This week’s image: Congrats to the residents along Calgie and Drovers Lanes. The City of Toronto repaired the lane and the residents are now landscaping it. Photo: Louis-Philippe Rochon, Friends of Cabbagetown South
CABBAGETOWN NEIGHBOURHOOD
REVIEW
FEATURED LOCAL ARTISTS
July’s featured artist is David Brandy, an award-winning contemporary fine art photographer. He lives in Cabbagetown near Riverdale Park West. David comments about his photograph, “Prii” – the story behind this shot is one of my favourites. I was on my way to buy a used wide angle lens. As serendipity would have it, I did a double-take as I drove past this Uno Prii-designed apartment building at 100 Spadina Road. It’s a fantastic example of expressionist flare that Prii brought to concrete architecture in Toronto. After picking up my new lens I drove straight back just in time to capture the magic light of dusk on the west-facing side of the building.”
Because his photos are intricate pieces, they don’t show well in the right hand column and they’re better displayed here.
You can see this photo and several others on his website.
A PERSONAL VIEW
The WE saga continues to unfold in Ottawa. In Cabbagetown, it’s a different question. How did the City of Toronto decide to turn 233 Carlton into a respite centre? Why was this building chosen? What choices were rejected?
Many of us think that the location is wrong and that the process to justify this choice has hidden more than it reveals.
Both Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam and Mayor John Tory deny personal involvement in the decision. They point to the ”delegated authority” that City Council gave City bureaucrats to negotiate and settle a lease without approval from any politicians.
Councillor Wong-Tam is, at least, trying to cut through some of the fog. She successfully put a motion to Council this week asking three questions - how did this building first come to the attention of City staff, who from the WE-organizations dealt with the City about the lease and are the financial terms set at a fair market price.
We already know some answers. The building is owned by a numbered corporation administered by Fred and Theresa Kielburger.
Jaren Kerr wrote in Canadaland that a consultant who works with the Kielburger brothers, Brenda Ha, first contacted the City’s real estate staff about using the building. Was this her initiative or did she have some knowledge that the City needed a site for the respite centre? Marc Kielburger dealt with City staff directly about the programming planned for the building and about the renovations, specifically the installation of an elevator.
What did the City get? It’s a 12,700 square foot building over four floors and a basement. Total cost is $26 per square foot - $3,715,000 over the first ten years and an extra $2,231,000 for the next five years plus $3,700,000 for renovations. According to a quick, informal estimate from Bill Renieris at the Cabbagetown BIA, that’s not excessive in Cabbagetown. Matt Wood at Royal LePage (517 Parliament) confirms that this is a mid-level commercial rent in Cabbagetown.
LOCAL NEWS
Thanks to Donald Henry Reid
Photo: Obituary from legacy.com
Drovers Lane
Photo: Louis-Philippe Rochon, Friends of Cabbagetown South
Regent Park revitalization
The site at Parliament and Gerrard was demolished in the Winter, 2019. It’s officially designated as Phase 3, Block 1 - it's the block in the upper left corner of the map. The Daniels Corporation is the developer on this site.
There are five phases in the revitalization plan. Phases One and Two are finished.
Phase Three contains several “blocks” bordered by River Street, Shuter, Sumach and Oak plus Block One at Gerrard and Parliament. The River Street area is now under construction by Daniels.
Phases Four and Five border Gerrard from River Street west to Dreamer’s Way and south to Oak. TCHC is currently looking for a development company to handle Four and Five. Three developers have been selected to compete for the work - Capital Developments, Tridel and Daniels.
The market block at Parliament and Gerrard
Image: TCHC Design Review Panel - corner of Oak and Parliament looking north to Gerrard.
The north building will house 296 units in a ten-storey mid-rise building. The south tower will have 346 units in a 25-storey tower and a 6-storey east wing. A new street called Dreamer’s Way will run from Gerrard south to Oak. Townhouses will complete the Block along Dreamer’s Way and Oak.
Stage Three openings
Restaurants, pubs, gyms, theatres and outdoor playgrounds are all open. Personal care involving facial treatments is permitted. Customers may be required to wear masks and leave contact info. Physical distancing and barriers are required for many activities including karaoke, singing and instrumental music from wind and brass instruments. The retailers and food services also must have a regular cleaning system.
blogTO has a complete list here.
New bridges in the Port Lands
As the new island is built at the mouth of the Don River, four new bridges will be constructed as well. Three will be used on Cherry Street and the fourth on Commissioners Street over the new river route.
LOCAL ATTRACTIONS
Farmers Markets
The Cabbagetown Market (Riverdale Park, Winchester and Sumach) continues every Tuesday from 3 to 7 pm until October. The Underpass Park Farmers Market (29 Lower River Street) operates every Thursday afternoon from 4 to 7:30 pm.
Riverdale Farm
Open daily from 9 am to 5 pm, free admission. There’s a one-way walking flow from the Riverdale Park entrance through to Winchester. (Winchester Street, east of Sumach in Riverdale Park)
Allan Gardens Conservatory
Open from noon to 4 pm, free admission. There are one-way walking guides, lots of space for physical distancing and hand sanitizers. Wear your mask. (Carlton and Jarvis)
Wading pools and splash pads
Open in parks across the neighbourhood. There’s a wading pool in Riverdale Park West and splash pads in Wellesley Park, Regent Park , Winchester Park and Sackville playground are all open, 9 am to 8:30 pm daily.
Pam McConnell Aquatic Centre
Indoor swimming open from 7 am to 7 pm, Monday to Friday and noon to 4 pm, weekends. (640 Dundas E)
Parliament Street Library
The drop box service for returns is open 24/7. You can schedule a time to pick up book selections. Computer services are available, from 9 am to 8:30 pm, Monday to Friday and 9 am to 5 pm, Saturdays. Closed Sundays. (269 Gerrard E)
Community Centres
Regent Park Community Centre (402 Shuter), St Lawrence Community Recreation Centre (230 Esplanade) and Wellesley Community Centre (490 Sherbourne) - open from 7 am to 7 pm from Monday to Friday and noon to 4 pm on weekends.
Taste of Regent Park
Once again offering a free take-away meal once a week. Wednesdays from 6 to 7 pm. (269 Gerrard E)
COMING EVENTS
Marilyn at Pet Valu
Marilyn from Diggity Dog Grooming returns to Pet Valu (240 Carlton) on Saturday from 9 am to 4 pm for her monthly nail clinic - bring your pals for a quick clip. She’s developing a reservation system - call her at (416) 920-6814. Please enter the store at the back door from the Green P parking lot and please wear a mask. $10, cash only.
Corktown August meeting
The Corktown Residents and Business Association will host a Zoom meeting on Tuesday August 4 from 7 to 8:30 pm. Adam Vaughan, MP for Spadina Fort-York will be a speaker along with Ian Macleod from ONE Properties.
CityView Drive-in
CityView Drive-In (20 Polson) is a new venue for concerts and movies. Next week, there’s a free drive-in movie on Wednesday August 5 - Be Water (gates open at 7 and movie at 8:45 pm). On Thursday August 6, the concert is A Tribe Called Red (gates at 7 and concert at 9 pm). More concerts happen later in August.
IN THE MEDIA
Regent Park Phase 3, Block One
Urban Toronto has an illustrated article about Phase 3, Block One (Gerrard and Parliament). Click here.
Kielburger real estate
Articles continue to come about the Kielburger’s interests and the WE organizations. Jaren Kerr wrote a blog story about the complex Kielburger holdings and the choice of 233 Carlton. His items were noted in the House of Commons’ Finance Committee hearings and provoked an eye-roll from Craig Kielburger.
Read the story here.
BUSINESS NEWS
St Jamestown Steak & Chops
Mark is closing his shop (516 Parliament) next week for his summer vacation from Monday August 3 to Saturday August 8. Reopening on Monday August 10.
Fresh produce at Cabbagetown Organics
Peter reports that fresh fruit and veggies are arriving four days each week. Montreal bagels are fresh daily. His samosas and rotisserie chicken are favourites and always available. And you can get your own Personal Protection Equipment here. 499 Parliament.
RESTAURANT NEWS
Stout’s street patio
Erin has opened her patio at Stout (221 Carlton) - check out her amazing selection of beers and her yummy Sunday brunch.
This week at Peartree
This week’s specials at Peartree (507 Parliament) include black angus steak with mushrooms and onions at $25.99, lemon dill rainbow trout at $18.99 and oven roasted pork ribs at $18.99. Wash down your dinner with Jacob’s Creek Chardonnay or Shiraz for $5.50/glass or with Waterloo Dark, Mill Street Organic, Steamwhistle pilsner and Alexander Keith IPA at $5/pint. Free delivery on orders over $30 - call (416) 962-8190.
Brunch at the HoP
The House on Parliament (454 Parliament) has a great street patio! Stop by for Sunday brunch from 11:30 am to 3 pm or reserve your Sunday prime rib dinner from 5 pm. Call (416) 925-4074.
The patio at The Irv
Every Sunday, there’s slow-cooked brisket with a serving of Mac ’n cheese and baked beans. The patio is open daily from 11 am to 1 am. 195 Carlton.
Alice’s Place
Sit on the front porch and watch the whole world pass by. Alice has a cozy back patio too and it’s open daily as well, 3 pm to 2 am. 554 Parliament.
Terroni sud Forno Produzione e Spaccio
Wow - these guys have pasta! Available every day for takeout from 22 Sackville. Open Sunday to Tuesday from 9 am to 6 pm and Wednesday to Saturday from 9 am to 7 pm.
Cyril’s soups and juices
For Saturday, Cyril is making a creamy vegetable stew with potatoes, carrots, zucchini, tomatoes and corn, plus ham for meat-lovers (vegan - $9 for 3 cups, $12 for 4 cups and with ham -$12 and $16). His juice will combine peach, orange and mango. ($9 for 2 cups).
He plans to skip Tuesdays for the summer and make one soup each week for Saturday.
He will publish an August soup list by email and not a weekly reminder.
CONTACT INFO
A comprehensive listing of our local food services is now available in our new Cabbagetown Directory.
The list includes bakeries, coffee shops, delis, restaurants and pubs. Each entry gives the name, address, phone number and a link to a Facebook page or website.
Click here to find your favourite.
AUGUST THEATRE & DANCE PRODUCTIONS
Listed by starting dates.
Our theatres are now closed following directives from the City’s Public Health staff - Aki Studio, Alumni Theatre, Canadian Contemporary Dance Theatre, Canadian Stage, Citadel, School of Toronto Dance Theatre, Soulpepper, Toronto Dance Theatre.
CLUBS & PUBS – DAILY LISTINGS
THURSDAY JULY 30 TO SUNDAY AUGUST 9
Our restaurants and pubs are opening partially with service available on outdoor and street patios as well as takeout and delivery services. Entertainment and special events have been cancelled until the COVID-19 shutdowns are over.