A Nov. 27 article in UrbanToronto.ca celebrates the Bloor-Annex BIA’s announcement of four new parkettes along Bloor Street. Three are on the Harbord Village side, at Robert, Major, and Brunswick, with the fourth at Howland. Site design is by the firm DTAH,
Our new in-street planters are coming soon! This HVRA/City collaboration implements a key component of the Harbord Village Green Plan. The City will remove the concrete planters that form part of our traffic maze and construct in-ground replacements. The goal is to improve traffic management,
… Read more Construction of in-street planters set to begin Nov. 8
As the dust settles on the Oct. 22 Toronto election, HVRA Board member Sue Dexter and other community advocates have published a discussion paper titled “The New Reality: An Approach to Governing Toronto in a 25-Councillor World.” It urges the City to consult with the public on how to ensure local democracy in the wake of cuts to City Council.
… Read more Ensuring Local Democracy in a 25-Councillor World
After chaotic shifts of direction, the Toronto Municipal election will go ahead on Oct. 22 with 25 wards. Here is a timeline of events leading up to that outcome, indicating the strong public protest in which HVRA joined:
After several years of contention and discussion, all parties have agreed to a plan for development of properties at the northwest Sussex-Spadina corner. The final stage of discussion was confidential mediation by James McKenzie of the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (formerly the OMB).
… Read more Mediated Settlement for Sussex-Spadina Development
On June 23, City Council approved installation of a traffic light at Harbord and Robert to replace the crosswalk now there. This decision follows HVRA’s June 12 traffic count showing that 35% of drivers failed to stop for pedestrians using the crosswalk.
On July 12, Councillor Joe Cressy and HVRA hosted a community meeting to discuss the next phase of our Green Master Plan and to envision a new public park at the north end of 666 Spadina, flanking Sussex.
The Harbord Village Green Plan identifies opportunities to create new green spaces.
On June 27, City Council unanimously approved new funding for road safety, including more red-light cameras, expedited traffic-calming measures, and improved design of intersections. HVRA’s recent traffic study helped shape public discussions leading to this commitment. The Toronto Star and BlogTO both picked up our June 20 web story and our June 24 letter to City Council and asked us for further comments.
