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
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
City Seeks Our Street Furniture Wish List
On September 1 2007, the City entered into a 20-year contract with Astral Media to provide garbage bins, bus shelters and other items under the Coordinated Street Furniture Program. In exchange for providing, installing and maintaining these items, Astral will be given exclusive rights to sell advertising on bus shelters and information pillars. There is to be no advertising on … Read More
What Should A Streetcar Street Look Like?
This posting comes a bit late, but Steve Munro hosted an interesting discussion concerning the Roncesvalles reconstruction project, likely to occur in 2009. One of the challenges faced by the TTC and the City is the lack of any “best practices” that can be applied to new constructions of this sort. The City has only recently begun to prioritize transit … Read More
Dundas West BIA To Get Rush Hour Parking
Today’s Globe and Mail has a story about how the Dundas West BIA faced off against the TTC in order to introduce rush hour parking along its street. Interestingly, the BIA seems less concerned about parking availability than the fact that two lanes of rush-hour traffic turns Dundas into an unappealing “highway”: From the Globe and Mail (link – might … Read More
Putting Pedestrians First
This week, the City of Toronto hosted Walk21, an international conference examining ways to improve the pedestrian realm on our streets. This year’s theme is “Putting Pedestrians First.” The conference reflects a recent shift in thinking at City Hall, where the once-dominant car is now being asked to take a back seat to the needs of pedestrians, transit-riders and cyclists. … Read More
Roncesvalles Reconstruction Likely Delayed Until 2009
City staff has warned the BIA that the major reconstruction of Roncesvalles, still officially planned for 2008, will most likely be delayed until 2009. This is because a reconstruction of this scale will probably require an Environmental Assessment, and also because the project has become more complex with new features being added, such as curb extensions, rebuilt sidewalks, additional trees … Read More
Two (or Three) Proposals for Roncesvalles
A key streetscape priority for the BIA and the community has been the creation of bumpouts, or extensions of the sidewalk onto the street (click here to view an example). These would become new public spaces, allowing for new uses such as patios, benches, gardens or public art. It is hoped that such bumpouts would become part of the major … Read More
Renovating Our Street
The Roncesvalles BIA forms partnerships to help make our street beautiful Change is upon us The Roncesvalles BIA has learned that the TTC plans to replace the streetcar tracks along Roncesvalles in 2008 2009 (UPDATE: The project will likely be delayed. Click here for more details). There is a possibility that the City may decide to replace our sidewalks at … Read More
Streetscape Strategy Available for Download
In 2003, the BIA commissioned the architecture firm of Brook McIlroy to create a streetscape strategy that would assist us in navigating the changes facing our street. This plan was developed in consultation with businesses, residents and other stakeholders in our community. It is not a final vision, but represents the beginning of a dialogue between our community and the … Read More