Community Update: March 24, 2024

Neighbour --

At this past week's meeting of City Council, we discussed a number of key items of interest for Davenport. Here’s an overview from our discussions and some new local investments:

Lakeview Avenue Parkette Improvements: My office has worked with the Little Portugal Toronto BIA to support a new project at Lakeview Avenue Parkette. City Council approved my motion to provide $200,000 for the parkette improvement project which will include seating, planters, and new paving—animating our public space and giving our community an even better place to gather. 

Affordable Housing on Havelock Street: To support the Parkdale Neighbourhood Land Trust, I moved a motion which provides $800,000 in new funding to support 10 new units of affordable housing on Havelock Street. The Neighbourhood Land Trust will be re-developing a five-room house to 10 new self-contained units of affordable rental housing. YWCA Toronto will be the social housing operator and the units will be offered to households led by women or gender diverse individuals through Toronto’s waiting list for subsidized housing. 

Update on FIFA World Cup 2026: We received an update on Toronto’s preparations to host games for the FIFA World Cup 2026. By hosting the game, Toronto is making a big investment and I believe we should use this opportunity to ensure that people in our city benefit. This means creating good jobs and lasting benefits for communities. I moved a motion, which was adopted, to create guiding principles for a World Cup Community Benefits Plan and to get information on the World Cup’s compliance with labour and human rights.

City-Owned Real Estate for Affordable Housing: City Council adopted recommendations to start the process of assessing the City’s real estate portfolio for lands that can help us meet our affordable housing goals. This includes lands which are near public transit, currently underutilized, and co-located with other community assets like recreation facilities. This report advances Mayor Chow’s housing plan which includes a target of 65,000 affordable and 18,000 supportive new units.

Tackling Congestion: An update on the 2023-2026 Congestion Management Plan was adopted, including a pilot to improve wayfinding and accessibility around construction work zones, a new strategy enforcement of blocked intersections, measures to address peak-hour deliveries which block traffic, and more. Our city’s ongoing work to address traffic congestion through the Congestion Management Plan will help us all get around faster and safer. 

Addressing Serious Dog Attacks: I’ve heard from many in the community about the dangers of dogs who are let off-leash in inappropriate areas. While we continue the work to build more dog off-leash areas, City Council adopted recommendations to introduce more stringent measures when serious dog attacks occur, including a public registry of dangerous dogs and new signage for homes where dangerous dogs live. Public education and provincial changes to the Dog Owners’ Liability Act are also needed. 

Noise By-Law for Motor Vehicles and Motorcycles: The permitted noise level for motor vehicles and motorcycles has been lowered to 92 dB(A) at idle and 96 dB(A) at any engine speed greater than idle. City Council has also directed Municipal Licensing and Standards to work with local community groups and resident associations to improve how we deal with excessive noise. 

Tomorrow, please join Transportation Services and my office for a public drop-in event to learn more about the proposed Wallace Emerson Neighbourhood Streets Plan from 6-8PM at Wallace Emerson Community Centre. 

You can find additional updates on local issues, events and more below. 

Sincerely,

Alejandra Bravo
City Councillor • Ward 9 • Davenport
Chair, Economic & Community Development Committee

In this edition

• Public Drop-In: Wallace Emerson Neighbourhood Streets Plan
• Update on Carpark 246
• New Signalized Intersection at Bloor & Perth
• Get vaccinated against measles
• New 100% AMR rental units available at 1245 Dupont Street
• City of Toronto now hiring for part-time summer jobs
• Two CafeTO grant programs now accepting applications
• Wheel-Trans Community Feedback
• New Online Hub for Benefits and Supports
• Have your say: Toronto Public Library Strategic Plan
• Low-Canopy Neighbourhood Greening Initiative
• Toronto Cares Initiative Produce Market/Food Bank
• Diabetes Hope Foundation
• World Theatre Day

Public Drop-In: Wallace Emerson Neighbourhood Streets Plan

In consultation with the local community, the City of Toronto is developing a Neighbourhood Streets Plan for the Wallace Emerson neighbourhood intended to address four main areas of community concern: motor vehicle volumes on roads, speeding on local roads, traffic conditions near schools, and safety of vulnerable road users. 

The NSP proposes specific actions to improve safety and mobility:

• Intersection improvements along Dufferin Street and Lappin Avenue to reduce crossing distances and improve safety for vulnerable road users;
• Speed humps & in-road flexible speed sign to address speeding and to visually narrow wide roads;
• New pavement markings to better define lanes and clarify traffic operations on Wallace Avenue;
• Options for directional changes on St. Clarens Avenue, Wallace Avenue, and Emerson Avenue to
  reduce through traffic on local streets;
• Contra-flow bike lanes on St. Clarens Avenue, Wallace Avenue, and Emerson Avenue to visually narrow
  roads and improve local access for people cycling;
• A new east-west cycling connection on Millicent Street, across Dufferin Street, to the intersection of
  Hallam Street and Bartlett Avenue to connect to the existing cycling network;

Join the public drop-in event on Monday, March 25, 2024 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Wallace Emerson Community Centre (1260 Dufferin Street, Toronto ON M6H 4C3) to learn more and share your feedback.

You can review the presentation materials in advance here.

Update on Carpark 246

Toronto Parking Authority (TPA) completes regular reviews of their parking lots to set rates and monitor profitability of operations as a revenue-generating agency of the City. As part of those reviews, TPA has identified that Carpark 246, located at 31 Blackthorn Ave, is no longer generating adequate revenue and will be decommissioned as a Toronto Parking Authority lot. 

Get vaccinated against measles

The COVID-19 pandemic has seen a drop in measles vaccinations, leading to a notable rise in measles outbreaks worldwide. Recent cases have been reported in Toronto, York Region, Peel Region, and Brant County. 

Who should get vaccinated?

Those born before 1970 are considered immune as measles was widely circulating at that time. However, those unsure if they had a previous measles infection are encouraged to get one dose of the MMR vaccine for protection. Anyone born in 1970 or later requires two doses of a measles vaccine or proof of immunity through a blood test. Those unsure of their vaccination status are asked to contact their healthcare provider by phone or e-mail. 

The measles vaccine is available at your doctor’s office or at a TPH community clinic for school-aged children. More information is available on the City’s Measles webpage.

New 100% AMR rental units available at 1245 Dupont Street

150 new 100% average-market-rent rental homes, including one, two and three-bedroom units, are now available at 1245 Dupont Street in the vibrant "Galleria on the Park" community.

Interested in securing one of these homes? Galleria on the Park has launched an Expression of Interest (EOI) process. These homes will be allocated through a random draw, with rents ranging from $1,589 to $2,050 per month (utilities not included). The deadline to apply is April 30, 2024, at 8 p.m.

To learn more about the EOI and how to apply, visit the Galleria On The Park – Affordable Rental Portal.

City of Toronto now hiring for part-time summer jobs

Get ready for a summer of fun with the City's awesome part-time jobs! We're looking for students and adults to join us in recreation, aquatics, museums, camps, fitness, and more! These roles come with training and offer a chance to develop skills, work hard, and connect with the community. Don't miss out - apply by March 31, 2024!

More information is available on the City’s Recreation Jobs website.

Two CaféTO grant programs now accepting applications

The CaféTO Dining District Grant Program supports Business Improvement Areas (BIAs), business associations and other non-profit organizations with the expansion of outdoor dining to support restaurants and bars. Two funding streams are available for eligible projects of up to a maximum amount of $5,000 or up to $25,000 depending on the minimum amount of improvement investments made. The deadline to apply is May 3. Apply on the City’s CaféTO Dining District Grant Programwebpage. 

The CaféTO Property Improvement Program supports commercial tenants and property owners to improve the appearance or function of curb lane cafes, commercial patios and sidewalk cafes. The grant covers a maximum of $5,000 in eligible improvements. Additional funding for eligible accessibility improvements is available. The deadline to apply is June 17. Apply on the City’s CaféTO Property Improvement Program webpage.

More information about the CaféTO program is available on the City’s CaféTO – Outdoor Dining webpage.

Wheel-Trans Community Feedback

We want to hear from you! From now until April 30th, we're looking for community feedback on improving our Wheel-Trans Service & Family of Services. 

We invite all persons with disabilities who use the TTC, including Wheel-Trans, support persons and members of community-based organizations that support or advocate for people with disabilities to participate. Your feedback plays a crucial role in shaping decisions concerning accessibility at the TTC.

You can share your feedback by participating in this survey or attending one of our public meetings on April 16 or April 18, 2024. For more information, please visit Wheel-Trans Community Feedback.

New Online Hub for Benefits and Supports

A new webpage and interactive digital tool for residents looking for information on benefits, subsidies and supports that can help with the cost of living is now live! The City’s Financial & Social Support For Me webpage offers simplified information about financial and housing supports, transit discounts, recreation and child care fee subsidies and more.

Have your say: Toronto Public Library Strategic Plan

Toronto Public Library is developing a new Strategic Plan to guide its work over the next five years – and they'd like to hear from you! With your input, TPL will continue to innovate and modernize to meet the changing needs of Torontonians and help address the challenges and opportunities that our city faces. To participate, please visit tpl.ca/strategicplan before March 27. 

Low-Canopy Neighbourhood Greening Initiative

Residents in Weston-Pelham Park and Keelesdale-Eglinton West can plant native trees and shrubs on their properties for FREE with our partner LEAF.

Take advantage of a special new incentive this spring! Plant up to 1 free native tree or 3 free native shrubs (per property per year, space permitting).

Enjoy expert advice from a LEAF arborist to find the perfect tree for your property. Full Service or Do-It-Yourself planting options available.

Toronto Cares Initiative Produce Market/Food Bank

Toronto Cares Initiative is proud to announce their newest venture, a Produce Market & Food Bank opening Match 8th at the Fairbank Memorial Community Center on Fridays at 5pm. All produce is purchased directly from the Ontario Food Terminal (where the restaurants get their food so you know it's the freshest quality), and all the bread/pastries are coming directly from Cob's Bakery in Liberty Village, the same day. Any produce not included for free is that wholesale discount pricing, with items starting as low as a quarter. Most families spend less than $5 for 2-3 bags of food. No purchase required to obtain the free food.

World Theatre Day

The Professional Association of Canadian Theatres (PACT) in partnership with Association des théâtres francophones du Canada (AFTC) call on Canadians to Rally for Theatre this month ahead of World Theatre Day on March 27, 2024, with three simple calls to action.

PACT is encouraging all Canadians to get involved and support their local theatre companies this March through three simple actions:

1. Book a ticket to go see a show and post about it using #GoSeeAShow . Not sure where to start? You can find a map of national theatres and event listings by visiting: PACT.ca/MAP
2. Contact their elected officials at all levels to increase public support, by visiting: Show your Support for Canadian Theatres! | New Mode
3. Encourage others by sharing a favourite theatre experience on social media using the hashtags #RallyForTheatre and #WorldTheatreDay

Other updates

• Toronto Public Health investigating additional risk of exposure to the second measles case of 2024
• Toronto Public Health reminds residents to get vaccinated against mpox amid rise in local cases
• Lane closures to begin for critical rehabilitation work on Gardiner Expressway
• City of Toronto planning traditional and prescribed burns in High Park to sustain and reinvigorate threatened habitat
• More resources and supports for mental health coming via expansion of City of Toronto’s Toronto Community Crisis Service
• City of Toronto and Government of Canada investing $10 million to expand electric vehicle charging network
• Toronto Fire Services earns accredited agency status from the Commission on Fire Accreditation International