Jo Williams

Location

Joined

February, 2022

Recent Activity

Commented on Engage East Harbour 1 year, 7 months ago
Perhaps traffic can go underground while passing through the site? I would rather this district to be exclusively for people. I also think built form, cultural programming, entertainment, artist studios and green space are key themes I want to be discussed
Commented on Engage East Harbour 1 year, 7 months ago
Mix of Uses
Commented on Engage East Harbour 1 year, 7 months ago
Interested in using the services in the area
Supported a comment by mike gohl on Engage East Harbour 1 year, 7 months ago
mike gohl
Being the size that it is, this is a once in a generation kind of development for Toronto and there is only one shot to make it right. Adequate cultural facilities, entertainment, and year-round amenities and events will contribute to a successful development. Consider East Harbour as part of the 'city of neighbourhoods' identity that Toronto is most proud of. East Harbour should be distinct & should rival popular central business districts across the world and be a central spine for the east-end. Consider hosting an international design competition for buildings (being that once these are built, there is no way to go back and change it so let's aim high, be creative and perhaps a little edgy). the 2150 lakeshore development is inspiring in colour, built form and pedestrian scale.. see design as something of value and something that needs to be strongly considered. I'm trying to fit everything into 250 words here, but world-class cities have an 'it' district where all of the most exciting and groundbreaking industries, nightlife, shopping action happens. In London, you have Oxford street as well as 'shoreditch' which proves how culture can revitalise neighbourhoods and cities..in New York you have Tribeca or soho, in Seoul you have gangnam, in Tokyo you have Shinjuku or shibuya... Toronto will and can benefit from a major cultural district that will bring Toronto off of the national stage to the world stage. I like to dream big, I know.
Supported a comment by Cairns Deleway on Engage East Harbour 1 year, 7 months ago
Cairns Deleway
Nightlife. Young people in Toronto want more options that don't close so early. A way to keep East Harbour afloat past 5pm is to bring in a wide range of bars, clubs and cultural options that go through the night. Knowing Torontonians, I know noise is going to be a concern, so look at ways venues can reduce noise through insulation or certain design elements. We have to remember we are in a large city, a noise is inevitable. We have lost over a dozen music venues because of the pandemic, it is at a dire situation for us in the music/entertainment industry. The cultural industries are the hardest hit industry and it expected to take the longest to recover. Ensure East Harbour can accommodate a large number of these types of establishments to position Toronto as a competitive place to 'have fun'. Unfortunately, Montreal is the cultural capital of Canada... but East Harbour should seek to challenge this. Retail should be unique, focusing on shops that you wouldn't normally find in other retail districts downtown. Perhaps local designers, or international designers looking to open a staple Canadian location. Please ensure Live music and live performance is engrained in East Harbour's DNA, as well as give opportunities to artists/buskers being pushed out of Toronto.
Supported a comment by Paul Y on Engage East Harbour 1 year, 7 months ago
Paul Y
It seems Mayor Tory is silent on this and is by default, siding with the Premier. If no one speaks up, there will be no planning - no public benefits, no affordability, minimal parks, no schools, etc. City staff and our elected reps have been pushed aside by the Province. Who is doing the negotiating for community and City benefits? Sadly, this is an developer-planned MZO according to staff, see pg 2 https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/ph/bgrd/backgroundfile-168262.pdf