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
Getting ready for the reconstruction
While the 2008 or 2009 reconstruction of Roncesvalles promises exciting changes, the BIA understands that businesses are very concerned about construction logistics and disruptions. There are still many questions that need to be settled soon so that businesses can make their plans and adjustments. We hope to have these answers for you soon. In the meantime, a few of us … Read More
Last day at Karl’s, as Province forces Roncesvalles business to close
After almost 46 years of service, Karl’s Butcher and Grocery (105 Roncesvalles) is closing today. On a street famous for its sausages, the closing is a major blow for Roncesvalles Village. Karl’s is among the first of several neighborhood meat shops that may face closure following a recent decision by the provincial government to impose a strict interpretation of the … Read More
DiNovo demands changes to rules ‘butchering’ Roncesvalles meat shop
The BIA just received this press release from Parkdale-High Park MPP Cheri DiNovo’s office: DECEMBER 12, 2007: Today MPP of Parkdale-High Park and NDP Small Business Critic, Cheri DiNovo, asked the Minister of Food and Agriculture to amend the 2001 Food and Safety Quality Act to keep hundreds of small businesses like Karl’s Butcher & Grocery in the market. In … Read More