[DSCToronto]

The work re-laying the brick (paver) sidewalks on Front between (at least) Church and Sherbourne is going well. Mostly done between Church and Jarvis and moving next week to the blocks east of Jarvis. Most of these pavers were laid in 2011 and 2012 when work was done on Front and it was about time they were tidied up. It is interesting how fast it can be done if no new curbs are needed. It looks surprisingly good! They also will deal with Church Street from The Esplanade to Richmond and, I think, Front from Yonge to Church.

 

[mburrrrr]

Scott St Sewer progress update Friday April 17. It looks like all the hard work is done. This should close up quickly….I hope.
Great job!

Bypass pipe to move a little leakage through the cut section

Camera scope of the gravity line installed a couple of years ago.

North of Brooklyn Pizza!!

 

[DSCToronto]

Dear Supporters of the Town of York Historical Society & Toronto's First Post Office, I am writing to you because the Town of York Historical Society, the sole operator of Toronto's First Post Office, is in serious financial difficulty. Without additional and continued financial support, our ability to operate and preserve Toronto’s First Post Office will be at real risk. For over 40 years the Town of York Historical Society has operated Toronto's First Post Office as an Old Town community hub, Post Office, and destination for travellers both from across Canada and abroad. Our mission has always been to bring the history of mail, communication, and early history of Toronto, to our visitors. Our journey to encourage and inspire has reached the farthest corners of the world bringing in over 30,000 visitors a year. Toronto’s First Post Office is not just a building. It is Canada’s oldest surviving purpose-built post office still in operation, recognized as a National Historic Site, a museum, and stationery gift shop that provides a platform for local and Canadian artists. The Post Office & Museum's continued operation in these various capacities has become a pivotal asset to the community and its many visitors, as our offerings of rotating exhibits, guided tours, school programs, and community events connect people with the early history of our city and provide them the opportunity to fulfill the original purpose of the building by utilizing our Post Office. If the Society is forced to close, Toronto would lose a unique, living history site that connects us back to the foundations of our city, severing a vital connection to our past. Our continued programming to mail letters featuring our specialized and historical Post Mark has sent a small piece of us to the farthest corners of the planet. This is not simply a museum. This is an active living heritage site that helps define Toronto’s identity and deepen residents’ connection to the past while fulfilling the original purpose of the building, the only National Historic Site in Canada to do so. We are calling on you to show your support and your dedication to the preservation of this unique historic site Whether through the purchase of a membership or a direct donation, either one time or recurring, your contribution will help keep the Town of York Historical Society & Toronto’s First Post Office open for years to come. Together, we can ensure that this important institution continues to serve the community and protects this irreplaceable part of Toronto’s story. Thank you for your commitment to the Town of York Historical Society, Toronto's First Post Office, and to our city’s history. Sincerely, Kevin Both Chair, Board of Directors TownofYork.com Town of York Historical Society & Toronto's First Post Office

 

[DSCToronto]

A fresh supply pf new sandstone has arrived for the Flatiron.

 

[DSCToronto]

Coming to Council tomorrow.

MM40.33 - State of Good Repair at the Jarvis and Sherbourne Underpasses Within the Union Station Rail Corridor - by Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik, seconded by Councillor Jamaal Myers​

Motion without Notice
Consideration Type: ACTIONWard: 10 - Spadina - Fort York
Attention
* This Motion has been deemed urgent by the Chair.
* This Motion is not subject to a vote to waive referral. This Motion has been added to the agenda and is before Council for debate.

Recommendations​

Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik, seconded by Councillor Jamaal Myers, recommends that:

1. City Council authorize the General Manager, Transportation Services, in consultation with the Executive Director, Transit Expansion, to negotiate, enter into and execute an agreement with Metrolinx, as required, to receive funds up to $500,000 from Metrolinx for the purpose of the City performing state of good repair work, including graffiti prevention and management strategies at the Bridge Underpasses, on such terms and conditions satisfactory to the Executive Director, Transit Expansion, and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.

2. City Council authorize the General Manager, Transportation Services to receive a contribution of up to $500,000 from Metrolinx for state of good repair work, including graffiti prevention and management strategies on the Bridge Underpasses delivered through the StreetARToronto program.

3. City Council authorize a one-time increase of $280,000 gross and $0 debt to the 2026-2035 Capital Budget and Plan for Transportation Services (CTP426-02) for the purpose of ideating, developing, and delivering state of good repair work, including graffiti prevention and management strategies on the Bridge Underpasses.

4. City Council authorize a one-time transfer of $220,000 to Transportation Services’ deferred revenue account (220098) subject to the execution of a funding agreement with Metrolinx, for the purpose of future operating maintenance and upkeep of the Union Station Rail Corridor underpasses at Lower Jarvis Street and Lower Sherbourne Street.

5. City Council authorize the General Manager, Transportation Services, in consultation with the Executive Director, Transit Expansion to enter into any necessary contracts, agreements, or arrangements in relation to the adoption of Recommendations 1 to 4 above.

Summary​

The Union Station Rail Corridor is 6.4 kilometres long, stretching from approximately Bathurst Street in the west to the Don River in the east. There are seven underpasses within the corridor, including at Lower Sherbourne Street and Lower Jarvis Street (the “Bridge Underpasses”), which cross the City of Toronto’s right of way. Metrolinx owns the Union Station Rail Corridor and, among other things, has overall responsibility for maintaining its infrastructure in a state of good repair and ensuring safety, functionality, and long-term asset sustainability. Given the City’s expertise in maintaining components of the Bridge Underpasses, and to address their construction impacts, Metrolinx has agreed to provide up to $500,000 to the Transportation Services Capital Budget, to be allocated towards general maintenance and upkeep at the Bridge Underpasses.

Reason for Urgency:

This matter is urgent as it involves time-sensitive third-party funding from Metrolinx tied to upcoming work along the Union Station Rail Corridor. Council authorization is required immediately to secure the funding and coordinate activities within scheduled construction timelines. Delay would risk loss of funding and missed implementation window.

 

[CityPainter]

Coming to Council tomorrow.

MM40.33 - State of Good Repair at the Jarvis and Sherbourne Underpasses Within the Union Station Rail Corridor - by Deputy Mayor Ausma Malik, seconded by Councillor Jamaal Myers​

I love the new eastern waterfront but I hate getting there. Both underpasses are unpleasant to walk under, and graffiti is the least of my concern. There are frequent poorly signed sidewalk closures due to construction, causing me to have to cross and recross streets multiple times. The sidewalks are always covered in mud and concrete dust left by the construction, which destroys my shoes and pants. The police do not enforce box-blocking, especially by big trucks on the Lakeshore Blvd that can block the north/south crosswalks for entire light cycles, which are already very long from a pedestrian perspective. I sometimes take the Sherbourne 75 bus to get down there even though I live only 700m from the waterfront, because I can't deal with the walk. But that only comes every 15-20 mins, which is a different hassle.

 

[DSCToronto]

I love the new eastern waterfront but I hate getting there. Both underpasses are unpleasant to walk under, and graffiti is the least of my concern. There are frequent poorly signed sidewalk closures due to construction, causing me to have to cross and recross streets multiple times. The sidewalks are always covered in mud and concrete dust left by the construction, which destroys my shoes and pants. The police do not enforce box-blocking, especially by big trucks on the Lakeshore Blvd that can block the north/south crosswalks for entire light cycles, which are already very long from a pedestrian perspective. I sometimes take the Sherbourne 75 bus to get down there even though I live only 700m from the waterfront, because I can't deal with the walk. But that only comes every 15-20 mins, which is a different hassle.

Yes, both are a mess but the Metrolinx construction will end in the next few months and, to be fair, the 75 bus is supposedly on a10 minute schedule most of the day.

 

[slicecom]

I love the new eastern waterfront but I hate getting there. Both underpasses are unpleasant to walk under, and graffiti is the least of my concern. There are frequent poorly signed sidewalk closures due to construction, causing me to have to cross and recross streets multiple times. The sidewalks are always covered in mud and concrete dust left by the construction, which destroys my shoes and pants. The police do not enforce box-blocking, especially by big trucks on the Lakeshore Blvd that can block the north/south crosswalks for entire light cycles, which are already very long from a pedestrian perspective. I sometimes take the Sherbourne 75 bus to get down there even though I live only 700m from the waterfront, because I can't deal with the walk. But that only comes every 15-20 mins, which is a different hassle.

Yeah it’s pretty bad. I never walk it. It’s not so bad on a Bike Share, but it needs to be better for sure.

 

[tripwire]

Even without the construction, I find the Jarvis/Lakeshore/Gardiner intersection a PITA. I know it's a mental block on me, but I absolutely hate it crossing that intersection. The construction just makes it that much more aggravating.