fourONEsixSTYLE

It’s always brought a pang of jealousy when I visit other cities who have managed to create transportation hubs that compell us to stay and soak up the energy of people on the move. Osaka, New York, Kyoto and Copenhagen all enjoy train stations that serve not only as destinations for travellers but also those who live in the city and just want to feel the buzz. Union Station in Toronto has never excited me. There is no decades old Oyster bar to entice me to its lower levels like Grand Central or soaring sky yard to explore as in Kyoto’s Central Station, but at least now there is a vision. Mayor Miller wants to give Union Station a well-overdue facelift. I certainly hope this doesn’t just culminate in some updated retail spaces, reminiscent of the bland shops in our underground shopping mall, just to generate more city revenue. Whatever changes are made should dazzle tourists and Torontonians alike. Open up the space. Lift those weary travellers out of their tunnel vision. Sweep away the dingy and haphazard and make its history shine once more. Most of of all I’d love to see the city revive some of the grandeur of the station’s origins on Front Street when it was the Grand Trunk Railway.

There’s nothing too exciting about Toronto’s Yonge and Bloor intersection even though it’s known as the busiest crossing in the city, connecting our east-west Bloor corridor with Yonge, the longest street in the world. That could soon change.

Developers, who have long considered building up the southeast corner, are finally pushing forward with their plans for a 60-story tower. The landmark tower, based on a proposal approved by city council in 2002, would include retail and residential space as well as a multiplex cinema.

Though it’s popular to bash ill-fitting condo projects in this city, here’s one that seems to makes sense. It could go a long way toward revitalizing the lackluster corner and it’ll make use of existing amenities such as subway access. Increasing density along subway lines in the core is a smart move, especially where it fits into the flow of buildings already towering above the bustling streets below.

See what people are saying about “Toronto Tower on the Rise” at blogTO.

photo: nate archer

While the debate about gentrification in TO continues, many areas are receiving substantial funding to renew derelict sites across the city. The Distillery District was nothing but haunted halls used by film crews a few years back. Now the Brickworks will attempt to model the Distillery’s success but with a more arts and eco-friendly community. Twenty million in funding will help to get the ball rolling on the site beside the DVP.

Yesterday, a new announcement of funding came in the tune of 3 million dollars, this time to restore Wychwood’s TTC repair “barns” into what’ll become known as Artscape’s Green Arts Barns, offering a safe-haven to not-for-profit arts groups like The Storytellers School of Toronto and the Salvador Allende Arts Festival for Peace as well as environmental groups such as LEAF (Local Enhancement and Appreciation of Forests) and Citizens’ Environment Watch.

Fortunately for everyone, environmental and arts causes are getting attention. They seem to have become as chic as Brad Pitt in his Gucci glasses pretending to build homes in India. But what about community centres? Are they not the centre of the community? And what about Wabash?

Just off Sorauren, close to Roncesvalles, two abandoned buildings sit on one side of a park just waiting for some love and attention. Years ago they housed a Linseed factory, now they are part of a plan for the future Wabash Community Rec Centre. One plan’s price tag is $13 million and would include a full reno but no pool. For an extra $7 mil the building would be fully-restored along with the addition of a swank new clubhouse and a place for kids to play Marco Polo.

For some reason though, the project has been struggling for funds since day one, even though this area of Toronto desperately needs a place like this. Up until now, residents have been buying a brick at a time to help build Wabash. Just like the Revue Theatre, it was the residents who decided Wabash should be saved, but it would be great to hear that some level of government would step up to support the project or maybe Brad Pitt can come by and lend a hand.

image: Kevin Steele

Sandwich Board
Originally uploaded by Lex in the City.

I was in an early morning daze at a Timothy’s recently trying to grab a cup of coffee when a man stormed in ahead of me and asked to speak to the manager. He was annoyed. I was annoyed. It was one of those mornings.

There was no manager on duty so the man pled his case to two staff staring back at him vacantly from behind the counter. It was about the sandwich board stretched out on the sidewalk in front of the coffee shop. The problem, he said, was that these sandwich boards take up too much space and cause unnecessary obstacles for the blind and also elderly people using buggies. It was a valid point, one I’d never previously considered.

These ubiquitous sidewalk signs can often be ugly, pointless and ineffective, especially if they’re constantly blowing over. Though sometimes there’ll be a chalkboard sign with a funny little phrase meant to grab our attention and make us smile, or they’ll tell us about a new thing on a restaurant menu that can make our mouth water in anticipation. For stores yearning for more exposure a sidewalk sign is a good way to get passersby to stop and notice or allow them to look down the block to see what’s coming up.

There is a better option though, especially on crowded sidewalks where stores are just trying to get some more brand exposure. In the distillery district most signs are mounted overhead so to be within a good sight line and also out of the way. The overhead signs add charm to the historic neighborhood and don’t intrude on public space.

In the case of the man and the Timothy’s sign, the man was pissed at the employees’ lack of response and tore off to move the sign himself. A couple of days later the sign was back in the same spot, dominantly claiming half the sidewalk and not really having much to say.

See what people think about Sign Design at blogTO

Parkdale residents and politicos assembled Monday night to debate the question “Where Goes The Neighborhood?” The idea was to tackle the hot topic of gentrification. I’d attended hoping that, somehow, we could all band together to create a vision for the wayward community, but hope was not to be found. With widely respected panelists such as Spacing’s Matthew Blackett and the brain behind 401 Richmond, Margaret Zeidler, I’d hoped we’d do more than establish affordable housing as a priority and bash the former Harris government. Area MPP Cheri DiNovo stood up for comment too, saying she’s asked for 20,000 units of affordable housing to be built in this part of TO. I’m not sure where she intends to put it though, maybe that should have been on the debate agenda instead.

As it stands amongst other Toronto communities, Parkdale currently has a large percentage of renters and, Councilor Gord Perks pointed out, is one of only a few communities that still has legal rooming houses. Perhaps Parkdale is already doing its fair share to support those in the city with lower incomes and it may not have the infrastructure in place to help the resource dependant community. Parkdale is like Kensington was years ago, a place where newcomers to Toronto settle and try to build a future. Many young families are moving in as well, renovating homes and taking pride in their new neighborhood. No one wants any displacement of current residents however, so what it needs is a plan for growth and a way to ensure that rent and property taxes don’t skyrocket.

Businesses in the area are also seeing a shift. There is a much smaller percentage of variety and grocery stores, while home decor and reno stores are gaining popularity. However, commercial vacancy currently sits at 13%, making me think that gentrification isn’t the real problem. I can think of a few new cafes and bars in Parkdale too but nothing too chichi or chic that it’s going to get condo-dwellers buying into the “dream” of living right in the middle of the action. Ultimately it’s the high-rise condos that will anchor Queen Street West, in Parkdale’s neighboring ward just east of the tracks, that frighten Parkdale residents. Though, it could bring more focus westward and Parkdale could begin to see some necessary improvements. Perhaps it’ll start with a few new facades, some new parks, a community centre, then a renovated building or two. There’s so much promise in Parkdale, all that’s needed is a plan and a way to ensure it includes all kinds of people. That’s the only way Parkdale will retain its unique charm and character.

Read what people have to say about it at blogTO, so far there are 19 comments making it one of the top posts of the month.

image: avp17

There’s nothing remarkable about the stretch of waterfront across from The Guvernment nightclub at Queen’s Quay where honeywagons sit parked before a large film production studio called Cinespace. It’s no surprise then that this is where the Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation has set its sights to begin development of a key area of our waterfront called East Bayfront.

You’d think no one would object to the revitalization plan to include accessible waterfront and two-acre Sherbourne Park. The mixed use space, relative in size to Battery Park in Manhattan and London’s Canary Wharf will also include 7000 units of housing and 1 million square feet of commercial space. Cinespace, a major player in the Toronto film scene, will need to vacate by February 21st in order for the plan to go ahead, and they claim they’ve just been given notice to leave the premises leased by them from City of Toronto real estate developer TEDCO.

Toronto’s film industry is already dealing with city-ordered relocation of studio space, since a relative monopoly on the industry was given to the Toronto Film Studios to build Filmport. This means that space for US productions to shoot, key to the growing film industry in Toronto, is really tight. It could mean the loss of thousands of jobs if US productions find other cities that are more accommodating.

Cinespace is simply asking that it get 18 “official” months to find a new home. In the meantime Filmport and those affected by relocation can build new studios and Toronto can continue to offer the film production services it has come to be known for. Location Manager Craig Williams is one of 4454 film industry professionals who have signed an ongoing online petition agreeing that loss of studio space could have a “devastating impact” on Toronto’s film industry. He believes that “while we’ve all been waiting for the waterfront to evolve into something we can all use and explore, the city has to have a balanced plan to ensure it is not at the expense of key industry.”

Every morning I drive to work past The Boulevard Club, wishing I could afford the $6000 membership fee, and could work out in their gorgeous weight room overlooking the lake. This morning was no different, except that I thought I’d found a way to make myself feel better: Sure it’s a beautiful view, except that it looks right across the lake at the ugly Lakeview Power Generating Station. The archaic coal plant, affectionately dubbed The Four Sisters, had been spewing pollution across Toronto for years. The thought that this monstrousity marred, ever so slightly, the patrons’ views almost comforted me. Until later today, when I found out that the gruesome smoke stacks were demolished this morning. You Tube has a great video to boot.

Four corners streetcar
Originally uploaded by 416style.

In a vain search to see where 416style’s recent TTC strike piece ended up in Google’s search priority list I came across this streetcar pic I’d posted on flickr now heading up Spacing wire’s story of the same subject. I was so pleased. Spacing is a fantastic Toronto-based publication (web + print) that features stories and photographs about public spaces and urban planning. Seems Torontonians care a ton about how our public spaces are used and abused. Want to find out more? Check out Spacing for yourself. You’ll get insight into things such as what a Toronto Flaneur is and does, and how many colours and shapes make up the Toronto subway system.