marcus_a_j
Senior Member
The cinder blocks definitely gotta go. Upon reviewing the City’s parcel mapping, they are in fact within the Danforth ROW.Observations:
1) The cinderblock pieces have to go, they add no value to the property to the west and are intrusive for pedestrians.
2) Planters are likely sized that way to get to the minimum acceptable soil volume of 30M3 per tree. If you notice the little squares in-laid into the sidewalk where the planters are, that indicates the sidewalk is floating and the soil underneath is available for tree roots.
3) Planters are sited slightly in from the road, could be due to utility placement, but just as likely a salt spray mitigation choice.
5) The ends of each planter should have had benches/seatwall
6) The overall pedestrian through space (detours aside) looks to meet the City's minimum requirements. A quick glance at the road doesn't show a lot of additional space capture available, assuming the left-hand turn lane at Greenwood is retained. This has been a relatively light pedestrian zone for the Danforth in the past; but given the bike lanes, the intensification etc. That may change, more space would certainly be ideal.
7) Curiously, to me, the sidewalks on the north side appear to be 1M wider. (~6M vs ~5M)
Removing the blocks is one thing and probably any easy fix. The whole block west of Greenwood - and mostly all the way Jones - has the sidewalk adjacent to the curb. It would be great if the sidewalk was widened all the way to the buildings as is common along most of the Danforth (and remove the parking spaces in front of Domino’s and Pet Valu east of Jones while they’re at it).