Jess Foran

Location

Joined

September, 2021

Recent Activity

Supported a comment by Oliver Turner on Engage East Harbour 1 year, 8 months ago
Oliver Turner
Parks, restaurants, cafes and a grocery store will all attract people to the area and inject life and local energy into the new development. Do not repeat city place, where uninteresting, chain stores and fast food did not create a culture people wanted to stay in (initially they all headed north to Queen/King).
Supported a comment by Alex Lo on Engage East Harbour 1 year, 8 months ago
Alex Lo
We deserve better architecture in the city. I am tired of generic blue/green-glass towers that all look identical. Please ensure there is unique cladding, and focus on how towers can look very different from each other. In downtown and Yonge- Eglinton all of the buildings look virtually the same. Please do not repeat this lazy thinking when it comes to design - please hire more diverse architects, don't just use the same one for all of the buildings. See design as something that uplifts us and enhances our sense of place. Visitors will be drawn to a district with out of the box design thinking.
Supported a comment by Matthew C on Engage East Harbour 1 year, 8 months ago
Matthew C
I am concerned that the 50,000 square feet of cultural space is not going to suit the demand in the right ways. It is important to establish a more clear definition of what that means and who it applies to; i.e. Cultural events and exhibition spaces are one thing, but that also is different from the need for maker-spaces or individual studio spaces which the city lacks and is also different from retail spaces open to the public like galleries and venues. Beyond just event spaces, try to think about cultural spaces and need for revenue generating creative industries in the office towers. Don't pool all of the creative uses in the 50,000 sq ft cultural space category as it could limit creative potential for the city and the vibrancy of the neighbourhood. The last thing I want defined is: What is culture? What categories does that entail? Culinary/food is considered culture, the arts are another portion, but so are small artisan shops, as well as non-conventional spots like a barber or tailor. Culture is now expanding its bounds and I wish there to be a more open definition of what cultural experiences could mean. If there are pilot projects in Toronto where we see live music on patios outside and inside cafes and restaurants, perhaps definition and expansion of cultural experience can be explored and intermingled. Maybe cultural space could be creatively maximized in these facets.
Supported a comment by Gene B on Engage East Harbour 1 year, 8 months ago
Gene B
There are a lot of comments that mention arts and culture, and affordability. I wholeheartedly agree with them. Here is an idea: provide a FREE space to any person or organization willing to set up an event or "happening". Obviously, some organization should manage the space and allocate it according to some criteria: maximum number of days (3, maybe), non-profit nature of the event, and events chosen for their originality, appeal, etc. The managing organization could get the space rent-free in exchange for managing it and making it available at no cost to applicants at least 150 days a year, for ex.
Supported a comment by Paul Y on Engage East Harbour 1 year, 8 months ago
Paul Y
Agree. Some will be drawn to this development, note that about 1/2 the units will likely be bought by investors. https://storeys.com/toronto-condos-investor-owned/ While this may be great for mortgage lenders, developers and consultants it doesn't guarantee good design or "community building" will be big priorities.
Supported a comment by Eli D on Engage East Harbour 1 year, 8 months ago
Eli D
It's so true, everything you said. They don't care, they are just here to make a profit and it is likely that all of these comments are going to be ignored how they usually are. And we are the bad guys whose voices are brushed under the table because we "oppose the development". I don't oppose anything, but I am tired of seeing all of these issues about design and culture and affordability being swept under the rug. No developer is able to sit back and say their development has flaws because they realistically are just there in the interim following orders. We're just thinking several boxy blue/green glass towers with an ok spandrel, nothing too out of the box, nothing too progressive.. okay, yep boss, whatever you say... and the trend repeats itself. Canary wharf, Hudson yards, south core they all follow the same principle of being a corporate and soulless lacklustre downtown. What is staggering is that even after designing all of these districts, there is countless criticism that Cadillac Fairview or Adamson never learn from. Multiple articles, videos and comments on websites are proof that people tend to stay away from these kinds of developments. Countless people have asked about arts, quality and forward-thinking design, but nope, the renderings are bland as usual. It's tasteless and we'll just have to sit back and watch the developer go with what they know, resisting the urge to challenge the binary and create a memorable district known by the world.