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Neighborhood News
Harbourfront, Toronto, Ontario
March, 2007
Walkway Breakthrough
Tenacity is an important trait in dealing with complex City issues. YQNA reported last November that all parties had agreed to include a covered walkway inside the new Maple Leaf Square (MLS) next to Air Canada Centre. Then a long silence followed, some manoeuvring happened 'behind the stage', and the commitment from the developer seemed to fade.
Fortunately our wonderful City Planner, Al Rezoski, called a meeting on Feb. 8 at City Hall. A decision on the walkway was needed before MLS could get site plan approval to build. The much focused meeting included Braz Menezes, Bob Rasmussen and Ulla Colgrass from Harbourside, Lanterra the developer, City Councillors Pam McConnell and Adam Vaughan, several planners from TTC and Transportation Services and representatives of Harbourfront Centre and Waterfront Action.
We did not anticipate the outcome. Both councillors and the majority around the table strongly supported this walkway and decided that MLS could not go ahead without building their part of it. They emphasized the importance of pedestrian connections between the downtown and our popular Waterfront. It was also agreed that the walkway would continue under 10 lanes of traffic at Lake Shore Boulevard and exit in the green space at the corner of York St. and Queens Quay.
Only the developer and the Transportation planner (in charge of car traffic) were reluctant, but they were sent back to the drawing board and expected by the councillors to return with new plans within two weeks. The process from introducing the walkway idea to this point of general acceptance took YQNA 16 months. We will now engage Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation (TWRC) in the next phase, which ought to happen under their stewardship and with the help of West 8 designers.
Harbourfront Centre Party
Despite a bitter cold Sunday afternoon, many residents came to the party Harbourfront Centre threw for us on February 4th. Skating was not a high priority, but inside there was hot chocolate, snacks, children's crafts, a drumming workshop, art show and a draw with generous prizes. The lively crowd included Olivia Chow, our Member of Parliament, City Councillor Adam Vaughan and family, and Harbourfront's CEO Bill Boyle. He promised us another sail this summer on a tall ship. A good neighbour indeed!
Time well spent
Numerous residents are valued volunteers at Harbourfront Centre. They dedicate a certain amount of time to work in arts & crafts, information desk, site decoration, office support, education programmes and much more. If anyone is interested in becoming either a seasonal or core volunteer in this creative environment, call the Volunteer Coordinator at (416) 973-4944 or email volunteers@harbourfrontcentre.com
Live and learn
Another interesting Harbourfront offering is the Learning for Living programme. Twenty-six interesting courses provide adults with creative and stimulating learning. There is gallery hopping, discovering your talent in drawing, dancing like a star, surviving home renovations, interesting walking tours, cultural cuisines, and more. For programme details, call 416-952-4046 or visit www.harbourfrontcentre.com/learning.
Connecting with Adam Vaughan
Six of YQNA's board members met City Councillor Adam Vaughan on Jan 25 to hand over our most important files and to talk with him about them. He is receptive to our needs and a quick study, but there is a lot to learn about our complex neighbourhood. We feel very lucky to work with two of the city's best councillors, Adam Vaughn and Pam McConnell.
Island noise
YQNA's Noise Committee has requested protection from the growing number of excessively loud outdoor concerts on the islands. Of the ten-week summer season last year, 60% of weekends had loud events that were clearly audible on the Waterfront (Wakestock, Virginfest, etc.) Aside from intruding on people's privacy nearby, the loud music can lead to hearing loss in the audience from the extreme decibel levels (110 dB or more.)
It appears that a City Parks employee is assigned to attract even more big music events on the Islands. Cathy Waiten, YQNA's Noise Chair, has written to Brenda Librecz, General Manager, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, that residents on the Waterfront request the same noise protection that is given to people who live near other parks in the city.
Also, Cathy points out that Toronto parks cannot legally be used for commercial purposes. Yet the Islands are used regularly by big concert promoters and companies like Virgin Airlines and Wakestock Corporation, clearly for-profit businesses. We want that changed to comply with City by-laws. YQNA is greatly in favour of the music and festivities on the waterfront, but we want to be able to tune it out where we live.
Everyone is welcome to YQNA's next meeting, Tuesday March 13 at 7 p.m. in the Radisson Admiral Hotel on Queens Quay, Galley Lounge, on the fifth floor. YQNA has arranged City Councillor Adam Vaughan as our guest speaker at the March 13 meeting.
Ulla Colgrass
Chair, YQNA
News Archives:
September 2006
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