It was a harrowing evening walk for the couple seen cringing in fear on the video above. A parking attendant in the garage on the second level drove a car into the wall sending the bricks crashing down onto the sidewalk.

A public meeting Wednesday night heard that the Mt. Pleasant Village BIA is intent on creating a “streetscape masterplan” for the business district from Davisville to Eglinton Aves. Three members of a private planning firm, PUBLIC WORK, spoke of their ideas so far and solicited the thoughts of merchants and residents at the auditorium in the Briton House building at 720 Mt. Pleasant. The planners, Adam Nicklin, Marc Ryan and Lauren Abrahams, took turns describing the natural attributes of the street and how they might be brought closer together and amplified to make the street even more attractive. As you will note below in the remarks of Ms. Abrahams, the width (or narrowness) of sidewalks and traffic lanes were recurring subjects. Mt. Pleasant is a four lane route (two north, two south) with additional flow permitted by rush hour no-parking rules. This is thanks to the 1948 planning vision to speed cars from downtown to the midtown neighborhoods of Lawrence Park and beyond.

THE CHALLENGE

The challenge of introducing more trees and wider sidewalks in the presence of such traffic stood out. Nonetheless, it appears that no application will be made by the BIA to narrow the street and Josh Matlow (Ward 22) says he has been assured that this is the case. Mr. Matlow was present at the meeting and spoke on financing of the project and other local matters. Ideas are being solicited and may be sent to info@publicwork.ca  It is a large project which could be achieved through many expensive efforts. The venerable Belsize Theatre (subsequently Crest and Regent) would be a potent attraction if it were renovated for almost any purppse. On Bayview Ave, a series of public-spirited companies have made the old Bayview Playhouse a vital part of the street.

The home at 301 Glebemount Rd. in East York was reduced to one-storey mess today when the second level crumbled, roof and all, to the ground. It was under construction and the Ministry of Labour has been called to investigate after a house under construction in East York collapsed. The incident on Thursday.  Toronto Fire officials said everyone was able to escape unharmed, but the gas and hydro were shut off at the home as a precaution Quite a worry for the owner.

StarPulse

Those pushing for a 30 km/h speed limit on residential streets in Ward 22 and Leaside may wish to know about the seasonal (and time of day) speed reductions in Winnipeg. This week the local police outside schools are issuing dozens of tickets a day between 7 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. The program is in effect between October and June. Last year Winnipeg police issued more than 40,000 tickets. Here in Toronto, the Toronto and East York Council (which includes Ward 22) has voted to lower the residential limit to 30 from 40 km/h And Councilor Jon Burnside has told The South Bayview Bulldog that he will support such a change for Leaside if North York Council is in favor. But, as recorded in our story of June 23, 2015, there is more to making this a reality than just a vote at the local council.  How will NY Council (and Leaside) decide on 30 km/h

That’s the question as a woman complains a moving company damaged her bicycle during her move from Kingston to Mississauga. The CBC contacted the firm and was told he was actually trying to fix the bike, which appears to have a bent wheel before he touches it. Take a look. CBC 

There is lots of expressed surprise that a home in “unlivable” condition would fetch a million dollars. But it seems to be a case of location, location, location. This particular house sits on mud on Kippendavie Ave in the Beach, desirably close to Queen Street E and the lake. A new house on this lot will certainly command a price in excess of $2 million.  Hamilton Spectator