents Association along with Pascal Abboud chair of the Junction BIA cutting the ribbon.

Of note in the new lights enlivened intersection our the are the zebra strips painted on the roadway in the pedestrian crossing area. When speaking to one the City of Toronto raffic light designers at the ceremony the blog was told that one of the occurring issues at "T" intersections is the need for left turning cars drivers to be aware of   pedestrians crossing the roadway.

Take a cross at the intersection now and get a feel of how the lights have knitted the intersection further into the Dundas st west streetscape.

While the blog has been promoting   this event for a while now, everyone should know that Bea Mozdzanowski Constituency Assistant to Mr  Saundercook, has kept the blog and  this author up to date on the city timeline for the lights arranging a multiple of necessary items for the event to happen.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

The Dundas St W and High Park Ave intersection are working - turned on about 11:15am

[caption id="attachment_5366" align="aligncenter" width="473" caption="The lights in the final testing stage minutes before being turned on"]high park lights 041[/caption]




[caption id="attachment_5367" align="aligncenter" width="473" caption="The 1st cars enter the now working intersection"]The 1st cars enter the now working intersection[/caption]

The lights are working now  and right away people have started to use them to cross Dundas St West, and by standing around It could see that they were using them to move between the retail stores on the north and south sides of Dundas St West with much greater ease.

Before the traffic lights were working -  to cross safely people had to cross at Pacific Ave. or Clendenan Avenue Ave., 1 block to the east and two blocks to the west.  An action that reduced the flow  of pedestrian traffic acrros  Dundas St. and probably reduced the sales for many merchants.

While these lights were motioned and brought into reality at city council by the local Councillor, they are also the result of many requests and a need expressed by business and members of the community, so come and make some requests to Councillor Bill Saundercook.

Why should you come to the ceremony? The lights are an new important element to the street scape and usability of the Junction retail strip. Part of the function of your attending the opening will communicate to the Councillor and the city transportation services that not only do you appreciate their efforts - but that the Junction community wants more efforts expended by the city on the The Junction.

Ribbon-cutting ceremony, in celebration of the installation of the traffic lights, to be held on Oct 14th ‘09 at 8:30 am at the corner of Dundas St W and High Park Ave.:

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

The Dundas St W and High Park Ave intersection ribbon-cutting ceremony Thurs Oct 14th at 8:30 am at the corner of Dundas St W and High Park Ave.




Just over a month and half  ago as the traffic lights started to go in at Dundas St W and High Park Ave, and all the talk that started to accompany the construction start -  Councillor Saundercook's office was approached about having a light start up ribbon cutting. The Councillors local assistant (Bea Mozdzanski) quickly started the ball rolling.

Now with the lights becoming operational on Thursday Oct 8th, a ribbon-cutting ceremony, in celebration of the installation of the traffic lights, to be held on Oct 14th '09 at 8:30 am at the corner of Dundas St W and High Park Ave.

Why

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Gerard Kennedy Seeks Director of Community Outreach

its-your-junction-with-jra-portal

The office of MP Gerard Kennedy has posted this call for a Director of Community Outreach:

Position Title: Director of Community Outreach
Location: Toronto

Function: Political/Community/Administrative

New/Replacement: New

GENERAL

Reporting to Gerard Kennedy, MP, the Director of Community Outreach is responsible for engaging Parkdale-High Park community organizations and the public-at-large by acting as a liaison, organizing meetings, events and advocacy campaigns, and creating a variety of different types of communications.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Work with groups (local, business, resident/tenants, ethnic, religious, service, arts, issue oriented, etc.) in the community on federal issues; supervise and support a diverse volunteer team to: organize meetings, special events, and campaigns on specific issues; manage correspondence and appointments in the community; represent the MP at community functions that he cannot attend; create content for newsletters, websites and bulletins; achieve publicity in local and regional media.

SKILLS REQUIRED

Monday, December 29, 2008

Green13 Earth Hour Saturday March 28th 2009

West Toronto environmental action group Green13 is holding a earth hour on Saturday March 28th 2009.

...also they are having there next meeting at 7 pm on Tuesday, January 6th at the West Toronto Baptist Church, 3049 Dundas Street West.

Below is their information notice. (Please Note they would like people to RSVP contact info listed below)

Greetings,



Green13 would like to invite you and members of your organization to attend a meeting to discuss Earth Hour 2009, planned for Saturday March 28th. As you will hopefully recall, Earth Hour 2008 was a tremendous success, particularly so in our community as an estimated 500 people participated in a candle-light walk through Bloor West Village. We would like to make this year’s event an even greater success!



Some ideas that have already come up include further involvement of youth and schools, additional participation from local businesses, incorporating an advocacy component into Earth Hour and organizing a town hall meeting to discuss ongoing environmental initiatives and community participation.



We would very much like to hear your thoughts on how we can expand Earth Hour to include a number of events and reach even more members of our community.



We are holding our planning meeting at 7 pm on Tuesday, January 6th at the West Toronto Baptist Church, 3049 Dundas Street West. The meeting location is wheelchair accessible. Please let us know if you are able to attend, or if you are part of a group, if a colleague will be able to attend. We are striving to make Earth Hour 2009 as inclusive and successful as possible, and we need your help to do it!



If you have any questions and to RSVP please contact Chris Holcroft at Chris_Holcroft@yahoo.com or 416-996-0767.



Thank you!



Green13

Monday, December 22, 2008

400 KEELE ST Sign Permit update

Click image for full size view

[caption id="attachment_1865" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Drawing of sign details - click image for full size view"]Drawing of sign details - click image for full size view[/caption]

Project update: Toronto parking Auth. plan for new sign at 400 Keele Street. Lot

Sign Permit; 400 KEELE ST

Aplliction #:08 231093 SGN 00 SP

Proposal to remove one existing four-sided pedestal sign and erect one single-sided third party, illuminated billboard ground sign 10' x 20' (18.68m2) on South-East corner

The existing 4 sided column will not be replaced by the new 2 sided column as previously indicated.  Instead the small scale 4 sided column be replaced with an “Illuminated, Tri-Vision Ground Sign” which translates into a 20 foot high billboard.

I fail to see how this meets the programs directive to improve “overall aesthetics” and “reduce the overall square footage of the advertising space”

Sign Variance - 400 Keele St Oct 08 [link opens in new window]

submitted by Martin Lennox

1st post of this subject on the blog

Toronto parking Auth. plan for new sign at 400 Keele St. Lot

Thursday, December 11, 2008

THE COURTYARD HOUSE a laneway house in the Junction :-)





Picture credit Robert Jan. 2008

THE COURTYARD HOUSE in the Junction is hopefully an important progenitor house, which will found additional infill laneway housing and live-work in the Junction laneways . This a house , making full use of the lane, just look how the entryway pulls the lane in . It doesn't "live" within the lane as many lane-way houses do in Toronto, rather it transforms the lane into a public activity space, all without destroying the essence of the lane.

Right now the poppytalk blog has some interesting interior shots of the house and further information about it THE COURTYARD HOUSE at poppytalk blog [opens in new window]

Posted by Robert

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

Tanker cars derail on CPR Tracks in the Junction





Without going near the occurrence it appears at least four tanker cars have derailed on the CPR Track north of Mc Murray Ave and Vine Parkette. The car pictured above is directly across from the parkette. The CPR quickly had crews working to contain the small fluid leak and upright the cars. It's now 2:34 pm and they continue to work on the situation

Update 5pm CPR was running  two engines accoss the affected track, seemingly to test thier state, then the final crew members departed.  

Posted by Robert

CPR's Holiday Train recap


""Beautiful!" "Cool!"and "Brilliant!" were just some of the comments from the hundred and hundreds of spectators as the CPR's Holiday Train


rolled into the old iron yard at 87 Ethel ave last night.  This is the tenth anniversary for the spectacularly lit train which is making its way through six of our provinces.  The goal is to raise food and money, as well as awareness for local food banks.  It is important to note that all donations collected in a community remain in that community for local distribution.


 


There was a collective "ahhhh" as the steel side of the middle car lowered to reveal none other than Old St.Nick crooning his heart out.  Move over Brian Johnson...Santa Clause has come to town!  Holiday spirit was high as Tracey Brown, Randall Prescott as well as other very talented musicians took to the stage and rocked the yard.  Toes were tapping, people danced and sang, children bobbed on adult shoulders, councillors handed out donuts (which were generously donated by Tim Hortons).


In short, a good time was had by all!  It was the perfect way to start the holiday season.


Thank you CP Rail for spreading the good cheer.  And thank you, councillor Saundercook.  It is my understanding that you were instrumental in bringing the train to the Junction.  Hopefully word of mouth will spread about this captivating show and we'll see the crowd grow next year.


I  hope that it becomes an annual event for our neighborhood. And how appropriate, given our history!!


Posted by Linda Clements


Co-Chair


Junction Residents Association



Monday, December 1, 2008

CPR Canadian Holiday Train Visits Junction


Tomorrow Today December 2  2008






The train which is traveling across the country will to raise food, money and awareness for local food banks. Bring your cash and food donations and support your local food bank.



Just remember these are very short stops being 30 minutes only

Tuesday, December 2





  • Junction stop Toronto – 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. – 87 Ethel Avenue, adjacent to RONA


    and if you cannot make that the closest next stop is
    Vaughan – 9:00 to 9:30 p.m. – Northwest corner of CP Vaughan Intermodal Yard andNashville Road

Thursday, November 27, 2008

Dundas Street West and High Park Avenue– Traffic Control Signals





Etobicoke York Community Council has recommended that City Council approve the installation of traffic control signals (traffic lights) at the intersection of Dundas Street West and High Park Avenue.

This seems to be how the process works - Community Council approves the effort and requests the City Council to stamp it. The background file lists a price of $130,000.00 to intsall the lights.

Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) have not objected.

Background Information

October 24, 2008 report

(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2008/ey/bgrd/backgroundfile-16878.pdf)

Attachment map

(http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2008/ey/bgrd/backgroundfile-16879.pdf)

posted by Robert

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

CPR Holiday Train comes to the Junction



From what we have gathered this is the ONLY City of Toronto Stop.

In addition it's an all Junction event, just think... stand next to a train.. what else is the Junction lore about?

Posted by Robert

Picture credit junctionartsfest blogspot and

with informaton provided by Councillor Bill Saundercook's office

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Victoria Royce Presbyterian Church city staff report

A reader of the blog Hamish was Kind enough to post the cities link to the Victoria Royce Church ...Approval of Alterations to a Heritage Property ( which is great because it's really difficult to troll thought the cities web site looking for information - thanks)

152 Annette Street (Victoria Royce Church) - Approval of Alterations to a Heritage Property and Intention to Designate, Part IV, Section 29, Ontario Heritage Act

The report recommends that City Council approve the alterations to the heritage property considering it a well considered example of adaptive reuse and incorporation of a heritage building as the focal point of a development project. Moreover city Staff view the project as preserving significant architectural elements of the church with minor modifications that are necessary for its new functional use.

City staff report details about what is happening to the building.

The project converts the existing historic church and the attached school structure to
residential use. The project would also sever the portion of the lot containing the manse
structure from the project site for private sale. The adaptive reuse project would add 34
residential units with 22 below grade parking spaces. The new uses would be fully
contained within the existing building footprint. The project would add only an
approximately 270 square metre one story rooftop penthouse atop the school structure
(with appropriate setback) and a sub-grade parking level below the church.
The project would conserve significant architectural elements of the church and ancillary
school structure. The conservation objectives for the church are herein stated as:
1) Minimal intervention in the masonry of the church building as only eight small
new openings are proposed at the tower.
2) Minimal intervention in the massing of the church building as the project does not
change the building envelope of the church structure
3)Minimal intervention at the roof as disturbance of the roof plane is minimized by
the use of discrete reverse roof dormer elements.
4)Restoration of Masonry
5) Preservation of smaller leaded windows, large arched openings and exterior light
fixtures.
6)Retention of tower entry features adapted to the new residential use
8) Revisions to flashing and rain ware to reduce future deterioration of the masonry
due to identified sources of water flow and infiltration.
9)Although the Interior is not part of the reasons for designation, the project would also:
10)Retain the existing interior hammer beam structure.
Preserve and re-use offsite the stained glass windows, organ and other elements
such as pews, grates, etc.
11)At the ancillary school structure, the project would:
12)Restore the masonry and retain and repair existing stone elements
13)Carefully dismantle and then rebuild the Arts and Crafts entrance vestibule
according to documentation.
14)Approximate retention of existing window openings with minor changes due to
changed type of use occupancy.

Reading through all this this it can be summed up Revitalization both programmatically and physically of the heritage structure is a primary objective of the proposal.

For the community it can be read as a Church being coverted into homes, each person in the community needs to think about that personally as to their view concerning this type of building reuse as it remove the church road feeling in this of Annette St. Yet the Junction does receive additional density in people and homes from this development which is something it greatly needs.

posted bt Robert

Each and every day multiple hours I miss Matt and Nate

 He’s really does not answer my questions about Matt and Nate, No way, they know the truth