Neighbourhood News is your regular round-up of news and tidbits relating to Corktown and its surrounding communities.
Pictured above: The scene at the groundbreaking ceremony at Little Trinity Church on April 29. The church plans to renovate the three historic georgian-style houses at 399 King Street East. Learn more at Little Trinity’s Facebook page. Photo by Andrea D’Silva
It’s getting warm outside, which means only one thing: time to eat a bunch of ice cream. Greg’s Ice Cream, a longtime purveyor of cold treats in the Annex, has moved their production facility to the Distillery District and opened a counter serving cones, shakes and more. BlogTO’s Robyn Urback recently reviewed the new location and gave it high marks. Find them near that giant spidery sculpture.
After eating a bunch of ice cream, you may want to get some exercise. Which could be a lot easier come September. Equilibre Fitness has their sights set on Corktown and is in negotiations to open a “green” fitness facility with cardio equipment, free weights and yoga classes at the corner of Queen & River. Visit their Facebook page and let them know you think it’s a good idea.
The Real Jerk, the beloved Caribbean restaurant, has announced that they’ll be leaving their iconic location at Queen & Broadview at the end of the month. But have no fear: they’re set to announce their new location on May 23. Follow them on Twitter for all the updates.
In addition to last week’s news about the new LCBO located near Front & Berkeley – it opened on Friday; I got a free tote bag – it’s worth noting that a new Dollarama has opened in the storefront next door.
In Pan-Am Games news, the organizing committee announced new details about event locations on Friday, along with news that the Athletes’ Village located in the West Don Lands will be sponsored and supported by CIBC. Prince Charles will be making a visit to the Athletes’ Village site on May 22. Be sure to wave.
Got a story for Neighbourhood News? Email Matt Elliott.
Neighbourhood News is your regular round-up of news and tidbits relating to Corktown and its surrounding communities.
Pictured above: A big crowd from Sunday’s Jane’s Walk into the West Don Lands. Lots of interest in this new extension of Corktown. Photo by Dan Philips (View the Album).
Time to celebrate. Adornments on Queen, located just west of Parliament Street, is marking its first anniversary this month with a massive 25% off everything sale. If that weren’t enough, there’s also a special Mother’s Day event in store this coming Sunday, with a free cup of tea for all mothers and some very cool prizes.
Just down the road, new neighbourhood design shop Even & Odd received more profile at BlogTO last week. Robyn Urback praised the store’s “personality”, writing that it offers “a mix of rustic and chic, selecting mostly small home decor items sourced locally and from abroad.” It’s well worth a visit.
For those who like a glass of wine, the new LCBO at Front Street East & Berekely (just outside of Corktown) is set to open this Friday, May 11. At nearly 8,000 square feet, the store is sure to be well-stocked. As a special opening day incentive, the first 500 customers on Friday will receive a free tote bag.
Also for fans of libations: in recent months, Jamie Kennedy’s Gilead Bistro has started offering a special Cocktail Menu from 3 – 7 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, featuring 30% off cocktails. A great place to spend an hour or two.
Corktown District, the three-building condo projects by Streetcar Developments on King Street East, is a nominee for the 2012 Pug Awards. Since 2004, the Pugs have honoured notable Toronto architecture. Let them know what you think about this new addition to Corktown.
Lastly, from the rumour department, users on the Urban Toronto forums are speculating about possible new retail tenants at the recently-completed 510 King Street East. One to watch.
Got a story for Neighbourhood News? Email Matt Elliott.
A reminder to everyone that the monthly Corktown public meeting is tonight, May 1st, in the back room at the Dominion on Queen (500 Queen Street East at Sumach).
We’re looking forward to seeing everyone and hoping to welcome some of our new neighbours. Our guest speaker tonight is Glen Murray, Minister of Training, Colleges, and Universities, and Member of Provincial Parliament for Toronto Centre.
Meeting starts at 7:00 p.m.
Neighbourhood News is your regular round-up of news and tidbits relating to Corktown and its surrounding communities.
At BlogTO, Robyn Urback wonders if Corktown could be Toronto’s next Design District, pointing to the planned relocation of Ethel, a well-known Leslieville design shop, to Queen & Parliament.
Also making news on that corner: Even & Odd, another design shop that’s just opened near Queen & Parliament and is generating a lot of buzz. Check them out on Facebook.
Looking at another bit of neighbourhood design, OpenFile Toronto’s Lyndsie Bourgon profiles Corktown’s favourite cube-shaped house and the man who calls it home, Martin Trainor. The Cube House is fast becoming an iconic part of Corktown.
Also iconic: the circa-1852 Georgian storefronts at 399 King Street East, located next to Little Trinity Church. The Grid’s Shelley White has an update on the church’s plans to refurbish the property into a brand new space for the church and the community. Groundbreaking is set for this Sunday, April 28.
The Toronto Star’s Catherine Porter confirms that high-profile chef Chris Klugman – previously of Bistro 990 on Bay Street, among other things – is set to open a 100-seat bistro in the new Paintbox development in the revitalized Regent Park, just north of Corktown. The bistro’s website promises a September 2012 opening. They’re currently recruiting staff.
In real estate news: Great Gulf Homes has purchased 48 Power Street, presumably with plans to redevelop the property. Located between Richmond & Adelaide near Parliament, it’s currently home to the Sing Tao Daily newspaper. Fresh on the market is 20 Regent Street, the site of the soon-to-close Duke of York / Regent Park School at Shuter & Parliament. The massive 3.5 acre property has a ton of potential.
Hungry? DishCrawl is holding a culinary adventure through some of the Corktown’s best eateries on May 16.
Don’t forget that the Corktown Residents and Business Association meets this Tuesday, May 1 at 7 p.m., with special guest Glen Murray. We meet the first Tuesday of every month at the Dominion on Queen. And be sure to check out some of the great Jane’s Walks happening in and around Corktown on May 5 & 6.
Got a story for Neighbourhood News? Email Matt Elliott.
In addition to the closure of Old Eastern Avenue, Cherry Street also closed last week between Eastern Avenue and Mill Street. There is no vehicular, pedestrian, or cycling access during this phase of construction, which is expected to last until the end of 2012.
Update: Cherry Street is now closed from Lake Shore Boulevard to Eastern Avenue until the end of the year. 72A Pape buses will be on diversion via Lake Shore Boulevard and Parliament Street until the street reopens (details at TTC.ca)
The closure marks the beginning of the transformation of the former industrial street into an urban street never seen before in Toronto. When complete, Cherry Street will provide wide sidewalks and boulevards, bike lanes, and a dedicated streetcar right-of-way.
Rendering of Cherry Street after construction (looking north from Mill Street) (source: Waterfront Toronto)
Cherry Street will close between King Street and Front Street at a date to be determined. The CRBA is working with WaterfrontToronto, Infrastructure Ontario, and Pan Am 2015 to ensure residents and businesses receive more advance notice of road closures in the future.
Front Street in Corktown is also under construction as the final stage of watermain work and street reconstruction begins. One lane in each direction will be maintained as crews rebuild the sidewalks and roadway.
Read more:
Waterfront Toronto – Cherry Street Transit
Jane’s Walks are a great way to experience Toronto from a new perspective by exploring new places and hearing about the great stories and developments in our communities. This year’s Jane’s Walk will occur on May 5 and 6 in locations across the city, including right here in Corktown.
There are several Jane’s Walks planned in the area – put on a comfortable pair of walking shoes and join in! Below is a listing and times of a Jane’s Walk in or near Corktown with links to the associated walk pages on JanesWalk.net for more details.
Saturday, May 5, 2012
7:30 a.m.: Toronto’s Changing Waterfront – Dog Friendly Walk (guided by Nicolas Bello)
10:00 a.m.: A Poor People’s History of East Downtown Toronto (guided by Gaetan Heroux)
11:00 a.m.: Settling in the City (guided by Enoch Turner Schoolhouse)
4:30 p.m.: Toronto’s Fire Halls and Great Fires (guided by Janet Langdon)
Sunday, May 6, 2012
10:30 a.m. : West Don Lands Parks and River Walk (guided by the West Don Lands Committee)
Underpass Park West (source: Waterfront Toronto)
Old Eastern Avenue has been closed to traffic this week until the end of 2012 to facilitate the construction of the second phase of Underpass Park (pictured above). Construction of the park began last month and is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Opening of the first phase of Underpass Park is expected in the next couple months following completion of work to repair concrete on the bridge structures.
The Port Lands (source: Waterfront Toronto)
From Waterfront Toronto:
Waterfront Toronto and the City of Toronto are working on a business and implementation plan for the Port Lands Acceleration Initiative, and want the public to be part of the process.
Given the amount of information and its complexity, this round of consultation will be a two-step process. Key findings and preliminary options will be presented at an open house drop-in session on March 31, and then public input and comments will be sought at two identical workshop meetings on April 3 and 4.
Open House
The open house will feature a series of presentations on the work completed to date, key findings, and options for moving forward. A summary overview presentation will be presented at 9:30am and 1:00pm. Between 10am and noon and 1:30pm and 3:30pm, the open house will feature a series of information stations where members of the public can learn more detailed information. Station topics will be: Port Lands background; economics, markets and financing; flood protection, naturalization and green space; and development planning and phasing.
Information Open House Details
Saturday, March 31
Design Exchange (234 Bay Street)
9:30am to 3:30pm
Feedback Workshops
The feedback workshops will be facilitated roundtable discussions where members of the public provide their input and feedback. The workshops will be identical and members of the public are encouraged to attend the one most convenient for them.
Feedback Workshop Details
Tuesday, April 3
St. Lawrence Hall The Great Hall (157 King Street)
6:30 pm-9:30 pm
or
Wednesday, April 4
Westin Harbour Castle Metro West Ballroom (1 Harbour Square)
6:30 pm-9:30 pm
If you are unable to attend the meetings you can also participate online at www.portlandsconsultation.ca. The site will have the presentations and information from the open house available for viewing. It will also feature an online version of the roundtable discussion.
The minutes for the West Don Lands Construction Liaison Committee meeting from February 7, 2012 are now available for download here.
The first streets in the West Don Lands are now open with the extension of Bayview Avenue south to Lawren Harris Square, which connects to Lower River Street back to King Street. River Street between King Street and Queen Street are closed indefinitely for reconfiguration of the roadway and removal of the Bayview Avenue ramp.
The CRBA is working with the City of Toronto to ensure that the reconfiguration of River Street provides an attractive gateway into the Corktown community (see earlier post).
The opening of the new streets gives the first public opportunity for Torontonians to see the new public spaces being built in the West Don Lands up close, including Don River Park, River Square, and Underpass Park.
Latest Discussions- thanks, and . . . . Re: New trees in the Distillery May 17, 2012
- Reminder: Final Port Lands Public Meeting - May 24 May 17, 2012
- FW: [WestDonLands] TTC notice re Cherry Street rail welding [1 Attachment] May 15, 2012
- Filming in Corktown: May 16th - May 17th May 15, 2012
- Fwd: On track for Toronto 2015 / En bonne voie pour Toronto 2015 May 11, 2012
