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Neighborhood News
Harbourfront, Toronto, Ontario
April, 2007
Packed YQNA meeting
Our March 13 YQNA meeting was packed with interested residents. City Councillor Adam Vaughan was our guest. He adds new energy to Waterfront issues, and his decisive manner has already attracted much attention in his first term at City Council. With Pam McConnell as our Councillor east of York Street, we are working with two of the best councillors in Toronto.
Vaughan - or Adam as he is known to constituents -- gave us Island Airport news and said the word in the airline industry is that Porter Air is still short of passengers. Arrangements to fly into U.S. cities have run into snags, because conditions on the Island Airport may fall short of U.S. standards.
While the Airport is up and running, it was suggested by Cathy Waiten, chair of our Noise Committee, that we try to improve on the current situation by:
- Demanding that flight training be moved to another airport, since it's too dangerous to have student pilots buzzing around our condo towers.
- Demanding that the constant helicopter tourist trade be cut back, because it creates serious noise
- Insisting that the Airport management help control noise and other pollution from landing and taxiing planes. The surrounding area has a pervasive smell of kerosene from the jet fuel used by Porter planes.
- Pushing for the meeting that the Airport management suggested to YQNA in January.
Waterfront Vision
The Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation (TWRC) is in the process of planning public transit along the Waterfront, from York Street and eastward. The system has to connect with Union Station. Braz Menezes, our YQNA planner, is participating in this process and has submitted innovative plans that could have far-reaching effect on our neighbourhood.
Braz has proposed closing the ugly streetcar portal on Queens Quay (leading into Union Station), and tearing down the two-pronged down ramp from the Gardiner, to open up a public Square, incorporating an architecturally imaginative 'Waterfront Station' for transit. This would provide visitors a glorious view of the Toronto downtown and the Lake. The two Heritage buildings on Harbour Street (the previous Workmen's Compensation and the Toronto Harbour Commission buildings) would define the northern edge of the Square.
Traffic and Parking
Traffic patterns on the future Queens Quay was brought up by Kelly Gorman, YQNA's chair of Parking and Traffic, at a recent Stakeholders' Committee meeting held by TWRC. She explained why traffic that is confined to one lane westbound and one lane eastbound would be a problem. If a car breaks down or if a truck stops to make a delivery, all traffic would stop - besides 250 Queens Quay has no loading dock, so moving vans must park at the curb. Politicians and planners are still pondering this dilemma.
Kelly also talked with City Transportation Technologist Troy Carson about Lake Shore traffic problems that seem to be getting worse. Should traffic islands at York and Lake Shore be removed or enlarged? Should new pedestrian lights be installed at York and Bremner Ave. to sort out the bottleneck and enable more cars can complete their turn?
We learned that there is free bus parking on Bremner Ave. west of York, and that a proposed fine of $300 is proposed for illegal bus parking on Queens Quay. We hope to see that enforced. Adam Vaughan has recommended that TTC riders use the 509 streetcar without pay to help tourism and local businesses. We'll report if this miracle occurs!
Harbourfront Centre
Harbourfront Centre is inviting residents in the YQNA neighbourhood to a Summer Solstice reception and sail on the Empire Sandy. The invitation follows the successful sail on the tall ship last summer. You'll hear about the time, place and RSVP in May.
Sound testing, reconfiguration of speakers and possibly new equipment at Harbourfront Centre's open stage will be on their agenda as soon as the weather allows. This will be the start of seriously controlling the sound, so that nearby residents will not be bothered by excessively loud concerts during the summer. Experts from the City's Municipal Licensing and Standards will oversee and - we hope - approve the final results.
YQNA's constitution
Ideas are being added to our draft constitution, which is spearheaded by Lloyd Graham and Roger Conant. It's important to get our mission statement, structure and intent clear and succinct. We are considering whether to incorporate, for instance, as well as making YQNA's official boundaries the tracks north of us. People are gathering at a workshop, April 17, to refine the concepts and language of our constitution. You are welcome to join this group, 7 p.m. in the Galley Café, The Radisson Admiral Hotel.
Our next meeting - open to all - will be 7 p.m., May 15 at the Radisson Hotel.
Ulla Colgrass
Chair, YQNA
News Archives:
September 2006
October 2006
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March 2007
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