Category: west wellington

condos, hintonburg, west wellington5 Comments

Boys Toys

Westsideaction

It’s a bird … a plane … a dragonfly … It’s Heli-Go, the photographer disguised as a helicopter. Remote controlled, it was taking pictures from above the new Domicile condo site at the corner of Holland and West Wellington. Inside the operators van was a huge flatscreen TV so the operator could see what pictures he was getting, real time. The operator with the plastic nose cone taken off. The camera is suspended below the skids, and could be rotated and angled via remote control. When flying, the legs and foam base of the copter retract up and horizontal to … Continue reading Boys Toys

condos, hintonburg, west wellington

Boys Toys

Westsideaction

It’s a bird … a plane … a dragonfly … It’s Heli-Go, the photographer disguised as a helicopter. Remote controlled, it was taking pictures from above the new Domicile condo site at the corner of Holland and West Wellington. Inside the operators van was a huge flatscreen TV so the operator could see what pictures he was getting, real time. The operator with the plastic nose cone taken off. The camera is suspended below the skids, and could be rotated and angled via remote control. When flying, the legs and foam base of the copter retract up and horizontal to … Continue reading Boys Toys

Preston street, streetscaping, west wellington

Tree planting excitement

Westsideaction

double click to enlarge For some time now, spring tree and shrub planting has been going on along West Wellie and Preston streets. It seems every day reveals a tree or shrub bed somewhere new. Shown above is the supply dump for the trees and shrubs being installed on Preston between Albert and Somerset. It is incredibly exciting to see the greening occur, especially since in the case of Preston the streetscaping process has been going on for more than sixteen years before big results finally appeared on the ground. But it was worth it! A few of the trees … Continue reading Tree planting excitement

Preston street, streetscaping, west wellington

Tree planting excitement

Westsideaction

double click to enlarge For some time now, spring tree and shrub planting has been going on along West Wellie and Preston streets. It seems every day reveals a tree or shrub bed somewhere new. Shown above is the supply dump for the trees and shrubs being installed on Preston between Albert and Somerset. It is incredibly exciting to see the greening occur, especially since in the case of Preston the streetscaping process has been going on for more than sixteen years before big results finally appeared on the ground. But it was worth it! A few of the trees … Continue reading Tree planting excitement

streetscaping, west wellington2 Comments

More sidewalk patio issues

Westsideaction

The former Melrose groceteria (now there’s a word we don’t use much any more…) will become a gourmet pizza establishment. The owners are looking for a way to have some outdoor patio. The front sidewalk area is tight, but I think it is doable. But do the new owners want their gourmands dining beside the tavern entrance? They proposed a patio at the back of the building (but I gather, not the side …). They are opposed by the local neighborhood association representing neighbors who feel the back yard patio will be noisy for their adjacent houses. The Assoc. suggested … Continue reading More sidewalk patio issues

streetscaping, west wellington

More sidewalk patio issues

Westsideaction

The former Melrose groceteria (now there’s a word we don’t use much any more…) will become a gourmet pizza establishment. The owners are looking for a way to have some outdoor patio. The front sidewalk area is tight, but I think it is doable. But do the new owners want their gourmands dining beside the tavern entrance? They proposed a patio at the back of the building (but I gather, not the side …). They are opposed by the local neighborhood association representing neighbors who feel the back yard patio will be noisy for their adjacent houses. The Assoc. suggested … Continue reading More sidewalk patio issues

somerset street, streetscaping, west wellington2 Comments

Reclaiming the corner

Westsideaction

Do you recognize the above corner? If you are a west side pedestrian or cyclist, or maybe a No 2 bus user, the likely answer is yes (motorists should not recognize it — your eyes are supposed to be on the road!). It’s at the corner of Bayswater and Somerset, northwest side, where Bayswater starts to suddenly go downhill (elevation speaking, not quality wise). Behind the green picket fence is an amazing ever-changing collection of . . . stuff. Gnomes, flower pots, a yapping dog that escorts pedestrians past the fence, a patio … all seem to me to made … Continue reading Reclaiming the corner

somerset street, streetscaping, west wellington

Reclaiming the corner

Westsideaction

Do you recognize the above corner? If you are a west side pedestrian or cyclist, or maybe a No 2 bus user, the likely answer is yes (motorists should not recognize it — your eyes are supposed to be on the road!). It’s at the corner of Bayswater and Somerset, northwest side, where Bayswater starts to suddenly go downhill (elevation speaking, not quality wise). Behind the green picket fence is an amazing ever-changing collection of . . . stuff. Gnomes, flower pots, a yapping dog that escorts pedestrians past the fence, a patio … all seem to me to made … Continue reading Reclaiming the corner

Preston street, somerset street, streetscaping, west wellington1 Comment

Somerset Streetscaping Plan Unveiled

Westsideaction

After numerous meetings of stakeholders, the City and its consultants (Delcan) have come up with a proposed streetscaping plan for Somerset Street. It is excellent. Readers will recall that the West Wellie reconstruction got as far east as Spadina last year. Starting next month, more of Somerset will be dug up and new sewers and water installed, and then comes the fancy paving, protected parking bays that guarantee on-street parking (instead of rush hour traffic lanes), pedestrian lighting, benches, trees, etc. The section from Spadina east to the start of the viaduct (bridge) at Breezehill will be landscaped like the … Continue reading Somerset Streetscaping Plan Unveiled

Preston street, somerset street, streetscaping, west wellington

Somerset Streetscaping Plan Unveiled

Westsideaction

After numerous meetings of stakeholders, the City and its consultants (Delcan) have come up with a proposed streetscaping plan for Somerset Street. It is excellent. Readers will recall that the West Wellie reconstruction got as far east as Spadina last year. Starting next month, more of Somerset will be dug up and new sewers and water installed, and then comes the fancy paving, protected parking bays that guarantee on-street parking (instead of rush hour traffic lanes), pedestrian lighting, benches, trees, etc. The section from Spadina east to the start of the viaduct (bridge) at Breezehill will be landscaped like the … Continue reading Somerset Streetscaping Plan Unveiled

pedestrians, streetscaping, west wellington3 Comments

Sidewalk Engineering

Westsideaction

I have some tolerance for dilapidated infrastructure in the city. Not everything can be perfect. And I rationalize away some of the puddles at crosswalks as being products of 60 year old roads, old neighborhoods, etc. This makes it doubly disappointing to discover that sometimes newly rebuilt roads and sidewalks are no better. The photo above is at the corner near Billy’s Appliances on Richmond Road, beside Our Lady of the Condos. Yes, it is the final pavement, the catch basins were not unusually blocked (anymore than they are designed to be) … its just that the sidewalk at the corner … Continue reading Sidewalk Engineering

pedestrians, streetscaping, west wellington

Sidewalk Engineering

Westsideaction

I have some tolerance for dilapidated infrastructure in the city. Not everything can be perfect. And I rationalize away some of the puddles at crosswalks as being products of 60 year old roads, old neighborhoods, etc. This makes it doubly disappointing to discover that sometimes newly rebuilt roads and sidewalks are no better. The photo above is at the corner near Billy’s Appliances on Richmond Road, beside Our Lady of the Condos. Yes, it is the final pavement, the catch basins were not unusually blocked (anymore than they are designed to be) … its just that the sidewalk at the corner … Continue reading Sidewalk Engineering

Preston street, somerset street, streetscaping, west wellington

On Streetscaping (iii) Street Lighting

Westsideaction

The street lighting problem … Currently streets are uniformly lit for the benefit of vehicles in the centre of the road. Lighting intensity may increase at certain intersections. Sidewalks and pedestrians may be in the shadow of vehicles and trees. They do not have lighting levels set to meet their needs or to establish a pleasant urban walking environment. Too much lighting is just as bad as too little lighting if it creates a harsh and unwelcoming environment. Street lights are usually located at a regular distance apart and uniformly set back behind the sidewalk or along the curb. For … Continue reading On Streetscaping (iii) Street Lighting

somerset street, streetscaping, west wellington

The Pattern Under Foot

Westsideaction

Picture 1 shows sidewalk pavers laid on West Wellington in 2009. The pattern repeats often, with the joint lines lining up in long straight lines. The manufacturer’s instructions caution against this pattern, as the eye sees the long lines. Almost the same pattern, laid along West Wellington in 2008 contracts. The pattern is very similar to the top picture, but there are no long lines. Every few meters, the blocks jog a bit to break up the distracting line pattern. I find this a much more pleasing pattern. Does anyone think this matters? Continue reading The Pattern Under Foot