Brickworks Project is a go!

[bigcityboy]

I know it's not a skyscraper, but this is from today's Star:

Ottawa gives $20M to Brickworks
December 20, 2006
Christopher Hume
Staff Reporter

The federal government’s new-found interest in Toronto and the environment paid off today to the tune of $20 million.

The money will go to Evergreen at the Brickworks, a $55-million project that will see the 16-hectare former industrial site, west of Bayview Ave. and south of Pottery Rd., transformed into a mixed-use complex that will be a model of heritage preservation and sustainable development.

Federal finance minister Jim Flaherty and Lawrence Cannon, minister of transport, infrastructure and communities, were on hand to make the announcement.

Conspicuous in their absence were federal environment minister Rona Ambrose, Toronto mayor David Miller and a representative of the provincial government, which has pledged $10 million to the scheme.

Though detailed designs won’t be ready until next spring, they will include a farmers’ market, restaurants, school programs, a performance space, demonstration gardens, a plant nursery, nature trails, wetlands and meadows.
The 15 heritage buildings on the property will also be cleaned up and re-used.
Active between 1889 and 1984, the site was one of the largest brick works in Canada. It produced up to 42 million bricks annually.

In its new incarnation, however, it will be a showcase of environmentalism and of nature in the city.

Construction is expected to begin in a year and be finished early in 2008.

[Taller, Better]

"The federal government’s new-found interest in Toronto"

Gosh, do you think it has anything to do with the last polls that showed
Ontario dumping the neo-cons for the fiberal party? I hope every week the polls get worse in Ontario for Harper's party. I will try not to look a
gift horse in the mouth, so I'll say I am happy they are returning a small part
of the taxes they have filched relentlessly from us for this VERY worthy project! :)

[Fedekovic]

Well firstly, I'm glad that something is being done with the Brickworks. But more than anything, I'm pleased that they aren't going to butcher the building and add all sorts of tacky glass additions and that. It sounds like they are taking a purist approach to this project and are going to keep the building similar to it's roots while giving it new use.

[Waterloo_Guy]

Good news. I don't think it will be as successful as the Distillery due to location, but we'll see.

[bigcityboy]

It's great to see the site being developed, but unfortunately the whole concept sounds a bit...boring. It's just my opinion, but it sounds like the Distillery for the granola-eating, tree-hugging set.

But location shouldn't be an issue because they can hike, bike or drive their hybrid cars there to eat in the organic restaurants before sitting cross-legged in the performace space to watch modern dance numbers timed out to the sounds of laughing dolphins.

[Waterloo_Guy]

It's great to see the site being developed, but unfortunately the whole concept sounds a bit...boring. It's just my opinion, but it sounds like the Distillery for the granola-eating, tree-hugging set.

But location shouldn't be an issue because they can hike, bike or drive their hybrid cars there to eat in the organic restaurants before sitting cross-legged in the performace space to watch modern dance numbers timed out to the sounds of laughing dolphins.

Lol. Nicely put.

[InTheBeach]

It's great to see the site being developed, but unfortunately the whole concept sounds a bit...boring. It's just my opinion, but it sounds like the Distillery for the granola-eating, tree-hugging set.

But location shouldn't be an issue because they can hike, bike or drive their hybrid cars there to eat in the organic restaurants before sitting cross-legged in the performace space to watch modern dance numbers timed out to the sounds of laughing dolphins.

LOL! I'm guessing bigcityboy doesn't live in the big city.

Most people in this big city value the behaviours/ideals being mocked.

[Taller, Better]

The brickworks only has a few buildings left, whereas the Distillery has a whole little community so it is comparing apples to oranges. BUT, the area around the brickworks is SPECTACULARILY beautiful, and the buildings that exist are significant. It is a very important part of Toronto's history.
I am VERY happy to see this going ahead!! :)

[Fedekovic]

Most people in this big city value the behaviours/ideals being mocked.

Hardly, I've lived in Toronto my whole life and I would not describe Torontonians as granola bar eating, vegetarian, hybrid car driving environmentalists. I can't really think of any big cities like that. Sure, there are the ones that like to bicycle to work and kudos to them but the vast majority as still part of the "driving my Suburban to work" and "dining on 12 oz. steaks" group.

[Taller, Better]

Well, I ride a bike, but I have also never said "no" to a 12 oz steak! :yes:

[camel_trainer]

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmSTEAK.



It's weird how sometimes a project will get funding seemingly out of the blue like this. I'm sure there was some knowledge of this one, but it was certainly not on my radar.

I can't put my finger on what they would be right at the moment, but I feel like there are other things the city considered more important than this. Why was this one given the go-ahead?


Back to steak, Whelan's (pub) at Bloor and Keele makes a great steak that comes with fries but I recommend the mashed potatoes and gravy as a sub. It's only around 15 bucks but it is absolutely delicious. Great value. Best ~15 dollar steak I've ever had. Tasty coleslaw on the side too.

[SD]

It's great to see the site being developed, but unfortunately the whole concept sounds a bit...boring. It's just my opinion, but it sounds like the Distillery for the granola-eating, tree-hugging set.

But location shouldn't be an issue because they can hike, bike or drive their hybrid cars there to eat in the organic restaurants before sitting cross-legged in the performace space to watch modern dance numbers timed out to the sounds of laughing dolphins.

You make it seem as though such people are a bad thing.

More people like this and the world would be a better place.

[bigcityboy]

As a non car owning, bike riding or transit taking, recycling freak who always shops locally, I totally agree. My comment was simply an abundance of cliches linked together to provide a moment of levity...a joke. If it offended you, I apologize.

[camel_trainer]

As a non car owning, bike riding or transit taking, recycling freak who always shops locally, I totally agree. My comment was simply an abundance of cliches linked together to provide a moment of levity...a joke. If it offended you, I apologize.

I HATE recyclers.

[bigcityboy]

Don't jump down his throat, SD. That, too, was a joke. And a funny one at that.

[Nihilist]

This is good news; I just hope it doesn't facilitate an attempt to cut those dastardly mountain bikers out of using the site. 'Downhilling' on the east slope may become out of the question with increased usage, if you've got the onions in the first place, but I do enjoy ripping through the site on my way to the Don trails.

[ratoronto]

Evergreen is a great agency and a perfect fit for this project. Their plans look amazing.

[InTheBeach]

Hardly, I've lived in Toronto my whole life and I would not describe Torontonians as granola bar eating, vegetarian, hybrid car driving environmentalists. I can't really think of any big cities like that. Sure, there are the ones that like to bicycle to work and kudos to them but the vast majority as still part of the "driving my Suburban to work" and "dining on 12 oz. steaks" group.

More evidence that there is more than one Toronto.

Clearly you live in "To-ron-to". I live in "Te-rah-na". :)

[rbt]

I just hope it doesn't facilitate an attempt to cut those dastardly mountain bikers out of using the site. 'Downhilling' on the east slope may become out of the question with increased usage

Send a note to the organization handling the rebuild and see if they'll help turn it into an official bike trail.

[Fedekovic]

More evidence that there is more than one Toronto.

Clearly you live in "To-ron-to". I live in "Te-rah-na". :)

Actually, I live in "To-ron-no" I guess it is a bit of both.

I've lived in Downtown all my life... I'd still say the majority live the traditional American wasteful lifestyle.

[KGB]

I sorta liked the Brickworks the way it is...a bit of a hidden, unknown-to-most, little ruin off the beaten path. They had already done some nice landscaping there...nice spot for a break or picnic along a Don Valley bike ride. Don't know if I like the idea of turning it into a full-blown touristo attraction.

Funny it would be mocked as some kind of "tree-hugging" venue...it has road access and plenty of parking...but no public transit access at all. By that, it would seem more like a suburban style attraction to me.

Too bad they couldn't link it with the nearby Todmorden Mills, another old industrial spot in the Don Valley.

The Don Valley sure has grown over and gone wild over the years...I'm sure most people have no idea how bustling the valley was with people and industry prior to Hazel.





KGB

[DrT]

I sorta liked the Brickworks the way it is...a bit of a hidden, unknown-to-most, little ruin off the beaten path. They had already done some nice landscaping there...nice spot for a break or picnic along a Don Valley bike ride. Don't know if I like the idea of turning it into a full-blown touristo attraction. --KGB

Great point --- out of the way "neglected" places where one can find some semblance of solitude are harder and harder to find in urban areas.
The only place to walk my dog when I lived in St. Pete, Fl that wasn't in someone's front yard, was a big empty lot full of weeds and uncut grass owned by the hydro company that had a small power substation on it. Only place no one came out and yelled at me when my dog did his numero 2 there.
The ruins almost make it a mysterious place, especially good for kids. I hope the touristy aspect is very toned down in this redevelopment and alot of "wild' open space out of the 40 acres is left.

[Taller, Better]

I don't know how much they are going to be developing the property... I am thinking a fair amount of the money will be going to restore the buildings.

[SD]

As a non car owning, bike riding or transit taking, recycling freak who always shops locally, I totally agree. My comment was simply an abundance of cliches linked together to provide a moment of levity...a joke. If it offended you, I apologize.

Sorry, I had no idea you were joking.

Sarcasm can be difficult to detect on the Internet. Considering some of the stuff that's been posted on these boards, your comments seemed to be serious.

[InTheBeach]

As a non car owning, bike riding or transit taking, recycling freak who always shops locally, I totally agree. My comment was simply an abundance of cliches linked together to provide a moment of levity...a joke. If it offended you, I apologize.

OK. You have been accepted back into the bigcity granola club.