Jack Layton

The late Jack Layton and his family were very much a part of our
community. His death brought sadness to many residents
who had shared his commitment to the environment, worker's rights,
and the marginalized of our society. We extend our deepest sympathy
to wife, Olivia Chow, the community's MP for Trinity/Spadina, and to
Councillor Michael Layton, Jack's son.

The letter he left to Canada can be found here.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2011/08/22/pol-layton-last-letter.html

But perhaps what will be most quoted in the coming months and years, and will
inform our memory of him is this last quote:

My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving, hopeful and optimistic. And we’ll change the world.

Thank you, Jack.

Niagara Neighbourhood Now

FORT YORK PEDESTRIAN/BICYCLE BRIDGE - SHOW YOUR SUPPORT

Just when you thought that there would be a Pedestrian/Bicycle Bridge from Wellington West over to Fort York to connect walkers, hikers, sightseers, nature lovers, bird watchers, joggers, history geeks to Fort York, Garrison Common and the lake, along comes a big "No" from the new administration at City Hall. Hooray! some might say who envisioned this as a big drag on the fiscal purse. But what if it was the opposite? What if it was a real asset that would make Toronto a more wonderful place to visit. What if the surrounding community used it and appreciated it. What if it proved to be the icing on the cake for Fort York’s Bicentennial Celebrations in 2012? What it if protected envisioned green space on the south side of Wellington West from the possibilities of 35 storey condo towers that would change a potential green boulevard into another Liberty Village style alley?

If you were excited about the bridge, its architecture, its possibilities in linking communities, he's where you show your support:

Info on all events also posted on blog fortyorkbridge.ca .

May 6 - May 15: Email Your Councillor
https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=169679089755357

May 9, 6:30 at 15 Stafford Street: Mobilize Meeting
https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=185293324855123

May 10, 5pm-8pm at 15 Stafford
(additional locations for May 11 & May 12 to be announced): 1000 Letters to Mayor
https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=121679981244084

We will also be handing out 2000 biz cards across the city in order to make people aware, Like Facebook , Follow Twitter and Sign Petition .

If you live in a condo what is your board doing?

TAKE ACTION NOW!
Like Facebook , Follow Twitter . Sign Petition .

TRAFFIC IN THE NIAGARA NEIGHBOURHOOD COMMUNITY - MEETING - COME OUT!

Speeding cars, trucks that trundle past causing our houses to vibrate, traffic jams! As the neighbourhoods have intensified around us, our community is becoming everybody’s quick route! And it’s probably going to get worse. If you're concerned this is where you can have your say...

COMMUNITY TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT MEETING

hosted by Niagara Neighbourhood Now, Councillor Mike Layton and City Transportation Services

Date:Monday May 16th, 2011
Time 7pm - 9pm
Location: Niagara St School
222 Niagara St (at Adelaide St W)
Subject: Traffic concerns in the Niagara Neighborhood Now area.

Come out!!! Your input is valuable to understanding the current traffic issues in this community.

If you have any questions or would like to be added to Councillor Layton’s distribution list, please contact at
416-392-4009 or councillor_layton@toronto.ca

SUPPORT YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD....

A neighbourhood is only as good as the people who support it. From providing input into new projects, to helping keep it clean, to planting front yards to help bloom and green its streetscape, its residents are the people who make the difference. Some upcoming dates to remember.

SUNDAY MAY 8, 9 - 11.00 am
Stanley Park Clean-Up!
Hosted by 15 Stafford Street & Friends of Stanley Park Toronto

Meetup on Sidewalk at Back Terrace of 15 Stafford Street
Water, Bag and Gloves supplied. Bring a rake if you have it.
30 minutes is all it takes.


TUESDAY, MAY 10

6 - 8 PM

Fork York – Blue Barracks
250 Fort York Blvd
(West of Bathurst Street)
Preview of the new Fort York/Bathurst Branch

Toronto Public Library is building a brand new 15,000 square foot library branch in the Trinity Spadina community, on Fort York Boulevard, at Bathurst Street. The NEW library will provide the Trinity Spadina community with a full range of neighbourhood library branch services, including a broad range of collections; meeting, collaborative and study spaces; increased access to technology for research, learning, working and recreation; and a welcoming environment for everyone.
It is expected that the new branch will open in 2014.

Join Toronto Public Library staff and architects from the firm of
Kuwabara Payne McKenna Blumberg Architects (KPMB) at one of the community open houses to: View the proposed design concept for the new branch library. Speak with the architects and library staff to answer your
questions and provide your comments about the plans.

ALTERNATIVE MEETING OPTION
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Drop in anytime between 6 – 8 p.m.
Sanderson Branch
327 Bathurst Street
(Corner of Bathurst Street and
Dundas Street West)


SAVE FORT YORK PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE
After spending $1.3-million and three years on planning, the city is halting work on a $22-million foot bridge to Fort York designed to be a landmark on par with London’s Millennium Bridge . On completion it was to be the centrepiece for War of 1812 bicentennial celebrations next year at Fort York. As a heritage neighbourhood with close connections to the Fort (some of the houses on Niagara Street were actually garrison homes) , this comes as a disappointment. Connecting north-south green spaces would have been a boon to all Toronto residents as well as tourists. Also, if the bridge is not built, want might happen to the parking lot land on Wellington. Condos? With the sell-off of land initiated by this new administration, who knows?
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/toronto/city-halts-work-on-foot-bridge-to-fort-york/article2001524/
'Join us to Save Fort York Pedestrian Cycle Bridge'
Take Action NOW! Sign Petition fortyorkbridge.ca

Save The Fort York Pedestrian Cycle Bridge
fortyorkbridge.ca | facebook.fortyorkbridge.ca | signpetition.fortyorkbridge.ca
signpetition.fortyorkbridge.ca
OR email your protest to :
councillor_shiner@toronto.ca
mayor_ford@toronto.ca
dmcguinty@premier.gov.on.ca

and don’t forget to cc Councillor Mike Layton

councillor_layton@toronto.ca

fax number for committee of adjustment

The fax number for the Committee of Adjustment was wrong in their correspondence to the
community (and for some reason the last post won't allow me to edit so...)
Please note if faxing correspondence re. 90 Niagara to the Committee of Adjustment the number is: 416-392-0580

When faxing comments specify,
90 Niagara Street, File No. A0518/10TEY
Please include your full name, addresss, and postal code.

Letters can also be dropped off at Committee of Adjustment, 100 Queen Street West.

If attending, please note is it this Wednesday (April 6 at 100 Queen Street West), at 3.30 pm.
Full details below.

90 NIAGARA - COMMITTEE OF ADJUSTMENT DATE SET

The Public Hearing Notice for Minor Variance/Permission re
Section 45 of the Planning Act is in for the proposed development at 90 Niagara Street.
Date&Time: Wednesday April 6, 2011, 3.30 pm
Location: Committee Room 1, Second Floor, Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen Street West, Toronto M5H 2N2.
Please note, if planning to attend, these meetings may not quite start on the dot. Plan for extra time.

Purpose of the Application. To construct a five-storey residential condominium apartment building comprised of 45 dwelling units and one level of below grade parking.

The requested variances can be seen below.
Please review.
If you have any comments, or disagree or have issues with the variances requested, relevant comments may be sent to the Committee of Adjustment ahead of time. Or you may attend the Public Hearing. If mailing comments specify, 90 Niagara Street, File No. A0518/10TEY

Committee Room 1,
Second Floor,
Toronto City Hall,
100 Queen Street West,
Toronto M5H 2N2.

If faxing comments: Committee of Adjustment at 416-0580

A petition against these intended variances being permitted has circulated. If you have not signed and wish to make comment on the requested variances, please contact your nearest NNNow representative. Comments may also be made to the council representative, Councillor Michael Layton. (councillor_layton@toronto.ca)

30 ORDNANCE/SPACING AT FORT YORK

Ordnance, a small little street located south of King consisting of primarily of single storey ex-industrial buildings, has managed to stay off the developer's radar for some time despite its attractive location to downtown, the lake, and what must be impressive views of the CN Tower. That's about change with a new residential condominium development consisting of two towers of 30 and 35 storeys with non-residential uses located at the ground level. Plans for the development will be available for view on Thursday March 10, 2011 between 6.30 - 8.30 pm at Fort York's Blue Barracks building. Residents are invited to drop by.
Councillor Mike Layton, Area Planner, Jeff Markowiak, the Developer and their Consultants will be in attendance.

While south of the NNNow community this development, along with the 2 - 3 new towers scheduled for Liberty Village could have considerable impact on through traffic in our neighbourhood. A benefit from this development: the eyesore billboards will likely go...

TORONTO'S CONDO CREEP WRECKING OUR HERITAGE?
The intensification of condominium development around Fort York is hard to ignore, and with 1812 celebrations fast approaching architect Catherine Nasmith writing in Built Heritage News - Issue No. 173 makes a point that Toronto's heritage - certainly our visual appreciation of these heritage spots - is fast being swallowed up by condo towers.

Toronto the Good Celebrates Anniversary of the War of 1812
Call me cynical, but it is entirely possible that Toronto will celebrate the anniversary of the War of 1812, the beginning of independent Canadian democracy, with both a condo tower marring the view of Queen's Park (almost certain) and a 50 story condo under construction on the site of the First Parliament Buildings (definitely possible).There is handwringing about the proposed development at Front and Parliament, and high level negotiations to try to relocate the project... but such things have a way of going sideways in Toronto the Good....The other important war of 1812 site, Fort York, could be completely ringed by towers as several additional condo tower proposals are coming forward with no policy in place to prevent them.
The development industry has a lot to celebrate. In Toronto, the financial capital of the country, it has virtually unfettered freedom to tear down and build whatever it wants.

Load the cannon."

NNNow residents interested in heritage near and far can subscribe to the built heritage newsletter at builtheritagenews.ca


SPACING AT FORT YORK:

Spacing Speaks @ Fork York (New series), March 3, 7 pm.

This is a new quarterly discussion forum featuring Spacing contributors for its seasonal editions.

The panellists (all of whom were featured in Spacing's winter issue)

Peter MacCallum: Toronto-based industrial architecture photographer discusses his photo essay "The Tannery"
Cindy Blazevic: Toronto-based visual artist who captured images of Igor Kenk's bike bunker before his subsequent arrest
Rick/Simon: Toronto artist discusses the isolating life on the island in the winter

The event is moderated by Shawn Micallef, Spacing Senior Editor

STRACHAN AVENUE OVERPASS STRUT DESIGN POLL!!!

FROM METROLINX.
Re: Strachan Avenue Overpass Strut Design Feedback
We (Metrolinx) received over 100 comments on the Strachan Avenue Overpass design we shared with the community on October 26, 2010. The feedback was thoughtful, creative, detailed and will help shape the look and feel of the overpass in the community.
As promised, we are sharing three new strut design options based on the feedback we received to get comment from the community. Please visit www.gotransit.com/gts to review the strut design options and have your say. The polls will close Sunday, February 27 and we’ll report back on your choices and the final strut design in March!

AND SO IT GOES...NIAGARA NEIGHBOURHOOD CENTRE

A chance for our new councillor to chat with local residents...
And cut some cake....

And view some of our archival photographs...(More can be viewed if you visit this
blog's photo gallery.)

When residents gathered at the Niagara Neighbourhood Centre on Friday, February 18th, stories were told, archival photographs were looked at with some wonder, and a giant celebratory cake was consumed amidst a lament that in recent years the community centre could have been used for more like gatherings - if not bingo. Councillor Mike Layton graciously gave up a long weekend Friday evening to attend, and this was the first chance for many residents to chat face-to-face to our new representative at City Hall. Naturally the park reno came up, and he gave an ear to all those who had an opinion. A sign-up form was available for all those wanting to hear more or forward ideas re. the Stanley Park refresh. For more info contact Councillor Layton's office. Feedback from attendees indicates that this event was a success. On Niagara Neighbourhood Now's part we feel it was proof that our community remains strong and dedicated to being involved in improving and enhancing the community. Viva for that!
Special Thanks to All Who Attended!!

CLEAN AIR COALITION PROTEST! FEBRUARY 18TH

Metrolinx says that electric trains are superior but….
McGuinty Liberals are planning to buy more diesels!


With the railway tracks lying right at the edge and cutting through our community, this is an issue you might want to make yourself heard on. Is it as simple a case of Electrification (quieter, cheaper to run, less polluting) & Diesels (noisier, more polluting). And should the Ont. Government be buying diesel trains just to help facilitate a 2 week sporting event. If you are on the side of Electrification (as is Metrolinx) make your voice heard this Friday! The Clean Air Coalition are holding at demonstration on February 18th demonstration outside Metrolinx Headquarters at 20 Bay Street starting at 8:30a.m.

From the Clean Air Coalition's Press Release:

On January 26, 2011, the Metrolinx Board of Directors announced there are “important transportation benefits associated with electrification… These benefits include shorter travel times for riders and lower operating costs.”

Despite the proven superiority of electric trains, the McGuinty Liberals are pushing ahead with plans to buy diesels for a rail link to Pearson Airport - plans to be approved by Metrolinx on February 18th. We will be there demonstrating our opposition to more diesels, and calling on the Province to build it right as electric from the start.

The Liberals believe purchasing diesel trains is necessary to have the line ready for the 2015 Pan Am Games – a two week sporting event which will see athletes commute to and from the airport, not on the rail link, but on special buses for the Pan Am Games.

Inflicting Torontonians with diesel air and noise pollution for the foreseeable future, all for the sake of a two week sporting event is absurd public policy.

To date the Ontario Liberal government has only committed to review an environmental study of the proposal for a future changeover of the Air Rail Link to electric, but has NOT committed to the electrification project itself. Metrolinx says that converting the about-to-be-purchased diesel trains to electric at a later date will cost an additional $400 million of scarce tax dollars, if any commitment for conversion ever becomes a reality.

Liberal MPPs who serve the Air Rail Link corridor communities have not changed their government’s plan. Tony Ruprecht and Laura Albanese have been ineffective in this fight. Shafiq Qaadri has not engaged at all. They run the risk of losing their seats in the October provincial election because of it.

The McGuinty Liberals must put the well-being of Ontario citizens and fiscal prudence first. They must NOT BUY MORE DIESEL LOCOMOTIVES.

Electric trains are faster, more economical, cleaner and quieter.
They do not require a massive concrete “noise” wall that will further divide our communities.
They can be better integrated with local transit with more stops

Please support upcoming campaign events! On Friday February 18th Clean Train Coalition is holding a demonstration in front of Metrolinx Headquarters 20 Bay Street (walk south from Union Station) starting at 8:30 am.


Visit cleantrain.ca, get more information and get on the campaign email list.

STANLEY PARK RENO...GOODBYE COMMUNITY CENTRE & FAREWELL GET-TOGETHER

At the end of February our Community Centre on Wellington Street/Stanley Park will be closing for demolition. That's right. Some of you may not even be aware this community has a centre, but once upon a time, is was used by the neighbourhood for various get-togethers far more than it has been in the past few years. Its demolition is one aspect of the redesign for Stanley Park...(The fenced in off-leash dog area is one change, the renovations to the swimming pool building another, and, indeed, there are more are to come!) The plans for the park were decided upon last year, but some elements have already raised issues. Councillor Mike Layton's office wants to create a list of residents that would like to be contacted about the redesign and possibly have a chance to voice their opinions about the park. If you are interested in joining this list, please email us at community@nnnow.ca and put "Stanley Park email" in the subject line.

SAVE THE DATE!!!
JOIN US AT OUR FAREWELL PARTY FOR THE COMMUNITY CENTRE ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 18TH AT 7.00PM! COUNCILLOR LAYTON WILL BE IN ATTENDANCE AS WILL MEMBERS OF NIAGARA NEIGHBOURHOOD NOW! WE HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!

The Community Centre from Wellington Street

Keeping in Touch

After a short hiatus, the Niagara Neighborhood Now blog is back in action. There are many different things happening in and around our community and this blog is dedicated to keeping you in touch. Please check back regularly. Issues that currently affect the neighbourhood: the 90 Niagara development and the upcoming plans for Bathurst/Front Street redevelopment by Minto/Freed. Although not in our community, its close proximity means that this development will have an impact on traffic, the skyline, and everything these things stand for.

90 NIAGARA
After the applicant withdrew its application from the last Committee of Adjustment hearing, they're back. Apparently tweaks have been made to the design, but the overall height is still not in conformity to the by-law. The next committee of adjustment date is set for March 30.

BATHURST FRONT DEVELOPMENT
A public meeting was held to view the pre-application proposal. In essence comprised of a 6 storey podium and four towers of varying heights - from 24 storeys to 12. The community spoke out against the development largely on the basis of its contravention of current height restrictions, and also its impact on Victoria Memorial Park (shadowing). Councillor Vaughan requested a revisit to the plans.

LOBLAWS LOOKS TO THE FUTURE THROUGH THE PAST
The heritage Loblaws building at the bottom of Bathurst will be restored. In 2011 the current building will be catalogued, dismantled in its entirety and rebuilt with an anticipated opening of 2014. The new building will have a Loblaws food store, a Joe Fresh and 2 other retail stores. The addition of a two storey office extension will create a small increase in height but its setback should not interfere with the Art Deco detail of the building. The building will also feature a green roof and landscaping on the Lakeshore side with patio. The main entrance will be located at Lakeshore/Bathurst.


NEW LIBRARY !
The new library at Bathurst/Fort York Boulevard will be an asset to our neighbourhood.
To ensure it meets all our needs, there will be another focus group on on Thursday, February 24th at 6.30 pm at Sanderson Library, 327 Bathurst Street.
Your input can help shape the new Bathurst/Fort York branch.
If you weren't at the first focus group at Harbourfront Community Centre,
plan to attend! Member of the
public who are interested in participating should contact
Penny Griffin, Library Service Manager at
pgriffin@torontopubliclibrary.ca or 416-393-7641