Category: streetscaping

Boston, streetscaping1 Comment

Rememberance of people & things past …

Westsideaction

In Cambridge MA this neighbourhood commemorates people with signs. Virtually every corner was named after someone. A veteran. A resident. Nothing special was done the corner to designate it a “square” as far as I could see, it was still the small inner city intersection of two residential streets. But it certainly gave an amazing sense of history, of continuity, of neighbourhood, of topophilia, to the area. There were individuals here before you, who made a difference. Who were they? If I was doing this in my west side neighborhood, I think signs honouring residents would be the start, but … Continue reading Rememberance of people & things past …

Boston, streetscaping

Rememberance of people & things past …

Westsideaction

In Cambridge MA this neighbourhood commemorates people with signs. Virtually every corner was named after someone. A veteran. A resident. Nothing special was done the corner to designate it a “square” as far as I could see, it was still the small inner city intersection of two residential streets. But it certainly gave an amazing sense of history, of continuity, of neighbourhood, of topophilia, to the area. There were individuals here before you, who made a difference. Who were they? If I was doing this in my west side neighborhood, I think signs honouring residents would be the start, but … Continue reading Rememberance of people & things past …

streetscaping3 Comments

Beneath our feet

Westsideaction

This inlaid paver pattern on Kent Street in front of the Hudson condo towers shows how a simple design can be effective for pedestrians and viewers from upper floors of the condos. Most refreshingly, it broke out of the normal square patterns usually used, where some different coloured or textured blocks are substituted for others to make a pattern that keeps the overall rectilinear rigidity inherent in the blocks. In this pattern, the base blocks were laid over the whole area and then a saw cut was made in curvilinear pattern for the constrasting dark blocks to be inserted. Iregular shaped … Continue reading Beneath our feet

streetscaping

Beneath our feet

Westsideaction

This inlaid paver pattern on Kent Street in front of the Hudson condo towers shows how a simple design can be effective for pedestrians and viewers from upper floors of the condos. Most refreshingly, it broke out of the normal square patterns usually used, where some different coloured or textured blocks are substituted for others to make a pattern that keeps the overall rectilinear rigidity inherent in the blocks. In this pattern, the base blocks were laid over the whole area and then a saw cut was made in curvilinear pattern for the constrasting dark blocks to be inserted. Iregular shaped … Continue reading Beneath our feet

cycling in Ottawa, streetscaping2 Comments

Street closures unfriendly to cyclists

Westsideaction

This is a typical street closure in Ottawa. Closed to cars … open to pedestrians … and closed to cyclists?  Cyclists approaching this particular barrier on Spruce Street can choose to ride on the sidewalk (naughty naughty) or squeeze through the centre bollard or side spaces (provided no one is parked close). Why not remove the centre bollards and let cyclists carry on through? Yes, I know some motorbikes would go through too (they already do, on the sidewalk, I watch them daily do this on the Elm closure on the next block). Continue reading Street closures unfriendly to cyclists

cycling in Ottawa, streetscaping

Street closures unfriendly to cyclists

Westsideaction

This is a typical street closure in Ottawa. Closed to cars … open to pedestrians … and closed to cyclists?  Cyclists approaching this particular barrier on Spruce Street can choose to ride on the sidewalk (naughty naughty) or squeeze through the centre bollard or side spaces (provided no one is parked close). Why not remove the centre bollards and let cyclists carry on through? Yes, I know some motorbikes would go through too (they already do, on the sidewalk, I watch them daily do this on the Elm closure on the next block). Continue reading Street closures unfriendly to cyclists

Bronson, streetscaping5 Comments

Bronson deja vu all over again

Westsideaction

Last night was the second PAC (Public Advisory Committee) meeting on Bronson. After the hard time the city planners and consultants got at the first meeting in April, the May meeting disappeared in favour of a mid-June date. The city and consultants got ideas from the public (me: the Bronson 2 lane plus two way left turn lane model) and the community associations (2 lanes plus turn lanes at intersections, a livable streets model that has worked so well for fixing roads with similar volumes in Toronto) and a lot of pressure from the Councillor to do better. So they came out … Continue reading Bronson deja vu all over again

Bronson, streetscaping

Bronson deja vu all over again

Westsideaction

Last night was the second PAC (Public Advisory Committee) meeting on Bronson. After the hard time the city planners and consultants got at the first meeting in April, the May meeting disappeared in favour of a mid-June date. The city and consultants got ideas from the public (me: the Bronson 2 lane plus two way left turn lane model) and the community associations (2 lanes plus turn lanes at intersections, a livable streets model that has worked so well for fixing roads with similar volumes in Toronto) and a lot of pressure from the Councillor to do better. So they came out … Continue reading Bronson deja vu all over again

hintonburg, streetscaping1 Comment

Great for dog walkers

Westsideaction

On Spadina Avenue in Hintonburg, as it approaches West Wellie, the city has planted trees on both sides of the street right on the centreline of the concrete sidewalk that runs up the rest of the street. The black post in the foreground is a bike rack that also serves to protect trees from plows, etc. I find it curious that with all the spare space off to the side, the tree was planted in the direct line of the sidewalk. Are trendy Hintonburgers all so thin they can slip by this tree? Do they all walk dogs? Are the … Continue reading Great for dog walkers

hintonburg, streetscaping

Great for dog walkers

Westsideaction

On Spadina Avenue in Hintonburg, as it approaches West Wellie, the city has planted trees on both sides of the street right on the centreline of the concrete sidewalk that runs up the rest of the street. The black post in the foreground is a bike rack that also serves to protect trees from plows, etc. I find it curious that with all the spare space off to the side, the tree was planted in the direct line of the sidewalk. Are trendy Hintonburgers all so thin they can slip by this tree? Do they all walk dogs? Are the … Continue reading Great for dog walkers

streetscaping1 Comment

Collatoral damage

Westsideaction

On May 3rd, new shrubs and trees for Preston are stockpiled near the street. Note especially the trees in the background. On May 7, the shrubs and trees are planted at the corner of Primrose. Note the Bell person hole in the sidewalk. May 10th, Bell removed the planted material and leaves them on the side of the adjacent building, bare roots exposed, no pots, facing south. The greenery fades … Bell “restores” the site. Dead shrubs removed. Note the mulch area is compressed by the steel plates that were stored there. Some rose bushes of the “pancake” variety remain. … Continue reading Collatoral damage

streetscaping

Collatoral damage

Westsideaction

On May 3rd, new shrubs and trees for Preston are stockpiled near the street. Note especially the trees in the background. On May 7, the shrubs and trees are planted at the corner of Primrose. Note the Bell person hole in the sidewalk. May 10th, Bell removed the planted material and leaves them on the side of the adjacent building, bare roots exposed, no pots, facing south. The greenery fades … Bell “restores” the site. Dead shrubs removed. Note the mulch area is compressed by the steel plates that were stored there. Some rose bushes of the “pancake” variety remain. … Continue reading Collatoral damage

Bronson, streetscaping3 Comments

Another Bronson Plan

Westsideaction

Members of the Dalhousie and Centretown community associations met to create a suggested Bronson layout that would be a first step to creating a more liveable street.  Here are my notes on the proposal for a new Bronson between Albert and Gladstone:  Drawing up a plan by ourselves has certain disadvantages — we cannot estimate turn lane lengths, for example. But we are suggesting these things to the planning group in an effort to get started on a plan that might, with tweaking, be acceptable to the neighborhood and many stakeholders. First, let’s differentiate this plan from the one recently … Continue reading Another Bronson Plan

Bronson, streetscaping

Another Bronson Plan

Westsideaction

Members of the Dalhousie and Centretown community associations met to create a suggested Bronson layout that would be a first step to creating a more liveable street.  Here are my notes on the proposal for a new Bronson between Albert and Gladstone:  Drawing up a plan by ourselves has certain disadvantages — we cannot estimate turn lane lengths, for example. But we are suggesting these things to the planning group in an effort to get started on a plan that might, with tweaking, be acceptable to the neighborhood and many stakeholders. First, let’s differentiate this plan from the one recently … Continue reading Another Bronson Plan

Carling Ave, streetscaping13 Comments

Caring about Carling

Westsideaction

Last night was the first Public Advisory Committee (PAC) meeting for the Carling Avenue reconstruction project from the O-Train to Bronson Avenue. Scheduled for 2011, its for a complete rebuild of the street: new sewers, water mains, dozens of cable and gas pipes, curbs, sidewalks, lighting…everything. The handout emphasized the following priorities in this order: pedestrian, cycling, transit, vehicle. Of course, the the Technical Adisory Committee (TAC) had first whack at the project and they specified two through lanes in each direction, a bus lane, a cycling lane,very generous turn lanes, etc etc all of which exceeds the available right of … Continue reading Caring about Carling

Carling Ave, streetscaping

Caring about Carling

Westsideaction

Last night was the first Public Advisory Committee (PAC) meeting for the Carling Avenue reconstruction project from the O-Train to Bronson Avenue. Scheduled for 2011, its for a complete rebuild of the street: new sewers, water mains, dozens of cable and gas pipes, curbs, sidewalks, lighting…everything. The handout emphasized the following priorities in this order: pedestrian, cycling, transit, vehicle. Of course, the the Technical Adisory Committee (TAC) had first whack at the project and they specified two through lanes in each direction, a bus lane, a cycling lane,very generous turn lanes, etc etc all of which exceeds the available right of … Continue reading Caring about Carling

streetscaping4 Comments

Of Mascots and Marketing

Westsideaction

Preston Street BIA in a brilliant marketing stroke invented Luigi, a mascot for their signage during the reconstruction years. He was certainly popular. People got out of their cars to take their picture with him. Bluesfest goers gathered round the signs for group photos. The volunteer T-shirts at last-year’s Italian festival said Luigi’s Security or something similar. Perhaps coincidentally, I noticed this Luigi doll on a doorstep. Yet, the street seems strangely lonely now,  without his face on banners and signs. I think he should be given new life. He adds personality to the street. In a related vein, I saw … Continue reading Of Mascots and Marketing

streetscaping

Of Mascots and Marketing

Westsideaction

Preston Street BIA in a brilliant marketing stroke invented Luigi, a mascot for their signage during the reconstruction years. He was certainly popular. People got out of their cars to take their picture with him. Bluesfest goers gathered round the signs for group photos. The volunteer T-shirts at last-year’s Italian festival said Luigi’s Security or something similar. Perhaps coincidentally, I noticed this Luigi doll on a doorstep. Yet, the street seems strangely lonely now,  without his face on banners and signs. I think he should be given new life. He adds personality to the street. In a related vein, I saw … Continue reading Of Mascots and Marketing

pedestrians, Preston street, streetscaping

Sidewalk sales

Westsideaction

One of the purposes of the new wider sidewalks on traditional mainstreets is to encourage merchants to display merchandise outside, which enlivens the environment with changing displays. Recently, Preston Hardware has started taking advantage of the very wide sidewalk in front of their store. Part of the display is pretty ordinary hardware stuff: wheelbarrows, lawnmowers. The BBQ on a stone-faced cabinet is more different, and reflects the trend to “outdoor kitchens”, although a visit to any of the remaining Italian households in the neighborhood will reveal a kitchen in the garage for summer cooking and pickling. There is a house … Continue reading Sidewalk sales

pedestrians, Preston street, streetscaping

Sidewalk sales

Westsideaction

One of the purposes of the new wider sidewalks on traditional mainstreets is to encourage merchants to display merchandise outside, which enlivens the environment with changing displays. Recently, Preston Hardware has started taking advantage of the very wide sidewalk in front of their store. Part of the display is pretty ordinary hardware stuff: wheelbarrows, lawnmowers. The BBQ on a stone-faced cabinet is more different, and reflects the trend to “outdoor kitchens”, although a visit to any of the remaining Italian households in the neighborhood will reveal a kitchen in the garage for summer cooking and pickling. There is a house … Continue reading Sidewalk sales

cycling in Ottawa, somerset street, streetscaping3 Comments

Cycling Progress

Westsideaction

The Public Advisory Group for the proposed downtown-area segregated cycling track meet last night. It’s a diverse group including 3 BIA’s (Chinatown BIA, Somerset Village BIA, Bank St BIA), two community associations (DCA, CCA), cycling advocacy groups (Cycle Vision Ottawa, Citizens for Safe Cycling), politicians former and current, etc. City planners unveiled the route choices and the criteria they used to narrow the list down to a smaller set of five leading options. They applied a numerical rating scheme to winnow the choices, which came in for a lot of discussion. The selection remains somewhat arbitrary and contestable. The most … Continue reading Cycling Progress

cycling in Ottawa, somerset street, streetscaping

Cycling Progress

Westsideaction

The Public Advisory Group for the proposed downtown-area segregated cycling track meet last night. It’s a diverse group including 3 BIA’s (Chinatown BIA, Somerset Village BIA, Bank St BIA), two community associations (DCA, CCA), cycling advocacy groups (Cycle Vision Ottawa, Citizens for Safe Cycling), politicians former and current, etc. City planners unveiled the route choices and the criteria they used to narrow the list down to a smaller set of five leading options. They applied a numerical rating scheme to winnow the choices, which came in for a lot of discussion. The selection remains somewhat arbitrary and contestable. The most … Continue reading Cycling Progress

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