Spring 2016 Residents’ Association

Contents Chair’s Message 1

Welcoming New Businesses 2

Events in Harbord Village 3

Harbord Village Artist 4

BLoB Approaches 5 Croft Greening 6 Message from the Chair Study 8 t i m g r a n t

TOCore 10 Your residents’ as- for, were willing to help us out, and at no Honest Ed’s 12 sociation is turning cost. We gratefully accepted their offer, a corner, and you and John Whincup, the company’s execu- Brunswick-College can help. Since the tive director, led us in a day-long session Parkette 13 year 2000, when the on a cold Saturday in January. We are now Dragon Boat Racing 13 board of the Sussex- considering new ways of marshalling our Ulster Residents’ forces and we would appreciate your input. Student Residence 14 Association voted So, how can you help? If you have a to close that small neighbourhood project you’d like to take UofT Area Liason 14 organization and on, get in touch! We will likely be able to Kensington Hospice 16 get a fresh start as the Harbord Village RA, find others to work with you. As a great the organization has grown and grown. example of the HVRA’s new way of work- Board members and residents like yourself ing, we will be launching an ambitious kept suggesting new projects, and more Harbord Village Green Plan at our Spring often than not, we took them on. (You can Meeting on Wednesday, May 18. At that learn more about our history and many meeting, guest speakers will inspire us all past projects at harbordvillage.com). to think about the potential of our lane- However, our all-volunteer board ways, yards, and even roadways as places began to feel the strain, as we took on of beauty, and to make them more wel- more ambitious projects, and developers coming to the birds, bees, and butterflies This newsletter is produced started proposing high-rise buildings on that need our help. To succeed, we’ll need twice a year by the our edges. Things were beginning to snap, neighbours working with neighbours in Harbord Village Residents’ when Steve Klein recommended that we every corner of the Village to shape and Association (HVRA) serving take a step back and undertake a re- implement this expansive new endeavour. the part of visioning exercise. It helped that the staff Please let us know if you can help. bounded by Bathurst Street, of OPTIMUS l SBR, the company he works West, , and College Street Visit us at harbordvillage .com. 1 Welcoming New Businesses to Harbord Village ann eyerman

While the winter seemed to be never- ending, it did bring with it some new exciting businesses to Harbord Village. Here’s a brief introduction to some of the places you might want to visit soon. Windup Restaurant There’s a little whiff of the Caribbean at the corner of Borden and College these days at the Windup Restaurant. Co-owners Whitney Knowles and Chef Bryan Birch have transformed the former Windup-Bird Café into a “warm and welcoming” environ- ment to enjoy modern Caribbean Chef Bryan Birch and Whitney Knowles, Windup Restaurant cuisine. They wanted to offer a space to “sit-down” rather than “take-out” Urbane Cyclist 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday: 12 good Caribbean food. Chef Birch has Urbane Cyclist has moved into its noon to 5 p.m. (www.ucycle.com, delved into his Trinidadian roots to new home at 280 College Street. For 416-979-9733). create traditional island fare with a the past 19 years, Urbane has success- Tot the Cat Cafe twist. Windup is open for lunch and fully operated as a workers- In November, the very first cat café in dinner every day and brunch on the cooperative, making each worker a Toronto opened its doors at 298 Col- weekend. It is fully licensed (windup- part owner in the business. At this lege Street. Tot the Cat Cafe (www restaurant.ca, 647-349-6373). new location, there are 10 “worker- .totthecatcafe.com, 647-748-2287) Caspar Haydar Design owners” on hand to assist you with gives customers a unique opportuni- your bike needs. Urbane Cyclist After three years at its Bathurst-Du- ty to hang out with cats while sipping carries a wide selection of bicycles, pont location, Caspar Haydar Design coffee or tea. All of the residents are including recumbent and fold-ups, has resettled at 106 Harbord Street. rescue cats from the Toronto Hu- as well as bike accessories and parts. CHD specializes in event planning mane Society and are available for There is a full service area on site; and floral arrangements, and fea- adoption. Since opening, over 30 cats and, in the near future, a mobile unit tures an in-store gift boutique. They have been adopted by Tot’s custom- will bring the repairs to you. They are planning to have an open-house ers. The owners say that part of their also offer a wide variety of bike work- soon to introduce their offerings to inspiration to open the café was to shops from “basic to comprehensive.” the neighbourhood (info@casparhay- share “love and compassion for ani- Urbane Cyclist is open Monday to darddesign.com, 416-901-5308). mals” with more people, especially Friday: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday: children. Tot is open from 11 a.m. to

2 HVRA Newsletter Spring 2016

menu in the near future. If you need a feline fix, this is the place for you. Magic Noodle On Harbord Street, two new restau- rants have opened up side-by-side. At 93 Harbord Street, Magic Noodle has opened its first downtown location. They feature an extensive menu of hand-pulled noodle dishes prepared in their open kitchen. When I asked what makes it “magic,” the server said, “It’s magic because your food will be at your table 15 minutes after you order.” Sounded like magic to me. of chicken (naturally raised without You can also order on-line at www hormones or antibiotics) dishes with .magicnoodle.ca or by phone: 647-345- a few soup and sides available. The 8839. Magic Noodle is open every day “Greens” part of the name refers to from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. a selection of hearty salads. The res- Flock Rotisserie and Greens taurant is fully licensed and is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily (www 9 p.m. Monday to Saturday, and from Next door, at 97 Harbord, Flock Ro- .eatflock.com, 647-748-7199). 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday. The café tisserie and Greens advertises itself as serves coffee, tea, and an assortment serving “Delicious Food That’s Pretty of muffins, cakes, and sandwiches. Good For You.” Their menu, as their They are planning on extending their name implies, focuses on a selection

Events in Harbord Village

Sat., May 14 Annual Neighbourhood Yard Sale Robert & Harbord Street, see HVRA website for more details

Wed., May 18 Annual Spring Meeting Kensington Gardens, 45 Brunswick Guest speaker TBA

Sun., June 5 Plant Fair Southwest patio, Kensington Gardens, 25 Brunswick

Sun., Sept. 11 Fall Fair Margaret Fairley Park, 12–7 p.m.

Wed., Oct. 19 Annual General Meeting Kensington Gardens, 45 Brunswick Guest speaker TBA

Tues, Nov. 1 Pumpkin Festival Harbord Street from Spadina to Borden, starting at sunset

3 Harbord Village Artist: Jane Murdoch Adams Marilyn Martin

“When I moved to Major Street in 1979, all the houses were different colours—mine was turquoise and the ones on either side were red and orange. Such a rainbow street it was.” —Jane Murdoch Adams

Jane’s work still reflects that rainbow with exciting and vibrant colours; and, using her own special layering technique, she also gives her paint- ings a soft quality that suggests encaustic (painting in beeswax). As a professional artist for the last fourteen years, with a Master’s of Education from UofT, Jane has held numerous exhibitions and her work is featured in more than 70 art col- lections. She is currently represented by Canvas Gallery, and is a member of the Propeller Centre for the Visual Arts. Jane classifies her work as semi- Kahlo—joie de vivre.” Jane also lives abstract, and bases her series on her life with joie de vivre. themes that are important to her life. In a gallery, Janes’s work would be “Love Bees, Save Bees, Eat Honey” the one with the bench in front, to sit was a timely series, recently born out and enjoy a while, be enlivened and of Jane’s concern for the environ- inspired by the colourful, outgoing, ment. Similarly concerned, Harbord giving, strength of spirit that radiates Village residents are currently joining from her paintings. together on the Three Bs (birds, bees, Be sure to enjoy her work in full and butterflies) project, an HRVA colour on her website: janemurdoch- initiative to encourage greening the adams.com. neighbourhood. If you are a professional artist in As a former union organizer and Harbord Village and want to con- community developer, Jane strongly nect with the other artists in the area, identifies with the courage and please notify [email protected]. political energy of artist Frida Kahlo; hence, her most recent series: “Frida

4 HVRA Newsletter Spring 2016

The BLoB Approaches leslie carlin

Hands up who wants bike lanes on First, it is a year-long study to get win and a loss.” Bloor Street! Okay, all you cyclists, real measures of bike lane impacts on The idea of BLoB has been around put them back onto your handlebars, traffic, and business activity on a ma- since 1992 without yet becoming a re- right now, because current jor downtown business street—a real ality, so perhaps it is best not to hold law states that you must have two opportunity to know what impacts our collective breath just yet. What is hands on your bike at all times. You more bike activity has on business. If clear is that the Bloor/Danforth cor- must, however, also signal imminent it doesn’t work, remove the changes ridor offers great advantages as a bike turns. To comply with both regula- and carry on. thoroughfare: it traverses the city tions, of course, cyclists will need at Here’s what’s planned. At this from its far east to its far west, con- least three arms. Yes, folks, it is tough pilot stage, the lanes will be painted, nects to other bike routes, and does out there for those of us on two on either side of the road, separated not have either streetcars or buses wheels. from car traffic by flexible posts (usually). At press time, the Toronto City (cleverly called “flexiposts”). Dedi- Business owners express concern Council was poised to consider cated turning lanes and adjusted that the proposed changes to park- whether or not to approve the Bike signal timings are proposed to help ing regulations—the city is currently Lanes on Bloor (BLoB) pilot project. reduce any associated congestion. In proposing parking along only one The project would call for 2.4 km of the medium-to-long term, if the pilot side of the street—will have a nega- lanes on Bloor St. from Shaw to Av- plan is deemed a success, bicycle tive impact on commercial transac- enue Road. While the Harbord Vil- parking “corrals” will be installed. tions. In fact, argue supporters of lage Residents Association and other Downtown councillors approve. BLoB, a survey conducted in 2009 local Associations and residents have At a press conference and at the showed that most patrons of busi- already pledged in favour of the ini- public works committee in late April, nesses on Bloor Street West already tiative, it’s not had such an easy ride Councillors Joe Cressy (Ward 20) arrive by TTC, foot, or bike. Those at the city. Toronto’s Public Works and (Ward 19), came who do prefer cars have a plethora and Infrastructure Committee on out strongly for the project. (See of public parking lots available just April 25, 2016, struggled to even pass Mike Layton’s Op-Ed piece in NOW north and south of Bloor. the matter on to full council. magazine, 23 March 2016). Cressy For Harbord Villagers, Bloor It appears we are a City divided pointed out that all six affected Street bike lanes may reduce the on transportation issues, yet again. neighbourhood associations are in amount of motor vehicle traffic The suburban councillors, who favor of BLoB, and that two local through our neighbourhood, result- are members of the council commit- Business Improvement Associations ing in less noise, fewer noxious fumes, tee, appeared most concerned about (BIAs) have commissioned a before- and greater safety for cyclists. traffic flow; the local councillors, who and-after survey to document the im- For the wider City, it would be re- do not belong to that committee, pact on local businesses. Jared Kolb assuring to see a diminished cultural were worried about safety, the need of the action group Cycle Toronto and political divide. to encourage various modes of travel, talked of the plan’s aim to reduce the Who wouldn’t put a hand up for including pedestrians, bikes, and number of bicycle-involved collisions that? automobiles. on Bloor Street. All in all, said Cressy, What’s the problem? BLoB “should be a win-win, not a

5 Croft Greening Plans for Spring barbara donaldson

The Croft Greening Committee is garages, pedestrians, cyclists, pets a group of neighbors who want to and cars. create an urban garden in the nooks, Residents and owners who live on crannies, and forgotten spaces in or back onto Croft Street are also be- their laneway. Croft Greening (which ing asked for their ideas and support. also aligns with the Harbord Village The Croft Greening Committee held Green Project) is an effort to turn a neighborhood meeting on April Croft Street into a “Green Lane- 25th to seek advice from residents way”, as part of a worldwide urban on how and what could be greened. initiative known as The Laneway Michelle Senayah from the Laneway Project (www.thelanewayproject.ca). Project attended the meeting and Through the Laneway Project, alleys shared ideas and tactics used in other are transformed from predominantly Green Laneway Projects. Residents concrete environments to ones with were challenged to think creatively The Croft Street Committee sees a bare more greenery by planting vines, about projects that the neighbour- brick wall as on opportunity to green. flowers and small plants. hood could work on together, as well Green Laneways provide many as how to encourage individual green benefits: they help cities reduce their projects that neighbors could work environmental impact, increasing on independently. Ideas included neighbourhood visual appeal and planting vines that can grow on property values, reducing home heat- fences and garages, purchasing plant- projects (specific locations are still to ing and cooling costs, and provid- ers or creating planters from found be confirmed). The timing of the sec- ing food for birds, butterflies, and objects (e.g., tree trunks), painting ond date ties in with a global move- bees. Over the past decade, Green and stencilling designs with natural ment to reach community goals in Laneways have been implemented motifs, such as flowers, leafy vines, or 1001 days (www.dayzeroproject.com). in cities around the world. Chicago a river to tie all the elements together. We hope that these two days will and Montreal—both with similar The Committee’s meetings and inspire a full summer of greening climates to Toronto—have thriving plans will culminate in two days on Croft and throughout Harbord Green Laneways. of community planting to which Village. Some of the challenges of an everyone is welcome! Come join the Croft Greening wouldn’t be pos- initiative like this are that many of fun on Croft Street, between Ulster sible without the generous support the spaces on Croft are small or verti- and College, on Sunday May 29th of our neighbours, the David Suzuki cal, and most are privately owned. 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. and Saturday Foundation Homegrown National So, a small group of residents has June 4th 10:00 a.m.—2:00 p.m. Not Project (www.davidsuzuki.org/home- been working together over the past a gardener? No worries—no special grown), and The Laneway Project year, with the support of Harbord skills are required; and, addition to (www.thelanewayproject.ca). Please Village Residents Association, to planting, the entire family can partic- contact [email protected] for discuss what greening is possible in ipate in decorative opportunities. All further information. this multi-use laneway, with houses, participants will receive supplies and directions to create our first wave of 6 HVRA Newsletter Spring 2016

The Croft Street Green Committee is collecting ideas from around the world for inexpensive, funky, and creative solutions to the neglected landscape of our lanes. The committee would be delighted to hear your ideas.

7 College Street As development pressures come to north side, fine-grained (small front- College Street, a City study to shape age) retail predominates, and main- Study that development is underway. Be- taining this character is a priority. carolee orme, sue dexter tween Spadina and Bathurst on the Rather than seeking intensification

The buildings from Robert to Major Streets are listed Heritage (above), and we hope that protection cant be extended to all buildings along the north side of College, including from Bathurst to Major (below).

8 HVRA Newsletter Spring 2016 Catherine Naismith Catherine

in this area, there is growing inter- heights should also take into con- for more community letters to the est in preserving one of downtown sideration the coming Kensington Planning Department. Toronto’s few remaining Victorian Market heritage conservation district. shopping streets. On the south side, Check the Harbord Village website Catherine Naismith Catherine

The buildings from Robert to Major Streets are listed Heritage (above), and we hope that protection cant be extended to all buildings along the north side of College, including from Bathurst to Major (below).

9 TOcore: Planning Toronto’s Downtown carolee orme ther under construction or for which to continue to be a great place to live, planning applications have been sub- work, learn, shop, and play, growth is growing four mitted. By 2041, the projected popu- must take into account the need for times faster than the city as a whole. lation of downtown could be 475,000, parks and public spaces, transporta- Its resident population jumped from almost double what it is today. tion services, water, energy, and com- about 199,000 in 2011 to 240,000 TOcore is a comprehensive initia- munity services and facilities. To this in 2015, and the rate of population tive to address this intensification end, City planning is consulting with growth is accelerating; there are an and to ensure that growth is aligned a wide range of stakeholders. additional 77,000 residential units ei- with infrastructure. For downtown Although Harbord Village is part

RAPID GROWTH IN POPULATION AND JOBS Residential Non-Residential 2011 Downtown Census Population 2011 Downtown Employment 199,495 433,800 Since 2011

26,220 residential units completed 2,000,000 square metres of GFA 950,000 square metres of GFA

2015 Downtown Population (est.) 2015 Downtown Employment (est.) 240,000 + 475,000 + +20% growth in 4 years +12% growth in 4 years 3

10 HVRA Newsletter Spring 2016

of Downtown and considered to fall • A 14-storey, 150-unit rental build- • Honest Ed’s re-development (see under TOcore, it is a “Neighbour- ing is proposed at 333 College. below). hood” and not seen as a target for • The proposal for a 33-storey • Spadina-Sussex Student Resi- intensification. Nonetheless we are development at 203 College is dence (see below). experiencing development pressures headed to the OMB. For an interactive map of all devel- on our edges: • An 11-storey, 127-unit rental opment in our area, go to • The proposal for a 42-storey building to the south of 666 Spa- development portal Residents’ As- building at the corner of Bloor dina, with 8 stacked townhouses sociation development portal (https:// and Madison is now going to the to the north facing Sussex, is at pandz.crowdmap.com/main). You will Ontario Municipal Board (OMB). the pre-application stage. be astonished.

MORE GROWTH IS COMING

Residential Development Pipeline - June 2015

# of Units Potential Population

Planning applications submitted 31,554 50,000-54,000 (proposed only, not approved)

Building Permit application or building permit issues 28,812 46,000-49,000

Projects under construction 16,321 26,000-28,000

Total 76,687 122,000-131,000

Existing Potential Population + Potential Pipeline Population = 362,000 to 376,000 11 5 Honest Ed’s Engineering to responses to Westbank. We have develop changes to the project design also included formal City of Toronto sue dexter for bike, car traffic and laneway use, responses to the developer (www as well as a re-visioning of Markham .mirvishvillagetg.org). Development pressure at Bloor and St. Their proposals should be avail- Toronto City Planning has its own Bathurst is sharpening the intensifi- able on the mvtg website at the end website devoted to the project (toron- cation debate in Harbord Village and of April. to.ca/planning/mirvishvillage). neighbouring communities. To date, the City’s Planning re- Four residents’ associations sponse to Westbank has raised issues Westbank’s initial proposal is a lot have been working with the City to around traffic, congestion, heritage, to digest: develop rules governing building on density, massing and lack of greens- • Three towers, 29, 22, and 21 properties adjacent to the Bathurst- pace. Most recently, it has specifically storeys, plus ancillary lower- Bloor intersection , as well as the identified a portion of the west side rise buildings; site-specific blockbuster proposal at of Markham just south of Bloor as • Redevelopment of the the Honest Ed’s 4.5 acre site, encom- a greenspace and the Four Corners Bathurst/Bloor/Lennox flank, passing Lennox, Markham, Bloor Study will recommend the protect- and reuse of Markham St.; and Bathurst. ing the entire volume of most of the • 1,017 rental units—none It has been a daunting task. recently listed heritage houses on affordable; Over many meetings, community Markham—so the Westbank build- • 71,0005 m2 residential space; members and HVRA have told West- ings must pull back to the east. • 17,555 m2 non-residential/ bank and the City that the project is This spring, City Council will commercial; simply out of scale with our neigh- consider new rules on the Four Cor- • A large public market along bourhoods. We need a more comfort- ners area, which will set the planning with wraparound retail/ able fit. HVRA believes the project framework for Honest Ed’s. These popups/cafes; requires a scaling down and re-think. focus on the protection of heritage • Onsite parking for 656 cars, The City and the communities assets, the preservation of sunlight 395 for tenants, 261 for shop- have put unprecedented resources on Bloor St., and regulations on pers/others, all accessed from behind analyzing the project. Palm- height and the location of massing Lennox Street; erston, , the Annex at the corners as well as the need for • 962 underground bike-parking and Harbord Residents’ Associations sympathetic transition to the existing spaces, 59 short term; formed the Mirvish Village Task stable neighbourhoods. • No green space. Group. City planning has put togeth- The communities drafted a er a panel of stakeholders, including common position in response to mvtg, the Bloor biA and renters to the Westbank application and met do a fine-grained analysis. directly with Westbank to share A subcommittee of the Mirvish those opinions at the end of April. Village Task group became con- Westbank is continuing to work on a cerned about local traffic impacts, revision of its plans. particularly the almost certain traffic For more information, the Mirv- jam that would be created at Lennox ish Village Task Group has created and Bathurst, as well as the commer- a website. It contains a survey of cial use and widening of the Palm- residents, a development timeline, a erston laneway. It has been working complete documentation of events, with four groups of students from applications, and our collective 12 HVRA Newsletter Spring 2016

The Brunswick-College Parkette Is About to Get a New Name! Rory (Gus) sinclair

The soon-to-be refurbished parkette tiple suggestions of the same on the northeast corner of Brunswick name will be treated as one and College will be needing a name. suggestion. Once again spring is here and The naming of the parkette is being • Each entry should be accom- thoughts turn to warm summer days done by a public consultation within panied by an explanation of on the water, and of course … dragon Harbord Village, so if you have a up to 200 words, describing boat racing. If you would like to meet good idea, let us know! All names why this name would be suit- your neighbours while getting in some will be considered, and one will be able for this parkette. physical activity and enjoying our glo- chosen by a panel of judges. Put on 2. The Board has nominated Rory rious lake and waterfront, then you’re your thinking hats and send us your “Gus” Sinclair as Executive Direc- exactly the kind of person we’re look- entries. tor of this project. Please send ing for to join the Hv Rusty Dragons Here is the process: all suggestions to rory.sinclair@ dragon boat team! 1. Rules for names: rogers.com or drop your sug- For more information, contact Tim • If the name suggested is to gestions into his mailbox at 133 MacFarlane by email (Tim@Rusty- memorialize a person, that Major Street. Dragons.ca) or phone (647-971-7332). person must no longer be 3. The Board of HVRA will approve a Or visit our website: www living. panel of four or five judges. .rustydragons.homestead.com/2016/ Other names are welcome; 4. The winning suggestion and its HarbordVillage.html. e.g., Sunshine Parkette. author will be published at an INTEGRATED• Names should (de nition) be limited: to combiningappropriate or time. coordinating In the case of separate elements so three words, with the last multiple suggestions of the same entry first received by the Execu- word being “Parkette.” An as to nameprovide selected a as harmonious, the panel’s deci- interrelatedtive Director. whole individual may submit more sion, the recognized winner of Note: Deadline for submissions is than one suggestion.Mul- the suggested name will be the 11:59 p.m., Sunday, May 22.

ViewOne from of Sidewalk the finalists along College for Street the showing b-c design Bulletin Board competition

13

BRUNSWICK-COLLEGE: the NTGRTD PUBLIC Parkette 02 Sussex-Spadina UofT Area Liaison Committee Student sue dexter Residence in the Huron-Sussex area will follow What places do you like on campus? the directions of the Huron-Sussex carolee orme What places don’t work? Master Plan. This retains the Victo- rian houses behind Robarts Library, In 2013, UofT began discussions with For the past year, both at the Liaison many of which are rented to new fac- the community about construction Committee and in public consulta- ulty. Third, there will be some large of a student residence at the corner tions, community members have building sites at Bloor and Spadina of Sussex Avenue and Spadina been asked these questions. Their an- and on the north side of College east Avenue. Many neighbours voiced swers could influence the University’s of St. George. Fourth, they propose their unhappiness with UofT thinking about the future develop- the West Campus as the area of most encroaching into our residential ment of the campus. change. New buildings or additions neighbourhood with more than five Encouragingly, the University to existing buildings could occur hundred undergraduate students in has turned its attention to its public between Hoskin and College, from a tall tower replacing a much-loved realm—the way buildings are set Spadina to St. George. Most notable bookstore and displacing a number onto streets, how inviting or hostile might be changes to Huron Street, a of long-term residents. they are, whether traffic could be neglected sister, and the back door to discouraged and green spaces en- Further meetings led to few many major buildings in the area. hanced, or new green spaces created. changes to the University’s plans, The community has been support- This new emphasis on the way we which have not yet been submitted to ive of an improved public realm, with all experience the University land- the City. They propose a 23/24-storey better aesthetics, better connections scape is captured in the Landscape building with accommodation for from building to building, street to of Landmark Quality project. The 548 undergraduates and a handful of street, and with more permeability goal of this project is to revitalize the stacked townhouses for faculty. Some overall. But we on the Liaison Com- major public spaces of the St. George space is allocated for community and mittee want to ensure that the revised campus. For example, significant commercial use on the ground, 3rd, rules, which denote character areas, improvements will be made to the and 4th floors. Reference was made do not open the door on massive corridor between Hoskin Avenue to improving the south end of the developments on the West Campus. Robert Street playing field as a com- and the Soldiers Tower, and the Front munity green space, but UofT has Campus will feature more trees, the Surface Changes made no commitment to doing so. removal of car parking on the Front Recently, the University showed At the consultation meeting in campus, and a bike and pedestrian- the Liaison Committee some initial January, neighbours voiced their friendly streetscape. ideas for further surface and street objections once again. Councillor Other Development improvements that would extend the common created by the closure Joe Cressy emphasized that develop- For the rest of the campus, the of Willcocks between Huron and ment is bound to take place on that University is headed in the follow- St. George. The Willcocks Common site, given the excellent transit access ing directions. First, it has agreed project visualizes a coherent design and the city’s mandate for intensifica- to the complete preservation of the from Spadina to St. George, includ- tion. He noted that a 12-storey condo Victorian precinct—the heritage ing more trees, benches, a more building could be constructed right buildings flanking the front and back pedestrian- and bike-friendly land- now, without breaking any zoning campuses. Second, redevelopment rules. scape. Between Spadina and Huron, 14 HVRA Newsletter Spring 2016

Willcocks could become a tree-lined European-style street, where pe- destrians, bikes and cars share the right-of-way. The HVRA is concerned about noise and the effects this design would have on traffic flow. While the University is gearing up for fund- raising, conceptual designs are in draft, and community consultations will be held as the project advances. Of course, city approvals would be necessary before any work proceeds. More information is available at http://willcockscommon.utoronto.ca/. Secondary Plan These public realm ideas are just A new vision for the Front Campus has cars removed to an underground facility, part of the process toward develop- ing a new Secondary Plan for the St. creating a pedestrian and bike landscape. George campus area—a plan that will Credit: KPMB Architects + Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates + Urban dictate the rules that apply to build- Strategies ing on campus for the next twenty years. The University’s submission willcocks_examples of shared streets to the City, which is expected in the next few months, will then go through a formal City process, re- quiring public meetings and the ap- proval of City Council, before it can take effect. For a closer look check out http://stgeorgesecondaryplan Copenhagen-Denmark Drachten-Netherlands .utoronto.ca/.

Madison- Wisconsin Brighton-England

Willcocks Common | March 2016 The early stage conceptual ideas for a redesign of Willcocks show a variety of possible shared street treatments which could be applied between Spadina and Huron. New technology would allow for the planting of more street trees. Credit: DTAH Architects

15 Kensington Hospice: Old and New margaret procter

The handsome old building at 38 Gardens long-term care facility, but Major Street has been in the news the chapel remains in place. After recently as the only residential several years of disuse, it was rede- palliative-care facility in the city of signed by architect Renzo Pillon and Toronto. Actually, the building and transformed into Kensington Hospice. its functions have been in the news Since 2011, it has provided a refuge for and part of the neighbourhood since more than 400 residents to live their the 1880s. last days in comfort and tranquillity. Then Compared to hospital palliative- care units, Kensington Hospice A historic plaque on the front walk provides a home-like atmosphere. notes that the building was opened in For one thing, it has no PA speakers 1888 as a private chapel for the Angli- in rooms or hallways. Staff members can Sisters of St. John the Divine, who have time to offer emotional warmth owned and ran the Surgical Hospital as well as specialized comfort care. for Women just to the south on Major The setting is lovely, with 10 single Street. The 1890 photo next( page) rooms and pleasant common areas, shows the hospital building, and the including a back garden where the newly-built chapel to the north, both nuns once had a green courtyard. designed by the noted architectural The hospice also offers music therapy, firm Darling and Curry. The location, spiritual care, counselling support, on the first block north of College, Kensington Hospice exterior just after and freshly cooked food. was considered healthy because it completion in 2011. (Source: Kensington Residents pay no fees. The Ontario avoided city noise and dust; a row of Hospice online virtual tour.) government funds medical and nurs- beds was positioned on the south-fac- ing salaries, but volunteer work and ing balcony so patients could benefit the Raxlen brothers, who tore down public donations cover nearly every- from the fresh air. Wealthy women most of the buildings and construct- thing else, including maintaining the paid substantial fees for care, and ed the Doctors’ Hospital. However, building and providing the services poorer women paid less or nothing. some of the retired sisters stayed on that make the hospice home-like. The By the 1920s, the Sisters also in the chapel building and a house Hikers for Hospice, who traverse our offered pediatric and convalescent connected to it. The “Convent” Story- streets each spring, are one reminder care as well as nurses’ training, Post plaque on the hospice fence (and of the continuing need to raise funds. and purchased other properties on available online) records the voices The Kensington Foundation accepts Brunswick and Major to house their of neighbours who remember see- donations for the hospice at any time, expanding work. After other public ing nuns in dark robes and wimples and of course yours would be very hospitals opened in the downtown walking along Major Street. welcome: donation forms are avail- area, the Order moved to able at https://www.kensingtonhealth and opened St. John’s Convalescent Now .org. Hospital on Cummer Avenue. In 1953, The former hospital site now holds the You can also contribute as a they sold the downtown property to two modern buildings of Kensington volunteer. Over 200 people now give 16 HVRA Newsletter Spring 2016

The 2nd-floor Great Room in 2015, with music therapist Sarah-Rose Black at the piano and the open-plan kitchen to the right. (Source: Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association.)

their time in designated roles: staff- ing the reception desk, responding to individual residents’ needs, tending the herb garden, playing music in the Great Room, and cooking meals in the open kitchen. The volunteer coor- dinator Daniela Sinisi (dsinisi@Kens- ingtonHealth.org) would be glad to tell you more about job descriptions, training, and the satisfactions of working as part of the hospice team The Surgical Hospital for Women in 1890, with the new chapel visible to the north. that has made this old building a new (Source: Archives of the Sisters of St. John the Divine; reprinted on pages 18–19 of neighbourhood landmark. St. John’s Rehab Hospital, 1885–2010, by Gerald D. Hart.)

17 HVRA Board 2015–2016

Chair Tim Grant 416-847-1065 [email protected] Past chair Rory (Gus) Sinclair 416-543-2785 [email protected] Treasurer Carmen Gautier 416-323-3944 [email protected] Secretary Eva Janecek [email protected] Membership Gail Misra 416-927-8852 [email protected] UofT Liaison Sue Dexter 416-964-9527 [email protected] Development Bob Stambula [email protected] NW Christian Mueller 416-323-0720 [email protected] NW Steve Klein 416-934-0909 [email protected] NE James Murdoch 416-929-0306 [email protected] NE Carolee Orme 416-704-3201 [email protected] sw Jane Perdue 416-923-7065 [email protected] sw Paula Gallo [email protected] sc Margaret Procter 416-975-9486 [email protected] This issue of the HVRA Newsletter was sc Marilyn Martin [email protected] edited by Jessica Dee Humphreys. sE Caroline MacFarlane [email protected] Typesetting and layout by Ian MacK- sE Carlo Drudi [email protected] enzie. Carlo Drudi is managing editor.

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