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With winter finally upon us, we reflect on some of the recent changes to Toronto's communities discussed in the 'Neighbourhood Node' threads in UT’s Forums. While ongoing development and transit within Toronto and the GTA is very actively dissected in our well-known ‘Buildings’ and ‘Transportation & Infrastructure’ threads, Neighbourhood Node offers a more community-oriented perspective of civic discourse.
Complementing the discussions of built from that dominate our Buildings threads, lively conversations about new businesses and restaurants, community consultations, and neighbourhood politics are among the many issues discussed in UT’s Neighbourhood Node Forum. Today, we'll highlight some of the recent discussions our Forum’s 27,311 members have had across Neighbourhood Nodes’ 144 area-specific threads.
The changing city, image by UT Forum contributor ileetoa
Recent discussions in the Corso Italia thread have centered around changes to the business composition near the southeast corner of St. Clair and Dufferin. Small retailers have shut down to make way for a Shopper’s Drug Market, while established business such as Toronto’s Bar & Grill, Bella Boutique, and La Boutiques, have also recently closed or moved to make way for new retail. These changes underline discussion in our Corso Italia Forum regarding the ongoing gentrification within Corso Italia and its impact on older 'mom and pop' stores.
Late night snack and grocery staple Freshmart on the northwest corner of Church and Maitland in the Church and Wellesley area has closed; reports from our readers indicate that the convenience store will relocate from its central location in the Village to Bloor Street. Readers in the thread have also shared the recently approved proposal for Axis Condos 411 Church Street, which UT reported on prior to its November 24th approval. The project is just one of the many proposed and under construction residential properties and developments within the area that our readers have hotly debated in recent years.
A view of Yonge and Eglinton, image by Jack Landau
There continues to be debate on what type of development will replace the recently announced tear down of the old Eglinton Station bus terminal in Midtown Toronto. It has long been the subject of debate; readers in the thread have been discussing whether the formerly City of Toronto owned property will be redeveloped as a site of mixed use development or whether it will—or should—be developed as park space. The Eglinton Station bus terminal is part of a longer discussion in the Midtown Toronto thread regarding changes to the stretch between Yonge and Mt. Pleasant on Eglinton Avenue East and the influence of new commercial and residential development on the area's streetscape and character.
Riverdale's thread has recently announced the addition of several new businesses on the Danforth. Orangetheory Fitness and Cafe Florentina have been announced and will be located adjacent to Danforth and Arundal, which will replace the relocated East End favourite It’s My Party, while Piccadilly Delicatessen will open at Danforth and Carlaw, where Absolute Bakery was located.
These are just some of the recent posts in our lively Neighbourhood Node Forum; be sure to check out recent updates to the West Don Lands, St. Lawrence, the Distillery District and Yorkville threads, in addition to the UT Forum’s discussions surrounding retail, real estate, and Toronto politics. Not a member yet? Sign up here to be active in discussing changes and updates to your neighbourhood and the city at large!
