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Neighborhood News
Harbourfront, Toronto, Ontario
July, 2008
Good Waterfront News
Many good things are suddenly happening on the Waterfront - some long awaited and some great surprises.
YQNA recently made a deputation to the Mayor's Executive Committee at City Hall regarding removal of the Gardiner Expressway east of Jarvis, where the traffic is slight. Waterfront Toronto is planning a wide boulevard like University Avenue in its place, an urban street with trees instead of the current elevated highway. YQNA supports this change, which is bound to enhance the future developments in the East Bayfront.
The real surprise on the agenda was the proposal to take down the circular ramp at the bottom of York Street and make that ramp shorter and straight. It would end at Harbour Street and York. YQNA asked for this change a long time ago, because it would open up the park and allow a tremendous view from the waterfront of the financial district. Environmental assessments are being done on the Gardiner and the ramps to study the effects of the proposed changes.
This is how city planners envision the new park across from Harbour Square.
Braz Menezes and Ulla Colgrass made deputations to Executive Council. They took the opportunity to persuade councillors to use the future Waterfront park as the entrance to an underground PATH connection into Union Station. YQNA has championed that idea for three years, it is supported by Harbourfront Centre, and it is now being considered seriously at City Hall. Our efficient city councillor Pam McConnell made sure that Braz' extensive plans for our neighbourhood were sent to Union Station Planners as an official document.
More good news
- York Street is slated for major improvements to make it pedestrian friendly with wide sidewalks and safer crossings at Lake Shore Blv. This work will begin in August.
- The Simcoe Street connection to downtown is still under construction. The bike lanes that YQNA had insisted on have finally been approved and will be ready at the opening in the fall of this year.
- The elegantly curved Spadina Slip will open in July. Two more wooden slips in similar styles are put on the fast track by Waterfront Toronto at Rees and Simcoe Streets. They will jut right off the sidewalk towards the water and will offer places to walk and sit.
- We are expecting a public meeting in July to hear about traffic patterns that Waterfront Toronto is proposing for Queens Quay revitalization. Mailed invitation will be sent out and we will alert YQNA members to this event.
- The little waterfall that could - and sometimes couldn't - in the York Parkette is operating as this is being written. Many people have missed it for at least a year. YQNA member Bob Rasmussen has worked with City Parks to restore the waterfall, the reflecting pool and sun dial.
- The City has had a change of heart and will provide chairs in the sandy area of HtO Park after all. For the moment they have provided a few wooden chairs, but they are looking for sturdier chairs that should last for years.
- Purina recently opened its PawsWay Pet Discovery Centre just east of the Radisson Hotel. It has interesting displays, areas for dog training and showing, items for grooming and much more. It's a lot of fun to visit for anyone who loves animals. William's Café, attached on the water side, is already a big attraction for people and pooches.
Explore our Web links
Residents who are interested in following the developments along the Waterfront and established landmarks can find numerous links on our web site. Bob Rasmussen is expanding his research into our fascinating neighbourhood and offers links to museums, sculptures, sports arenas, nature sites, Harbourfront Centre and much more.
YQNA is now on summer hiatus until our next meeting, September 16. Any inquiries and information is welcome at all times to our email address info@yqna.ca
Remember, if you - or people you know on the Waterfront - are bothered by Harbourfront noise, click the noise window on our home page and "Go to Noise log and fill out the complaint form".
Ulla Colgrass
Chair, YQNA
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