Month: May 2010

bike path, bikewest, Boston, cycling in Ottawa

Boston cycle path

Westsideaction

The following pictures were taken on the cycling path along Vassar Ave in Cambridge (Boston) MA. Vassar goes through the MIT campus, and recent streetscaping had been done to narrow the road, add boulevard trees, and a bike path which was heavily used when I viewed it on several occasions. In the picture below, it transitions from on-road to being at the same grade as the sidewalk, set back from the street by a row of trees. Despite being in front of the most prestigous engineering school in the world, there is a puddle in the path. The path was … Continue reading Boston cycle path

housing policy, infill2 Comments

The Bell tolls for Peyton Place (ii)

Westsideaction

the new facade shows evidence of good planning. The brick facade and new storefront treatment gives the building weight at the bottom. From the sidewalk, the emphasis will be on a three storey height, with the glass tower slightly less visible above it. the current store fronts at street level proposed: steel arches, new glass facades existing west facade seen from Gladstone proposed: west facade Continue reading The Bell tolls for Peyton Place (ii)

housing policy, infill

The Bell tolls for Peyton Place (ii)

Westsideaction

the new facade shows evidence of good planning. The brick facade and new storefront treatment gives the building weight at the bottom. From the sidewalk, the emphasis will be on a three storey height, with the glass tower slightly less visible above it. the current store fronts at street level proposed: steel arches, new glass facades existing west facade seen from Gladstone proposed: west facade Continue reading The Bell tolls for Peyton Place (ii)

housing policy, infill

The Bell tolls for Peyton Place

Westsideaction

One of the earliest apartment complexes built in Ottawa are the three towers on Bell Street. Back in the 50’s, adult children usually lived at home until married. Those who moved out … lived single … without mom’s supervision … must have been immoral. There was a popular TV show at the time called Peyton Place, the term became attached to early apartment buildings that catered to singles. The view below must be familiar to everyone: Well, the bell tolls for Peyton Place. After years of deterioration, the building has been sold to a redeveloper who will renovate the interiors … Continue reading The Bell tolls for Peyton Place

housing policy, infill

The Bell tolls for Peyton Place

Westsideaction

One of the earliest apartment complexes built in Ottawa are the three towers on Bell Street. Back in the 50’s, adult children usually lived at home until married. Those who moved out … lived single … without mom’s supervision … must have been immoral. There was a popular TV show at the time called Peyton Place, the term became attached to early apartment buildings that catered to singles. The view below must be familiar to everyone: Well, the bell tolls for Peyton Place. After years of deterioration, the building has been sold to a redeveloper who will renovate the interiors … Continue reading The Bell tolls for Peyton Place

infill, Primrose1 Comment

Stairway to Development

Westsideaction

The forrested slope on the south side of the Primrose staircase up Nanny Goat Hill has been cleared. The stone retaining walls  that reminded me of Machu Pichu have also been removed. A multi-level infill house is proposed for the site, with entrances on the Upper Lorne side and onto the landing of the staircase. The previous staircase used to have an entrance onto its staircase also. Continue reading Stairway to Development

LeBreton Flats, ottawa river2 Comments

Ye Olde LeBreton Flats

Westsideaction

click to enlarge Notice Britannia Terrace (parallel to Duke street) which is now disappeared. The new Claridge condo on the Flats is right on the ACE of Terrace. Note Queen Street is not shown as jumping over the cliff, but Maria Street (now Laurier Ave) apparently does. Suitable for Nanny Goats maybe. Slater Street ends at Bronson (then called Concession). It was later extended just below the section of Albert that is shown on a diagonal. The extension was to permit the streetcar (Ottawa Electric Railway) to connect to Albert, which accounts for the narrow right of way on the part … Continue reading Ye Olde LeBreton Flats

LeBreton Flats, ottawa river

Ye Olde LeBreton Flats

Westsideaction

click to enlarge Notice Britannia Terrace (parallel to Duke street) which is now disappeared. The new Claridge condo on the Flats is right on the ACE of Terrace. Note Queen Street is not shown as jumping over the cliff, but Maria Street (now Laurier Ave) apparently does. Suitable for Nanny Goats maybe. Slater Street ends at Bronson (then called Concession). It was later extended just below the section of Albert that is shown on a diagonal. The extension was to permit the streetcar (Ottawa Electric Railway) to connect to Albert, which accounts for the narrow right of way on the part … Continue reading Ye Olde LeBreton Flats

Spruce St

Lighting Up the Neighborhood

Westsideaction

In ecology, we think it normal that there be a succession of land uses. The swamp gives way to the meadow, to the woods, and ultimately to the climax forest or mature ecosystem. The ecosystem is of course subject to external disturbances. Retail main streets are similar. It wasn’t many years ago that the stores along West Wellie and Richmond Road were … shall we say, a bit sad. Since then, the area has rejuvenated with the fresh influx of a new species of shoppers. As part of the change, some existing businesses get forced out, no longer popular or … Continue reading Lighting Up the Neighborhood

Spruce St

Lighting Up the Neighborhood

Westsideaction

In ecology, we think it normal that there be a succession of land uses. The swamp gives way to the meadow, to the woods, and ultimately to the climax forest or mature ecosystem. The ecosystem is of course subject to external disturbances. Retail main streets are similar. It wasn’t many years ago that the stores along West Wellie and Richmond Road were … shall we say, a bit sad. Since then, the area has rejuvenated with the fresh influx of a new species of shoppers. As part of the change, some existing businesses get forced out, no longer popular or … Continue reading Lighting Up the Neighborhood

cycling in Ottawa2 Comments

Constitutional Privilage to Park Cycles

Westsideaction

These two pictures are of the indoor bicycle parking facility at Constitution Square downtown. It is a three tower office tower complex. The bikes take up at least 8 car parking spaces. This photo was taken late in the afternoon, so many cyclists would have already left work. It certainly holds one lot of bikes. I wonder how many other parking garages or hidden cycle parking lots are in the downtown, unseen by the public and thus contributing to the unseen and uncommented upon growth of cycling as a mode of transport. Continue reading Constitutional Privilage to Park Cycles

cycling in Ottawa

Constitutional Privilage to Park Cycles

Westsideaction

These two pictures are of the indoor bicycle parking facility at Constitution Square downtown. It is a three tower office tower complex. The bikes take up at least 8 car parking spaces. This photo was taken late in the afternoon, so many cyclists would have already left work. It certainly holds one lot of bikes. I wonder how many other parking garages or hidden cycle parking lots are in the downtown, unseen by the public and thus contributing to the unseen and uncommented upon growth of cycling as a mode of transport. Continue reading Constitutional Privilage to Park Cycles

aquaduct, kayaking, LeBreton Flats1 Comment

Eskimo roll

Westsideaction

The picture above is the outlet below the water pumphouse on the aqueduct that runs through LeBreton Flats. The ped bridge is at the top, the beginning of the kayaking course is at the bottom. The water course is variously known as the Tailrace, or Bronson Creek (until the last decade the creek was actually the private property of the Bronson Corporation). There are three signs in the area. Notice one in the lower centre left of the picture above. Here’s a closer up: It says: Combined Sewer Overflow AreaAdverse Water Quality Can Occur I think that is bureaucratic speech … Continue reading Eskimo roll

aquaduct, kayaking, LeBreton Flats

Eskimo roll

Westsideaction

The picture above is the outlet below the water pumphouse on the aqueduct that runs through LeBreton Flats. The ped bridge is at the top, the beginning of the kayaking course is at the bottom. The water course is variously known as the Tailrace, or Bronson Creek (until the last decade the creek was actually the private property of the Bronson Corporation). There are three signs in the area. Notice one in the lower centre left of the picture above. Here’s a closer up: It says: Combined Sewer Overflow AreaAdverse Water Quality Can Occur I think that is bureaucratic speech … Continue reading Eskimo roll

little Italy, Preston street, streetscaping1 Comment

Toronto Late

Westsideaction

The latest issue of Toronto Life magazine arrived. In it is a major article on the many reasons to love Toronto. Number 24 is the proposed building of an underpass art gallery. Upon closer reading, it consists of putting 24 mosaics or painted panels onto the walls of an underpass. This is definitely trendy and  cutting edge nifty stuff … for Toronto. For local West Side residents, it should seem familiar as the Preston underpass has had both painted panels (some with 3D elements) and murals showing the immigration process with a ship arriving at Pier 21 in Halifax, and … Continue reading Toronto Late

little Italy, Preston street, streetscaping

Toronto Late

Westsideaction

The latest issue of Toronto Life magazine arrived. In it is a major article on the many reasons to love Toronto. Number 24 is the proposed building of an underpass art gallery. Upon closer reading, it consists of putting 24 mosaics or painted panels onto the walls of an underpass. This is definitely trendy and  cutting edge nifty stuff … for Toronto. For local West Side residents, it should seem familiar as the Preston underpass has had both painted panels (some with 3D elements) and murals showing the immigration process with a ship arriving at Pier 21 in Halifax, and … Continue reading Toronto Late

streetscaping2 Comments

With a little blight from our friends …

Westsideaction

looking north on Preston, west side looking north on Preston, east side As Preston and West Wellington get their final batches of trees and shrubs installed, a few curious — oversights — become apparent. In this case, the south side of the Queensway facing the new Preston Square/Adobe building at 333 Preston Street. The area beyond the fence belongs to the Province, the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) to be exact. Apparently, the MTO also has a say in what gets landscaped along the overpass too, as some of that is their land and some belongs to … who? The Preston … Continue reading With a little blight from our friends …

streetscaping

With a little blight from our friends …

Westsideaction

looking north on Preston, west side looking north on Preston, east side As Preston and West Wellington get their final batches of trees and shrubs installed, a few curious — oversights — become apparent. In this case, the south side of the Queensway facing the new Preston Square/Adobe building at 333 Preston Street. The area beyond the fence belongs to the Province, the Ministry of Transportation (MTO) to be exact. Apparently, the MTO also has a say in what gets landscaped along the overpass too, as some of that is their land and some belongs to … who? The Preston … Continue reading With a little blight from our friends …

cycling in Ottawa4 Comments

cycling is an art

Westsideaction

On the Sparks Street Mall near Bank a store has this bicyle outside its windows. Clearly it is an advertisement, designed to draw people closer to the windows and shop door. It is nonetheless a welcome addition to the Mall. It also indicates the increased status of cycling in Ottawa and society in general, when bikes are now a suitable element of “art”. Downtown Ottawa is … dull. I think a good part of that is due to gross over-regulation of everything: patios, signs, setbacks, mandated tinted glass so dark you cannot see into the shops, etc. Therefore the art cycle … Continue reading cycling is an art

cycling in Ottawa

cycling is an art

Westsideaction

On the Sparks Street Mall near Bank a store has this bicyle outside its windows. Clearly it is an advertisement, designed to draw people closer to the windows and shop door. It is nonetheless a welcome addition to the Mall. It also indicates the increased status of cycling in Ottawa and society in general, when bikes are now a suitable element of “art”. Downtown Ottawa is … dull. I think a good part of that is due to gross over-regulation of everything: patios, signs, setbacks, mandated tinted glass so dark you cannot see into the shops, etc. Therefore the art cycle … Continue reading cycling is an art

cycling in Ottawa2 Comments

cycling evidence

Westsideaction

We all see cycling porn shots of Holland and other European countries. A favorite is to show a gizillion bikes parked outside a train station or on a central square. This Ottawa picture is taken up close, so the whole thing is filled with a sea of parked bikes. Alas, the sea does not continue out of the frame, this is all there were. It’s a exposure of cycles, but really our bounty is modest. Next time I get into the Constitution Square garage, I will take a picture of the ever-increasing size of the popular indoor cycle parking garage … Continue reading cycling evidence