The Roncesvalles Village BIA has hired a new coordinator. Keith Denning, a long-time Roncesvalles resident, was hired after considering a number of talented applicants. Keith is very fond of our neighbourhood. He worked at the Revue Cinema for many years, and then played a part in the Revue Film Society’s successful bid to save the cinema after its closure in … Read More
Earth Hour 2008 – March 29th, 8-9 pm
On March 29, from 8 p.m.to 9 p.m., millions of people in cities across the world will turn off their lights for Earth Hour – a global lights-out event to show support for action on climate change. Toronto is the lead Canadian city commemorating Earth Hour. The City’s goal is to have one million participants – residents and businesses alike … Read More
Façade improvement grants once again available to RVBIA members
Once again, the City of Toronto is pleased to announce that Roncesvalles Village BIA members are eligible for the 2008 Commercial Façade Improvement Program. This is possibly the single best benefit the City provides to individual businesses. The City will pay half the cost of eligible improvements to your storefront, to a maximum grant of $10,000, or $12,500 for a … Read More
Revue to present options for a new facade on March 22
The Bloor West Villager has the scoop! “Architects will present proposals for restoring the Revue’s facade during a public consultation meeting March 22 at the theatre. A group from E.R.A. Architects Inc. will be working on the restoration project, thanks to the Architectural Conservancy of Ontario and its ‘Preservation Works!’ program. The team, led by one of the firm’s principals, … Read More
It’s time for an LCBO on Roncesvalles
The upcoming closure of the Rogers Video (Howard Park and Roncesvalles) and the relocation of the Royal Bank (at Fermanagh) have renewed a perennial community demand for an LCBO store on Roncesvalles. The image at right, prepared by local resident Dale Fallon, shows the locations of LCBO stores in the west end, including the newest location on the Queensway at … Read More
Roncesvalles reconstruction WILL take place in 2009
Councillor Gord Perks has just called us to confirm that the planned reconstruction of Roncesvalles will indeed take place in 2009. Work will likely begin in early spring after the thaw, and will continue through the summer. The Roncesvalles Village BIA is preparing a disruption plan to help businesses cope during the reconstruction.
How to balance accessibility with bike safety
One of the more appealing features of the proposed reconstruction plan for Roncesvalles is the promise of being able to board the streetcar directly from the curb. However, this is more complicated than one might think. For one thing, there is the question of how traffic will move if snow is not completely cleared away from the curb. This was … Read More
Public spaces or parking spaces?
The City and the TTC appear to have reached a general consensus on the basic design theme of the street, proposed for the 2008 or 2009 reconstruction of Roncesvalles. Back in July, the TTC presented a preliminary plan for curb extensions (bumpouts) onto Roncesvalles. The TTC’s plan widened the sidewalk at TTC stops along the entire length of a streetcar. … Read More
Public meeting to discuss pay parking at Howard Public School – Jan. 17
Karen Palkowski of the High Park Residents’ Association informs us about an important public meeting to take place on January 17 at Howard Public School (30 Marmaduke St), from 7-9 pm. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the possibility of making the school’s parking lot available to the public, presumably outside school hours. Parking is tight in the … Read More
TTC to present route options for western waterfront streetcar
On January 23 and 24, the TTC will host public information meetings, presenting route options for the proposed Western Waterfront Streetcar. This new streetcar route will connect Union Station to the foot of Roncesvalles, via the waterfront. This project will no doubt have a large impact on the Parkdale, Liberty Village and Roncesvalles neighbourhoods. The public is invited to attend … Read More