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Neighborhood News
Harbourfront, Toronto, Ontario
September, 2006
 YQNA takes a special interest in how new buildings in our area "connect to street level". That means how attractive they are, how they accommodate traffic of pedestrians, cars and bikes, and what shops and services they provide for the public. The two office buildings going up just south of the tracks on either side of York Street will be 28-30 storeys high. The handsome Kuwabara-designed glass tower on the west side will have an inside colonnade, shops and public access to a treed terrace. It also provides an elevated covered walkway across York Street to the other office building, whose developer, Menkes, is still trying to fit in the walkway connection. It will be the home to Telus and will also provide the entrance to the new south entrance to Union Station.
Both office towers are being built within zoning regulations. That means the developers don't have to listen to residents' needs and suggestions for improvements. Yet, we spoke recently at the Committee of Adjustment to request more bike parking spaces at 18 York Street and to emphasize the need to connect the elevated walkway between the two office buildings. These and other suggestions from YQNA were noted. The Telus building developer, however, did not respond to our suggestion of changing the canopy from several stories up to a lower level that will actually protect people walking through the new Union Square.
Maple Leaf Square going up just west of the ACC invited YQNA to several meetings to find a suitable covered walkway along York Street, so we eventually will be able to walk straight into Union Station from Queens Quay. Details are now being worked out between the developer and city planners to extend the PATH system under the sidewalk on the east side. The next step will be creating a pedestrian link under the many lanes of traffic at Lake Shore Boulevard.
The Gardiner Expressway is still up in the air in more ways than one. The City apparently has received plans from Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation (TWRC) with proposed changes, but nobody is allowed to talk about them until after the municipal election. We wonder why.
Our MP, Olivia Chow, sent us the following report on the Toronto Port Authority and the Island Airport. She points out that the Federal Government treats Toronto the same way whether it's Conservative or Liberal.
"Through the summer, while the Toronto Port Authority proceeded with its unwanted expansion of the Island Airport facilities, I had detailed discussions with Roger Tassé, who has been conducting a Ministerial review of this wasteful rogue agency. Incredibly, days before Tassé was scheduled to release his report, the Harper government … shelved the Tassé report - postponing its release until October, and announced a full slate of appointments to the Port Authority. He has packed the Board with Conservative supporters and airline industry insiders…"
Does anyone know why some small planes approach the Island Airport, but never land? I counted more than 25 on Friday night, Sept. 15. I thought the film festival was creating the traffic, but then I saw the planes just skim the runway and continue on another loop. Is this training or an attempt to make the airport look busy?
YQNA is planning an October liaison meeting with Harbourfront Centre's CEO, Bill Boyle, and staff to review the summer events. As the season progressed, several open-air concerts became far too loud and disturbed residents. Fortunately, we agreed last year with Harbourfront Centre on a reasonable decibel level, but it needs to be enforced by staff. To strengthen this agreement, we have proposed a motion for City Council to rein in the noise.
The Virgin rock festival on the Islands was a long and noisy September weekend for Harbourside residents. At least those facing the lake heard a persistent thumping noise.
The City is working on strengthening the noise by-laws to enable us to have thriving businesses, entertainment and residences in the same neighbourhood. Other cities in the world have managed, so we hope Toronto can too.
YQNA had a well-attended meeting September 12 and will meet again November 14. All are welcome.
Ulla Colgrass
Chair, YQNA
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