THe more you read Rami's site the more you see where the problem lies, and it is at City. His recent legal victory over freedom to information was a victory for all citizens. A great site.
I complained about that pillar and it was moved back. Has anybody seen plans for the townhouses that I am told will go up there?
Ran> the Curves signs are the worst and when I am on the second floor of Whelan's I look out the window and wonder how they managed to stay.
I do caution people that the studio is not a done deal and people really need to stop talking like it will open for sure. Studio developments this size have a habit of not happening.
Currently there is great concern in the film and TV movie biz about the lack of projects in the city. I am in the biz and many of my friends are not working and are worried. Toronto may remain a media center but in fact a lot of the production that is still coming to the GTA is heading to places like Hamilton (Hulk) where there is more space and more locations (due to Toronto conversions, condos, and gentrification) are available. Many other production centers like Hamilton have caught on to what Toronto was doing and offer as good as packages and have large studio spaces. The Star story includes this.....
"Both developers have said more competition is good for the industry – but it remains to be seen if there will be enough work to go around given the strong Canadian dollar and increased global competition."
6 sound stages is a lot of capacity and remember that there are lots of other studios like Studio City on Pardee Avenue already around. I would add that the Filmport, like the Toronto Film Studios where I shot, has access to the DVP which makes a big difference to some films.
Personally I would love to see the studio happen as it would bring Bloor Street alive and bring new people and jobs to the area. If it does not happen then people need to be aware as the Star writes...
"Castlepoint, meanwhile, is a major Toronto developer, and the largest private landowner on the waterfront. The company, known for its high-profile projects, will build the Daniel Libeskind-designed L Tower at the Sony Centre."
Castlepoint doesn't buy the land in the speculative studio business without having a plan b which as far as I know has not been made public. Next chance we get we should start asking what plan b is.
Unfortunately I work for one of the big sign co's, not Pattison nor Astral. As for illegal signs in our area I can see big one. The biggest and uglest is on the Curves building west on Bloor. They have like (5) 10 x 20 boards hanging up there, looks awful...
Yes, that would be a surprise welcome if we had some new bizness'es prop up on that short strip (ie Symington/Bloor).
As for the Pinewood development, I live across from them on Perth. There has been increased activity, as they have restricted residence and the Church from using their parking lot. In the morning I have been seeing crew walk into the building. I think they are still testing soil and air etc. . .
I highly doubt the project is going to be up and running in a year. They originally planned for it to be open by Fall 2008. And as for Pinewood, they haven't offically signed on, so the door is still open for clean industerial companies to come in and open up shop.
Im on Perth, south of Bloor. Before receiving the bins I had called the City in regards to the size of the bin. My lane is 2ft wide, the porch isn't very big. The City sent an offical over to our place. After measuring the lane and looking at the porch, he had concluded that we should receive TWO Medium bins. The medium bins would fit thru our side lane. He also mentioned we would receive one medium bin 1st and the second would come later on in the year once everyone in the city recived their bins.
The bin came and unfortunately it was large. I called the city on it. They were not sure when I would receive a medium size bin. They only told me it would later on in the year.
Very dissappointed as to how they handled this, especially sending over an inspector of some type on rate payers dollars. The bin company must be making a killing on this contract from the City.
I'm sorry to hear that you didn't find out about the meeting. We had tried to distribute flyers to as much of the neighbourhood as possible. Adam Gimabrone's office covered the area north of Wallace Ave., and various other volunteers flyered the areas south of Wallace. In many cases, flyers were not given to people with "no junk mail / no flyers / etc." signs on their mailboxes. Posters were also hung in various places around the neighbourhood, and we had an article in The Villager. I posted about this meeting in various online forums/listings as well. In any case, we tried to be as inclusive as possible.
It's unlikely that we will be able to flyer for every meeting, so what I recommend is that people should:
Check the website frequently. News and upcoming events listings are updated frequently.
Details about the next meeting will be posted online and emailed out soon.
As for the trucks on sidewalks....that is a pet peeve of mine too! I actually just rode my bike up Edwin Ave. on my way to work this morning and there was a massive full-length transport truck completely covering the western sidewalk. I ofen see motorists parking and idling on the sidewalks all around the schools too. And on Symington...Perth...etc.
Intresting I live on Edwin & was never informed about the meeting, I wonder how encompassing your group really is...I accidently stumbled on this site, after looking for somewhere to complain about the transport trucks ramping the sidewalks, blocking the roads, idling for excessive amounts of time & extreme noise levels on my street. Which I am at wits ends about...5:45AM and the tow motor is riding up & down the street moving around garbage...i called the police, and I URGE everyone to keep calling the police (416)808-2222 - non emergency number - at every single noise disturbance or they will keep doing it!
Yes, that is important to note. Many people have worked hard over the years. Their knowledge and experience would be a huge asset in making a group like this prosper.
I hope that the SJTRA can bring more people together to collaborate on these and many other issues that come up.
I would add that there have been many smaller groups or individuals who have been involved in these issues over the years from Solways to Railpath and on and on. If SJ is truly representative of the area that will be an improvement; it is the child of a lot previous efforts.
Yesterday we got a notice in our mailbox from the City saying that effective immediately, ALL garbage and recycling will be picked up in the laneway.
This is certainly a welcome change from the alternating "Recycling on the street / garbage in the lane" schedule. Can keep all the bins together in the garage / backyard now too, rather than on the front porch.
Interesting. I haven't seen the robotic arms in action yet. I've always had my doubts with those, especially around parked cars etc.
The truck that did Symington this morning didn't have a robotic arm. Just a lifter/shaker on the back. A person had to drag the bin over to the truck and put in in place for the lifter to do its thing.....then the person put the bin back where it belongs.
I wonder if they will continue to use this system (no robotic arms) in our neighbourhood, because I doubt they will be able to manouver around parked cars and other obstacles.
You're ablsolutely right that the plastics industry has benefitted the most from this! :)
I live on Perth, and while not able to see the pick-up in action on my street, I was able to see the chaos that was left behind as I drove along Caledonia on my way to work.
According to the City's FAQ page, the robotic arm will set the bin back exactly as it was found.
Um.....no it doesn't.
There was not one bin standing upright after it was emptied, and as I came to a stop at Eglinton, and saw the truck, now I know why.
This robotic arm had about as much dexterity as a baby trying to use a spoon for the first time. It was clunky and jerky, and by the look of horror on those waiting at the bus stop, not safe to be standing near.
The city claims that all of this is a way to decrease the amount of landfill, but honestly, once you are already recycling as much as your household can, the box that it goes into on the curb isn't going to increase that.
Would it not make more sense to take that 60 million and invest it in altering our recycling facilities to accept more items such as packaging from meat, salad, vegetables etc?
I watched the recycling truck pick up a few loads along the east side of Symington this morning. There are no parked cars there (except for the odd illegally parked / sidewalk parked motorist), so the pickup actually looked really easy and efficient. Didn't seem any faster or slower than before, though I can't say I've ever actually studied the timing.
Coming back along our side of Symington, the truck stopped up the street for a while with a City of Toronto pickup behind it. Maybe there was some kind of mechanical problem.... so I didn't get to see in person how the pickup worked infront of my own house, and between parked cars. Though during the day, there are many openings between the cars for the recycling collectors to get through. If we get a really snowy winter again, this may become more of a challenge.
One of my neighbours got the biggest sized recycling bin and apparently it's not big enough! I was kind of surprised at that, since our "large" bin was less than half-full. I noticed a few other neighbours bins were over-loaded as well.
I liked the fact that on such a windy morning, there was no paper/etc. flying around all over the street. It's definitely a tidier way to collect.
I think there will be some kinks to work out, but it seems that on Symington it will work out for the best. I think some of the south Perth and Sterling residents will have a tougher time with space though. Hopefully something can be worked out for them.
On a related note..... does anyone know *why* the recycling is picked up from the street, and garbage picked up via the laneway??
I want to thank all of the residents and friends who showed up to help with the South Perth and Sterling Road area cleanup, we made a difference and yet we know there will be more to do, so after several requests I am working on arranging a "Fall Cleanup" date for October 4th/08 ... Interested in assisting with organizing an entore community? drop me a line a flpshr@gmail.com
Hello neighbours.
Are you looking for yummy fruits and veggies delivered practically to your door?
I live on Symington just north of Antler and every other Wednesday
"Good Food Box"es get dropped off here, and neighbours come and pick up their order.
You can order a small good food box for $12, a large one for $19, a small organic for $22 and a large organic
for $35.
You can find out more about FOODSHARE's Good Food Box program at www.foodshare.net
There is no long term commitment - you can try it for one week and see how it goes if you like??
Send me an email if you are interested - next deadline for ordering is April 23rd.
Enjoy the sunshine
Lori
p.s. Thanks Vic for setting up this site! I look forward to meeting more neighbours.
“Our tender closed February 22nd, and after review, we are recommending award to the low bidder, Mopal Construction Ltd. A report will be going forward to Bid Committee shortly, and we will be executing a contract with Mopal probably towards the end of April. Construction should start early in May. The full scope of work will be awarded, thanks to some funding assistance from Transportation Division, although the timing of construction north of Dupont Street is still to be sorted out. Negotiations with Go Transit are ongoing regarding their potential use of the lands temporarily for trucking material off site from their rail grade separation project. Our work will start this spring regardless.
Anticipated completion of the project is June 2009.”
That's a bit slower than what was mentioned at the last public meeting, but I'm glad it's moving forward.
I can't speak for everyone else, but I'm all for the positive things you mentioned. :-)
Enjoyed the Bloor/Dundas meeting tonight. Spoke to several people about this Residents Association too (I was the one who mentioned it to the group towards the end of the evening).
great to see more neighbours/communities getting together to promote & co-create a healthier urban life for all children and everyone.
Though i live in beautiful Parkdale, I work right near perth/bloor.
funny i should come across you guys here just when that public visioning meeting is happening tonight. (i should be there).
i trust you guys feel all the benefits of more bike riding, trees, positive places for youth, pleasent pedestrian places and less poisinous, stinky, ugly, noisy, space-hogging over-conveniencing of car driving?
THe more you read Rami's site the more you see where the problem lies, and it is at City. His recent legal victory over freedom to information was a victory for all citizens. A great site.
I complained about that pillar and it was moved back. Has anybody seen plans for the townhouses that I am told will go up there?
Ran> the Curves signs are the worst and when I am on the second floor of Whelan's I look out the window and wonder how they managed to stay.
I do caution people that the studio is not a done deal and people really need to stop talking like it will open for sure. Studio developments this size have a habit of not happening.
Currently there is great concern in the film and TV movie biz about the lack of projects in the city. I am in the biz and many of my friends are not working and are worried. Toronto may remain a media center but in fact a lot of the production that is still coming to the GTA is heading to places like Hamilton (Hulk) where there is more space and more locations (due to Toronto conversions, condos, and gentrification) are available. Many other production centers like Hamilton have caught on to what Toronto was doing and offer as good as packages and have large studio spaces. The Star story includes this.....
"Both developers have said more competition is good for the industry – but it remains to be seen if there will be enough work to go around given the strong Canadian dollar and increased global competition."
6 sound stages is a lot of capacity and remember that there are lots of other studios like Studio City on Pardee Avenue already around. I would add that the Filmport, like the Toronto Film Studios where I shot, has access to the DVP which makes a big difference to some films.
Personally I would love to see the studio happen as it would bring Bloor Street alive and bring new people and jobs to the area. If it does not happen then people need to be aware as the Star writes...
"Castlepoint, meanwhile, is a major Toronto developer, and the largest private landowner on the waterfront. The company, known for its high-profile projects, will build the Daniel Libeskind-designed L Tower at the Sony Centre."
Castlepoint doesn't buy the land in the speculative studio business without having a plan b which as far as I know has not been made public. Next chance we get we should start asking what plan b is.
Unfortunately I work for one of the big sign co's, not Pattison nor Astral. As for illegal signs in our area I can see big one. The biggest and uglest is on the Curves building west on Bloor. They have like (5) 10 x 20 boards hanging up there, looks awful...
Ran
Yes, that would be a surprise welcome if we had some new bizness'es prop up on that short strip (ie Symington/Bloor).
As for the Pinewood development, I live across from them on Perth. There has been increased activity, as they have restricted residence and the Church from using their parking lot. In the morning I have been seeing crew walk into the building. I think they are still testing soil and air etc. . .
I highly doubt the project is going to be up and running in a year. They originally planned for it to be open by Fall 2008. And as for Pinewood, they haven't offically signed on, so the door is still open for clean industerial companies to come in and open up shop.
Ran
Hi there,
Im on Perth, south of Bloor. Before receiving the bins I had called the City in regards to the size of the bin. My lane is 2ft wide, the porch isn't very big. The City sent an offical over to our place. After measuring the lane and looking at the porch, he had concluded that we should receive TWO Medium bins. The medium bins would fit thru our side lane. He also mentioned we would receive one medium bin 1st and the second would come later on in the year once everyone in the city recived their bins.
The bin came and unfortunately it was large. I called the city on it. They were not sure when I would receive a medium size bin. They only told me it would later on in the year.
Very dissappointed as to how they handled this, especially sending over an inspector of some type on rate payers dollars. The bin company must be making a killing on this contract from the City.
Ran
Why don't we call ourselves Wallace Junction as the City does ?
Hi,
Thanks for writing.
I'm sorry to hear that you didn't find out about the meeting. We had tried to distribute flyers to as much of the neighbourhood as possible. Adam Gimabrone's office covered the area north of Wallace Ave., and various other volunteers flyered the areas south of Wallace. In many cases, flyers were not given to people with "no junk mail / no flyers / etc." signs on their mailboxes. Posters were also hung in various places around the neighbourhood, and we had an article in The Villager. I posted about this meeting in various online forums/listings as well. In any case, we tried to be as inclusive as possible.
It's unlikely that we will be able to flyer for every meeting, so what I recommend is that people should:
Details about the next meeting will be posted online and emailed out soon.
As for the trucks on sidewalks....that is a pet peeve of mine too! I actually just rode my bike up Edwin Ave. on my way to work this morning and there was a massive full-length transport truck completely covering the western sidewalk. I ofen see motorists parking and idling on the sidewalks all around the schools too. And on Symington...Perth...etc.
Do the police ever respond to your complaints?
Intresting I live on Edwin & was never informed about the meeting, I wonder how encompassing your group really is...I accidently stumbled on this site, after looking for somewhere to complain about the transport trucks ramping the sidewalks, blocking the roads, idling for excessive amounts of time & extreme noise levels on my street. Which I am at wits ends about...5:45AM and the tow motor is riding up & down the street moving around garbage...i called the police, and I URGE everyone to keep calling the police (416)808-2222 - non emergency number - at every single noise disturbance or they will keep doing it!
By the way, we need a shorter name. We should just be "The Triangle" because they never go out of style!
Yes, that is important to note. Many people have worked hard over the years. Their knowledge and experience would be a huge asset in making a group like this prosper.
I hope that the SJTRA can bring more people together to collaborate on these and many other issues that come up.
I would add that there have been many smaller groups or individuals who have been involved in these issues over the years from Solways to Railpath and on and on. If SJ is truly representative of the area that will be an improvement; it is the child of a lot previous efforts.
Yesterday we got a notice in our mailbox from the City saying that effective immediately, ALL garbage and recycling will be picked up in the laneway.
This is certainly a welcome change from the alternating "Recycling on the street / garbage in the lane" schedule. Can keep all the bins together in the garage / backyard now too, rather than on the front porch.
Scott sent in some photos from the Jane's Walk along the future Railpath site. You can view his photos here.
Interesting. I haven't seen the robotic arms in action yet. I've always had my doubts with those, especially around parked cars etc.
The truck that did Symington this morning didn't have a robotic arm. Just a lifter/shaker on the back. A person had to drag the bin over to the truck and put in in place for the lifter to do its thing.....then the person put the bin back where it belongs.
I wonder if they will continue to use this system (no robotic arms) in our neighbourhood, because I doubt they will be able to manouver around parked cars and other obstacles.
You're ablsolutely right that the plastics industry has benefitted the most from this! :)
Cheers,
Vic
Well,
I live on Perth, and while not able to see the pick-up in action on my street, I was able to see the chaos that was left behind as I drove along Caledonia on my way to work.
According to the City's FAQ page, the robotic arm will set the bin back exactly as it was found.
Um.....no it doesn't.
There was not one bin standing upright after it was emptied, and as I came to a stop at Eglinton, and saw the truck, now I know why.
This robotic arm had about as much dexterity as a baby trying to use a spoon for the first time. It was clunky and jerky, and by the look of horror on those waiting at the bus stop, not safe to be standing near.
The city claims that all of this is a way to decrease the amount of landfill, but honestly, once you are already recycling as much as your household can, the box that it goes into on the curb isn't going to increase that.
Would it not make more sense to take that 60 million and invest it in altering our recycling facilities to accept more items such as packaging from meat, salad, vegetables etc?
I watched the recycling truck pick up a few loads along the east side of Symington this morning. There are no parked cars there (except for the odd illegally parked / sidewalk parked motorist), so the pickup actually looked really easy and efficient. Didn't seem any faster or slower than before, though I can't say I've ever actually studied the timing.
Coming back along our side of Symington, the truck stopped up the street for a while with a City of Toronto pickup behind it. Maybe there was some kind of mechanical problem.... so I didn't get to see in person how the pickup worked infront of my own house, and between parked cars. Though during the day, there are many openings between the cars for the recycling collectors to get through. If we get a really snowy winter again, this may become more of a challenge.
One of my neighbours got the biggest sized recycling bin and apparently it's not big enough! I was kind of surprised at that, since our "large" bin was less than half-full. I noticed a few other neighbours bins were over-loaded as well.
I liked the fact that on such a windy morning, there was no paper/etc. flying around all over the street. It's definitely a tidier way to collect.
I think there will be some kinks to work out, but it seems that on Symington it will work out for the best. I think some of the south Perth and Sterling residents will have a tougher time with space though. Hopefully something can be worked out for them.
On a related note..... does anyone know *why* the recycling is picked up from the street, and garbage picked up via the laneway??
Cheers,
Vic
That's great. I heard you tackled a huge job in your area, and cleaned up more than just the usual litter!
I want to thank all of the residents and friends who showed up to help with the South Perth and Sterling Road area cleanup, we made a difference and yet we know there will be more to do, so after several requests I am working on arranging a "Fall Cleanup" date for October 4th/08 ... Interested in assisting with organizing an entore community? drop me a line a flpshr@gmail.com
We've been getting the Good Food Box for a few months now. Always a pleasure!
I especially like getting new "interesting" things to eat, and that the GFB always includes recipes for the featured item that month.
Lori...you forgot to post your email address so that people can contact you. :)
Cheers,
Vic
Hello neighbours.
Are you looking for yummy fruits and veggies delivered practically to your door?
I live on Symington just north of Antler and every other Wednesday
"Good Food Box"es get dropped off here, and neighbours come and pick up their order.
You can order a small good food box for $12, a large one for $19, a small organic for $22 and a large organic
for $35.
You can find out more about FOODSHARE's Good Food Box program at www.foodshare.net
There is no long term commitment - you can try it for one week and see how it goes if you like??
Send me an email if you are interested - next deadline for ordering is April 23rd.
Enjoy the sunshine
Lori
p.s. Thanks Vic for setting up this site! I look forward to meeting more neighbours.
Of course IT can be a creative industry...it powers and runs all the non-linear edit systems and render farms and on and on.
IT a creative industry?..that's pushing it a bit. Hopefully Pinewood is a go.
This was posted on the West Toronto Rail Path email list today:
That's a bit slower than what was mentioned at the last public meeting, but I'm glad it's moving forward.
Hi Ira,
Welcome to the neighbourhood.
I can't speak for everyone else, but I'm all for the positive things you mentioned. :-)
Enjoyed the Bloor/Dundas meeting tonight. Spoke to several people about this Residents Association too (I was the one who mentioned it to the group towards the end of the evening).
Cheers,
Vic
great to see more neighbours/communities getting together to promote & co-create a healthier urban life for all children and everyone.
Though i live in beautiful Parkdale, I work right near perth/bloor.
funny i should come across you guys here just when that public visioning meeting is happening tonight. (i should be there).
i trust you guys feel all the benefits of more bike riding, trees, positive places for youth, pleasent pedestrian places and less poisinous, stinky, ugly, noisy, space-hogging over-conveniencing of car driving?