Huron Street Junior Public School’s Big Tree, a heritage tree that is about 150 years old, is at the centre of a plan to revitalize the schoolyard. School representatives want to create a welcoming space around the tree, clean up the tennis courts, and remove the fences. GEREMY BORDONARO/GLEANER NEWS
The rail Dupont rail corridor from the back of 328 Dupont St. The Ontario Municipal Board ruling on a proposed development for the site confirmed the city’s guidelines that new buildings must be built at least 20 metres from a rail line. BRIAN BURCHELL/GLEANER NEWS
By Joe Cressy
I spend a lot of time in this newspaper talking about the need to build a liveable city. A city that is affordable for all. A city that has the parks and services required to foster inclusive neighbourhoods. A city that takes care of the most vulnerable. And, a city that protects and supports arts and culture, because at the end of the day a city without culture would be a city missing something.
By Geremy Bordonaro
Joe Cressy has confirmed that he will be standing for re-election at the next municipal election. He’s just not sure which ward he’ll be running in, now that the Ontario Municipal Board has approved Toronto City Council’s decision to increase the number of wards from 44 to 47.
Joe Cressy (Ward 20, Trinity-Spadina), Daniel Freeman of Freeman Realty, Ted Winick of Spirit of Math, and Joe Mihevc (Ward 21, St. Paul’s West) gave away 500 turkeys in three hours just before Christmas. Now in its second year, the event is an homage to Ed Mirvish, who also used to give away turkeys before Christmas at Honest Ed’s. “We feel a strong obligation to give back to the community,” said Elden Freeman, who co-sponsors the event with Winick. BRIAN BURCHELL/GLEANER NEWS
COURTESY KPMB ARCHITECTS An artist’s rendering of the proposed redevelopment of Bloor Street United Church. The heritage aspects of the church will be restored, and a 38-storey mixed-use tower added to the church grounds.
By Geremy Bordonaro
By Joe Cressy
It wouldn’t surprise you that we’ve had a busy year together in Ward 20. We’ve made critical strides as we work to build our communities and a city that is more equitable and sustainable for all. We’ve worked hard on the dozens and dozens of development files that populate downtown, creating new green spaces, and building livable communities. And as we look back on another year, we have a lot to be proud of.
Tags: Annex · Columns · Opinion
By Geremy Bordonaro
It’s been a long time coming but the Bloor Street bike lanes are now a permanent fixture of the community.
By Joe Cressy and Mike Layton
We gratefully acknowledge that the City of Toronto is located on the traditional lands of the Ojibwa, Hodenosaunee, and the Huron Wendat and is part of the Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississaugas of the New Credit.
Toronto City Council’s Public Works and Infrastructure Committee voted in favour of making the Bloor Street pilot bike lanes permanent. The lanes have been very popular with cyclists since being installed, and a recent study demonstrated that the lanes have not had a negative impact on local business. COURTESY ANDRE VALLILLEE
By Emilie Jones
Local residents got their first look at plans to renovate Bloor Street United Church late last month. The proposal calls for a 38-storey mixed-use building, a renovation, and partial demolition of the church, as well as a new promenade. Located at the corner of Bloor and Huron streets, the building is over a hundred years old.
COURTESY RICHARD LONGLEY
Kensington Health chief executive officer Bill O’Neill, Joe Cressy (Ward 20, Trinity-Spadina) and members of the Harbord Village Residents’ Association celebrated the opening of Doctors Parkette on October 14 with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Formerly Brunswick-College Parkette, the space has been redeveloped from a pokey park into something bright, modern, and functional.
COURTESY RICHARD LONGLEY
Marco Cupido and Gary Bloch help their children cut the ribbon to mark the official reopening of Margaret Fairley Park, also on October 14.
They were joined by Joe Cressy (Ward 20, Trinity-Spadina), and Harbord Village Residents’ Association chairs past and present, Gail Misra, Gus Sinclair, and Tim Grant.