Ward 27 News from Kristyn Wong - Tam - October 11, 2013

October 11, 2013 Church Street Mural Project Launch Thanksgiving Weekend Subway Closure Ecumenical Christmas Food Drive - November 23 and 30 Transit Update Upcoming Community Meetings 1. Church Street Mural Project Launch (October 19) Residents, business owners, and community members are all invited to the launch of the Church Street Mural Project, sponsored by BMO, on October 19th. Artists are at work all along Church Street, completing eleven high-impact gallery-quality murals celebrating the Church-Wellesley Village's LGBTQ history and identity, in advance of WorldPride 2014. BMO will be hosting the launch at their local branch. Councillor Wong-Tam will be joined by project artists, curators, as well as community leaders and activists to celebrate the project's success and the wonderful changes that are underway in the Village. Come out. Learn about the murals, artists, and partners that are making the difference. Date: Saturday, October 19, 2013 Time: 12:30 p.m. to 1:15 p.m. Place: Church Street BMO Branch 492 Church Street (Church Street and Alexander Street) For more information on this project, please click here. 2. Thanksgiving Weekend Subway Closure The Toronto Transit Commission has revised its subway closure plan for this October as it continues to install and upgrade its 60-year-old signal system. Subway service in the downtown core of the Yonge-University line from Bloor to St George stations – the “U” – will be closed from October 12 to 14 only. A previously announced closure of October 19 to 20 is cancelled. Over the past two years, the TTC has gained significant experience as it installs new signal equipment and prepares for the commissioning of a new signal system to enable it to more reliably keep up with its ever-increasing number of customers. To ensure the work being undertaken during next month’s closure occurs with no disruption when subway service resumes on the morning of October 15, the TTC has directed its supplier to continue software testing to TTC staff’s satisfaction before new closure dates are announced. A comprehensive shuttle bus service will be in place from Bloor-Yonge Station to St George Station from October 12 to 14 using Yonge Street and University Avenue. Full subway service will resume at 6:00 a.m. on October 15.   3. Ecumenical Christmas Food Drive - November 23 and 30 Churches in Rosedale, Moore Park and Leaside are again sponsoring a Christmas Drive (the 42nd consecutive) to assist local food banks and agencies that are in urgent need of help at this time of year. Flyers are delivered to area households on Saturday, November 23 and donations are then picked up on the following Saturday, November 30. There are two locations – Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church (OLPH), on St. Clair Avenue East, one block west of Mount Pleasant Road and Leaside Presbyterian Church on Eglinton Avenue, just east of Bayview Avenue. Councillor Wong-Tam hopes to see you there. Times on both days are from 9:30 am until noon. Donations are sorted and packed at OLPH with same day delivery to recipient food banks and agencies. In 2012 about 16,000 items were collected and it is hoped to better this figure this year as unfortunately the demand for this service is still great. Upwards of 300 volunteers are required and community hours are available for high school students. In addition, two area Sobeys stores (St. Clair Avenue just east of Yonge Street and Wicksteed Avenue near Laird Drive) are again supporting this effort by holding in-store drives throughout the Christmas season. These sources typically add another 10,000 to the overall total It is a fun event for both families and young persons and is in aid of a worthwhile cause to benefit the less fortunate members of our community. Many thanks for your caring. If further information is required, please contact the Campaign Chair, Brian Kearney, at 416-972-0585 or by e-mail at brian.kearney@sympatico.ca.   4. Transit Update At this week's City Council meeting, the question of LRT versus a Subway was once again debated in the plans for replacing Scarborough's aging LRT. I have been absolutely clear that I will only support a plan that delivers upon evidence-based needs and it must fit within Toronto's overall transit expansion needs. Consistent with what constituents throughout Ward 27 have told me, I was disheartened to learn the projected shortfall the City would have to bear for the Subway proposal earlier this year and am fully in support of the original LRT. I have no objections to having other levels of government bridging the financial gap between one plan and the other, but must consider the long list of needs that are long overdue for attention, including the Downtown Relief Line and other rapid transit lines. Significant new debt spending on a single line does not leave us ready to afford and manage Toronto's broader needs. Unfortunately, City Council supported the Subway option and we are now tasked with raising the taxes necessary to pay for the funding shortfall as well as any of the numerous potential cancellation fees for going back on the City's previous decisions and unknown potential overruns. This plan will see the Bloor-Danforth line extended from Kennedy Station to the Sheppard Avenue line. 5. Upcoming Community Events and Meetings October 16 - Gardiner Expressway East Public Meeting The City of Toronto and Waterfront Toronto are advancing the public and stakeholder consultation program for the Gardiner East EA. The second public information meeting is being held on: Date: Wednesday, October 16, 2013 Time: 6:30 to 9 p.m. Place: Toronto Reference Library The Bram and Bluma Appel Salon 789 Yonge Street   The open house will begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by presentations at 7 p.m. Those who cannot attend the meeting in person may participate and watch the meeting online that evening via the project website at: www.gardinereast.ca October 17 - The Downtown East Revitalization Initiative The City is holding a Community Consultation meeting where you can learn more about this important initiative, ask questions and share your comments. Details are as follows: Date: October 17, 2013 Time: 6.45 p.m. to 7 p.m. - Sign-in, 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. – presentations 8 p.m. to 9 p.m. – open house, question + answer & comments Place: Hilton Garden Inn (200 Dundas Street East, NE corner of Dundas Street East and Jarvis Street), Mulock Room, 2nd Floor. The Revitalization Initiative The City of Toronto is hosting a community meeting and open house where you can learn about the Downtown East Revitalization Initiative and the future of the Downtown East. The Downtown East Revitalization Initiative is focused on: Land Use Planning and Heritage, Economic Development, Community Safety, Housing, Community Services Planning and the Public Realm. Come and ask questions, share your insights and give your feedback. For more information, refer to the Staff Report here. Call Councillor Wong-Tam for more information. October 30 - Yorkville East of Bay Consultation Planning staff are undertaking a review of the existing and planned built form context for the areas bounded by: Bloor Street, to the south; Davenport Road, to the north; Yonge Street, to the east: and Bay Street, to the west to establish appropriate heights for the areas outside of the Height Peak, Height Ridges and Low-rise areas as illustrated in Site and Area Specific Official Plan Policy 211. The review will also assess the existing and planned pedestrian linkages within the study area boundary as per Area Specific Official Plan Policy 225. The next public meeting will be held at the following date and time: When: October 30, 2013 Time: 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Place: Stone Church, 45 Davenport Road For more information on the study, please click here. Please contact Councillor Wong-Tam is there are any questions. November 12 - 51 Division Building Bridges Gala Building Bridges is the annual fundraising gala hosted by the Toronto Police’s 51 Division Community Liaison Committee. The event raises money to provide bridging scholarships for at-risk urban youth to attend George Brown College. When: November 13, 2013 Time: 6 p.m. Place: Daniels Spectrum 585 Dundas Street East For more information, please click here.