The TTC and the Ontario government-controlled Metrolinx agency are engaged in a power struggle over who controls the construction of the Eglinton Crosstown LRT. The most apparent flashpoint in this clash is the TTC’s firm belief that Metrolinx is embarking on a totally impossible schedule to finish the line. The TTC says the completion date of 2020 is unrealistic. It’s urging the government to set a finish date of 2022 or 2023. Globe and Mail.
Arena expansion groundbreaking Saturday
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The groundbreaking ceremony for the Leaside Arena Expansion Project’s will take place Saturday (tomorrow) at 11 a.m. Go for the ceremony and stay for the barbecue which will no doubt up offer up some good fare. The ceremony will take place on the old National Film Board (NFB) property just beside the arena. Access it opposite off Millwood just before the CPR underpass. Wear a Leaside jersey!
Art Shoppe property sold for $40 million
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The block-long property on Yonge Street owned and occupied by the Art Shoppe has been sold to developer Peter B Freed for $40,360,800. The Art Shoppe property was owned by the Offman family which has operated the prestigious retail store there for many decades. Observers said it seemed inevitable, considering the price of $40 million plus that an application will be made for a structure or structures of many storeys in height. The Art Shoppe is located between Soudan Avenue and Hillsdale Avenue. PostCity.com
City of glistening towers and falling glass
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Glass has fallen from a 25th floor balcony of the recently completed Boutique Condominium at 126 Simcoe Street. It fell more or less harmlessly on a couple of cars parked on the street. No one was injured. That’s the good news but it has to be said that there are still quite few similar panes of glass still up there. As in previous cases where Toronto has heard the pitter patter of falling glass, this incident has been received with a sort of innocent acceptance
Sounded like ice cubes
Workers at a hotel across the street said the sound of the glass hitting the vehicles was like someone throwing ice cubes. And for those of us in South Bayview it may seem far enough away. People here want to live in houses on a street with grass and trees outside, not in a glass sky-box with bits falling off. The prospect for those who merely want to walk downtown is thought-provoking. The job of cleaning up the falling glass threat seems enormous, given the number of such buildings.
If you live in one
And for those who actually live in them, there is this cautionary advice about the cost of maintenance from a real estate blog. “Replacing glass every 25 years or so certainly isn’t a new concept – but buildings have only recently been constructed with exteriors primarily consisting of glass. The biggest concern for owners of these properties is whether or not the maintenance fees adequately represent the depreciation of the glass. Given the reaction by stakeholders to this article we’re thinking that perhaps they do not. When future expenditures are generally known they can be properly accounted for in the monthly maintenance fees, if not the gap in funding can result in large increases in these costs and thus maintenance fees or a special assessment (lump sum) in order to fund expenses”.
Sounded like ice cubes
Workers at a hotel across the street said the sound of the glass hitting the vehicles was like someone throwing ice cubes. And for those of us in South Bayview it may seem far enough away. People here want to live in houses on a street with grass and trees outside, not in a glass sky-box with bits falling off. The prospect for those who merely want to walk downtown is thought-provoking. The job of cleaning up the falling glass threat seems enormous, given the number of such buildings.
If you live in one
And for those who actually live in them, there is this cautionary advice about the cost of maintenance from a real estate blog. “Replacing glass every 25 years or so certainly isn’t a new concept – but buildings have only recently been constructed with exteriors primarily consisting of glass. The biggest concern for owners of these properties is whether or not the maintenance fees adequately represent the depreciation of the glass. Given the reaction by stakeholders to this article we’re thinking that perhaps they do not. When future expenditures are generally known they can be properly accounted for in the monthly maintenance fees, if not the gap in funding can result in large increases in these costs and thus maintenance fees or a special assessment (lump sum) in order to fund expenses”.
Toronto Life profiles De la Mer
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Interesting article in Toromnto Life on De la Mer, the fish emporium on South Bayview.
Theft of sunglasses on Yonge Street
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Toronto Police Service: Yonge Vision, 1881 Yonge Street, reports that between 0319 hours and 0330 hours on June 13, 2012, unknown suspect(s) entered the premises by forcing a door. Removed was a quantity of sunglasses.
Residents disgruntled after Wicksteed meeting
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| 70 Wicksteed development has an odd “Salamander”shape. |
The aftermath of the meeting to discuss the Wicksteed Ave development has left some ratepayers disappointed. Paddy Duncan of Leaside Unite has written to say some of those present feel that Councillor Parker is not been sufficiently supportive of the community’s opposition. She stresses the conditional nature of Official Plan which says that it may allow retail big box in the area. For his part, Mr. Parker says on his website that his ability to oppose the development is limited because the plan permits big boxes and because there are already such stores in operation. In any case, the residents are determined to pursue their opposition. They have formed a working group with representatives from the LPOA, Leaside Unite, the Leaside Business Park Association and Bayview business owner. They hope to meet with Councillor Parker and City staff very soon in the hopes of finding a way forward.
Offer on 1560 South Bayview is a sub lease
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Our post below about the downstairs space at Bayview and Belsize has yielded mail from a reader. It appears that the former tenant of the 2,600 square foot premises, 7-11 stores, is still paying the rent many years after it closed an outlet there,. This seems clear because, as our reader has clarified, the place is advertised as a sub-lease. The term is two years and the asking rate is $32 (net) with additional rent of $22.82 per square foot.
Rosedale MP shocks party with his decision
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Bob Rae has shocked his Liberal Party caucus and much of Canada by saying he will not seek the party leadership at the forthcoming convention. Rae said his health is fine and so is his personal life. But he nonetheless concluded that this was not time to fight a battle for head of the party. Mr Rae, the member for Toronto Centre-Rosedale, is 63 and despite his emphatic claim that he might be too old (“that’s bulls—“) many were left feeling that fatigue may have overtaken the normally feisiy MP. Bob Rae’s decision brings up the media klieg lights on Justin Trudeau, widely followed and beloved by those who feel loyal to his father. He is by far the “most popular” federal Liberal but it’s built again on his father’s name,. If he does run will he perform well against the oonslaught launched against him by the Conservatives? One thing we know is that Justin is now under intense pressuree to run.
Get Dad “Hammered” for Fathers Day
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Not really. Just a little Homefront humour to remind you that Father’s Day is Sunday, June 17. Homefront has a collection of useful and inexpensive hammered stainless steel bar items that Dad will surely treasure. 371 Eglintron Ave West. (416 488-3189)
Asian consortium buys Saab
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Saab has new owners. The buyers are Hong Kong based National Electric Vehicle Sweden AB,, taking 51 percent and Japanese investment group Sun Investment LLC. It was recently formed with the purpose of bidding for Saab. NEVS said it would initially focus the sale of its electricity cars on the Chinese market, but that it also has wider plans to expand more globally in the long-term.
Hard luck space at Bayview and Belsize
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The hard luck space downstairs in the Behar building at Bayview and Belsize finally has a for lease sign on it. The agent is DTZ Barnicke. This large space has been the site of a number of failed enterprises including the 7-11 store from a few years ago. The story told is that the space has remained un-offered for occupancy so long because 7-11 was paying the rent. We can’t confirm that but the unfortunate state of this space is a source of legitimate public interest in South Bayview. 7-11, by the way, is the largest convenience store chain in the world and is owned in Japan.