Fort York Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge Update

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(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.