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Neighborhood News
Harbourfront, Toronto, Ontario
October, 2008
WaveDeck opens
The new WaveDeck has finally opened at the bottom of Spadina Avenue. It's an elegant and organic-looking connection with the water, featuring a long bench. The opening was attended by Mayor Miller and members of three levels of government, as seen in this photo. Two more wave decks are planned for Rees and Simcoe streets. Meanwhile, it would be nice to get the sidewalks along Queens Quay repaired so they are not such a safety hazard and eyesore.
Future signs
The City is working on unified bylaws for signs, covering everything from way-finding signs to business signs and giant electronic billboards. Right now, we have conflicting bylaws on the books that date back to before amalgamation.
YQNA attended a public meeting (Sept. 25) to hear which direction the City is going. Will there be more liberal signage bylaws that will allow more signs and billboards? Or will there be restrictions and removal of the proliferating illegal signs?
We failed to get any answers. However, we did express a concern that the Waterfront could be overrun with "third party advertising" (selling a product or service) because of our large population, millions of visitors and the Gardiner Expressway and Lake Shore Boulevard going through our neighbourhood. Huge billboards, streetcars covered in advertising and video screens blinking outside our windows would not enhance the Waterfront.
YQNA was the only neighbourhood association present at this sparsely attended public meeting. Most people were from the signage industry.
If Update readers would like to add their vision and ideas for signage, please email signbylawproject@toronto.ca
Meanwhile, no agreement has been reached on Maple Leaf Square's application for 48 signs just north of us. An illegal sign at York and Harbour streets was ordered taken down by City Council last November and it's still there - with fresh ads! Members of YQNA regularly tear down posters that are glued to lamp posts and walls along Queens Quay. This is a good time to speak up for a firm and reasonable signage bylaw for the city.
Police presence
There was a full house at YQNA's September meeting. Two police constables from the 52 Division came to answer questions, primarily about safety on Queens Quay. They offered advice on how to contact Police when needed, but we wanted to know what happened to the wave of break-ins that took place last year. Has it stopped? Is there an increase in crime, related to the many popular tourist destinations in our neighbourhood? We inquired about the recent shooting in the parking lot next to Waterpark Place. No arrests have been made. The friendly constables didn't bring any statistics from our area, but will give them to our Police liaison people for our next meeting.
View from Ottawa
Olivia Chow, our MP, dropped by at YQNA's meeting to exchange information. When we asked about the delays of Queens Quay's redesign, she said money is in place for the project and she expects a public meeting will be called by Waterfront Toronto soon. In discussing the upcoming Canada Square around the Power Plant, she told us the land is owned by the federal government, which was news to us.
Art Alert
The Waterfront is home to many artists. YQNA is planning to give them a place to show and sell their work in a neighbourhood art exhibit next spring in HtO Park. Fran Pileggi is chairing a group effort along with our BIA to bring her idea to life.
All-candidates debate
YQNA co-sponsored the all-candidates debate on Oct. 5, which presented all four federal candidates for our area. Councillor Adam Vaughan was moderator. The meeting attracted residents along the Waterfront in the gym at Harbourfront Community Centre on Queens Quay.
Feel free to drop in at the next YQNA meeting, November 11 at 7 p.m. in the Radisson Hotel.
Ulla Colgrass
Chair, YQNA
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