Junction Triangle

Perth Square Park

Thursday, August 30, 2012

11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

More diesel trains appear to be coming to the Junction Triangle (JT) as the provincial government rushes to build a rail link to the airport in time for the Pam Am Games in 2015. Frustrated by government’s unwillingness to address the shortcomings in their plan, Mothers of the Junction Triangle are hosting a potluck and taking their concerns directly to Premier Dalton McGuinty.

If you want to see electric trains running on the Georgetown corridor, join us in the park. There will be food, fun for the kids and a special direct line to the Premier’s office where everyone is invited to tell him what you think.

Lots of great things are happening in the Junction Triangle. Schoolyard revitalization and library expansion are underway because people are coming together with a shared purpose and aiming high. We can bring change to public transit in the same way; a shared purpose with the aim of persuading the decision-maker, Dalton McGuinty that electric rail is our choice.

August 8, 2012

Mr. Dalton McGuinty
Premier
Legislative Building
Queen's Park
Toronto ON M7A 1A1

Re: Invitation to Meet Re: Diesel Train Service Expansion in West Toronto

Dear Mr. McGuinty:

Like a number of residents in the Junction Triangle in West Toronto, I am dismayed by the actions of your government related to the expansion of diesel train service and the Pearson airport rail link.

After years of delay and misinformation, the government’s own consultant stated clearly at a Metrolinx public meeting on June 27 that there are no technical issues preventing the construction of an electric rail airport link except the political will. Construction could be completed in time for the Pan Am Games (three years) and cost about $400-million.

It is regrettable that no member of your government attended this meeting to answer questions. During the past several years and repeated attempts to meet, no member of your government has ever attended a public meeting to address the concerns of Junction Triangle residents. As we experienced on June 27, a government agency and hired consultants with no decision-making authority have been put forward to deflect questions.

There are many good reasons to expand public transit, but nothing suggests rushing to install diesel technology in time for a two-week sporting event will have any benefit for the people in West Toronto forced to live with this legacy for the next generation.

Despite policy differences, you have always struck me as a pragmatic and reasonable person. Could we arrange a time to meet with you and the Transportation Minister to discuss this matter? Many thanks for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Kevin Putnam
Junction Triangle Rail Committee

Cc. All members, Junction Triangle Rail Committee
JunctionTriangle.ca

Meeting notice from Metrolinx:

The Georgetown South (GTS) Project will provide infrastructure improvements to meet existing GO Transit ridership demand and future growth. It will also accommodate existing and future VIA Rail and CN freight train service as well as the new Air Rail Link between Union Station and Pearson International Airport.

Electrification Update
Public Meeting

Metrolinx is holding a public meeting to provide an update on the Electrification of the Kitchener and Lakeshore rail corridors, including the new Airport Rail Link (ARL) service.

We hope you can join us to learn about the process and discuss it with us further.

Wednesday June 27, 2012
6:30pm – 8:30pm
Lithuanian House, 1573 Bloor Street West
Toronto, Ontario M6P 1A6
This venue is wheelchair accessible

At this public meeting, project team members will provide information and an update on the:

• Environmental Assessment process for electrification of the ARL service along the Kitchener corridor
• Electrification design for the Kitchener and Lakeshore rail corridors
• Development of performance standards for electrification for the Kitchener and Lakeshore rail corridors

Tower Automotive, Sterling Rd.: Photo by Vic Gedris, 2009-02-28.

Philip from the South Perth and Sterling Rd. Residents Association writes:

Just so residents know there will be the final stages of soil removal happening over the next few months.

Please let folks know that work will be visible over the next couple of months and we will be having trucks on the streets with the same safety precautions. Also we have a dust control plan and air monitoring program for when the work is underway.

Thanks,

Philip

Started in 2007, Jane's Walk is an annual event honouring the late urban thinker, activist, and writer Jane Jacobs. On May 5 and 6 2012, free walking tours will take place in cities all over Canada, the USA, and other countries around the world.

On Saturday May 5, starting at 5:00PM, the Daffodils in Davenport walking tour, guided by Andrea Dawber and Claude Bergeron, will start at Wadsworth Park, and finish at Campbell Park.

Community Environment Day
May 12th, 2012 - 10:00am-2:00pm Dufferin Mall

What can you do at the 2012 Community Environment Day?

Reuse, Recycle and Safely Dispose

Do your part to create a cleaner, greener and more liveable Toronto. Bring used or unwanted household items to the Community Environment Day event.

Items donated to local schools for reuse*
• Art supplies (e.g. pencils, markers, crayons, etc.)
• Buttons, keys, and collectors’ coins and stamps • Clipboards, corks and cork boards
• CDs and cases
• Children’s books

South Perth and Sterling Cleanup: 2011-04-16. Photo by Philip Share

Saturday, April 21 2012 is the annual City of Toronto Community Cleanup Day. Residents across the city take some time to get together and tidy up litter, debris, and other junk that accumulated on our streets, in our parks, and other public spaces over the winter.

Below is a list of cleanup events scheduled in the Junction Triangle. Please feel free to organize a cleanup event in your own corner of the neighbourhood too. You can use the comments on this page to collaborate with others. I will add other cleanup events as they are planned (post below, or contact me via the web form).

• Spring Cleanup for South Perth & Sterling Road - 9AM
  The 11th annual spring cleanup of South Perth and Sterling Road is fast approaching, volunteers are needed as this year we hope to clean from the top of Bloor to the south end of Dundas.
  Rio Tinto Alcan, Castlepoint and The Church of the First Born as well as Nestle's and other Businesses will be participating, Bags will be provided, a Toxic Taxi has been arranged (time to clear out all those old paint cans and pesticides)
  For more info send an email to toward18@yahoo.ca
  We will start at 9am - (Rain date will be for April 22)

  Cheers,
  Philip & Brett Co Chairs of the South Perth and Sterling Road Resident Association

• West Toronto Railpath Cleanup - 10AM
  Meet at the Wallace Ave. entrance, 10:00am. Some bags and gloves will be provided, but bring your own too if possible. With enough people coming, we can spilt up and cover all parts of the path.
  Please RSVP below, if you can, or contact me via info@junctiontriangle.ca

Kristen writes:

"Jeff's documentary Bending the Rails, set here in our neighbourhood, is airing on Rogers at 7 pm on Tuesday, February 14th. Hope you can tune in! [Link to more info on the Rogers TV website]"

If you go to the Rogers website, you can watch a short promo trailer for the film.

Also, in addition to the film, Rogers will feature an interview with Jeff Winch. Tune in if you can!

"Bending The Rails is a documentary by Toronto filmmaker Jeff Winch about a local issue directly affecting The Junction Triangle. The Junction is surrounded by railway lines and the film focuses on the increase of diesel train traffic scheduled to pass through the area. Citizens along the rail corridor want clean electric trains and fear the negative impact toxic diesel pollution will have on their neighbourhoods. Rogers TV presents an in depth interview with Jeff Winch and a screening of his film all in a special one hour presentation."

From Torontoist:

Could the Junction Triangle Become the Next Liberty Village?

An ambitious development could introduce major change to this tiny west-end neighborhood.
BY BRONWYN KIENAPPLE

While the brownfield on Sterling Road just east of the West Toronto Railpath is known to most as a first-class eyesore, a proposed development might not only revitalize the property, but possibly also the chronically underdeveloped Junction Triangle neighbourhood that surrounds it. That is, if the City of Toronto and corporate interests can agree it should be built.

The Junction Triangle is enclosed by three sets of railway tracks, a tall, skinny area that roughly runs south and west of Lansdowne and Dupont, narrowing to a point at Dundas West. It’s a bit south and a bit east of the Junction—the two are distinct neighbourhoods—and hasn’t yet seen the same revitalization the Junction has. The brownfield in the Junction Triangle was formerly Tower Automotive, a sheet-casing facility built in the early 20th century that closed in 2006. Its machining buildings have since been razed, though a 10-storey tower, designated a heritage property and popular with urban explorers, still stands. Castlepoint Realty Partners purchased the property in 2008. Their hope is to turn the area into a mixed-use neighborhood, in the vein of Liberty Village or the Distillery District.

Here's another opportunity to see local filmmaker Jeff Winch's documentary about the diesel train expansion around our neighbourhood.

Green 13 hosts - Bending the Rails
Sponsored by the Annette Library
Located at: 145 Annette Street
Date: Monday, September 19, 2011
Time: 6:30 pm
Running time: 45 minutes
Q & A with filmmaker Jeff Winch after the screening