Northern Light said:
I have to confess, I do not get Toronto's overwhelming tendency with 'brick' roads, which is grey interlock that doesn't look even vaguely historical.

Toronto had brick roads, we know what they looked like, they were red brick.

We could get new ones made custom to match, by bulk ordering for two dozen streets.

But instead we pick Off-the-shelf/0ut-of-the-yard stuff that typically looks 'okay' but makes no sense in areas where we are aiming for a heritage vibe.

To sum up; much better than black top, yet still disappointing.
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It's quite annoying, but a requirement from Urban Design in order to minimize the heat island effect. Darker colours are not allowed. Love how Urban Design sucks all the fun and "Design" out of the city.



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Tuscani01 said:
It's quite annoying, but a requirement from Urban Design in order to minimize the heat island effect. Darker colours are not allowed. Love how Urban Design sucks all the fun and "Design" out of the city.



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Exempting heritage would have seemed reasonable at the least.

May I note as well, that if the City planted street trees properly, consistently, you can get nearly full canopy coverage over the road, at which point there is almost no thermal effect from daytime sun.

Of course, City staff would have to ensure the correct trees are planted, properly, in good soils, with good drainage, no compaction, preferably in pairs (or greater) sharing a soil volume of 80m3 or greater, with complimentary shrubs/ground covers.

They would also have to be positioned close to the curb, if you want achieve anything nearing full canopy in under 30 years.
 
I mean, I'm sure the average user of the space would be okay with bricks that aren't "historically accurate" if it means the climate is more comfortable...

Here (in NZ) a lot of the natural stone finishes are black volcanic rock. The unfortunate side effect is that on sunny days you can literally feel the heat radiating off of them.
 
reia said:
some photos from wednesday
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(didn't know how to re-use another poster's photo, so I attached it again below)

While much of the project is now in the stage of finalizing interiors, the "art installation" by Ian Wallace is only half-clad (on the right side of the photo). Two years ago we were discussing this here and nothing has changed. Could this be the actual finished product and the artist making a statement about the world? lol10987.jpg
 
So Markham being open to cars is, perhaps predictably, a disaster. I was talking with folks on Markham for about 3 minutes on the weekend, and had at least a dozen cars whizz by us in that short time, two of which honked at us for I guess not being sufficiently on the "sidewalk." Every one I watched just carried straight through the entire block, using it solely as a cut-through.

Feels like the City has no real sense of how Waze/Google Maps have ruined neighbourhoods in terms of how much new cut-through traffic they provoke; they need to permanently close Markham to through traffic.
 
ADRM said:
So Markham being open to cars is, perhaps predictably, a disaster. I was talking with folks on Markham for about 3 minutes on the weekend, and had at least a dozen cars whizz by us in that short time, two of which honked at us for I guess not being sufficiently on the "sidewalk." Every one I watched just carried straight through the entire block, using it solely as a cut-through.

Feels like the City has no real sense of how Waze/Google Maps have ruined neighbourhoods in terms of how much new cut-through traffic they provoke; they need to permanently close Markham to through traffic.
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Recently the Saxe had the city put Lennox between Palmerston and Markham back to two way (was one-way eastbound) to allow drivers to get to Bloor via Palmerston and try to discourage using Markham. I'd be surprised if residents aren't already talking to her office about what you're describing because they were dealing with drivers turning into Lennox from Bathurst and instead of turning around they'd go wrong way south on Markham.

Edit: Council item and her attached letter from Feb 2026:
 
ADRM said:
So Markham being open to cars is, perhaps predictably, a disaster. I was talking with folks on Markham for about 3 minutes on the weekend, and had at least a dozen cars whizz by us in that short time, two of which honked at us for I guess not being sufficiently on the "sidewalk." Every one I watched just carried straight through the entire block, using it solely as a cut-through.

Feels like the City has no real sense of how Waze/Google Maps have ruined neighbourhoods in terms of how much new cut-through traffic they provoke; they need to permanently close Markham to through traffic.
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Think it goes without saying that cars ruin just about everything.
Towered said:
Pedestrianize it!!!
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Going to have to go to council, then deliberation, then planning, then consultation... :p
 
Iconic theatre company secures $400K for new space in Mirvish Village

The Bad Dog Theatre Company has secured funding from the City of Toronto to develop a permanent, long-term home in Mirvish Village. Toronto City Council adopted a motion last week to give $440,000 to the theatre company, which specializes in improv and comedy, to upgrade a space at 588-590 Markham St. into a working education, rehearsal and performance facility.
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abovegrade said:
I don't see why this is hard to pedestrianize. This whole site was closed literally years for construction and there weren't any problems or major concerns traffic-wise.

Edit: I have emailed Councillor Saxe. I suggest others do this as well!
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Taking a peek at this.....(I agree w/your basic take, but wanted to see what the site plan envisioned)

I found this:

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This is the private driveway in question from the Bathurst side:

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So the intent is for traffic to flow from Markham to Bathurst along this lane.

However, this lane/drive does not provide the waste, retail loading or parking for the complex as that access is off Lennox.

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If the sole reason for the driveway is passenger pick-up/drop off, or on-street deliveries to Markham-based businesses, I think some sort of pedestrian arrangement should feasible; though it may require transponders to open a gate or lower a bollard set.

Regardless, Markham could be closed north of the driveway
 
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