DEVELOPMENT IN OUR COMMUNITY

Background information:

• The JRA has been advocating for an avenue or area study, including heritage, that would meaningfully engage impacted residents and businesses.

• Parkdale, Roncesvalles and Bloor West Village have had such studies done, paid for by the City. The Junction has not. Planning Studies – City of Toronto

• In early  2020, during the City of Toronto’s budget consultation process, the Junction Residents Association with the support of 3 neighbouring residents associations, formally requested an avenue study along Dundas Street (between Jane and Humberside). The request was rejected; no room in the budget was the reason given.

• Design Your Main Street is inspired by the recent Avenue Road Safety Coalitions’ commissioning of Brown and Storey Architects to prepare a report: Concepts for expanding the public realm on Avenue Road 

Purpose of the Project:

Design Your Main Street will provide a platform for the community to have a voice, given the emerging pressures in the Junction and the impending changes to the physical landscape. The focus of the project is to capture what we value as a community and retain the services of professionals for a design/study of Dundas. This design/study will give us an effective tool to lobby the Councillor's office to inform the Official Plan policies that impact our community. The project will also seek to identify opportunities to make streetscape improvements.

Why Should the Community Pay for an “Avenue Study”?:

• While neighbouring areas have had this funded by the City of Toronto, the Junction’s request was denied because of the City’s inability to fund it now.

• To illustrate what we want Dundas Street to look like.

• Prepares the community for responding to development proposals.

• Provides a consensus among members about what they would like to see.

• Can be used as a tool by the City to inform policies that impact our neighbourhood.

Projected Cost to Complete Project:

Total: $30, 000

Architectural services to:

• engage the community and review feedback from residents

• prepare for and facilitate a community charrette (meeting to identify aspirations of the community).

• produce the design for Dundas Street.

Projected cost is an estimate, based on similar studies. A request for proposals will be issued and the final project budget will be set and reported on a quarterly basis to the JRA board. Full annual financial statements will be found at www.torontojra.com.

Funding of the Project:

Design Your Main Street fundraising campaign:  The funds raised through this campaign will be earmarked for the implementation of the Design Your Main Street Project. Any money raised above the cost of retaining the services of professionals will be used towards streetscape improvements in the community (these streetscape improvements will be decided on in collaboration with the JRA membership).