Councillor Councillor

Councillor
Gord Perks
Spring 2015
Gord
Perks
City Councillor
Ward 14
Parkdale-High Park
OFFICE STAFF
Karen Duffy
Executive Assistant
Meri Newton
Executive Assistant
Clive Scott
Constituency Assistant
Lucas Costello
Constituency Assistant
TORONTO CITY HALL
OFFICE
100 Queen Street West
2nd Floor, Suite A14
Toronto, ON M5H 2N2
T: 416.392.7919
F: 416.392.0398
E: councillor_perks@toronto.ca
CONSTITUENCY OFFICE
Parkdale Public Library
1303 Queen Street West
Toronto, ON M6K 1L6
Fridays only
9:30 am - 12:30 pm
Call 416.392.7919
for an appointment
Sign up, for my weekly
email updates @
www.gordperks.ca
Ward 14 • Parkdale - High Park
Friends,
With the election well behind us, the new Mayor and Council have settled in and are hard at
work. After the distractions of the last four years this is a tremendous relief. City issues, large and
small, long overdue for attention, are finally being discussed frankly and openly.
Some of our bigger challenges include: attention to our transportation infrastructure; housing
affordability; a critical need for more childcare spaces; protecting and expanding our green/
recreation space; and public finance.
Locally, these issues play out in all kinds of important conversations, and sometimes in
strong debates.
More and more often conversations in Ward 14 turn to transportation. We have the highest rate of
transit ridership in the City at 44% of all trips. Another 16% of trips are walking/cycling. Simply
put we need to allocate more of our scarce street space to these modes. Meanwhile, many of our
residential streets are overwhelmed by car traffic. I have been working on an initiative to reduce
traffic speeds on neighbourhood streets City-wide.
Affordable housing is a constant concern for Ward 14 residents. We are losing privately-owned
affordable housing apartment units in Parkdale-High Park and housing for people in middle
income groups is becoming harder to find. New tenant associations are appearing. Community
groups and neighbours are volunteering to look for new models to secure affordable social
housing. Underlying all of this is the need to invest both in the public housing we already have
and the need to build more.
Just as critical is the need for affordable child care. I've managed to secure some funding for
building new daycare space in the ward. As a City we need to fund more affordable quality child
care spaces.
The expansion and enhancement of green space and recreation programs continues in Ward 14.
The Sorauren Town Square moves into phase two. Two parks are getting major renovations and
a new park at King and Dufferin will open this year.
Common to all of these issues is a deep problem in City finance. As the Federal and Provincial
governments cut costs by downloading housing and transit costs, and drag their feet on issues
like daycare, we in Toronto face a stark choice. We can step up and contribute or allow problems
to worsen. The conversations will range from increased property taxes to other revenue tools,
like an income tax or sales tax.
These will be lively issues over this term. I hope you will be part of the conversation around
them, and as always, I want to hear what you think.
Gord
@gordperks
416.392.7919 • councillor_perks@toronto.ca • www.gordperks.ca
COUNCILLOR GORD PERKS • WARD 14 PARKDALE – HIGH PARK
Growing Green Spaces in Ward 14
West Queen West Planning Study
Here is a snap shot of recent improvements and additions to the parks and green spaces in the ward
G1
Tree Canopy – tree replanting – EAB
King – Dufferin Park Expansion
Update
There are plans to replace these trees. The City
is dealing with a back-log as many trees were
damaged and / or lost during the ice-storm of
December 2013.
Three community meetings have already taken place
about the park in which individuals were able to discuss
their vision for the park.
G2
Dundas Roncesvalles Peace
Garden
As you may recall, this this project was brought about
through the joint partnerships of local residents and the
Roncesvalles Village BIA to commemorate the local
connections to the events of the War of 1812 while
beautifying the corner of Dundas and Roncesvalles.
G3
Dundas – Watkinson Parkette
Dundas-Watkinson Parkette was scheduled for
improvements through the 2015 Parks Forestry and
Recreation Capital Budget. After the first meeting,
members of the community voiced that they would like to
see a more passive and naturalized parkette.
Park improvements will be completed in the fall.
G4
Albert Crosland Parkette
Another park that is receiving an upgrade in our ward
is the Albert Crosland Parkette. These improvements
include: playground upgrades with protective surfacing,
junior play equipment, edge treatment, at grade accessible
paving, and proper drainage. There will be a new protective
play surface at the swings location. Improvements will
also include the removal and replacement of broken and
uneven concrete paving and unit pavers with new paving
throughout park. The drinking fountain will be replaced
by a water bottle filling station.
D2 G3
There have been many trees that have been
removed in the ward because of Emerald Ash
Borer (EAB) or because of irreversible decline.
The City approved the acquisition of 248-250 Dufferin
Street for parkland. Attaining these properties will allow
the City to increase the green space in this area.
The park will feature an open green space, armour stone
amphitheatre, armour stone seat wall, Salvation Army
Dedication Plaque, concrete stage, new metal trellis, and
benches placed throughout.
The portion of Queen Street
West between Bathurst Street
and Roncesvalles Avenue is
experiencing increasing pres­
sure for redevelopment. The
community has raised concerns
regarding the loss of buildings
with heritage attributes, transit
capacity, insufficient parking,
and protecting the character of
the street.
This planning study will focus on
the character of the street and how
to plan for new development that
complements the built form and
heritage attributes. Transit capacity
and parking supply will also be
reviewed. The study will involve
public consultation to clarify what
defines the street character and to
develop a community vision for
the future.
G5
Sorauren Park Town Square
In Summer 2014 a community celebration took place
to mark the opening of the new Sorauren Park Town
Square; phase 1 of the Wabash Building Society in
conjunction with the City.
G6
D1
This town square will be the new home of the Sorauren
Farmers market among other community events.
G2
G6
Dorval Gardens
Community Garden – Spring 2015
As part of the Keele yard retrofit and structural
rehabilitation project, the Dorval Community Garden
was impacted. However, in consultation with the West
Bend Residents Association and the Bloor by the
Park BIA, the garden will be restored and enhanced
so that the community can continue enjoying the area
this summer.
The area will include new plantings and an open
space with rockery and paving stones. Pedestrians
will still be able to view subway operations from
the street level above; something children in the
community have enjoyed for years. The bench
and memorial plaques will also be restored.
The Chief Planner and Executive
Director of City Planning have
begun to:
1. Undertake a review of the
policy context, built-form and
heritage value of the properties
on Queen Street West,
between Bathurst Street and
Roncesvalles Avenue.
2. Consult
Transportation
Services, the Toronto Transit
Commission, and the Toronto
Parking Authority to address
concerns related to transit
capacity and parking in the
vicinity of the study area.
3. Consult with the community,
including residents and other
stakeholder groups, together
with the Ward Councillors,
to understand what defines
the character of the street and
D10
D1
2376 Dundas Street
West north of
Bloor Street West
D3
G5
D4
C1
G7
Beaty Parkette & Masaryk Park
The OMB has approved an
8-storey mid-rise building
along Dundas Street
West with a 23-storey
component at the
rear of the site.
Construction is
C2
underway.
D8
G4
G7
G7
Fermanagh Contra-flow
Planned Construction for
the Dowling Ave. and
Dunn Ave. Bridges
In September 2014, the Fermanagh Contra-flow
lanes were installed. Contra-flow on Fermanagh
Avenue was developed as part of the City of
Toronto’s 2008 planning exercise to improve
cycling in Toronto’s west end.
C2
Lansdowne Ave Bike Lanes
In Fall 2014 bike lanes were installed at the
Lansdowne Ave underpass to improve safety
for cyclists.
In the fall of 2015, the City of Toronto will move
forward with plans to remove and replace the
Dowling Avenue and Dunn Avenue bridges over
the Metrolinx/GO Transit Rail Corridor. Both of
these bridges are more than 100-years old and
nearing the end of their useful service life. The
bridges will be replaced with temporary bridges
while the City undertakes an Environmental
Assessment (EA) to determine the appropriate
permanent solution for each bridge.
For more information:
http://bit.ly/WQWplanning
For more information:
http://bit.ly/stARTtoronto
D7
2803 Dundas Street
West at Indian Grove
422-430 Roncesvalles & 76
Howard Park Ave
A 7-storey, mixed-use building, containing
retail uses at grade, and a total of 109
residential units is under construction.
Following a community pre-application meeting
in April, the developer has asked for some time to
review their 8-storey residential proposal against
the comments that they heard at the meeting before
formally submitting their application to the city. .
383 Sorauren Avenue
south of Dundas
A 10-storey residential building, consisting
of 145 units is under construction.
35 Wabash
D9
D9
G1
While we are still in the early stages of the
project, residents can expect to hear more about
the projects at upcoming Public Meetings that
will be held this summer. Residents will also be
informed through notices and consultations that
are part of the Environmental Assessment.
G
1205
Queen St
West
D6
Legend
D
D5
An 8-storey
condominium
building has
been built.
C3
C
Developments Greening Construction
Spaces
Projects
1624 Queen St West
D4
Following a community pre-application
meeting, the developer has advised that
they are in the process of modifying their
plans for a 4 storey residential building
before formally submitting their
application to the city. There will be a
D5
Statutory Public meeting once the
application is filed with the city.
C3
D8
Toronto Parking Authority continues to move ahead
with their plans for a 37–space car park (at Callender
Street). Expected completion date is early fall, 2015.
Ongoing Projects & Cycling Improvements in Ward 14
The temporary bridge at Dowling Ave.
will accommodate pedestrians and cyclists.
The temporary bridge at Dunn Ave. will
accommodate vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists.
4. Report back on the findings
of the review and provide
recommendations for changes,
if necessary, to the planning
framework for the study area.
Funding was made available
to each City of Toronto Police
Division to cover the budget
for material costs to create art
murals in areas that were visible
from public spaces. Mural art is
an effective means of deterring
graffiti vandalism.
D2
Construction Projects in Ward 14
C3
develop a vision for future
development.
D3
New benches were installed for residents to enjoy.
C1
Residents of Columbus, Sorauren
and Parkway Avenues had the
opportunity to participate in a
mural project to beautify their
garage doors and help address
the ongoing issue of graffiti
vandalism in the neighbourhood.
Development Updates in Ward 14
D7 D6
This project should be completed in the fall.
Community Art
Initiatives
Columbus
Parkette Murals
20-66 Howard Park Ave
Two residential buildings, 8-storeys in height
with a total of 177 units. Development of the
first building is near completion.
1100 King St. West
A development of two mixed-use buildings comprised
of four levels of underground parking, including 746
vehicle parking spaces, non-residential uses at the
ground, 2nd, and part of the 3rd floors, and a total of
511 residential units is currently being constructed.
A new bike path situated adjacent to the rail corridor
north of the building is proposed to connect Joe Shuster
Way to Liberty Village.
D10
421 Roncesvalles
A community pre-application meeting in July, 2014,
was an opportunity for developer to hear from
community members on a 10-storey commercial
proposal before formally submitting application to
the City.
At the time of this newsletter going to print, there has
been no application filed with City Planning. If the
application moves forward, there will be a Statutory
Community Meeting. The city will also require a
Placard to be posted on the site with the details of
the application.
Sign up for Councillor Perks' e-newsletter at
gordperks.ca for updates on this current application.
416.392.7919 • councillor_perks@toronto.ca • www.gordperks.ca
416.392.7919 • councillor_perks@toronto.ca • www.gordperks.ca
Pan Am and Para Pan Am Games
The Pan American Games are the world’s third largest international multi-sport Games;
they are only surpassed in size and scope by the Olympic Summer Games and the Asian Games.
On certain days this summer, temporary road closures are expected for Ward 14 and various
parts of the city. The road closures will support various Pan Am Games road events. I have been
working with Pan Am Games officials as well as City of Toronto designated staff to ensure the
traffic impacts are kept at a minimum.
Maps of the various road race events in the Lakeshore / High Park / Exhibition Place area and
a detailed list of day-by-day road opening and closure times for roadways affected by the road
race events can be viewed on TO2015’s website at: http://bit.ly/PanAm15
Gord meeting with the Toronto Grassroots
Youth Collective.
Gord with Cheri DiNovo, Parkdale Tenants
Association, Peggy Nash at the Ward 14
Tenant Townhall
Ward 14 Resident Associations:
Gord with the Parkdale Intercultural
Association and founder Rita Cox.
Councillor Perks & Councillor Doucette 2015
Budget Townhall
Ward 14 Business Improvement Areas:
High Park Residents’ Association
(416) 570-4959
highparkra.org
Bloor by the Park BIA – bloorbythepark.
com
info@bloorbythepark.com
Parkdale Residents’ Association
(416) 533-0044
parkdale.to
Liberty Village BIA – LVBIA.com
(416) 516-1723
The Junction BIA – thejunctionbia.ca
(416) 767-9068
thejunctionbia@gmail.com
(416) 536-6918
director@parkdalevillagebia.com
(416) 537-2701
info@roncesvallesvillage.ca
Roncesvalles-Macdonnell
Residents’ Association
rmra-to.org
Sunnyside Community Association
(416) 533-3830
Parkdale Village BIA –
parkdalevillagebia.com
West Bend Community Association
(416) 766-5509
thewestbend.ca
Roncesvalles Village BIA –
roncesvallesvillage.ca
Friends Of Parks
Join your neighbours at one of these Friends of
Parks groups, or contact my office for assistance
in starting a 'friends of ' group for your local park.
'Friends of Parks' works with City staff and other
local organizations and businesses, to improve
park conditions and helps create safe, attractive
and enjoyable programs.
Friends of Masaryk Park
masarykfriends.com
masarykfriends@gmail.com
Friends of Charles G. Williams Park
friendsofcharlespark@gmail.com
Gord currently sits on the Parks
and Environment Committee, Chair
Subcommittee
on
Climate
Change
Mitigation and Adaptation, Tenant Issues
Committee, Tribunal Nominating Panel,
Toronto Atmospheric Fund Board of
Directors, Golden Horseshoe Food and
Farming Alliance and Greater Toronto Area
Agricultural Action committee.
100 Queen Street West, Suite A14
Toronto, ON M5H 2N2
Ph: 416-392-7919
councillor_perks@toronto.ca
Friends of Watkinson Parkette
http://watkinson.ourpark.ca
Fridays from 9:30am - 12:30pm
e-Updates: GordPerks.ca
Facebook.com/Gord.Perks
Twitter.com/GordPerks
Call 211 for information and referral to social
services in Toronto.
City Hall Office:
Friends of Ritchie Parkette
ritchieparkette.blogspot.ca
Stay Connected with the most up-to-date
information on what’s happening in Ward 14
by subscribing to Gord’s e-Updates,
the Park Post.
Frequently called numbers:
Call 311 for information and referral to city
services in Toronto.
Constituency Office:
1303 Queen Street West - Parkdale Public
Library, Meeting Room B
Tájékoztatás és átirányítás Torontó
város szociális intézményeihez.
Call 416-392-7919 to make an appointment.
Toronto Public Library
(416) 393-7131
TTC Customer Service
(416) 393-3030
TTC Schedules
(416) 393-INFO
Police 11 Division
(416) 808-1100
Police 14 Division
(416) 808-1400
416.392.7919 • councillor_perks@toronto.ca • www.gordperks.ca
Pan Am & Parapan Am Road Closures in High Park Area – July 18, July 24 – 25, August 7 – 8
STREET
HIGH PARK
FROM
TO
Friday July 10
DIRECTION TIME
Saturday July 11
DIRECTION TIME
Sunday July 12
DIRECTION TIME
Saturday July 18
DIRECTION TIME
Friday July 24
DIRECTION TIME
Saturday July 25
DIRECTION TIME
Friday August 7
DIRECTION TIME
Saturday August 8
DIRECTION TIME
High Park Blvd
Parkside Dr
Spring Rd
All lanes 01:00 - 14:00
All lanes 10:00 - 15:00
All lanes 01:00 - 22:00 All lanes 10:00 - 15:00
All lanes 01:00 - 18:00
Centre Rd
High Park Blvd
Colborne Lodge Dr
All lanes 01:00 - 14:00
All lanes 10:00 - 15:00
All lanes 01:00 - 22:00 All lanes 10:00 - 15:00
All lanes 01:00 - 18:00
West Rd
All lanes 01:00 - 14:00
All lanes 10:00 - 15:00
All lanes 01:00 - 22:00 All lanes 10:00 - 15:00
All lanes 01:00 - 18:00
All lanes 01:00 - 14:00
All lanes 10:00 - 15:00
All lanes 01:00 - 22:00 All lanes 10:00 - 15:00
All lanes 01:00 - 18:00
Colborne Lodge Dr Centre Rd
West Rd
Colborne Lodge Rd Centre Rd
Legend:
E► = Eastbound Lanes Closed, ◄W = Westbound Lanes Closed, S▼ = Southbound Lanes Closed
For any PanAm or Parapan Am related questions, please contact: panaminfo@torontopolice.on.ca
416.392.7919 • councillor_perks@toronto.ca • www.gordperks.ca
Pan Am & Parapan Am Road Closures in Parkdale – July 10, 11, 12 & 18 – 19, July 24 – 25, August 7 – 8
STREET
PARKDALE
FROM
TO
Friday July 10
Saturday July 11
Sunday July 12
Saturday July 18
DIRECTION – TIME DIRECTION – TIME DIRECTION – TIME DIRECTION – TIME
Lakeshore Blvd New Brunswick Dr British Columbia Rd E► 22:00 - 23:59
E►00:01 - 23:59
E► 00:01 - 14:00
Lakeshore Blvd British Columbia Rd Dowling Ave
E► 01:00 - 14:00
E► 01:00 - 14:00
Sunday July 19
DIRECTION – TIME
Friday July 24
DIRECTION – TIME
Saturday July 25
DIRECTION – TIME
Sunday July 26
DIRECTION – TIME
Friday August 7
DIRECTION – TIME
Saturday August 8
DIRECTION – TIME
E► 01:00 - 18:00
Lakeshore Blvd Strachan Ave
Dowling Ave
Lakeshore Blvd Jameson Ave
Parkside Dr
Lakeshore Blvd Strachan Ave
Parkside Dr
Lakeshore Blvd Strachan Ave
British Columbia Rd
Parkside Dr
Lakeshore Blvd
High Park Blvd
All lanes 01:00 - 14:00
All lanes 10:00 - 15:00 All lanes 01:00 - 22:00
All lanes 10:00 - 15:00
All lanes 01:00 - 18:00
Parkside Dr
High Park Blvd
Bloor St
S▼ 01:00 - 14:00
S▼ 10:00 - 15:00
S▼ 01:00 - 22:00
S▼ 10:00 - 15:00
S▼ 01:00 - 18:00
◄W 01:00 - 22:00
◄W 10:00 - 15:00
◄W 01:00 - 14:00
◄W 01:00 - 14:00
E► 01:00 - 14:00
E► 10:00 - 15:00
E► 1:00 - 12:00
◄W 01:00 - 14:00
◄W 10:00 - 15:00
◄W 1:00 - 12:00
E► 10:00 - 15:00
All lanes 10:00 - 15:00 All lanes 12:00 - 22:00
All lanes 01:00 - 14:00
All lanes 10:00 - 15:00
All lanes 01:00 - 14:00
The Queensway Glendale Ave
Ellis Ave
◄W 10:00 - 15:00
Ellis Ave
The Queensway
Morningside Ave
All lanes 10:00 - 15:00 All lanes 09:00 - 22:00
All lanes 10:00 - 15:00
All lanes 03:00 - 16:00
Ellis Park Rd
Ellis Ave
Bloor St
All lanes 10:00 - 15:00 All lanes 09:00 - 22:00
All lanes 10:00 - 15:00
All lanes 03:00 - 16:00
Olympus Ave
Ellis Park Rd
Harcroft Rd
All lanes 10:00 - 15:00 All lanes 09:00 - 22:00
Bloor St
Kennedy Ave
Keele St
All lanes 10:00 - 15:00 E► 1:00 - 22:00
E► 10:00 - 15:00
E► 01:00 - 18:00
416.392.7919 • councillor_perks@toronto.ca • www.gordperks.ca