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Welcome to new subscribers!
In this issue:
1. HUMBER ODEON BLOCK: Many questions hang over the not-yet-announced development of the “Humber block” on Bloor St. As first noted by world19, and little discussed elsewhere, the original development plan for the site of the old Humber Theatre (a 10 story condo) is likely off the table, as a new, and still unidentified owner has bought that property from the notorious Wynn family, as well as the entire block from the theatre west to Riverview Gardens.
We have heard new rumours about the purchaser/developer, but have not been able to confirm information. Meanwhile, retail and other businesses on that block whose continuation there is obviously temporary, are languishing. (The large, former Blockbuster / Fabricland outlet still stands empty; Billy Bob’s remains dark, although the basement sports bar is still open, and of course, the old movie theatre continues to look shabby).
At the same time, rumours persist that all or some of the Old Mill car dealership property has been sold for development.
Clearly something is happening but nobody knows what or when. The
situation raises many questions including:
Some food for thought… Perhaps these are some of things that could be discussed at the upcoming BWVRA meeting (see below)
2. UPCOMING EVENTS:
a) BWVRA: “Bloor West Village:
Present and Future” – Apr. 30 The meeting will feature Christopher Hume, the Toronto Star’s Urban Affairs and Design columnist and Jennifer Keesmat of the Office for Urbanism. Hume recently toured the Village, and Keesmat will present portions of the “Bloor West Village Urban Design Study”, which she co-authored. The purpose of the study was to provide direction for anticipated changes due to development along Bloor. The study identified the unique aspects of the Village and noted the properties most likely to be re-developed. The report set out guidelines, developed along with a citizens’ panel, for future developments. This type of study is intended to fill in the gaps in the City’s Official Plan which covers Toronto in broad strokes only. It is hoped that a pro-active approach by the residents can result in guidelines for future development that will carry weight will the OMB. NOTE: world19 participated in the Bloor West Design Study, and a PDF copy of this study can be downloaded from http://world19.com/bwv_report.pdf (Warning: it's 9mb). Runnymede
United Church, 432 Runnymede Road For more information about the meeting, visit http://bwvra.ca/
b) RMRA: “Living with Urban Pollution and Strategies for Survival” –
Apr. 29
Fern Avenue Public School For more info about the RMRA, visit their website: http://www.rmra-to.org/
c) Launch of Urban Nation by
Alan Broadbent – May 8 To realize such goals, Broadbent argues, the federal and provincial governments must create a space at the governing table for their municipal counterparts. Hosted by the Toronto Star’s Christopher Hume, it will feature opening remarks by Mayor David Miller. Part of the “This Is Not A Reading Series” event presented by Pages Books & Magazines, HarperCollins Canada and EYE Weekly. For more information, see: http://www.ideasthatmatter.com/cities/
Gladstone Hotel,
1214 Queen St. W., (just east of Dufferin). In the Ballroom (main
floor)
d) Plants and more plants: A reminder of two other upcoming events listed in our previous newsletter:
May 4: High Park
Native Plant sale & book launch For more details see: www.world19.com
3. WESTERN WATERFRONT: Public input sought The City has initiated a process to “revitalize the public realm along the Western Waterfront” (from Marilyn Bell Park by the CNE to the Humber River). This entails a review of infrastructure, connections with surrounding neighbourhoods, parkland amenities, accessibility, and road, pedestrian and cycling facilities.
Background to, and details about the process are available on the city website: http://www.toronto.ca/waterfront/wwmp.htm
The city has been soliciting public input, most recently at a public meeting held April 3 which outlined alternative approaches in a number of areas: Transportation, Facilities, Shoreline, Recreation, Natural Heritage and Stormwater Management. Outlines of the alternatives and possibilities are presented in the presentation given at that meeting. You can download it as a 5.5mb PDF file: http://tinyurl.com/3l9uvz.
You
can indicate your preferences on some or all of the alternatives
presented by completing and submitting feedback forms by May 4.
Those forms can be downloaded (PDF format):
1.
Overview of Alternatives:
2.
Overview of Potential Park Activiites and Features:
Contact information is on the forms. They can be returned by mail, fax or scanned and emailed.
4. A TREE IN THE VILLAGE Last Wednesday’s Globe & Mail featured a column by John Barber discussing two magnificent and ancient trees that have both (somewhat miraculously) survived the threat of living in a dense urban environment. One, a 300 year old white oak is located on Jane St. at Weatherell (2 blocks north of Bloor). Here is an article about it, written by local historian Madeleine McDowell: http://www.sunarts.ca/pdf/Great_White_Oak_Article.pdf
An excerpt: The oak was a sapling when the French built their second trading fort, Fort Toronto, in 1749 at the foot of the portage on which the tree stands. It was part of the forest canopy by 1764 when Alexander Henry passed by with a group of Mississaugas on their way to Fort Niagara. It was a maturing tree when fur trader Benjamin Frobisher traveled through the area recommending in a 1784 report that the Northwest Company use the Carrying Place as the preferred route to the West.
5. SPACING MAGAZINE Spacing has just published its new issue, focused on the theme, “The Car & The City”. We continue to be impressed with the quality and content of this magazine which covers urban issues in general, and Toronto in particular.
Its website (www.spacing.ca/wire) is an excellent source of information and discussion on the urban joys and reality of Toronto (they also recently launched a Montreal page as well). We highly recommend both the online and print publications. (Spacing’s publisher, Matthew Blackett was one of the panelists at our October public forum on Toronto).
Some notes from their website about their purpose: Public space is at the heart of democracy. It’s where people interact, teach, learn, participate, and protest. …Imaginative and passionate city-dwellers worldwide — and in Toronto in particular — appreciate the endless possibilities that cities can offer… We launched Spacing in December 2003 to cover the numerous political, cultural, and social issues affecting our lives in the public realm. We want the magazine to be an integral, independent, and unique voice that brings to life the joys and obstacles surrounding Toronto’s public spaces. The magazine – now published three times per year – recently launched a campaign to double its subscription base, in order to increase its publishing frequency. We highly recommend the magazine, and encourage readers interested in Toronto and urban life and issues in general to consider a subscription. Visit www.spacing.ca for more information. (Note: locally, the magazine is available at Book City). Spacing is having an official launch of the magazine issue, May 4th at the Gladstone Hotel. Details at http://spacing.ca/wire/2008/04/25/spacing-release-party-sunday-may-4th/
6. LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL INVOLVEMENT
For world19, Supporting citizen involvement in our community and its future email: mail@world19.com
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