Featured News
ABCRA Winter Newsletter
Welcome to ABCRA’s Winter 2023 newsletter. In this edition, we want to share updates and news from the neighbourhood, upcoming events and opportunities to get involved in your City.
What have we been up to? Lots! First off – there’s our new website (you’re looking at it) and and we hope you’ll take it out for a thorough test drive and let us know what you think.
More News
ABCRA provides comments to the City’s Bloor Yorkville Heritage Assessment
City of Toronto Heritage Planning utilizes Cultural Heritage Resource Assessments (CHRAs) to document and analyze an area’s history and ensure that properties of potential cultural heritage value or interest are appropriately identified, understood and conserved. Read our submission to the City (below), providing input and recommendations for the CHRA field study of the Bloor-Yorkville/North Midtown Area.
Finally, a plan for Avenue Road
In a significant development last month, the City of Toronto unveiled new designs for Avenue Road at an open house event, signalling progress in addressing the long-standing issues. The designs aim to transform Avenue Road into a more pedestrian-friendly, people-friendly environment, prioritizing safety, comfort and connectivity.
1080-1088 Yonge Street development
We are writing to express our opposition to the 1080-1088 Yonge Street – Official Plan and Zoning By-law Amendment Application and request a deferral on the item. We have been in negotiations with the Developer and acknowledge the good steps that have been taken in reducing the massing on the west side of the site, but are of the opinion that more work needs to be done.
City could shut down Yonge bike lanes and sidewalk for years for one condo
Cycling enthusiasts from various communities are gearing up to challenge the construction plan for a 50-storey condo along a stretch of Yonge Street, challenging the proposed closure of bike lanes and sidewalks for nearly three years.
Eye-popping 11-storey tower proposed for site of historic Toronto homes
A row of homes dating back almost 125 years could be transformed by an impressive 11-storey tower, if a new development application is approved by the city. Not surprisingly, local residents have questions about the growing intensity in a quiet section of one of the city’s oldest neighbourhoods where a number of proposals to increase density are piling up.
Winners Announced for the 2023 Heritage Toronto Awards
Canadian architects and urbanists were at the helm of five projects that were among the winners of the the 2023 Heritage Toronto Awards. The Heritage Toronto Awards bring together leaders, innovators and emerging professionals from across cultural, development, and policy-making sectors to celebrate achievements in Toronto’s heritage. The event is also Heritage Toronto’s major fundraiser of the year and raises monies in support of its public programming.
Three new bridges set to open as massive Port Lands development takes shape
number of major projects in the Port Lands area that are reshaping the city’s waterfront, with a focus on enhancing flood protection, restoring natural habitats, and creating vibrant public spaces, are set to open this month.
Advocacy groups call on Toronto for full moratorium on unhoused evictions
An advocacy group is calling on the mayor and city council to vote in favour of a full moratorium on evictions and address “service restrictions” practices across the entire shelter system. Voices for Unhoused Liberation wrote an open letter outlining demands, including investment in more indoor space and starting an accountability process, including people in Toronto’s homeless population and advocates.
‘What happened to Yonge Street?’ Quashing Toronto’s character is the city’s mistake
At a recent family party, some of my in-laws and I were discussing one of our favourite topics: “What happened to Yonge Street?” Which is a conversation that always evolves, surely as the sun rises, into the problem of “What is happening to Toronto?”
Events & Public Meetings
No More Noise Toronto upcoming events
On January 11, 2024, we all can share our noise stories with the Infrastructure and Environment Committee. There are several online meetings posted on Eventbrite for you to learn more and get ready to make a difference.
New Year’s Eve Fireworks
Ring in 2024 with fireworks at midnight, visible from anywhere with a view of Toronto’s inner harbour. Some free activities are available leading up to the fireworks at these locations along Toronto’s downtown waterfront:
Cavalcade of Lights
It’s “bright lights, big city” at this annual event that marks the official start to Toronto’s holiday season. The family-friendly Cavalcade of Lights celebration at Nathan Phillips Square features the lighting of Toronto’s 15 m (50 ft) Christmas tree, live musical performances, ice skating and more. – November 25, 2023 to January 7, 2024
Toronto Noise By-law Review
Many of you will have attended one of more of the City’s September Consultation session on changes to the Noise Bylaw. October 15, 2023 is the deadline for sending your comments to the City.
City of Toronto to host Small Business Forum
The City of Toronto will host a Small Business Forum on Monday, October 30 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre. This free, full-day, in-person event supports Toronto small businesses by providing them with access to information, connections and resources to build and grow their enterprises.