Just received a letter from the Minister of Transportation Bob Chiarelli indicating that the government intends to proceed with the Metrolinx Full Build Noise Wall Plan despite the strong objections of area residents all along the rail corridor. A copy of the letter will be posted shortly, but the key sentence reads "If Metrolinx is unable to address reasonable community issues, then it will revisit the decision to install Full Build noise mitigation (sound walls) for 2015, which will be done through further consultation with community stakeholders."
Metrolinx changed their building plans after this document was posted. They are moving ahead now with their Full Build plan. They intend to construct five metre tall Noise Walls on both sides of the tracks across large sections of the rail corridor including our neighbourhood.
An important note about this plan: The first part of the plan is for an early "2015 opening day" noise wall. Later in the document they show the full build-out, starting on Page 46. You can see the impact on the Junction Triangle starting on Page 57.
Ana Bailao held a press conference this afternoon to announce she has pled guilty to drunk driving charges. You can read about it here on the CBC or in the Toronto Sun, which has some quotes from Ana in Don Peat's Twitter feed.
To sum it up, she can't drive for a year and has to pay a $1000 fine.
There have been cabarets there since the 1994. We went last night ad had a ton of fun. Good variety, friendly crowd and really funny. I recommend it. After tonight (Jan. 26) the next one will be March 29-30.
Dang ! Myself and a legion of other artists have been visiting Solways for over a decade to search through the mystery bins for parts and inspiration. All communities have their characters I somehow don't draw the same inspiration from a condo highrise. Pleasant banality does not necessarily add to a city.
solways may have been an eyesore but i have been going there along with a legion of other artists for more than a decade to search through the mystery bins for raw materials and inspiration...condos and starbucks and spiffy stores don't inspire the imagination in quite the same way. Pleasant banality hurrah!
I've taken my kids to this a few times since it opened earlier last year - what a unique space - and a big sense of space. We're really fortunate to have something like this in our community - regardless of your feelings toward art, or their style of art carried there. I'd like to learn more how that space could be further used for events - integrating art and a great space more into the JT. Bravo!
Re: Metrolinx plan to construct Noise Walls five metres tall along the Georgetown South rail corridor.
Dear Mr. Chiarelli,
I would like to echo the concerns about the Metrolinx plan to construct Noise Walls five metres tall raised by residents from in the neighbourhoods across Toronto's west end that includes West Bend, Weston, Mount Dennis, Dupont West, Parkdale, Roncesvalles, Liberty Village and Junction Triangle.
As noted by Kevin Putnam of the Junction Triangle Rail Committee, the residents shared their concerns at a recent meeting about these noise walls. They wondered about the limited benefit of the walls to people and homes within 100 metres of the structures versus the impact of constructing massive barriers that will create safety issues, block light, inhibit the growth of plants and trees and provide a large canvas for graffiti stretching for miles across the city.
Imagine if Chicago decided to build five metre walls across their entire 'L' system. What would that city look like? Actually, you probably wouldn't see much of the city with all those walls!
Please consider the impact these massive walls will have on these neighbourhoods.
Go to http://www.anabailao.ca/ward18-planning/ and there is a map where you can zoom in and look at developments. There are 5 slated for that corner. In at least one case the OMB overruled the planning department. You think Lansdowne and Dupont is busy now.....
There are two condos slated for the south west corner (upside down condo prices and my electric city) and then the two fuse developments (fuse and fuse 2) for the north west corner.
Looks like it will be re-opening another another name. There's signage for a coffee & tea place on the door, but it looks like the same font they were using before
Originally it was because it seemed that they were doing renos but perhaps they had to re-do stuff because they didn't have permits and that could take awhile...hope it's back up though!
I've been to the TCC a few times and always enjoyed my hot chocolates :) But passing by there recently, I noticed that the window were covered up and there was a sign posted. Has it closed?
new filters being installed but there is need for fine tuning as the smell persists at times (but at a lower level). Please do contact Michael Vieira, Constituency Assistant of the Office of Ana Bailão, City Councillor, mvieira2@toronto.ca (416) 338-5277. the more pressure the more likely this gets resolved.
Hi, the n'hood is really great for all the reasons mentioned.
the trains are not an issue for me as covered by others. I like that there is little auto traffic with all the good things that implies in terms of noise and air quality.
On Nitta: see the thread: https://www.junctiontriangle.ca/node/1661
I just put up a new entry about filters being installed but there is need for fine tuning as the smell persists at times (but at a lower level). For others please do contact Michael Vieira, Constituency Assistant of the Office of Ana Bailão, City Councillor, mvieira2@toronto.ca (416) 338-5277. the more pressure the more likely this gets resolved.
I'm glad you're considering the neighbourhood. We are a vegan family who moved here, to the end of Wallace Ave, 1.5 years ago. To be honest, I didn't even know about the gelatin factory until the summer, and only on certain days the closer we got to Lansdowne.
As for the trains, we live right beside the other tracks, W of Rankin. I thought they would a lot worse that they are to be honest. I don't feel the rumbling, and I only hear a horn blowing once a day, and never early in the morning or late at night. I'm not sure if the tracks nearer to Rankin are any different (I don't imagine they would be) but sometimes I forget there is even a train. I've also never found the trains stinky.
The neighbourhood is really, really great. I hesitated to move here and have never regretted it. The community is amazing and more and more new businesses are moving in along Bloor and even Dupont. There's a great little bulk/health food store a block or so East of Lansdowne called the Nut House that is great for us, as well as a vegetarian South Indian restaurant. Zocalo near Symington and Bloor has wonderful vegetarian brunch options. Not to mention, the parks, the rail path, good transit. The pros definitely outweigh the cons.
I was at one of the public consultation meetings and there were 4 people there and 3 of them were against walls if they were not needed. Hardly the endorsement that Metrolinx is claiming!
Question, has Metrolinx compared the need for walls if there is an electric system? If so why not? Every major rail operator from Caltrain to British Rail says that electric trains are cheaper to operate and are "significantly quieter". Why is this news to Metrolinx? Are they not in the train business? Do they not have access to the internet? At conventions dont they ever bump into the majority of commuter train builders who are going or converting to electric? Where's the science?
Just received a letter from the Minister of Transportation Bob Chiarelli indicating that the government intends to proceed with the Metrolinx Full Build Noise Wall Plan despite the strong objections of area residents all along the rail corridor. A copy of the letter will be posted shortly, but the key sentence reads "If Metrolinx is unable to address reasonable community issues, then it will revisit the decision to install Full Build noise mitigation (sound walls) for 2015, which will be done through further consultation with community stakeholders."
Metrolinx changed their building plans after this document was posted. They are moving ahead now with their Full Build plan. They intend to construct five metre tall Noise Walls on both sides of the tracks across large sections of the rail corridor including our neighbourhood.
I added a link to Metrolinx's noise wall plan to this post. Grab it here:
http://www.gotransit.com/gts/en/docs/GTS_Operational_Noise_and_Vibration...
An important note about this plan: The first part of the plan is for an early "2015 opening day" noise wall. Later in the document they show the full build-out, starting on Page 46. You can see the impact on the Junction Triangle starting on Page 57.
Unfortunately, it looks like Sham Shawarma is closed and the space is for rent.
Photo by Carlos from Cafe Con Leche, today:
https://twitter.com/DrKarlios/status/297766128766308355/photo/1/large
BlogTO posted a review of El Almacen:
http://www.blogto.com/cafes/el-almacen-dupont-toronto
This was taken on these gentlemen's last shift at Solways in December 2012.
Editor's note: I updated this post with a link to the photo.
Ana Bailao held a press conference this afternoon to announce she has pled guilty to drunk driving charges. You can read about it here on the CBC or in the Toronto Sun, which has some quotes from Ana in Don Peat's Twitter feed.
To sum it up, she can't drive for a year and has to pay a $1000 fine.
There have been cabarets there since the 1994. We went last night ad had a ton of fun. Good variety, friendly crowd and really funny. I recommend it. After tonight (Jan. 26) the next one will be March 29-30.
Dang ! Myself and a legion of other artists have been visiting Solways for over a decade to search through the mystery bins for parts and inspiration. All communities have their characters I somehow don't draw the same inspiration from a condo highrise. Pleasant banality does not necessarily add to a city.
solways may have been an eyesore but i have been going there along with a legion of other artists for more than a decade to search through the mystery bins for raw materials and inspiration...condos and starbucks and spiffy stores don't inspire the imagination in quite the same way. Pleasant banality hurrah!
This is great - something I'd love to support. I had no idea that it even existed! I'll have to go!
I've taken my kids to this a few times since it opened earlier last year - what a unique space - and a big sense of space. We're really fortunate to have something like this in our community - regardless of your feelings toward art, or their style of art carried there. I'd like to learn more how that space could be further used for events - integrating art and a great space more into the JT. Bravo!
BlogTO posted a profile of Arsenal today: http://www.blogto.com/gallery/arsenal-toronto#
Re: Metrolinx plan to construct Noise Walls five metres tall along the Georgetown South rail corridor.
Dear Mr. Chiarelli,
I would like to echo the concerns about the Metrolinx plan to construct Noise Walls five metres tall raised by residents from in the neighbourhoods across Toronto's west end that includes West Bend, Weston, Mount Dennis, Dupont West, Parkdale, Roncesvalles, Liberty Village and Junction Triangle.
As noted by Kevin Putnam of the Junction Triangle Rail Committee, the residents shared their concerns at a recent meeting about these noise walls. They wondered about the limited benefit of the walls to people and homes within 100 metres of the structures versus the impact of constructing massive barriers that will create safety issues, block light, inhibit the growth of plants and trees and provide a large canvas for graffiti stretching for miles across the city.
Imagine if Chicago decided to build five metre walls across their entire 'L' system. What would that city look like? Actually, you probably wouldn't see much of the city with all those walls!
Please consider the impact these massive walls will have on these neighbourhoods.
Thank you for your time.
Go to http://www.anabailao.ca/ward18-planning/ and there is a map where you can zoom in and look at developments. There are 5 slated for that corner. In at least one case the OMB overruled the planning department. You think Lansdowne and Dupont is busy now.....
There are two condos slated for the south west corner (upside down condo prices and my electric city) and then the two fuse developments (fuse and fuse 2) for the north west corner.
Looks like it will be re-opening another another name. There's signage for a coffee & tea place on the door, but it looks like the same font they were using before
Originally it was because it seemed that they were doing renos but perhaps they had to re-do stuff because they didn't have permits and that could take awhile...hope it's back up though!
I've been to the TCC a few times and always enjoyed my hot chocolates :) But passing by there recently, I noticed that the window were covered up and there was a sign posted. Has it closed?
Welcome! Can you update us on your hours? Thanks.
High Park locksmiths - I don't have his card but have used him 2x now - quick and affordable.
new filters being installed but there is need for fine tuning as the smell persists at times (but at a lower level). Please do contact Michael Vieira, Constituency Assistant of the Office of Ana Bailão, City Councillor, mvieira2@toronto.ca (416) 338-5277. the more pressure the more likely this gets resolved.
Hi, the n'hood is really great for all the reasons mentioned.
the trains are not an issue for me as covered by others. I like that there is little auto traffic with all the good things that implies in terms of noise and air quality.
On Nitta: see the thread:
https://www.junctiontriangle.ca/node/1661
I just put up a new entry about filters being installed but there is need for fine tuning as the smell persists at times (but at a lower level). For others please do contact Michael Vieira, Constituency Assistant of the Office of Ana Bailão, City Councillor, mvieira2@toronto.ca (416) 338-5277. the more pressure the more likely this gets resolved.
Hi there,
I'm glad you're considering the neighbourhood. We are a vegan family who moved here, to the end of Wallace Ave, 1.5 years ago. To be honest, I didn't even know about the gelatin factory until the summer, and only on certain days the closer we got to Lansdowne.
As for the trains, we live right beside the other tracks, W of Rankin. I thought they would a lot worse that they are to be honest. I don't feel the rumbling, and I only hear a horn blowing once a day, and never early in the morning or late at night. I'm not sure if the tracks nearer to Rankin are any different (I don't imagine they would be) but sometimes I forget there is even a train. I've also never found the trains stinky.
The neighbourhood is really, really great. I hesitated to move here and have never regretted it. The community is amazing and more and more new businesses are moving in along Bloor and even Dupont. There's a great little bulk/health food store a block or so East of Lansdowne called the Nut House that is great for us, as well as a vegetarian South Indian restaurant. Zocalo near Symington and Bloor has wonderful vegetarian brunch options. Not to mention, the parks, the rail path, good transit. The pros definitely outweigh the cons.
I was at one of the public consultation meetings and there were 4 people there and 3 of them were against walls if they were not needed. Hardly the endorsement that Metrolinx is claiming!
Question, has Metrolinx compared the need for walls if there is an electric system? If so why not? Every major rail operator from Caltrain to British Rail says that electric trains are cheaper to operate and are "significantly quieter". Why is this news to Metrolinx? Are they not in the train business? Do they not have access to the internet? At conventions dont they ever bump into the majority of commuter train builders who are going or converting to electric? Where's the science?