Councillor Gord Perks has informed the BIA that the 2009-10 reconstruction of Roncesvalles is tentatively scheduled to take place between August 2009 and August 2010. The reconstruction time has expanded due to a provincial requirement that the lead water mains beneath Roncesvalles be replaced. This requirement adds an additional big project to the existing two (the sidewalks and the street/streetcar … Read More
Roncesvalles EA display boards available online
On July 9, the City of Toronto and the TTC hosted an open house to outline various proposals for the 2009-10 reconstruction of Roncesvalles. The open house is part of the Environmental Assessment process, required under provincial law. The City’s Roncesvalles EA page can be viewed here. The City also posted the display boards that were shown during the open … Read More
Who’s the “Best of Toronto”? We are!
Surfing the internet the other day, I was very pleased to see the large number of Roncesvalles businesses that are featured on various “Best of Toronto” lists at www.blogto.com/toronto Of course, we already know that we’ve got the best of Toronto in our neighbourhood, but it’s nice when other people notice!
Roncesvalles Avenue Environmental Assessment Public Open House July 9th
The public is invited to an Open House and Public Consultation regarding the planned streetscape improvements of Roncesvalles Avenue in 2009. The Open House will be on Wednesday, July 9th from 6:30 until 8:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Room at Emmanuel Howard Park United Church (214 Wright Avenue at Roncesvalles). The City regards public consultation as an important part of … Read More
BIA to take part in Bloor Dundas Avenue Study
The Roncesvalles Village BIA has been invited to participate in the Bloor Dundas Avenue Study, which will help shape development under the City’s Official Plan. The study will look at Bloor Street from Keele to Dundas Street West, and Dundas Street West from Bloor to Boustead Avenue, the nothern tip of the Roncesvalles Village BIA. In order to best represent … Read More
No more left turns along Roncesvalles?
Left turns along streetcar routes may soon be a thing of the past, according to yesterday’s Toronto Star and today’s National Post. Traffic services staff are considering a ban, which would prevent streetcars from being blocked behind a row of motorists as they try to turn left. The King route, of which Roncesvalles is the final leg, is among those … Read More
Sharing space along Roncesvalles
The recent death of a cyclist on Eglinton Avenue reminds us of the dangers of riding on roads dominated by cars. In this tragic case, the driver of a parked car thoughtlessly opened her door into the path of the cyclist, who then fell into the path of a cube van. His death has prompted cycling activists to push for more … Read More
Façade improvement grant deadline approaching fast
All 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 corner property. The deadline for applications is approaching fast. Applications … Read More
The challenges of greening Roncesvalles
Trees and greenery are an important community priority, for both aesthetic and environmental reasons. Urban trees provide shade, cool the air and actually consume 15 times as much carbon dioxide as the same trees in a rural setting. For these reasons, the City wants to double the urban tree canopy from the current 17 percent to 30 percent. To achieve … Read More
City applies its graffiti bylaw to itself
In 2005, the City of Toronto passed a bylaw that allowed it to charge private businesses that had been hit by graffiti vandals. If the businesses failed to remove the graffiti within three days, the city would remove it itself and charge the business the costs and possibly a fine. While the BIA strongly supported the bylaw’s goal of eradicating … Read More