|
|
Neighborhood News
Harbourfront, Toronto, Ontario
January, 2007
FLYING STRAIGHT
YQNA wrote Pat Fagnano, manager of the Island Airport, if he could ask the flight instructors to correct the flight path of the circling airplanes with student pilots. They skim the runway and should circle back through the Eastern Gap, which would send them in an east-west direction along the Waterfront. Instead, they made a shortcut over the middle of Ward's Island and flew straight towards our condo towers before making a sharp turn towards the airport. It's pretty un-nerving to see the sharp lights of a plane light up your living room on a winter evening! Although Fagnano said it was out of his hands and that we should complain to Navigation Canada in Ottawa, the problem was resolved -- thanks to Fagnano, no doubt.
Fagnano invited YQNA to a meeting dealing with the noise from the airport. We told other neighbourhood associations along the waterfront about this unexpected offer. First though, we need a decibel reading of the noise that the landing and taxiing Porter planes make in the airport, as well as federal regulations for the maximum noise allowed. After all, the airport is very close to residents in the west end and to the Music Garden, which has popular concerts every summer.
We got a map from Fagnano, showing that all our condos are within a "Noise Sensitive Area" (NSA) and that no flights are allowed over Exhibition Place and Ontario Place. We asked why. So far we have had no information and no date for our noise meeting with the island airport management.
POLITICAL FERMENT
When City Councillor for Ward 20 (Queens Quay west of York Street) Adam Vaughan took office, he was given almost no files from Martin Silva, his predecessor. He asked YQNA to provide information on our most pressing issues, which a delegation of 7 members did Feb. 25th. We showed him PowerPoint presentations on area planning, traffic and parking problems, noise issues and the future of Queens Quay, and left all the information with him.
YQNA's had a full meeting at the Radisson Hotel, January 16. Our MP, Olivia Chow, dropped in to listen and to tell us how she stays involved with Waterfront issues - such as Harbourfront funding, the dollars needed to get the Central Waterfront done, and her ongoing concern for children and the homeless
HARBOURFRONT CENTRE
Heather Waddell, Director of Planning at Harbourfront Centre, was our guest. She invited us to a generous neighbourhood party with skating, refreshments, exhibits, door prizes and free workshops in drumming and lantern making on Jan. 28th (see below). She also told us that the former Harbourfront Theatre is now the Enwave Theatre. Funds for Harbourfront were generated through a 10-year naming right's agreement with Enwave. Around the theatre will be the new Canada Square. All residents will eventually be invited to a meeting to offer their ideas for this new green space.
Waddell gave us the sad news that a potential tenant, Moses Znaimer, had given up his plans for the former Bamboo building on Queens Quay. The search for a tenant is on again.
WINTER INVITATION
An invitation from Harbourfront Centre is posted near our mail boxes. It's for the 2nd Annual Neighbourhood Party and Open House for all our residents on Sunday, February 4th from 2 to 5 p.m. (not Jan. 28th as previously stated.) Come and enjoy tours of exhibitions, great outdoor skating, fabulous door prizes, complimentary refreshments and try your hand at drumming. If you want join the drumming or lantern-making workshops, please RSVP to cflett@harbourfrontcentre.com or 416 973-4953.
YQNA IN THE NEWS
YQNA seems to have a knack for publicity, which is good for our causes. Lately, the Toronto Star had an article about people living close to the Gardiner, which included a large photo of YQNA's Marie Blanchard in the Riviera. Ulla Colgrass was also in the Star as one of several community builders. The Bulletin posted YQNA's request for a study of the effect of taking down the Gardiner Expressway, if by chance the city finds a billion dollars to replace it with an 8 to 10-lane boulevard. This request was also sent to the Toronto Board of Trade to encourage them to ask questions as well.
SHOPPING NEWS
Swiss Chalet has opened at 270 Queens Quay, across from the Radisson Hotel.
Our neighbourhood food store in the 99 Harbour Square building has changed hands, probably as a result of the competition from Sobey's in the Terminal Building.
Ulla Colgrass
Chair, YQNA
News Archives:
September 2006
October 2006
December 2006
|
|
| |
