Junction Triangle

Sorry for the late notice, but there's an interesting art event happening in the Junction Triangle this week. Opera Erratica are performing their Orlando/Lunaire show between August 22-28, 2010 (yes, it ends tomorrow). Interestingly, this is taking place inside a metal shed down on Sterling Rd., which probably lends itself well to the "erratica" part of this group's name.

So, rather than try to write about an underground opera event that I really don't know much about, I'll leave it to the pros. Check the Opera Erratica website for more details.

From a review in the Globe & Mail on Monday August 23:

Orlando/Lunaire, the chosen title of ‘an underground opera,’ is described by its presenters as ‘a mashup’ of George Frideric Handel’s 1719 opera Orlando and Arnold Schoenberg’s 1912 settings of 21 poems from Albert Giraud’s Pierrot lunaire (Moonstruck Pierrot) for Sprechstimme and chamber ensemble. It had, on Sunday, the first of several Toronto performances in an industrial storage shed near Bloor and Lansdowne.

Sterling Rd.: Toronto Hydro Building #200: Photo by Vic Gedris, 2007-12-01.

I noticed this week that the old Toronto Hydro Electric System building no. 200 on Sterling Rd. has been demolished. I haven't heard any explanation of why they tore it down, or what the future plans for the site are. I don't even know the history of the building, its construction date, or what it was actually used for. I'd love to hear any details, if you have them.

However, I do think it was a beautiful old structure that helped give this short east-west stretch of Sterling Rd. its character. With the wonderful windows of Tower Automotive's facade on Sterling, the Tower Automotive chimney, Moloney Electric, and the Hydro building, this was such a well-preserved "canyon" of industry in our neighbourhood. I'm all for progress, but I hope this section of street retains its look and feel.

With the Moloney Electric building up for lease, the Tower Automotive lands up for redevelopment, and lots of new residential development in the area, Sterling Road will continue to evolve into a very different place.

Toronto Hydro Electric System, building no. 200 on Sterling Rd.

Photo by Vic Gedris, 2007-12-01.

Edwin Ave. cleanup.: Photo by Craig Charnock

Last weekend's community cleanup day was a success, thanks to volunteers from all over the neighbourhood. Local cleanup events were held at Carlton Park, Campbell Ave. / Rankin Cres., Symington Ave., Edwin Ave., the West Toronto Railpath, and on South Perth and Sterling Rd. These parts of the Junction Triangle are now looking much better!

Of course, tackling the litter and dumping problems in our neighbourhood is an ongoing struggle, but you don't need to wait until Earth Day to do something about it. If there's any litter in front of your homes or garages, just take two seconds to pick it up and put it in the proper place. You can also report illegal dump sites or excessive litter to the City's 311 phone number, or 311@toronto.ca

Here are some photos from the April 24th 2010 Community Cleanup, submitted by various cleanup organizers around the neighbourhood. Thanks!

South Perth and Sterling Rd. cleanup. Photo courtesy Philip Share and Rio Tinto Alcan.

South Perth and Sterling Rd. cleanup. Photo courtesy Philip Share and Rio Tinto Alcan.

South Perth and Sterling Rd. cleanup. Photo courtesy Philip Share and Rio Tinto Alcan.

Are you interested in old photos of our neighbourhood, and watching how this area has changed over time? Well, then keep an eye on this website, as I will be posting a collection of "Then and Now" photos. Most of the historical photos will be from the City of Toronto Archives, and current photos taken by current local photographers. Many of these were previously on display at the Perth-Dupont branch of the Toronto Public Library as part of the Fuzzy Boundaries project.

Do you have any old photos of this neighbourhood? Please feel free to get in touch if you're willing to share them!

This comparison is from the southern tip of our neighbourhood at the intersection of Dundas St. and Sterling Rd. The old photo is from 1923, and the modern one was taken in 2009. The water tower is gone, streetcars are now in mixed traffic rather than in their own right-of-way on the north side of the street, and there are more trees. The Tower Automotive building still stands tall, although it is vacant inside. In the grand scheme of things, the view at this point hasn't changed too much!

THEN:
March 21 1923: City of Toronto Archives, Fonds 1231, Item 1628

Looking north from the intersection of Dundas St. West and Sterling Rd. This is a modern version of this photo from 1923.

Photo by Vic Gedris, 2009-10-18.

Lisa posted this meeting notice on the Sterling Studio Lofts discussion forum:

Hi!
I live in the town homes on Merchant Lane and just received something in my mailbox last night. It was a flyer that read as follows:

"Proposal to demolish the sterling lofts and build two, twenty story structures on the site!
If you wish to oppose these plans please attend the meeting at:
The Ukrainian Cultural Centre
1604 Bloor Street West
Date: February 17th, 2010
Time: 7:00pm"

Seems like awfully short notice for this meeting. Anyone else get this flyer? Going to the meeting?

You can discuss this meeting and development proposal on the Sterling Studio Lofts discussion forum.

UPDATE (12:30pm):

I asked Councillor Giambrone's office about this meeting, and was sent the original meeting notice that was distributed to the residents of 221-227 Sterling Rd. Staff also explained some of the background behind this meeting. Read on below.