Fort York's New Visitor Centre - Article in the Star

More info on the Fort York Centre in the Toronto Star:

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/article/741720--fort-s-future-linked-to-past

Fort York Visitor Centre Design Competition Viewing

Mayor David Miller and Members of Toronto City Council invite you to view and comment on designs from the finalists of the Fort York Visitor Centre Design Competition at an open house on Friday, December 4 to Sunday, December 6 from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. each day.

The Fort York Visitor Centre, key to the revitalization of Fort York National Historic Site, is scheduled for completion
for the Bicentennial Commemoration of the War of 1812 in June 2012. Five design teams were selected to participate in the competition from a field of 31 who submitted their proposals following a Call
for Expressions of Interest. The five firms are: Baird Sampson Neuert Architects; Diamond and Schmitt Architects; du Toit Allsopp Hillier/du Toit Architects Limited; Patkau Architects Inc with Kearns Mancini Architects Inc; and rawdesign with Gareth Hoskins Architects.

The Open House will be held at:
Members' Lounge
Toronto City Hall
100 Queen Street West

12:00 p.m. remarks on Friday, December 4.

For further information please contact Sandra Shaul at 416-392-8231.

Active 18 Charette and Info

An Invitation to the Active 18 Community - to shape, contribute and help design your neighbourhood.

Dear Active 18 member,

Since our last AGM in January, 2009, Active 18 has continued to work on community activities such as park planning/overall design for the Queen West Triangle as well as advising for the Artscape Triangle Lofts.

Due to our desire for community input in the planning process we are now assisting one of our Steering Committee members, Steve Heuchert, with a charrette for the North West (Queen St.) Triangle - bordered by a railway corridor to the west, Queen St. West to the south, Florence St. and Peel St. to the north and Northcote Ave., Gladstone Ave., and Dufferin St. to the east.

Helpful documents are available at www.active18.org
1. Background document on the area and it's issues - good reading prep for the charrette.
2. Planning update for the WQW area
3. A printable/emailable Flyer to invite your neighbours

What we learned in the WQW* Triangle planning fiasco south of Queen is this: if good plans are in place before development applications are received at the City, the City and the community has more chance of shaping this development. (*Bohemian Embassies, Lisgar buildings, WestSide Lofts, 48 Abell, Queen/Dovercourt, Queen/Gladstone)

This is our impetus behind the next open and public charrette. This is a community/York University initiative and is being organized and operated by the Active18 Steering committee and York university students. We are asking members of Active 18 to help support the charrette initiative with funding for supplies - paper, pens, and most importantly for a few final printed documents. Of course we need your valuable input the day of the event. All the people involved are volunteering time and effort to make this a potential set of creative and exciting urban plans for the area. We believe this will come in handy before more development starts in this area.

Have an extra 5$ or more?
Cheques can be mailed or dropped off to "Active 18 Community Organization" at 19 Northcote Ave. Toronto, M6J 3K2
All donations appreciated!

The Charrette will occur on November 18, 2009, 5:30 - 8:30 in the Gladstone Hotel Ballroom. Everyone is welcome.

Thanks kindly,
Active 18 Steering Committee
http://active18.org

Rosario Marchese Discussion on Electric Trains

On October 29, Trinity—Spadina MPP Rosario Marchese will host a discussion on the benefits of electric trains. A Q & A and an Action Plan brainstorming session will follow. Full flyer here:

http://nnnow.ca/Rosario_Train_Flyer_VER3.pdf

Two Points of Interest Affecting South Stanley

FYI - the city has sent a couple of notices regarding the park. You can find the full city reports at the URL below:

http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2009/te/reports/2009-09-15-te27-cr.htm

Closure of Stanley Terrace / Expansion of the Park

Summary:
Transportation Services recommends that the portion of the public lane known as Stanley Terrace at the rear of Premises 23 to 29 Stafford Street be permanently closed and that jurisdiction be transferred to Parks, Forestry and Recreation for incorporation into Stanley Park.

Rezoning Recommended for Approval at 23-29 Stafford St. (Brad Lamb's "Parc" Development)


Summary:
This application was made on or after January 1, 2007 and is subject to the new provisions of the Planning Act and the City of Toronto Act, 2006.

This application proposes to redevelop the properties at 23-29 Stafford Street with a terraced 10-storey condominium containing 104 residential units and three levels of underground parking.

This report reviews and recommends approval of the application to amend the Zoning By-law.

Community Consultation about the Canada Malting Silos

Community Consultation about the Canada Malting Silos

Date: Wednesday October 21
Time: 6:00 - 8:00 pm
Location: Harbourfront Community Centre
627 Queens Quay West (Queens Quay and Bathurst)
Medium Assembly Room

Councillor Adam Vaughan invites you to attend this public meeting to provide your feedback about the future of the Canada Malting Silos.

Over the years there have been a number of meetings, ideas and plans about the Canada Malting Silos site. Recent discussions about a Toronto Museum at the silos have concluded. Some new ideas are now emerging about the Malting Silos and we want your input.

City staff from City Planning, Heritage Preservation Services, and Urban Design will be in attendance to provide updates about the current condition of the Malting Silos and receive your feedback about next steps.

For more information, please call 416-392-4044 or e-mail Councillor_Vaughan@toronto.ca.

Councillor Adam Vaughan
Ward 20, Trinity-Spadina
416-392-4044

Toronto City Hall
100 Queen Street West
2nd Floor, Suite C50
Toronto, ON M5H 2N2

Town Hall Meeting Regarding HST and Condo Fees

MPP Cheri DiNovo would like to invite you and the condo owners/residents that you represent to a town hall meeting regarding the new Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) and its effect on condo fees and other expenses.

If interested, please post the following file to the community bulletin board of any condominiums you represent:

http://www.nnnow.ca/cheri_quarter_bloOCT09.jpg

If you would like to attend this meeting, please contact pighinp@ndp.on.ca.

When: Tuesday, October 27th
Time: 7:30-9:30
Where: Swansea Town Hall, 95 Lavina Ave

Georgetown Rail Expansion Approved / Summary of Neighbourhood Projects

The Environment Minister has approved the Georgetown Rail Expansion – the project to provide high-speed rail to the airport from Union Station. The full press release can be found here [PDF]:

http://www.metrolinx.com/Docs/News/News_Release-MOE_Decision-Oct_5_FINAL.pdf

More info on the changes that will be happening in our area can be found here:

http://savestrachan.com/

For those keeping track, there’s a LOT happening in our area over the next few years!

1) The above-mentioned rail link and changes to Strachan Avenue
2) The pedestrian and cycling bridge to Fort York and new parks:
http://nnnow.blogspot.com/2009/09/fort-york-pedestrian-and-cycle-bridge.html
3) The changes to South Stanley Park:
http://www.toronto.ca/parks/parks_gardens/south_stanley_park.htm
4) The Bathurst Pedestrian crossing:
http://nnnow.blogspot.com/2009/09/bathurst-crosswalk-progress.html

South Stanley Revitalization Project City Website

Full text from the URL http://www.toronto.ca/parks/parks_gardens/south_stanley_park.htm below:

(start)
South Stanley Park Redevelopment Project

South Stanley Park, located at 845 King St. W. (between Walnut Ave. and Stanley Terrace) is undergoing improvements by Toronto Parks, Forestry and Recreation. Construction is expected to occur in phases, beginning in spring 2010. The park currently has a baseball diamond, outdoor pool, tennis courts, sports field, community centre (Niagara C.C.) and dog park.

On March 30, 2009, the City conducted a visioning exercise for park improvements with local residents. The resulting conceptual design was presented at a public meeting on September 2, 2009.

The conceptual design includes the following proposed park improvements:
- Enclosed dog off-leash area
- Improved entrances to the park through landscaping
- New south-east entry plaza
- New walkways to improve circulation throughout the park
- Replacement of existing tennis courts
- New building addition to existing outdoor pool building (replacement of existing community centre)
- Tree planting to replace old and deceased trees

Specific elements such as additional lighting and seating will be considered at the detailed design stage

Documents for download:
Current aerial view of South Stanley Park (PDF)
Visioning exercise report (PDF)
Conceptual design for the future South Stanley Park (PDF)

For more information, please contact:
Barbara Carou
Parks Planner
416-392-8157
bcarou@toronto.ca

Joe Pantalone
Deputy Mayor
Ward 19 Trinity-Spadina
416-392-4108
councillor_pantalone@toronto.ca
(end)

Fort York Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge Update

Click image to enlarge
(Full Document [PDF])

In August 2008, the City of Toronto commissioned an Environmental Assessment Study to confirm the need and justification for a potential pedestrian and cycle bridge, connecting the west end of Fort York to areas north of the existing railway tracks, between Strachan Avenue and Bathurst Street.

The Fort York Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge Study is integral to the City of Toronto's broader plan to revitalize the waterfront, through a vision that will reflect the diversity of Toronto's past, present and future. Historic Fort York, and the lands around the Garrison Creek corridor represent cultural features in the urban landscape that have direct relevance to the pedestrian-cycle bridge study.

Two (2) Public Information Centre (PIC) Meetings are intended to present details of the project and to receive public feedback on the direction, alternative designs and recommendations of the study_ An initial PIC was held on April 16, 2009, which provided an overview of the many
background reports that preceded the current study, while also presenting a summary of various recent investigations that are pertinent to the Environmental Assessment process.

Much work has been completed since the first PIC, with the focus of the Project Team being directed at determining a preferred design concept for the bridge. In selecting a preferred design, the team has had to account for many technical, environmental and social factors as part of the evaluation process.

Based on a comprehensive assessment of the alternatives as well as consideration of public and agency feedback, it is the recommendation of the Study Team:

• that an inclined arch bridge, following an alignment that evokes the original Garrison Creek corridor (Alternative 4 “S” Design), be presented as the preferred design concept for the Fort York Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge;

• that the proposed pedestrian-cycle bridge include design features that will promote open space/heritage link between an extended Stanley Park to the north and various park amenities to the south, including Fort York and its proposed Visitor Centre, Garrison Common, Gore Park, June Callwood Park, Coronation Park and the Martin Goodman Trail;

• that Archaeological and Heritage Built Cultural features, which are prominent in the area, be further assessed in conjunction with the detailed design and construction; and,

• that the final design elements of the bridge fully recognize its future significance in the Toronto "landscape", by enhancing visual vistas to the Toronto Skyline and Fort York while complementing the context of Fort York's Heritage Conservation District and its designation as a National Historic Site.

Following completion of the Environmental Assessment, the findings, conclusions and recommendations of the Study Team, (including the results of the public consultation process) will be documented in an Environmental Study Report (ESR) which is scheduled for completion in 2009. The final ESR will be placed on the "public record" for a review period
of 30 days.

If any member of the public has outstanding concerns with the final ESR, which cannot be resolved in discussions with the proponent (City of Toronto), then a formal request may be made to the Minister of the Environment to consider an order for the project to comply with Part II of the Environmental Assessment Act (referred to as a Part II Order).

Upon the successful conclusion of this Environmental Assessment, it is the City's desire to move forward with detailed engineering and construction in 2010/2011. The ultimate goal of the City of Toronto is to open the Fort York Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge in time for the Bicentennial Celebrations of the War of 1812, planned for Spring 2012.

For further information regarding this project initiative, please contact:
City of Toronto
Waterfront Secretariat
Mr. Stephen McKenna, Project Manager
City Hall, 12th floor, East Tower
100 Queen Street West
Toronto, Ontario M5H 2N2
smckenna@toronto.ca
416-397-4082

Stantec Consulting Ltd.
Mr., Garry Leveck, P.Eng. Project Manager
49 Frederick Street
Kitchener, Ontario N2H 6M7
garry.leveck@stantec.com
519-585-7316

South Stanley Revitalization Project Outline and Proposal

South Stanley Park is about to undergo a reno!

For the last year, a group of community members have been meeting with Joe Pantalone, Toronto Parks reps, and city planning to review options for upgrading our neighbourhood park. This group worked from a set of guiding principles that included use of all space within the park and making sure that all current park users would win with any changes - or at very least, that they wouldn't lose out.

Several months ago, we held a Charette and invited community members to imagine what they would like to see in the park.

Based on community suggestions from the Charette, the city presented a proposal for the redesign of South Stanley Park two weeks ago. There were several key changes in the proposed design, including:

1) Upgraded entry points to make the park move visible and more integrated with the community
2) An enclosed offleash dog area - for dog safety and so that dog owners can use the park while baseball / other sports happen
3) Proposed new locations for tennis courts
4) Expansion of the current swimming pool building to house offices and community space
5) Moving the north and south fences to better use the space within the park
6) Upgraded paths and walkways through the park

A PDF of the park improvement proposal can be found here. The city will be launching a webpage highlighting these proposed changes shortly - we'll post as soon as it's up and running!

Bathurst Crosswalk - Progress

An update from Joe Pantalone’s office regarding the Pedestrian Crossing on Bathurst:


Earlier in the year we reported that there was a proposal for the walkway which was approved, but a time-line had not been established. The pedestrian walkway went to the Bid Committee on Sept. 10th – where it would be determined who would complete the contracted work.

Once the contract is awarded it should take up to three months to complete the work. The walkway should be in place before the end of the year.

Fort York Pedestrian Bridge Environmental Assessment Meeting

The Fort York Pedestrian Bridge planning continues: there is a meeting regarding this development that the public has been invited to attend.

Date: Wednesday, September 16th
Time: 6-8pm
Location: Wellington on the Park, 15 Stafford Street (at Wellington Street West)

The meeting is an open house with a short presentation at 7pm.

For more info, please contact:
City of Toronto Waterfront Secretariat - Stephen Mckenna, Project Manager
smckenna@toronto.ca

An Open Letter on the Island Airport Tunnel Proposal from Adam Vaughan

Dear Residents of Ward 20,

Keeping in mind Mark Twain's advice never to start an argument with someone who buys ink by the barrel, let me try to set the record straight by presenting the actual argument I gave Globe and Mail columnist Marcus Gee against the tunnel to the Toronto Island Airport.

My opposition to the latest scheme that is being promoted by some members of the Toronto Port Authority and apparently being supported by Minister John Baird and the Tories in Ottawa revolves around these issues:

- Where are the plans for this project and how was a cost estimated without detailed drawings?

- Where is the business case for this $38m project? The TPA board has not seen one and neither have the governments or taxpayers.

- Why shouldn't the Island Airport or the airlines self-finance this project as Pearson must do when it contemplates improvements?

- Why is a third access route to this tiny airport being considered within months of a second ferry being purchased, and only a couple of years after the last new ferry was purchased?

- How can the premier and the federal government give a favourable review to this vague project when an actual application for infrastructure funding has not been approved by the TPA Board?

- What local elected body has declared this project a priority for funding? How has this project jumped ahead of the city's streetcar needs, the goal of electrifying rail to Pearson, or simple road, bridge and highway repairs in Toronto?

As an elected official I am stunned at how easily this project has been embraced by senior levels of government with virtually every media outlet and commentator doing the cheerleading.
The city and municipalities across Canada have been engaged in long, complicated and highly politicized negotiations with the Federal Government to get established projects fast-tracked and most local governments, despite months of back and forth with John Baird’s office, have yet to receive a penny of funding, let alone a commitment to fund important and badly needed projects.

Why has this particular proposal jumped the queue? Why when the city wants to build a subway to York University and serve millions of people with better transit, do the Federal Tories insist that the city form a public-private partnership to qualify for funding, yet on this project they propose a 100% public subsidy all to the advantage of a single airline?

When $38m dollars is given over to one company with no public process and it is used to subsidize the movement of a small group of travellers, something is seriously wrong. This is the privilege that I question.

It has nothing to do with class, unless you are talking about a particular class of politician who circumvents public process to hand out public tax dollars to private interests.

I was elected on a platform that promised to fight airport expansion and taxpayer subsidies for the un-elected and unaccountable Port Authority. Even current Board members of the TPA (some appointed by Baird himself) have filed complaints to the Parliament's Integrity Commissioner and Federal Auditor General concerned about financial irregularities and governance concerns at the Port.

Even more alarming was the behaviour of the Minister in charge of the TPA last December. Faced with opposition to how airport improvements would be financed and a call for full disclosure to the Board itself over expenses filed by the previous CEO (current Federal Cabinet Minister Lisa Raitt), a half hour after Parliament was prorogued, Baird reconfigured the Board unilaterally and added two more federal appointments to the body to ensure the board would vote to prevent an investigation of the allegations.
Something is wrong at the TPA, and before the Conservatives, with help from Queen's Park, shovel more taxpayers’ dollars towards this tunnel project of questionable value Torontonians, taxpayers – in fact Canadians – deserve answers. Instead we get a silly debate about class war.

To be clear: I don't think the island airport is needed; it's not a boon to the waterfront or a transportation priority for Toronto. But if it is there and people use it, so be it. My quarrel is not with the choices people make to get to Ottawa. My concern is with a federal government in Ottawa that makes up the rules as it goes along and in doing so provides substantial public subsidies through its agencies to private interests. It is this set of privileges I attack and seek to end.

Best regards,

Adam Vaughan


Councillor Adam Vaughan
Ward 20, Trinity-Spadina
416-392-4044

Toronto City Hall
100 Queen Street West
2nd Floor, Suite C50
Toronto, ON M5H 2N2
-----------------------------------
visit us online at www.ward20.ca

Reminder About Community Picnic and Charity Garage Sale - This Sunday!

A reminder that Friends of Stanley Park (http://www.stanleyParkToronto.ca) is holding the SPT (Stanley Park Toronto) Kids Community Picnic this Sunday (August 30th). Events are happening at the north side of the park, and include a park cleanup, charity garage sale, and loads of kids events. You can find all the details below: hope to see you all there!

The charity garage sale is being hosted by Eva’s Initiatives (http://www.evasinitiatives.com/) – if you have items you’d like to donate for them to sell, please bring them to the park on Sunday between 10 and 11am (back terrace of 15 Stafford Ave.). You can also call 416-977-4497 ext. 141 or email dana@evas.ca before the event for more info. They’re a great cause, so clean out your storage locker / closet / basement and give those useful but unwanted items to help a great cause!

Eva’s is also looking for donations of clean towels, bedding, and toiletries for their initiatives.

If you’re interested in volunteering for this event or any other Friends of Stanley Park events, be sure to visit the site and let us know you’d like to help out.

Full details here:
http://events.stanleyparktoronto.ca/


Schedule For The Day:

SPT GREEN Litter Clean-up [10-11am]
it's our park. let's keep it clean. bags. gloves. removal. provided.

SPT KIDS Community Picnic [12-3pm]
fun. games. prizes. barbeque. sing-along. story time. tattoos. wiener walk. small dog agility. safety. mounted unit. bike unit. special appearances.

SPT KIDS Ask a Vet [12-2pm]
ask a vet how to greet a dog and about suitable breeds.

URBAN DACHSHUND TORONTO Wiener Walk [1230-1pm]
wieners at the picnic.

SPT PAWS Small Dogs Agility [12-2pm]
join Pawsway & Purina. kid friendly small dogs [under 20lb].
please note dogs are not permitted in playground area.

EVA'S INITIATIVES Garage Sale [12-3pm]
come and support Eva’s Initiatives at the garage sale. we create
opportunities for homeless youth.

Thanks to sponsors: Foggy Dew, Metro, Shoppers, Eva's Phoenix.

Community Planning Meeting for Wellington Area

Councillor Vaughan has invited community members to a Community Planning Meeting regarding developments in the Wellington area:

Date: Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Time: 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Location: Metro Hall, Room 302
55 John Street (King & John)

Councillor Vaughan would like to hear your feedback about proposed planning and development in the Wellington Place area.

There will be presentations about the following projects:
- 504 Wellington St W (west of Portland)
- 560 Front St W (Front and Bathurst)
- Factory Theatre, 125 Bathurst Street (at Adelaide)

Let us know if you plan to attend, either by phone at 416-392-4044 or councillor_vaughan@toronto.ca.

UPDATE on Breadcrumbs in Stanley Park

Update on the breadcrumbs in Stanley Park / around 15 Stafford: the matter has been investigated an there was no toxic substance found. Thank you to everyone who acted to keep park users informed and safe.

Update from Councillor Pantalone re: Last Council Meeting

*******************************************************************

Union Station revitalization

Council endorsed an agreement with a private sector company that, as head lessee, will lease and operate all retail space in Union Station, including in a new lower retail concourse. With federal, provincial and municipal funding, the City will proceed with its plan to revitalize Union Station as a state-of-the-art transportation facility. The name of the successful proponent for head lessee will remain confidential until a lease agreement is signed, likely in the next four to six weeks. Construction work for the revitalization is scheduled to begin next year and be completed in 2015 at a total cost of $640 million. For more information and regular updates, visit http://www.toronto.ca/union_station/.

Appointment of Integrity Commissioner

Council appointed Janet Leiper the City's Integrity Commissioner, effective September 8. The Integrity Commissioner provides advice, complaint resolution and education to Council members (and appointees of most of the City's agencies, boards and commissions) on ethics issues. The role entails advising on the application of the Code of Conduct and various City of Toronto policies and legislation governing ethical behaviour. Please visit www.toronto.ca/integrity.

Social housing action plan

Council endorsed the Housing Opportunities Toronto (HOT) Action Plan 2010-2020 (www.toronto.ca/affordablehousing/hot). HOT proposes new investment over the next 10 years to help people struggling with high housing costs or inadequate accommodation. The Toronto Housing Charter, a component of HOT, states that all residents have the right to equal treatment in housing without discrimination, consistent with the Ontario Human Rights Code.

Future of east Gardiner Expressway

City Council authorized City officials to submit terms of reference to the Ontario government for an anticipated environmental assessment of options for the future of the eastern Gardiner Expressway and Lake Shore Boulevard in that area (east from Jarvis Street). Council directed that a cost-benefit study should be conducted as part of the environmental study. Council also specified that the environmental assessment should address the issue of the railway lands as a barrier to waterfront access. For details, see www.waterfrontoronto.ca/index.

Vision for Toronto's western waterfront

Council approved a 2009 Western Waterfront Master Plan (www.toronto.ca/waterfront/wwmp) which will guide decisions related to improvements to the public realm in the area over the next 20 years. The master plan provides a vision to improve parkland, beaches, trails, roads, bridges and recreational facilities in the western waterfront area between the Humber River and Exhibition Place, including Sunnyside Beach and Marilyn Bell Park. The area's beaches are to be expanded and enhanced, consistent with a vision that sees the lake and beach as the major recreational attractions of the western waterfront.

City-wide recreation service plan

Council approved a set of principles to guide the creation of a city-wide, multi-year Recreation Service Plan. The principles are equitable access, high quality programs and services, inclusion to recognize diversity and encourage participation by all, and capacity building to provide programs and services that benefit all participants and help create a sense of community, belonging and vitality. Development of the plan will help the City take stock of its current services/programs and use the four guiding principles in planning to meet existing and emerging recreational demands. For details, visit www.toronto.ca/parks/rsp.

Incentive for energy efficiency retrofits

Council agreed to establish a Home Energy Efficiency Incentive Program (www.toronto.ca/energy), giving the owners of low-rise residential properties in Toronto financial grants of as much as $1,000 for a selected set of energy efficiency retrofits. The City will take steps to integrate delivery of its program with the ecoENERGY program offered by Natural Resources Canada.

Theatre Performance at Fort York - "Great Voices" - Sept 1-6

Great Voices at Fort York catapults Canadian history into theatre spectacle
Nightly events begin September 1 to September 6

From September 1 through September 6, Festival at the Fort presents Great Voices; a 90 minute site-specific theatrical collage of historical figures, including Lieutenant Governor John Graves Simcoe, Laura Second and Susanna Moodie combined with campfires, songs, fireworks and food animating Toronto where the city began - Fort York.

Written by nationally known playwrights Rick Salutin and Dale Hamilton, Great Voices features performances by Billy Merasty as Tecumseh and Simon Richards as General Brock. Original music was composed by prolific songwriter James Gordon (Frobisher Bay, Mining for Gold) who will be singing some of the songs alongside Fort York’s Honour Guard, and Fife and Drum Corps. Members of the Red Pepper Spectacle Theatre act as larger-than-life puppet guides within this epic Brechtian-style theatre experience produced and directed by Sid Bruyn.

Great Voices begins with the infamous brothers speech by Tecumseh, which brilliantly describes the Native colonial experience. Part of the audience watches and hears a dialogue between Tecumseh and General Brock heralding their alliance, a monologue by Laura Second conveying American troop positions, and a monologue by Dolly Madison surveying the aftermath of the burning of the White House by the British. At the same time, the rest of the audience witnesses a play within a play that mixes stories with historical songs and original songs composed and performed by James Gordon, accompanied by actors and members of the Fort York Honour Guard, and Fife and Drum Corps. These songs and stories will be set around two large campfires while the audience is served portions of Native corn soup and corn bread.

The theatre event moves indoors to some of Fort York's historic brick buildings where citizens will recount their stories of common life in the 19th century. The audience then moves back outdoors to take part in a finale parade and fireworks with the Red Pepper Spectacle Theatre puppets.

Great Voices is the second installment of the Festival at the Fort, produced in association with the Friends of Fort York and Fort York National Historical Site with funding provided by Heritage Canada. In the lead up to the War of 1812 bicentennial in 2012, the Festival at the Fort will present audiences the history of Fort York and Canada in a innovative and theatrical way. Artists and companies confirmed in subsequent years include Videocabaret, Mixed Company and Clay & Paper Theatre.

Great Voices is an Equity Production taking place at the Fort York National Historical Site located at 100 Garrison Road, North East of Exhibition Place and west of Bathurst St. via Fort York Blvd. Great Voices tickets are $20 and are available in advance at TOtix.ca and at the venue the night of each performance. For more information call Access Toronto at 416-338-0338 or visit www.festivalatthefort.ca

Media contact:
Shane Gerard, Senior Promotions & Communications Coordinator, SDF&A Communications Unit, 416-397-5711, sgerard@toronto.ca
Sid Bruyn, Great Voices Artistic Director and Producer, 416-530 4152, sbruyn@pathcom.net

Improvements to South Stanley Park - Public Meeting Sept 2

Improvements to South Stanley Park - Public Meeting

Deputy Mayor Joe Pantalone and City of Toronto representatives will present a draft plan and implementation strategy for the improvement of South Stanley Park located at 845 King Street West between Walnut Avenue and Stanley Terrace.

Members of the comminity are invited to attend and provide comments on the proposed concept plan.

Date: Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Time: 6 – 8 p.m.
Location: 15 Stafford Street, Community Room.

For more information please contact:
Deputy Mayor Joe Pantalone 416-392-4108
Barbara Carou, Parks Planner 416-392-8157
bcarou@toronto.ca

A Victory on Strachan? And New Metrolinx Meeting Date

This week, Metrolinx and the city came to a compromise on the Strachan Avenue Overpass (further details below). We're very encouraged by this development, but still determined to support the campaigns working to make sure that any solution is the right one for our community.

Hoping for further details / images / engineering drawings for the new bridge, and Metrolinx has announced a new community consultation that all residents should attend:

Metrolinx’s Open House – unveiling the new proposal for Strachan
Historic Fort York - 100 Garrison Road
Tuesday June 16th
3-8pm

More details and images:

The existing roadway looking east on Douro / Wellington towards Strachan.

City mockup of the new compromise design. Note the roadway height change as indicated by the stop sign.

See more details and a chart of the various options presented here. See the original email from Joe's office and the letter from Rosario's office on this new plan.

Feral Cat Meeting

On Monday, June 15th (7-9 pm) at the Community Centre (700 Wellington Street West) Feral Toronto will be holding a gathering of feral cat caregivers and cat lovers to look at ways individuals and communities can come together to deal with the booming number of homeless outdoor cats in Toronto.

Topics include Feline Sex in the City (overpopulation) and a how-to on organized feral trapping.

Connect with fellow caregivers, and learn about how you can help.

Speakers include: Deborah Chalmers of the Toronto Feral Cat Project and Nataysha Sherbot, Toronto Cat Rescue Volunteer.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
deborah@feraltoronto.com

Update on Parc Development

The Parc Developers have re-submitted their plans, and have made substantial changes. The height is now closer to 15 Stafford (the existing building alongside the park), there are stepbacks, visitor parking, access to the park from inside the building, internal shared space, the shadow impacts are greatly reduced… it’s not perfect, but it’s *much* better.

The Steering Committee has reviewed the proposal, and is inclined to support the new design - and we want to hear from you.

A chart of info is below, and a copy of the plans for everyone to review is available if you're so inclined. Please email us with your questions / comments by May 15th.

(Sorry for the giant gap below - bug with the blogging software).

	Current Zoning	15 Stafford	Old PARC Proposal	New PARC Proposal
Units	-	142	103	104
Height	18 meters	26 metres	43 metres	32.55 metres
Stepbacks	-	2, starting at ~20 metres	none	2, starting at ~ 25.5 metres
Setback	-	~ 9 metres	~4 metres	4.3 metres
Visitor Parking	0.12 space per unit	20 spaces	none	7 spaces
Resident Parking	number varies on size of units	141 spaces	53 spaces	50 spaces
Common Area?	-	yes	no	yes
Common Access to Park?	-	yes	no	yes

St. Andrew's Market Opening This Summer

St. Andrew's market The St. Andrew's market was originally founded in 1837 to serve the rapidly-growing west end of Toronto. It was Toronto's third public market after St. Lawrence (1803) and St. Patrick (1837).

Now, in 2009, we are working to revive the St. Andrew's market at its original location, what is now St. Andrew's Park between Richmond and Adelaide, Brandt and Maud.

Organized by local residents and Farmer's Markets of Ontario, this Certified Farmer's Market will feature real farmers selling only what they produce themselves. It will run on Saturday mornings from June to October in the parking lot at the west side of the park.

Please send an email to standrewsmarket@gmail.com if you would like to be kept informed of news about the new market.

Wellington Place Neighbourhood Heritage Walk

Heratige Toronto is offering a walk of the Wellington Place Neighbourhood: details below and more info here:

Wellington Place Neighbourhood
Start: May 10 2009 - 1:30pm
End: May 10 2009 - 3:30pm

The diversity of Toronto's roles since its founding in 1793 are reflected in this vibrant downtown neighbourhood - evidence of our military past, Victorian residences, and buildings from the era as a manufacturing centre. See how the Wellington Place neighbourhood has successfully adapted to 200 years of changes.

Leaders: Marta O’Brien
Start Point: NE corner of Victoria Memorial Square, Wellington St W at Portland St, just east of Bathurst
Finish Point: Bathurst and Adelaide Streets
Length: Approx. 2 hours
Walk Difficulty: Average walk on sidewalks

Focus:
* historical
* architectural

URGENT! Strachan Ave Super-Bridge

A very important note from Joe's office - it's short notice, but *PLEASE* make the time to attend the meeting at Fort York tomorrow. This is a major - and potentially disasterous - problem for the community!

URGENT! Strachan Ave Super-Bridge


Dear neighbours,

MetroLinx is NOT listening!

At 8:30 this morning - one day before "MetroLinx's Open House" - I was informed that MetroLinx dropped the community's and City of Toronto's preferred option for the Strachan - At - Grade elimination. (See the City of Toronto Staff Report: http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2008/te/bgrd/backgroundfile-16917.pdf).

Today, MetroLinx offers one sole solution -- a bridge that will tear at the urban fabric of our community. Not only does MetroLinx's sole "solution" force the closure of Douro Street and Wellington Street at Strachan Avenue, but it entails the erection of an ugly super structure (think another Gardiner Expressway?) smack in the middle of some of Toronto's most vibrant, historic, and creative neighbourhoods (Niagara Neighbourhood, Liberty Village, Exhibition Place, Fort York and the Waterfront).

As your Toronto City Councillor, I am surprised and disappointed that our alternative has been unilaterally dismissed. What can you do? In the first instance, you and your neighbours can attend the Open House - TOMORROW - Wednesday, April 15, 2009 from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Fort York, Blue Barracks - 100 Garrison Road. Make our voices heard!

Please use these two links for more information:

http://www.metrolinx.com/gsse/default.aspx

http://www.metrolinx.com/gsse/community/open_house.aspx.



Sincerely,
Joe Pantalone
Deputy Mayor
City of Toronto
416-392-4009

Strachan Avenue Grade Separation Open House

From the councellor's office:

There will be a second Open House on Wednesday, April 15, 2009 from 3:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Fort York, Blue Barracks - 100 Garrison Road. Our ongoing efforts for the Strachan - At - Grade - Crossing are intended so that the solution reached is a helpful one, rather than a harmful one. You may want to attend the Open House. It will be helpful if you and other community members drop by and provide comments to emphasize how important it is to lower the rail corridor in order to maintain Strachan Ave and the urban fabric of our community.

Please use this link for more information: http://www.metrolinx.com/gsse/default.aspx

The future of the Grade Separation at Strachan Ave will affect the area greatly. City Council has taken a strong position on lowering the grade but Metrolinx will ultimately make the decision. (See the City of Toronto Staff Report: http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2008/te/bgrd/backgroundfile-16917.pdf).

Clean and Beautiful City Programs Open

From the city's website (http://www.toronto.ca/cleanandbeautiful/programs.htm):

Clean and Beautiful City programs actively bring together residents’ vision, community volunteers, contributions from organizations and businesses and City expertise to enhance and renew public spaces in Toronto’s neighbourhoods and streets. We actively contribute to numerous cleaning and beautification initiatives within the City and implement three types of projects:

Community Projects

* Do you want to plant a community garden?
* Do you want to paint a mural in your neighbourhood?
* Do you want to improve a public space near your home, work or school?

We help to find partners and resources for volunteers whose projects are selected. Join a growing list of individuals, community groups, not-for-profit organizations and local businesses from each of Toronto’s 44 wards whose projects have improved our city. Community-based projects should be visible, accessible, simple in design and execution, and easy to maintain.

Planning Meeting

Councillor Vaughan has organized a planning meeting regarding developments in his area: info below and flyer can be found here.


------------------
You are invited to Councillor Vaughan's Community Planning Meeting


Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Time: 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Location: Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen St. W., City Council Chambers



Councillor Vaughan would like to hear your feedback about proposed planning and development in the King-Spadina neighbourhood.

There will be presentations about the following projects:

- 355 King St W (at Blue Jays Way)
- 99 Blue Jays Way (at Mercer St.)
- OCAD building, 205 Richmond St W (at Duncan)

Let us know if you plan to attend, either by phone at 416-392-4044 or councillor_vaughan@toronto.ca.

More information about neighbourhood planning and development is available at www.adamvaughan.ca in the "Community Maps" section.

Notice of Commencement - Metrolinx

Metrolinx today issued a Notice of Commencement for the Georgetown South Service Expansion, including a Union-Pearson Rail Link, under the Province of Ontario’s Transit Project Assessment Process (TPAP).

The Notice of Commencement marks the beginning of the formal TPAP process and the 120-day consultation period, which will end when a Notice of Completion is issued

As part of the formal 120-day consultation process, Metrolinx will:

§ prepare a draft Environmental Project Report. A copy of the first document may be downloaded from the Metrolinx’s website on April 14, 2009. The second document will be available in May 2009.

§ launch our Virtual Open House on April 15. Online, convenient, and open 24/7, the revised project details will be available to review, learn more and comment.

§ host two rounds of Open Houses. The first round scheduled for April 2009 will share information on current environmental conditions, scope of the preferred project, and identify changes as a result of public input. Please see the Open House Notice below for details.

§ continue to meet with community groups, residents associations and individual citizens to hear suggestions and local concerns.

For the Notice of Commencement:
Notice of Commencement.pdf

For the Open House Notice:
Open House Notice.pdf

For more information, please contact:

• Metrolinx, 20 Bay Street, Suite 901, Toronto, ON M5J 2N8

• www.metrolinx.com/gsse/

• 1-866-658-9890

• info@metrolinx.com

Fort York Pedestrian Bridge Environmental Assessment

The city is holding a public meeting regarding the environmental assessment for the Fort York Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge:


We invite you to attend the first of two Public Information Centre Meetings, to learn more about what is being considered for the Fort York Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge. Information on the work completed to date and next steps will be presented.

Date: Thursday April 16, 2009
Time: 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Location: Niagara Public School, 222 Niagara Street (Gymnasium in Basement)

More info can be found here.

Public Saftey Notice Regarding Hydro Infrastructure

[More info and visuals can be found in a downloadable PDF here].

The public is at risk of potential electrocution from common voltage sources in all of our neighbourhoods.

The risk comes from “handwells” and “cable chambers” owned and operated by Toronto Hydro. Cable chambers look like a metal utility-hole cover and are usually located on sidewalks in close proximity to Hydro poles.

Handwells are very similar but are smaller in size. Toronto Hydro is working to inspect and repair all of their infrastructure in the City of Toronto. Although crews are working around the clock, this is expected to take at least a month. Please note that covers which are painted red have already been inspected and are safe.

In the meantime, the public is advised to be cautious and avoid contact with any metal plates on the ground – especially handwells and cable chambers.

For more information, please contact the Toronto Hydro Information Hotline at 416.222.3773

Bathurst Crossing Information

The city is recommending a crossing mid-block on Bathurst between Wellington and Niagara to allow for safe pedestrian passage. The city recommendation and next steps can be found here:

Bathurst Crossing Information [pdf]

Deputy Mayor Pantalone, Adam Vaughan, and Wellington Place Neighbourhood Association all support a safe crossing and this solution.

Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or comments.

Front Street Extension Dead

Adam Vaughan has informed his constituents that the Front Street Extension is officially dead.

Toronto Sign By-law Project Public Consultation

The City of Toronto holds public consultation as one way to engage residents in the life of their city. Toronto thrives on your great ideas and actions. We invite you to get involved.

Public Consultation Meetings Notice
Toronto Sign By-law Project

The City of Toronto is preparing a new sign by-law. It will replace the individual sign by-laws of the former municipalities. The new sign by-law will update the standards for signs on private property, address current sign issues, and reflect the diverse character found in Toronto communities. The Sign By-law project will also explore ways where signage will support the City’s efforts in energy conservation and revenue generation.

The first round of consultation has concluded and an interim report and presentation containing issues and options for the new sign by-law has been heard at a special meeting of Planning and Growth Management on December 8, 2008. At the meeting, public and stakeholder submissions were made and Councillors provided direction to help steer the project into the second round of consultation. At this second stage, a series of public consultation meetings are being held to give residents and businesses an opportunity to provide their comments and ideas on the issues and options presented in the first report. This information will be used to develop appropriate measures in the new sign by-law to effectively regulate signs in Toronto.

Following this second round of consultation, a draft sign by-law will be presented to Council.

The current series of consultation meetings will be held as follows:


Tuesday, January 20, 2009 - 7:00 p.m.
Etobicoke Civic Centre
399 The West Mall
Ground Floor, Main Boardroom

Wednesday, January 21, 2009 - 7:00 p.m.
North York Civic Centre
5100 Yonge St, 1st Floor
Council Chambers

Thursday January 22, 2009 - 7:00 p.m.
Scarborough Civic Centre
150 Borough Drive
Council Chambers

Thursday, January 29, 2009 - 7:00 p.m.
Toronto City Hall
100 Queen Street West
2nd Floor, Committee Room #2

As all sessions share the same content, you need only attend one.

Translation Services, including American Sign Language, are available upon request.Translator requests must be placed at least two weeks prior to the selected meeting date.

If you would like additional information, please contact the Sign By-law Team:

Tel: 416-392-8000 Email: signbylawproject@toronto.ca
Fax: 416-392-7536 Web site: www.toronto.ca/signbylawproject/

Information will be collected in accordance with the Municipal Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. With the exception of personal information, all comments will become part of the public record.

Update from Councillor's Office re: Strachan Grade Separation

A note from the Councillor's office regarding the Strachan Grade Separation:


Re: Future of Railway Crossing on Strachan Avenue

As your City of Toronto Councillor, I am pleased to inform you that Toronto City Council this week APPROVED the following motions on this matter:

"1. City Council strongly supports the Grade Separation Option which lowers the Georgetown/Milton rail corridor, allowing Strachan Avenue to pass over the rail lines, and

2. City Council direct staff to forward this report to the GO Transit Board requesting that the City Council preferred Strachan Avenue Grade Separation Option be included as part of the Individual Environmental Assessment Study of the Georgetown South Corridor Service Expansion and Airport Transportation Link."

As you may know, Strachan Avenue is presently used by 14,000 vehicular trips daily (more than Dufferin Street but less than Bathurst Street). This traffic is bound to increase as Liberty Village and other nearby areas are further developed.

As you may also know, the number of trains (GO Transit, VIA and cargo) will greatly increase as the Union Station to Pearson Airport Rail Link is built and GO Transit adds more lines. Therefore, the present rail crossing on Strachan Avenue has to be changed so that the rail traffic and the road traffic are separated. A number of technical solutions are possible, (you can see the report through the internet at www.toronto.ca/planning/strachanstudy.htm) but, only our proposal will be urban friendly (the proposal recommended by City Council). This proposal was seen by about 150 people in our community at the Public Meeting on November 5, 2008 at the Trinity Bellwoods Recreation Centre, where it received unanimous approval.

The final decision on this matter that will greatly affect our neighbourhoods, and the City of Toronto, will be made by GO Transit and through the environmental process. We have, as a community, taken the first positive step. We will, however, need to be vigilant to make sure that the final decision to allow the needed transit expansion to take place does so in a way that solves problems for us rather than creates new ones.

In conclusion, I hope you find the news in this update useful. I will, as usual, continue to keep you informed once the next steps become clearer.