2014 south of King Street newsletter

8/10/2019 2014 south of King Street newsletter

1/8

COUNCILLOR MIKE LAYTON 1

Councillor

Mike LaytonWard 19 TriniTySpadina MIKELAYTON.TO

Dear Neighbours,

I am very proud to work closely with many of you on so many significant local

improvements. We have accomplished so much and there is still a lot of work to

be done to build a strong community.

Together we went up against Las Vegas giants and stopped a mega casino from

being built at Exhibition Place. It was thanks to thousands of you speaking out

at public meetings and signing petitions that my motion to stop the casino was

supported by the majority of City Councillors.

We need to make improvements to transit in our neighbourhoods. That is why I

have been working to create a more affordable and integrated fare at Exhibition

GO Station and to build a Liberty Village/King West Station on the Kitchener/Georgetown GO Line. Making it easier for people to take the GO to Union Station

and then hop on the TTC for less, will make room on the 504 King Streetcar. This

extra room will still be needed on the TTCs busiest streetcar route even after the

new vehicles have been rolled out.

We are building two pedestrian and cycle bridges to help connect communities

on either side of the rail corridors. We have installed traffic lights at East Liberty

and Strachan, added pavement markings and stop signs, as well as improved

lighting throughout neighbourhoods. Significant local park improvements have

also been made with many more to come.

I thank you for the opportunity to serve our community and encourage you to

call, email, or meet with me to discuss any concerns or ideas may have.

Mike Layton

City Councillor

Ward 19, TrinitySpadina

Stay in touch

Visit www.mikelayton.tofor city-wide and local

updates on everything from construction notices

to political issues at City Hall. Visit my website to

sign up for my e-newsletter.

Follow me on twitter at twitter.com/m_layton or

find me on facebook at facebook.com/layton.mike

Nos Falamos Portugus! Por favor ligue para o

nosso escritrio se precisar assistencia.(416) 392-

4010

Parliamo italiano! Se avete bisogno dassistenza,

siete pregati di chiamare (416) 397-4110.

(416) 392-4009.

Were improving transit for theKing West, Liberty Village, andFort York neighbourhoods.

Sign the petition:http://mikelayton.to/libertyonthego

FPO

Union Bug

100 Queen Street West

Suite C47

Toronto, ON

M5H 2N2

(416) 392-4009

councillor_layton@

toronto.ca

Executive Assistant

Jamie Kirkpatrick

[email protected]

Special Assistant

Scheduling & Parks

Marco Bianchi

[email protected]

Constituency Assistant

North of College Street

agel Su

[email protected]


South of College Street to

Rail Corridor

ashle d Slv

[email protected]


South of the Rail Corridor

Heather Leger

[email protected]


2/8

2 COUNCILLOR MIKE LAYTON

To address our growing communities we need

to improve transit in the Liberty Village, King

West, and Fort York neighbourhoods.

That is why I have been working with Metro-

linx and the TTC to create a more affordable

and integrated fare at Exhibition GO Station

and to add a Liberty Village/King West Station

on the Kitchener GO Line. Making it easier forpeople to take the GO to Union Station (a ride

of less than 8 minutes) and then hop on the

TTC for less, will help make room on the 504

King Streetcar.

The King Streetcar is the busiest

streetcar route in the city

Every day thousands of people living and

working in and around Liberty Village wait as

overflowing streetcars pass on King Street, the

busiest streetcar route in the city, with a hope

that the next one will have enough room to

take one more rider.

Liberty Villages growth has outpaced invest-

ments into local public transit options and

Liberty on the GOas it stands, there are currently no significant

plans to improve public transit for this growing

neighbourhood.

We need to use the existing rail lines

Liberty Village is situated between two dedicat-

ed rail lines, but they are inaccessible one has

no local stop and the second regularly passesby the existing station and costs close to $8 per

trip when combined with a TTC fare.

We need to create a shared or integrated fare

with GO Transit, as many other c ities across

the GTHA already have, so it is affordable

for residents and workers in Liberty Village

to take the GO Train from Exhibition Sta-

tion to Union Station and then hop on the

TTC without paying twice. We also need to

immediately investigate the land available

on the north and south sides of the Kitch-

ener GO Transit line, for the creation of a

Liberty Village/King Street West stop.

This is one of the few areas with land available

and the City is building an accessible pedes-

New StreetcarsThe King streetcar line is the busiest in the city

with over 57,000 daily passengers. The Queen

streetcar has over 45,000 daily passengers. The

lines are over capacity and my office regularly

receives complaints that riders wait for several

cars during rush hour before making their way

on to one with room to board. This is unaccept-able. Public transit is meant to get us where we

need to go quickly and affordably.

The TTC has ordered new streetcars to relieve

some of the pressure on the routes moving

through Ward 19. They are scheduled for roll

out between 2014 and 2018. The TTC will

also be constructing (and modifying) streetcar

platforms to allow people with mobility chal-

lenges and strollers to easily board the new

low floor streetcars.

The new streetcars are accessible, have more

seats, boarding from all 4 doors, air condition-

ing and, can accommodate bicycles. Not only are

they modern, spacious, and comfortable, but they

will also increase our rush hour capacity by 32%.

You may have noticed the new streetcars already

as the TTC tests them on our streets. The 510

Spadina, the 511 Bathurst, and the 509 Dun-

das / Harbourfront are scheduled to be deployed

beginning in 2014. The 501 Queen and the 508

Lakeshore will roll out starting in 2015 with the

504 King route having the new vehicles begin-

ning in 2016.

trian and cycling bridge over the corridor that

could easily serve the station.

Lets take advantage of these opportunities

to improve transit. Improvements on the GO

line will make the King Streetcar better.

We need an affordable integrated fare

I recently had a motion adopted by the TTC

to pilot an integrated and affordable fare, but

we need your help to make this a reality. The

TTC and Metrolinx should immediately work

to create an affordable and integrated fare for

travel from Exhibition GO Station to Union

Station and formally explore the possibility

of a Liberty Village/King West Station within

the future development of the lands abutting

the north and south sides of the Georgetown/

Kitchener corridor.

Please sign the petition to the Province to

get them on board with our plan to improvetransit. Visit mikelayton.to/libertyontheGO for

more information and to sign our petition.

Unveiling a commemorative plaque recognizing

Scadding Cabin, Torontos oldest built structure.Built in 1794 for John Scadding, the cabin now rests

in our ward on the Exhibition Grounds.


3/8


We stopped a mega casino in our neighbourhoodAfter a year of work, we were able to win

against MGM and other international casino

corporations interested in building a mega ca-

sino at Exhibition Place.

Following multiple delays by Mayor Ford,

endless studies and debate, on May 21, 2013

I called a special meeting of Toronto City

Council to put an end to proposed mega ca-sino. At this meeting I moved a simple motion

that City Council oppose the establishment

of any new gaming sites in the City of Toron-

to. My motion passed 40-4 and the mega ca-

sino was stopped.

A downtown mega casino in Toronto would

have cost us more than we could have gained.

A mega casino would hurt our local businesses

June Callwood Park

Ontario Place and Exhibition

and our arts and entertainment communities.

It would strangle an already congested trans-

portation network with thousands more cars.

It would also bring with it significant social

costs related to both addiction and crime that

would hurt our families.

Liberty Village and Fort York are two of our

fastest growing neighbourhoods. Building acasino in them would have profound effects

on traffic, transit, property values, local busi-

nesses, addiction rates, and the quality of life.

When we think about the neighbourhood we

would like to build, it does not include a mega

casino. We can do better and we are doing bet-

ter than a casino.

The construction of June Callwood Park and

much needed green space in the Fort York

neighbourhood is well under way! The park

will contribute to the creation of a larger sys-

tem of linked public open spaces, including

Fort Yorks Garrison Common and Corona-

tion Park. It will include flexible play areas, a

maze and a puzzle plaza for children of all ages,

seating, an urban forest, public art, and beauti-

ful new gardens.

The park is named in honour of June Callwood,

who passed away in 2007 at the age of 82. June

was one Canadas most acclaimed journalists,

as well as a celebrated author, television host,

feminist, and social activist. She received nearly

20 honorary degrees, as well as Canadas high-

est honour, Companion of the Order of Can-

ada. She helped found over 50 social organi-

zations including shelters for homeless youth,

abused women and children, and a palliative

care hospice for people living with AIDS.

The design of the park is inspired by a clip

from June Callwoods last interview, when

she spoke the words I believe in Kindness.

These words were graphically transposed

onto the park site, and the sound pattern was

used to create the path of circulation through

the park, as well as the ser ies of clearings. The

June Callwood Park is scheduled to open in

the Fall of 2014.

Ontario Place and the Exhibition Grounds are

both in our ward. Ontario Place has been an

important 96-acre public and family friendly

space in Toronto and a destination since 1971.

It is land that was originally dedicated to The

People of Ontario Past, Present and Future .

In February 2012, the Ontario Government

announced the closure of Ontario Place. The

Province is now going through a planning

process to transform Ontario Place into a

year-round, multi-use waterfront community

and urban park. At the same time, the City

and Exhibition Place Board of Governors are

moving through a planning process for the fu-

ture of Exhibition Place.

Throughout this process I have maintained

that Ontario Place must remain a public

space. More recently, I have requested that

the Province work more closely with Exhibi-

tion Place to develop a joint strategy for revi-

talization and to include you, the local com-

munity, more closely in the process.

We need to ensure the planning for the area

addresses key issues such as infrastructure,

transportation, public realm, and heritage.

Any planning process around Ontario Place

and the Exhibition grounds must include

your input and consider both the impacts on

your neighbourhood and the potential contri-

butions.


4/8


Fort York Library

The new Fort York library is opening this year

at the northeast corner of Bathurst and Fort

York Boulevard. The library has been designed

as pavilions in the park, and pedestrian path-

ways on the east and south encourage public

access to the future park and Fort York.

It will be a 15,000 square foot two storey build-

ing with a view to Fort York and the down-

town core. An integrated public art project is

planned based on The Journals of Susannah

Lights for

Liberty!Traffic lights have now been installed at East

Liberty and Strachan. The City was waiting

until Metrolinx completed its work on the

corridor to begin installation of the perma-

nent lights at East Liberty Street and Stra-

chan Avenue. It is clear that waiting for action

to be taken was not an option for our growingcommunity.

My office and hundreds of residents through

the LVRA pushed to get temporary lights in-

stalled at the intersection and in 2013 this

was finally done. These lights are an impor-

tant step in significantly improving what we

all know is a packed and difficult intersection.

When Metrolinx completes its work on the

corridor and the intersection is properly

aligned, permanent lights and turning

lanes will be installed. We have lots of work

to do to improve transit in the neighbourhoodand the lights are an important piece that will

significantly improve the current situation.

Moodie, a collaboration between visual artist

Charles Pachter and poet Margaret Atwoood.

Pachters drawing will be incorporated into

the perforations of the west facing fins, and

Atwoods poetry will be installed on public el-

ements at grade.

The two storeys are connected by a douglas

fir clad stair and atrium visible as one enters.

The ceiling of the second floor is constructed

of douglas fir beams and decking, creating a

strong sense of place and referencing the his-

toric wood cribbing excavated on the site. The

public spaces of the library are directly con-

nected with the park.

The new library will include a broad range

of collections; meeting, collaborative and

study spaces; increased access to technol-

ogy for research, learning, working and rec-

reation. The library will have a collection sizeof 35,000 items for all ages, include zones for

adults, teens, and children, comfortable read-

ing lounges, free access to high-speed inter-

net and even an outdoor reading garden and

green roof.

The architect of the library is the firm of Ku-

wabara Payne Mckenna Blumberg (KPMB),

a Toronto based firm responsible for the TIFF

Bell Light Box, the Royal Conservatory Cen-

tre for Performance and Learning, as well as

the National Ballet School and Gardiner Mu-

seum. The library is a much needed amenity

to help build our community in the Fort York

neighbourhood.

PHOTO BY: TODD HOFLEY

RENDERING FROM KPMB ARCHITECTS

Protecting our WaterfrontCity Council has been debating the expansion

of the island airport to allow large jets. I am

concerned about the environmental and neigh-

bourhood impacts of this proposed expansion.The increased noise and pollution from jets, the

increased flight patterns across the waterfront,

and paving over more of the lake to extend the

runway will spoil our wonderful recreational

space of Toronto Island and waterfront.

In 1983, the Tripartite Agreement that the City

of Toronto entered into with the Federal Gov-

ernment and the Toronto Port Authority placed

very specific restrictions on the airport to pro-

tect neighbourhoods on the waterfront. The

agreements restricted airport expansion so that

new neighbourhoods could be built in the area.The addition of jets and changes to the Tripar-

tite Agreement threaten the liveability of these

neighbourhoods.

Our city has spent considerable time and money

to revitalize our waterfront so it can be a place

of pride for our citys residents. Any changes to

our waterfront must help and not harm these

efforts.

The City of Toronto has been working with localToronto artists to paint the Citys traffic signalboxes. Outside the Box is being implemented by

StreetARToronto. This is an example of one of themany boxes painted in our ward. This box can be

found at Dundas Street West and Montrose Avenueand was done by artist Jeff Blackburn.


5/8


Niagara Neighbourhood South Planning StrategyI have initiated a planning study of the Niagara

South neighbourhood and specifically the lands

bordered by Bathurst Street, Strachan Avenue,

Wellington Street, and the rail corridor. The

study will engage area stakeholders, including

landowners, residents, and business owners to

develop a long term vision for the area.

This area includes the Quality Meats opera-tions, and the City-owned shelter, day care,

and works yard. It will discuss potential

changes to the types of employment on the

land, the appropriate built form, transition

and buffering of new developments, as well as

pedestrian, cycling, and park space improve-

ments. It will also take into account the im-

portance of maintaining views of the Fort York

National Historic Site. This study will identify

the areas unique heritage attributes, protect

existing City-services, and the established

neighbourhood, provide a framework for any

new developments, identify opportunities for

public realm improvements, recognize the

importance of protecting employment lands,

and consider traffic, noise, and odour issues

related to existing employment uses.

Much of the land in the area needs to be remedi-ated since the sites include a former lead smelt-

ing operation, former incinerator, former casket

manufacturer, as well as the abattoir operated by

Quality Meat Packers and the City Works yard.

The area also includes many amenities that are

important to the community, including the day

care, shelter housing, the community gardens,

and the future southern extension of Stanley

Park which will provide the north landing of the

Fort York Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge.

A map of the study area for the NiagaraNeighbourhood South Planning Strategy

Liberty Village Pedestrian and Cycling Bridge

One of the new ping pong tables in Stanley Park inin use.

Bridging our CommunitiesWe are building two very important bridges in

the King West, Liberty Village, Niagara, and

Fort York neighbourhoods. These pedestrian

and cycling bridges will help move people

across the rail corridors and connect us to our

neighbours, local stores, and parks.

The Environmental Assessment for the Lib-

erty Village Pedestrian and Cycle Bridge is

complete. In late 2013 we moved into the de-

sign phase of the bridge. I was successful in

my push to secure funds in the Citys capital

plan to pay for the construction of the bridge.

When Mayor Ford first took office, his ad-

ministration attempted to stop the Fort York

bridge. After a long battle, and working to-

gether with many in the community, we man-

aged to save the bridge. I have been working

to get all of the City divisions, including Plan-

ning, Waterfront Toronto, BUILD Toronto,

and Transportation Services to the same table

to ensure we move forward as quickly as pos-

sible on building the Fort York Bridge.

Stanley Park

UpdateWork toward further improving Stanley Park

continues with a distinct focus on ensuring the

safety and accessibility of the space for all parks

users.We have already seen the installation of our

brand new ping pong tables, and will soon see

path and seating upgrades, accessibility ramps,

and a new fence around the playground coming

to the area of the park north of King Street.

On the south side of the park, we expect to see

the berms and fence removed along the north

end to make way for more seating for casual

park users and open sight lines into and out of

the park. In addition to these changes, the entire

park will see an increase in the amount of light

standards in an effort to ensure that everyone

feels safe in their neighbourhood park.

A contractor has been hired to start this work

beginning mid-August with the installation of

the new light standards. Workers will be mind-

ful to limit the impact the construction will haveon park and permit field usage and create safe

working zones for those inside the park. Access

to the wading pool will not be impacted by the

construction.

PHOTO BY: ANDREW LOUIS


6/8


Improving

Traffic in Your

NeighbourhoodThe very rapid and recent growth in the Lib-

erty Village, Fort York, and King Street West

neighbourhoods has resulted in significant

strains on the local transportation network.

Gridlock and crowded streetcars have made

streets impassable and leave TTC riders

frustrated as they watch full streetcars pass

them by.

I am installing new traffic lights and cross-

walks, building bridges and advocating for an

affordable and integrated transit fare on GO

Transit, but more needs to be done. The al-

ready approved additional density could crip-

ple our transportation system.

This is why I have asked City Planning and

Transportation Services to work together on a

planning and transit study of the Liberty Vil-

lage, Ordnance Triangle, Fort York, and King

West neighbourhood. The study will com-

mence in late 2014. It will take into account

the transportation impacts of recent develop-

ments on the road network serving this area,

identify a strategy for implementing solutions,

and identify a framework that considers tran-

sit and traffic when evaluating development

applications in the study area.

CyclingPart of relieving car traffic and pressure on

the King streetcar is providing safe and invit-

ing alternatives - such as better cycling infra-

structure. While we build pedestrian and cy-

cling bridges and expand Bike Share Toronto

we are also expanding the bikeway network in

your neighbourhood.

The West Toronto Railpath:

The West Toronto Railpath is a trail connec-

tion along the Kitchener/Georgetown GO

Transit rail corridor. In 2008, the path from

north of Dupont Street to the Dundas Street

West overpass was completed. The detailed

extension of the railpath passed Strachan

Avenue is now being studied. Our goal is to

begin construction of the Railpath extension

in 2015 once Metrolinx has completed their

construction on the rail corridor.

Shaw Street Bikeway:

The Shaw Street Bikeway was recently com-

pleted. Its 4km of cycling infrastructure thatstretches from Douro Street all the way north

to Davenport Road. North of Dundas Street

West contra-flow cycling lanes were installed

to allow cyclists to travel northbound on

this southbound one-way street. This spring,

the Shaw Street Bikeway will be further im-

proved with new, more durable, road mark-

ings added to the street.

Bike Sharing is

coming to you!BIXI Toronto is now Bike Share Toronto. The

Citys popular bike sharing program has been

saved and is now controlled by the Toronto

Parking Authority (TPA). The TPA has chosen

Alta Bicycle Share, which runs systems in New

York, Chicago, and other cities, to manage and

operate the program.

I have been working to expanding bike sharing

in our ward since I took office. We now have a

few stations along Queen Street West with ap-

proved new stations for the King West neigh-

bourhood and along Bloor Street West.

Now that our bike sharing program is on se-

cure footing, we will be looking into adding

more stations throughout Ward 19.

You can find out more at bikesharetoronto.com.

Winter Cycling:

Cycling is not only an option in the warmer

months. There are thousands of winter cy-

clists in Toronto and I am among them. How-

ever, when it comes to snow clearing bike

lanes have not seemed to be a priority for the

City. Thats why I passed a motion at Coun-

cil equesting Transportation Services create a

network of snow routes for Torontos bikeway

that receive priority clearing, similar to the

consideration that exists for the automobile.

New bike sharing station at Queen and Niagara.

More Bike Parking:

In 2013, I added 30% more bike parking

along Queen Street West through a bicycle

parking study. The bike parking included bike

stands, multi-bike racks, on-street corral, and

bike shelters. The study is testing different de-

signs through public feedback and determin-

ing how to make optimal use of very limited

public space available for bike parking. The

lessons learned on Queen West will inform

bike parking expansions throughout the City.

Proposed extensions for the West Toronto Railpath Bike Parking on QueenStreet (Photo by Jesse

Demb)


7/8


Strachan Avenue Overpass Rendering from Metrolinx

One of the many public meetings to develop a vision

for Bathurst Street from Dupont to Queen StreetWest.

Fort York

Boulevard

Connection

Strachan Overpass Update

Bathurst Street Study

Strachan Avenue is being raised close to 2

metres to pass over the rail corr idor, while the

rail corridor is being lowered from Bathurst

Street to King Street West roughly 8 metres

at Strachan Avenue. While the construction

has been taking place, Strachan has been

temporarily realigned to the west.

In November 2013, the last GO train crossedStrachan Avenue at street level. All trains are

now traveling in the lowered corridor under

Strachan Avenue. Work is now underway to

install the Strachan bridge over the corridor

so that Strachan can be returned to its per-

manent alignment.

I have initiated a study to develop a built formand land use vision for Bathurst Street be-

tween Queen and Dupont. Bathurst Street

plays a unique role as a boundary between the

area our Official Plan identifies as Down-

town and Central Waterfront and the rest of

the city. The purpose of this study is to de-

velop a planning and urban design framework

that addresses land use, built form, heritage,

and the public realm. This means planning

for more green space and trees on Bathurst,

bike parking, and benches. It also will help

the City protect heritage buildings, as well as

promote and expand the existing small scale

retail along Bathurst Street.

I have been working towards greater connec-

tivity in the Fort York Neighbourhood and

much needs to be done as the neighbourhood

is built over the coming years. Fort York Bou-

levard is connecting east of Bathurst Street.

First, the connection will be available for

westbound traffic from CityPlace and soon

after it will also be opened up for eastbound

traffic across Bathurst.

Tucked behind Montrose Avenue and facing Bickford

Park is a laneway steeped in tradition. The Gallfamily has been bringing neighbours together for

decades sharing in the roasting of peppers andthe making of peperonata. Neighbours cherish thetradition and to celebrate the Galls contribution

to the community they requested that the lanewaybe named Peperonata Lane. In fall 2013 the official

(and beautiful) lane-naming took place.

In the meantime, in order to preserve the ex-isting scale and character of the street until

the Bathurst Study is complete, we have put

in place and Interim Control By-law that will

prohibit new retail and service uses as well as

additions to existing retail and service uses for

the lands on and flanking Bathurst Street, be-

tween Dupont Street and Queen Street West.

The City held many public meetings through-

out 2013 and there will be more to come in

2014. The Study should be finalized by mid

2014. Contact my office to get involved or find

out more.


8/8


Protecting Condo Ownersand inadequate warranty coverage. However,

the only form of dispute resolution available

to most owners is through the courts, which is

expensive and time-consuming.

Private Members Bill 72 amends the Condo-

minium Act (1998), the Building Code Act,

(1992) and the Ontario New Home Warran-

ties Plan Act so that purchasers of new condo-miniums have better protection.

The main focus of the bill is to provide a better

and more affordable way to resolve disputes

between owners, condo boards, property

managers, and developers. It also establishes

better building standards and warranty cov-

erage for purchasers of new condominium

units.

Earlier this term I moved a motion to protect

condo owners by asking Council to endorse

the Property Owners Protection Act, 2012, a

private members bill put forward by our MPP

Rosario Marchese.

Toronto is home to an impressive number of

new condominium owners. Since Ontarios

Condominium Act passed in 1998, there havebeen many changes in the housing industry,

particularly with the number of new condo-

minium developments.

Problems have been raised related to con-

struction, inadequate disclosure by develop-

ers, minimal to no soundproofing between

units, improper use of reserve funds, misuse of

proxy votes during annual general meetings,

Get InvolvedMy office is always available to

help. I regularly post updates onmy website mikelayton.to, but Iencourage you to get involvedin a local residents group

as well. I work very closelywith many of the communityassociations listed here. Theywork very hard to keep me

up to date and advocate forchanges from much neededstreet sweeping along Strachanand street lighting needs onEast Liberty, to policy piecessuch as improved transitservices and requesting a newGO Station.

The annual Trinity

Bellwoods Communityyard sale.

Liberty Village Residents

Association

Todd Hofley [email protected]

twitter.com/libertyresident

www.facebook.com/groups/134014576700915/

Liberty Village BIAwww.lvbia.com

twitter.com/GiveMeLibertyTO

www.facebook.com/LibertyVillage-BIA

Fort York Neighbourhood

Association

Vicki Trottier [email protected]

www.facebook.com/groups/308729295861921/

Niagara Neighbourhood Now

www.facebook.com/pages/Niagara-Neighbourhood-Now-NNNow/125908167507647

Friends of Fort York

Stephen Otto [email protected]

www.fortyork.ca

www.facebook.com/pages/Friends-of-Fort-York/126934687317176

Friends of Liberty Village Parks

www.facebook.com/groups/lvpark-

friends/

Stanley Park Off Leash Dog Area

Please contact my office with any

questions, comments or issues.

100 Queen Street WestSuite C47

Toronto, ON M5H 2N2(416) 392-4009

[email protected]

www.mikelayton.to

2014 south of King Street newsletter

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