Category: streetscaping

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 …

Dalhousie, somerset street, streetscaping

Flower Power

Westsideaction

The Dalhousie Community Assoc. installed and maintains the garden in front of the Dalhousie Community Centre (shown in the background) on Somerset street (thanks to Ida the gardener!) There is a constant stream of people passing the garden who pause to admire it. It brings a smile to so many people. Flower power builds communities. When the photographer turned around, she saw me taking a picture of her taking a picture. When I turned, I saw her friends taking a picture of me taking a picture of her. This is what we saw: The tulip festival in Ottawa starts today. Continue reading Flower Power

Dalhousie, somerset street, streetscaping

Flower Power

Westsideaction

The Dalhousie Community Assoc. installed and maintains the garden in front of the Dalhousie Community Centre (shown in the background) on Somerset street (thanks to Ida the gardener!) There is a constant stream of people passing the garden who pause to admire it. It brings a smile to so many people. Flower power builds communities. When the photographer turned around, she saw me taking a picture of her taking a picture. When I turned, I saw her friends taking a picture of me taking a picture of her. This is what we saw: The tulip festival in Ottawa starts today. Continue reading Flower Power

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

Chinatown, somerset street, streetscaping2 Comments

The friendly streets of west side Ottawa

Westsideaction

Outside this never-quite-finished rona-vating house, an impromtu living room has appeared on the city boulevard. Your seating choice: floral sofa … or mod leather armchair? Or mid-century modern plastic chairs set out especially for Robert? The pink carpet marks the residents as breast-cancer savy. There are even coffee tables for your … coffee, sometimes served in unique stubby brown glass cups. I love it, if only because it would never work in Orleans or Barrhaven. Now, to wander down one block . . . In contrast to the informal sidewalk enhancement on Cambridge, is this corner lot at Somerset/Bell. The manufactured stone … Continue reading The friendly streets of west side Ottawa

Lisgar Street, streetscaping

Fence me in…

Westsideaction

Along Lisgar Street, this condo association is widening the sidewalk by about two feet with their own paving of small cobbles. They have also installed a manufactured rustic stone curb about 6″ high which will protect the garden area from wandering feet and parked cycles. Here is the new pavers at the front condo entrance. A little bit further along the street, is this new front yard landscaping: The brick pavers are more formal. The new fence is attractive, but also quite high. The situation is different from the first condo, as there is a thriving row of foundation shrubs … Continue reading Fence me in…

Chinatown, somerset street, streetscaping

The friendly streets of west side Ottawa

Westsideaction

Outside this never-quite-finished rona-vating house, an impromtu living room has appeared on the city boulevard. Your seating choice: floral sofa … or mod leather armchair? Or mid-century modern plastic chairs set out especially for Robert? The pink carpet marks the residents as breast-cancer savy. There are even coffee tables for your … coffee, sometimes served in unique stubby brown glass cups. I love it, if only because it would never work in Orleans or Barrhaven. Now, to wander down one block . . . In contrast to the informal sidewalk enhancement on Cambridge, is this corner lot at Somerset/Bell. The manufactured stone … Continue reading The friendly streets of west side Ottawa

Lisgar Street, streetscaping

Fence me in…

Westsideaction

Along Lisgar Street, this condo association is widening the sidewalk by about two feet with their own paving of small cobbles. They have also installed a manufactured rustic stone curb about 6″ high which will protect the garden area from wandering feet and parked cycles. Here is the new pavers at the front condo entrance. A little bit further along the street, is this new front yard landscaping: The brick pavers are more formal. The new fence is attractive, but also quite high. The situation is different from the first condo, as there is a thriving row of foundation shrubs … Continue reading Fence me in…

Preston street, streetscaping4 Comments

Sidewalk Life, Sidewalk Patios

Westsideaction

One of the key arguments the Preston BIA made for wider sidewalks throughout its territory was to permit sidewalk patios. These enliven the streets, put people on the sidewalks for hours at a time, and promote the sort of spontaneous interactions that make city life enjoyable and that are simply not possible in drive-everywhere-by-car “suburban” lifestyles. Much of Preston Street is predominately commercial in flavour, especially to the south end. Residences are still scattered amongst the businesses, and upstairs “above the store”.  But in the north end of the street, it is predominantly residential at ground floor and above, with … Continue reading Sidewalk Life, Sidewalk Patios

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

Preston street, streetscaping

Sidewalk Life, Sidewalk Patios

Westsideaction

One of the key arguments the Preston BIA made for wider sidewalks throughout its territory was to permit sidewalk patios. These enliven the streets, put people on the sidewalks for hours at a time, and promote the sort of spontaneous interactions that make city life enjoyable and that are simply not possible in drive-everywhere-by-car “suburban” lifestyles. Much of Preston Street is predominately commercial in flavour, especially to the south end. Residences are still scattered amongst the businesses, and upstairs “above the store”.  But in the north end of the street, it is predominantly residential at ground floor and above, with … Continue reading Sidewalk Life, Sidewalk Patios

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

Bronson, streetscaping5 Comments

Bronson — stick to the status quo …

Westsideaction

The first meeting of the business advisory committee and the public advisory committee (BAC,PAC) meet with City officials and their consultants last night for the first time about the reconstruction of Bronson Avenue, which will take place in segments over the next few years and chew up $40million dollars. There was no issue with the need to replace the sewers and watermains, most of which date to the 1887-1907 period. The construction project itself will be major, with trenches up to 24′ deep and years of digging, dust, mud… The main focus was on what is put back on the … Continue reading Bronson — stick to the status quo …

Bronson, streetscaping

Bronson — stick to the status quo …

Westsideaction

The first meeting of the business advisory committee and the public advisory committee (BAC,PAC) meet with City officials and their consultants last night for the first time about the reconstruction of Bronson Avenue, which will take place in segments over the next few years and chew up $40million dollars. There was no issue with the need to replace the sewers and watermains, most of which date to the 1887-1907 period. The construction project itself will be major, with trenches up to 24′ deep and years of digging, dust, mud… The main focus was on what is put back on the … Continue reading Bronson — stick to the status quo …

somerset street, streetscaping2 Comments

Public Gardening

Westsideaction

These crocuses are blooming in the garden in front of the Plant Recreation Centre at the corner of Somerset and Preston Streets. The lovely garden at the corner was built, planted, and is maintained by community volunteers. It is on city-owned land. It illustrates the power of volunteer community action. Personally, I feel the City tries to do too much — too much of what I don’t want, and not enough of what I do want. And too much of what it shouldn’t be doing could be done perfectly well by others. Can you image the tax load if the … Continue reading Public Gardening

somerset street, streetscaping

Public Gardening

Westsideaction

These crocuses are blooming in the garden in front of the Plant Recreation Centre at the corner of Somerset and Preston Streets. The lovely garden at the corner was built, planted, and is maintained by community volunteers. It is on city-owned land. It illustrates the power of volunteer community action. Personally, I feel the City tries to do too much — too much of what I don’t want, and not enough of what I do want. And too much of what it shouldn’t be doing could be done perfectly well by others. Can you image the tax load if the … Continue reading Public Gardening