The Junction

[junctionist]

Did anyone notice the steelpan store on Dundas near Indian Grove? That has to be the most interesting business to open on that stretch of Dundas in years!

 

[Moonmoth]

They're not really open as a store, but more used as a rehearsal/teaching space. I think they use the space for practice and get booked for gigs mostly elsewhere.

 

[urbandreamer]

new development @200 keele street

Those ugly 1970's (?) townhouses facing Lithuania Park are to be knocked down and replaced by 24 new townhouses. I just discovered the application sign last night, here's the 16 December 2008 City of Toronto planning doc:
http://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2009/ey/bgrd/backgroundfile-17784.pdf

Walking up Oakmount last night, I photographed the sign. (At first I thought the historic houses were going to be destroyed; guess not, thankfully!)

Developer appears to be a Woodbridge outfit--Sedona Development Group.

Hope the nimbies don't mind=this part of Toronto needs more density!

(Better photos of the site to follow soon....)

 

[adma]

Strange; those townhouses don't strike me as "ugly", and are in fact above-average infill for their time. For them to be replaced by middlebrow retroschlock would IMO be a minus...

 

[sungs]

how did u junctionites find the blackout? keep warm!

Solero featured on blogto,
http://www.blogto.com/announcements/2009/01/finding_burek_in_the_junction/

 

[jimbobs]

Platform

A person who wishes to remain anonymous told me recently that the train platform built for last years festival cost c. $50,000 to build. Worse, the landlord initially only agreed to it being there for a few months! Luckily for someone, however, the lack of development on the site means it will be around for longer. It now seems to have been hijacked for the local Councillor's personal promotions.

 

[Moonmoth]

A person who wishes to remain anonymous told me recently that the train platform built for last years festival cost c. $50,000 to build. Worse, the landlord initially only agreed to it being there for a few months! Luckily for someone, however, the lack of development on the site means it will be around for longer. It now seems to have been hijacked for the local Councillor's personal promotions.

I can assure you it didn't cost $50K. The landlord donated the empty lot to JFAC temporarily for the festival last year and has amenably allowed use of it by the non-propfit art organization for one more year. Community use beyond that is currently unknown.

 

[Moonmoth]

A person who wishes to remain anonymous told me recently that the train platform built for last years festival cost c. $50,000 to build. Worse, the landlord initially only agreed to it being there for a few months! Luckily for someone, however, the lack of development on the site means it will be around for longer. It now seems to have been hijacked for the local Councillor's personal promotions.

In any case, what on earth do you care what it cost, it's for the community. The non-profit organization already did all the work to negotiate its use, put it there, fundraise, construction and programming. It's unbelieveable how ungrateful people are and how willing to tear a strip off community efforts.

 

[urbandreamer]

If I owned that lot, I'd tear down that ugly stage and build a proper 4-6 story retail/loft building--sort of like Glasshouse on Queen East, only with Clewesian red brick.

 

[junction_parents]

Personally, I love the idea of community space, I wish we had something permanent, I love the fact that our neighbourhood has so many people who truly care about local improvement. I'd like to thank everyone who volunteered to organize all the past and future community events, your efforts are very much appreciated!

Check out the latest community initiative: http://artjunction.blogspot.com/

also, everyone here is invited to the Junction Winter Carnival: http://junction-parents.blogspot.com/2009/01/junction-winter-carnival.html

 

[urbandreamer]

j_p are you part of the carnival? I took these photos today of the ice rink (and guy with a hose.) Fans of Timbits will be happy...

 

[junction_parents]

Nice photos

Can I use them on my blog for today's post?

I'll be at the carnival for sure but I won't be skating and I'm also attending a new store grand opening: http://junction-parents.blogspot.com/2009/01/wise-daughters-craft-market-opens.html

I'm working on another event: http://junction-parents.blogspot.com/2008/12/looking-for-volunteers-to-organize.html

 

[urbandreamer]

^sure: Just say they're from urbandreamer and provide a link to my post on UT.

 

[junction_parents]

awww thanks, too bad this is too late, thanks anyway, I took my own and already posted

http://junction-parents.blogspot.com/2009/01/tent.html

 

[junction_parents]

P.S. New business in the Junction:

http://junction-parents.blogspot.com/2009/01/new-cafelounge.html