It's interesting to note that they're marketing the walkability of our neighbourhood. Though I wish they put a bit more of an immediate local focus, rather than hyping up High Park (1.2km away) and Bloor West Village (2+km away!). Also, it's not in "Bloor by The Park" (that's the BIA on Bloor between Dundas and Keele), but the Junction Triangle! Wish they'd give some love to our stretches of Bloor and Dupont.
But agree that one of the awesome things about our 'hood is the walkability and close proximity to so many shops, services, and attractions. This site's location next to the Railpath and Wallace Bridge is awesome (apart from increased diesel train traffic...)
It might not officially open until Saturday, but the gates are down and the new bike path from Perth/Sterling is open (this morning) to the West Toronto Railpath. It's terrific. What a generous effort on the part of Castlepoint to build the connection before they even started construction on their property!
The organizers of "Cycle and Celebrate the West Toronto Railpath" could use some volunteers on Saturday to assist with children's activities such as face painting. If you want to step up and help email: Kristin Schwartz
Just walked through last night. They have set up fencing and a path that people and bikes can go across. If the city is laying down the asphalt I am not sure if people will be allowed through but the letter that went out to the neighbours in that area only mentioned vehicular traffic.
This was Councillor Bailao's response to an email I sent:
Thank you for contacting me regarding concerns about the Dupont Street bicycle lane.
Last year, myself, Councillor Palacio, and Councillor Perks requested an Options Report to investigate ways of improving traffic conditions on Dupont Street. The examination of Dupont Street by City Staff was prompted by many complaints from both drivers and cyclists.
In discussion with Transportation Staff, I have been working on solutions to make this area safer and clearer for all road users. Among the changes being investigated include better signage, curb separation, light synchronization, designated turning lanes, among others.
Most recently, I met with City Staff, the Mayor, and fellow Councillors to reiterate the need for this Options Report and move forward on improving traffic and safety conditions along this bike route.
I also absolutely agree that cyclists need more cycling infrastructure, and will continue to support such projects. I have been very vocal that I would not be supportive of outright removing the Dupont bike lanes. I do, however, strongly believe that it can be made to work better and support the efforts of City Staff to explore these options. Like City staff, who conduct thorough studies to evaluate proposed bicycle lanes, I believe in the importance of research and consultation. Traffic dynamics, parking, resident feedback and, most importantly safety, all factor heavily into the study process and deserve careful consideration.
Thank you again for contacting me and, as always, please do not hesitate to do so in the future.
Sincerely,
Ana Bailão
City Councillor
Ward 18, Davenport
I think it's important to note that Councillors Bailao, Perks, and Palacio have been working together for over a year on coming up with ideas to make traffic flow better on Dupont. I also remember Ana being upset at the last time that Palacio stepped up suddenly with that motion to remove the bike lanes in July 2011, seemingly throwing aside the work they had started together.
My personal opinion is that councillors like Bailao and Perks are actually trying to work with the community and City staff to come up with good solutions to these issues, while some councillors like Palacio take the easy way out and just push for returning to the status quo.
Ana Said:
“I’m not even contemplating that at the moment. We need to see what data city staff come up with… I do have lot of residents saying things have gotten worse since the bike lanes went in. Sometimes perception can be different from the reality. We want to get the public involved. We need to formalize a consultation that will include the cyclists, the people in the neighbourhood, the business owners.”
This is not the first time rumors were started about bike lanes and people. Like the one about Ana doesn't like Bike lanes. I think this person needs to retract as well. JF
Cesar Palacio's record of voting against anything to do with cycling is pretty established. He even voted against giving Community Councils the ability to decide on bike infrastructure so that citizens in wards who want more cycling opportunities could be outvoted by councilors who who dont even live nearby. Cesar Palacio has a record of voting against every kind of bike project even when it is supported by the local councilor and at the opposite end of the city and would not effect his ward in any way. There is no gray area on this one.
Desmond Cole wrote an article in Torontoist, with some details provided by Councillors Ana Bailao and Mike Layton (he sits on the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee).
Can't help but notice the huge signs indicating that Wallace is closed at the train tracks this weekend for construction.... does anyone know if pedestrians will be allowed to cross the tracks, or do we need to find alternate routes to Campbell for this?
Didn't read the Now article, never read their paper before, so I wound not know.
Anyhow will wait to hear back from the Mayors office to again, Clarify. It's better to hear it from the players someone inside, rather then just here say.
For me it's about the process and consultation. Once we hear from all side those in favour, against and those in the middle then one can move forwarding with adding or removing bike lanes. This is what is important to me and I fell others in the community and across the City feel the same way.
I am not sure if attacking is what he is doing. I guess he is just responing to the tax payers/citizens complaints. I don't think this is a personal. This is the first time I heard that Councillor Palacio is attacking the bike lanes on dupont.
Maybe Ana's office will clear this up. It's her ward after all. JF
I don't know if this is true but, a) they're not his ward and, b) didn't a cyclist die a few years ago at the underpass? It wouldn't surprise me if Palacio did something like this as he votes with Rob Ford 100% of the time and those guys are out to remove bike lanes around the city.
Spoke to Councillors Palacio's office and they said they don't know anything about this. This is Ana's Wardthey said. Wanted to ask the person who posted the above message if they have any evidence to support the claim about Cesar wanting to remove Dupont Bike lanes????
They had one or two last year two.... simply a great way to meet your neighbours and chat it up with people from surrounding areas... if you ever bring your child to play at Campbell, come on out and properly meet the other parents!!
Picnic blankets are a great idea, the table space was hard to come by last time....
I have been driving past over last few months, and I have been curious as to what was going on....
I am so looking forward to the opening! I have been watching the progress from afar. Congratulations!
P
At one time the TTC property was considered for the new 11 Division police headquarters as it would be a inter City land transfer but the costs and timeline of remediation made it unworkable.
There was a presentation about this at the last DIGIN meeting, on May 8 2012. I missed most of this presentation because I arrived late, but a quick summary:
I believe the TCE contamination cleanup is still ongoing, as is the "legal" discussion between the City/TTC and General Electric.
City/TTC has contracted an urban design firm, Urban Strategies, to come up with a site plan.
West side of the lot, next to the Nitta Gelatin factory would have to remain industrial / "employment" use. The east side closer to Lansdowne would have a mix of residential/commercial.
No plans for "towers" here. I think it was going to be 3-4 story stacked / towns / similar.
I think some much-needed park space is included
As usual, still very early in the process. I'm sure there will be a bazillion community meetings and notices as things come together.
Not sure of the timeline. I think that still depends on the cleanup and lawyers...
Wish I could give you more detail, but that's what I remember for now.
I'm sure Councillor Bailao's office could give you more details.
The developer now has a marketing website online - http://www.wallacewalktowns.com/
It's interesting to note that they're marketing the walkability of our neighbourhood. Though I wish they put a bit more of an immediate local focus, rather than hyping up High Park (1.2km away) and Bloor West Village (2+km away!). Also, it's not in "Bloor by The Park" (that's the BIA on Bloor between Dundas and Keele), but the Junction Triangle! Wish they'd give some love to our stretches of Bloor and Dupont.
But agree that one of the awesome things about our 'hood is the walkability and close proximity to so many shops, services, and attractions. This site's location next to the Railpath and Wallace Bridge is awesome (apart from increased diesel train traffic...)
It might not officially open until Saturday, but the gates are down and the new bike path from Perth/Sterling is open (this morning) to the West Toronto Railpath. It's terrific. What a generous effort on the part of Castlepoint to build the connection before they even started construction on their property!
The organizers of "Cycle and Celebrate the West Toronto Railpath" could use some volunteers on Saturday to assist with children's activities such as face painting. If you want to step up and help email: Kristin Schwartz
The Campbell Park supper is cancelled due to rain. Please see Facebook posting for details:
https://www.facebook.com/events/242161562561676/
Hi Joshua,
Just walked through last night. They have set up fencing and a path that people and bikes can go across. If the city is laying down the asphalt I am not sure if people will be allowed through but the letter that went out to the neighbours in that area only mentioned vehicular traffic.
Thanks. See you soon.
Thank you very much! I'm sure I will call...in the mean time the cold beer help! Best, FT
This was Councillor Bailao's response to an email I sent:
I think it's important to note that Councillors Bailao, Perks, and Palacio have been working together for over a year on coming up with ideas to make traffic flow better on Dupont. I also remember Ana being upset at the last time that Palacio stepped up suddenly with that motion to remove the bike lanes in July 2011, seemingly throwing aside the work they had started together.
My personal opinion is that councillors like Bailao and Perks are actually trying to work with the community and City staff to come up with good solutions to these issues, while some councillors like Palacio take the easy way out and just push for returning to the status quo.
Ana Said:
“I’m not even contemplating that at the moment. We need to see what data city staff come up with… I do have lot of residents saying things have gotten worse since the bike lanes went in. Sometimes perception can be different from the reality. We want to get the public involved. We need to formalize a consultation that will include the cyclists, the people in the neighbourhood, the business owners.”
This is not the first time rumors were started about bike lanes and people. Like the one about Ana doesn't like Bike lanes. I think this person needs to retract as well. JF
Cesar Palacio's record of voting against anything to do with cycling is pretty established. He even voted against giving Community Councils the ability to decide on bike infrastructure so that citizens in wards who want more cycling opportunities could be outvoted by councilors who who dont even live nearby. Cesar Palacio has a record of voting against every kind of bike project even when it is supported by the local councilor and at the opposite end of the city and would not effect his ward in any way. There is no gray area on this one.
Desmond Cole wrote an article in Torontoist, with some details provided by Councillors Ana Bailao and Mike Layton (he sits on the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee).
Are Dupont Street’s Bike Lanes Under Threat?
http://torontoist.com/2012/06/are-dupont-streets-bike-lanes-under-threat/
Bike Month marked with event along Toronto Railpath
http://www.insidetoronto.com/news/local/article/1368931--bike-month-mark...
Can't help but notice the huge signs indicating that Wallace is closed at the train tracks this weekend for construction.... does anyone know if pedestrians will be allowed to cross the tracks, or do we need to find alternate routes to Campbell for this?
Thankls
Didn't read the Now article, never read their paper before, so I wound not know.
Anyhow will wait to hear back from the Mayors office to again, Clarify. It's better to hear it from the players someone inside, rather then just here say.
For me it's about the process and consultation. Once we hear from all side those in favour, against and those in the middle then one can move forwarding with adding or removing bike lanes. This is what is important to me and I fell others in the community and across the City feel the same way.
This issue has hit a few media outlets, but I think NOW's article covers it the best and provides the most detail:
http://www.nowtoronto.com/daily/news/story.cfm?content=187083
I am not sure if attacking is what he is doing. I guess he is just responing to the tax payers/citizens complaints. I don't think this is a personal. This is the first time I heard that Councillor Palacio is attacking the bike lanes on dupont.
Maybe Ana's office will clear this up. It's her ward after all. JF
...or maybe the staffer hasn't been around long enough, but he's been attacking the Dupont St. bike lanes for a while now.
At the July 12 2011 City Council meeting, Palacio presented a petition regarding the removal of the bike lanes.
http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do?item=2011.PW5.1
Yes, it's Ana's ward, but seriously, since when did most councillors respect boundaries?
This is what Cycle Toronto (formally Toronto Cyclists Union) has said regarding Palacio and the potential removal of the Dupont bike lanes.
Cycle Toronto Strongly Disagrees with Dupont Bike Lane Removal:
http://bikeunion.to/news/2012/06/05/cycle-toronto-strongly-disagrees-dup...
I don't know if this is true but, a) they're not his ward and, b) didn't a cyclist die a few years ago at the underpass? It wouldn't surprise me if Palacio did something like this as he votes with Rob Ford 100% of the time and those guys are out to remove bike lanes around the city.
Spoke to Councillors Palacio's office and they said they don't know anything about this. This is Ana's Wardthey said. Wanted to ask the person who posted the above message if they have any evidence to support the claim about Cesar wanting to remove Dupont Bike lanes????
from twitter:
Cycle Toronto @CycleToronto
We're shocked & disappointed to learn that Clr Cesar Palacio is pushing to remove Dupont bike lanes. More to come #bikeTO
They had one or two last year two.... simply a great way to meet your neighbours and chat it up with people from surrounding areas... if you ever bring your child to play at Campbell, come on out and properly meet the other parents!!
Picnic blankets are a great idea, the table space was hard to come by last time....
Consider bringing picnic blankets to share:)
Also consider emailing me to let me know if you are considering coming so we can plan for enough food:)
We will have a waterhose to the sandpit and some sand toys!
Marina
I have been driving past over last few months, and I have been curious as to what was going on....
I am so looking forward to the opening! I have been watching the progress from afar. Congratulations!
P
At one time the TTC property was considered for the new 11 Division police headquarters as it would be a inter City land transfer but the costs and timeline of remediation made it unworkable.
There was a presentation about this at the last DIGIN meeting, on May 8 2012. I missed most of this presentation because I arrived late, but a quick summary:
Wish I could give you more detail, but that's what I remember for now.
I'm sure Councillor Bailao's office could give you more details.