Queens Quay Revitalization Update

Waterfront Toronto’s plan to transform Queens Quay into a grand lakefront boulevard was approved overwhelmingly at October’s City Council meeting. The recommendation to replace two lanes of traffic south of the streetcar tracks with a beautiful linear park stems from a two-year long Environmental Assessment (EA) process that featured extensive public input.

The plan will be submitted to the Ontario Ministry of Environment (MOE) in November for approval, and  the public will have a 30-day comment period during which they can review the full project report and provide feedback.

If approved by the MOE, Waterfront Toronto will begin schematic design for the entire project area from Spadina Avenue to Parliament Street. This first phase of design, which is expected to take about four months, will result in a comprehensive layout of the street from end to end and will be followed by detailed design work.

The construction of the revitalized Queens Quay will occur in phases to match funding availability. The first phase of construction, which will begin in the central waterfront, will be determined during schematic design. Phase one construction is expected to begin about one year after approval of the EA and will take 12 to 18 months to complete.  The design and construction process will include numerous opportunities for public feedback.

Canada's Sugar Beach Groundbreaking

Site excavation has begun at the future home of Canada’s Sugar Beach, Toronto’s newest place to play, gather and relax at the water’s edge. Waterfront Toronto, together with representatives from the Government of Canada, Province of Ontario and City of Toronto will hold an official groundbreaking ceremony for East Bayfront’s second waterfront park on Oct. 30.

The whimsical new park is transforming a surface parking lot in a former industrial area into Toronto’s second urban beach at the water’s edge. Located at the foot of Lower Jarvis Street adjacent to the Redpath Sugar Factory, this 8500m2 (2 acre) park will be the first public space visitors see as they travel along Queens Quay from the central waterfront. Canada’s Sugar Beach is expected to open in the summer of 2010.

East Bayfront Water's Edge Promenade

Construction on the western section of the water’s edge promenade from Canada’s Sugar Beach to Sherbourne Park is expected to begin later this fall. This is the first section of the water’s edge promenade under construction in East Bayfront and will connect the new headquarters of Corus Entertainment and George Brown College to the water’s edge. The remaining sections of the promenade will be built out in phases as the community develops.

When complete, the water’s edge promenade will span the entire length of East Bayfront.  This kilometre-long granite promenade stretching from Jarvis to Parliament Streets will be 19 metres wide and will feature a maple leaf mosaic pattern.  A row of mature maple trees lining each side of the promenade will beautifully shelter pedestrians from sun and wind.  Also planned along the length of the promenade, is an 11 metre wide wooden boardwalk built over the stormwater management facility for the area.  Both the stormwater management facility and water’s edge boardwalk will roll out in phases as the area is developed.

2008/09 Audited Financial Statements and Management Discussion & Analysis

The Audited Financial Statements and the Management Discussion & Analysis Report for the year ended March 31, 2009 are now available online.  The reports outline the results and key activities for the 2008/09 fiscal year.  Read the Reports. 

Port Lands Soils Management Facility Public Open House

In the coming weeks, Waterfront Toronto will submit an application to the Ontario Ministry of the Environment (MOE) for a Certificate of Approval under Section 27 of the Environmental Protection Act to store, transfer, and process soil and debris at a Soil Management Stockpiling Facility in the Port Lands. The facility is proposed for an 8.2 hectare site at 294, 320, and 348 Unwin Avenue.  Much of the revitalization of the 800 hectare waterfront area is dependent on the ability to treat soil from former industrial areas to meet environmental standards that permit their use in future residential, parkland and commercial areas.  

On October 6, Waterfront Toronto hosted a public open house on the proposed Soil Management Facility.  Waterfront Toronto along with project team members and representatives from the City of Toronto, Toronto Economic Development Corporation and the MOE were on hand for one-on-one discussions and to answer questions.  Learn more about the project and view display panels from the open house.  

Waterfront Toronto Launches First Artist Competition

Waterfront Toronto has launched its first ever artist competition.  The competition is for artwork in Underpass Park, a new park being designed for the space beneath the Richmond-Adelaide overpass in the West Don Lands. The selected artist will create engaging artwork that considers environmental sustainability through its materiality, longevity and energy utilization.

Underpass Park, which will help link the River Square area to the larger West Don Lands community, is intended to transform the space beneath the overpass into an interesting and eclectic community asset. By taking advantage of the cover provided by the overpass, active and passive uses can inhabit the space in all seasons. Public art will draw neighbourhood residents to Underpass Park, making the park an enjoyable way to get from one place to another in the neighbourhood, and creating a unique destination for Toronto residents and visitors.

The public art strategy for the West Don Lands is the first community scale comprehensive public art master plan to be implemented in Canada. The strategy presents a comprehensive vision and framework for the integration of public artworks throughout the West Don Lands and includes recommendations for a diverse range of art opportunities that will greatly enrich the community.

Community Tree Planting Event

Community Volunteers Needed

Waterfront Toronto is teaming up once again with Evergreen and the City of Toronto for a community tree planting event at Port Union Village Common Park in Scarborough on Saturday, October 24.

Help create a green and beautiful waterfront by taking part in the upcoming planting.

Saturday, October 24th, 2009
3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Port Union Village Common Park, Scarborough
Located at the foot of Port Union Road (Map) 

The planting will take place rain or shine, with gardening gloves and tools provided. Space is limited, so please RSVP. For more information and to RSVP, contact Claire Ellenwood of Evergreen at 416-302-3785, or claire@evergreen.ca.

Upcoming Board of Directors Meetings

Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Wednesday, December 16, 2009

***Please check website for meeting agenda with time and location***

Upcoming Design Review Panel Meetings

Thursday, November 12, 2009 Wednesday, December 9, 2009 Design Review Panel meetings are held at Waterfront Toronto Offices – 20 Bay Street, Suite 1310 from 9:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.  For more information, please check our website for the meeting agenda.

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