This article is the second in a series about local residents making a difference in our community. These unsung heroes were brought to The Gleaner’s attention by MPP Jessica Bell, who honoured them at her Annual Community Celebration, in December of 2019.
Last spring, long-time Harbord Village business owner Tino Tabares learned that the building that housed his gas station, Torreira Import Auto Service, was going up for sale. With the business under threat, the neighbourhood stepped up to help, but in the end, it was not enough.
By Nabahat Hussain and Juan Romero
After a lengthy dispute with the Harbord Village Residents’ Association (HVRA), the recently opened “LeTao Sweets” bakery is up and running with tentative plans for a patio next summer.
By Nabahat Hussain
A thorough tree inventory in Harbord Village shows that the neighbourhood’s tree canopy has decreased by 20 per cent in the past 12 years. This rate of decline is similar to that of trees in the Annex, north of Bloor.
By Lena Sanz Tovar
Ten Editions, a beloved book store at 698 Spadina Avenue, has officially closed after 35 years. The University of Toronto is set to begin its newest residence-building project at the site, and many community members are feeling bittersweet.
It’s a bit ironic that municipal elections attract the lowest voter turnouts. Ironic because decisions made at City Hall have a greater impact on your day-to-day life than those made in the legislature or in parliament. On any given day, Toronto City Council will consider garbage, snow removal, transit, zoning, parks…the list is endless. Yet it can be difficult for councillor candidates to attract attention, much less your vote.
GEREMY BORDONARO/GLEANER NEWS
The pumpkin patch returns to Harbord Village on November 1 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Pumpkins will line Harbord Street from Spadina Avenue westward for the annual Pumpkin Festival, co-sponsored by the Harbord Street Business Improvement Area and the Harbord Village Residents’ Association. If you want to participate, put your pumpkin on your front porch in the morning on November 1, and volunteers will collect it to put it on display later that evening. —Brian Burchell/Gleaner News
Spadina Road’s Wigwamen Terrace will receive $700,000 from the city to add 24 affordable housing units for Indigenous seniors. AHMED HAGAR/GLEANER NEWS
By Ahmed Hagar
Wigwamen Terrace (14 Spadina Rd.) has received $700,000 to fund a three-storey expansion that will add 24 new affordable housing units for Indigenous seniors. Toronto City Council approved the funding late last month.
By Ellie Hayden
Local residents’ associations, business improvement areas, and community organizations are concerned that reducing Toronto City Council from 47 to 25 seats will wreak havoc with the business of the city in their neighbourhoods.
If it’s the first Sunday after Labour Day, it must be time for fun at the fair. On September 9 from noon to 6 p.m., residents of Harbord Village will be out in full force for music, socializing, and a silent auction at its annual fall fair in Margaret Fairley Park. Refreshments like burgers, soft drinks, and wine will be available for 50 cents to $5, depending on the item.
A preliminary drawing of the area that is set to become a new park as part of the Mirvish Village redevelopment. Local residents had their first opportunity to make suggestions for the design and features of the park at a meeting in early July. Courtesy of Janet Rosenberg & Studio Inc.
By Mike Layton
At the Palmerston Area Residents’ Association (PARA) annual general meeting last month, I realized something. We are so lucky to have such informed, open, and dedicated neighbours. Often people, including the media, are critical of neighbourhood associations labelling them as NIMBY, meddling neighbours standing in the way of change favouring homeowners.
Tags: Annex · General · Opinion
Had the Spadina Expressway been built, there might have been a development like St. James Town west of Yonge Street. The city had rezoned the area, and a developer had quietly purchased many of the 32 properties on Robert and Sussex avenues. COURTESY CITY OF TORONTO ARCHIVES