The South Etobicoke News

Serving Humber * Mimico * Lakeshore Village * Long Branch * Alderwood

New plan to convert Campbell Soup site for other use

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Campbell Soup has been in our community for almost 90-years and plans are being made to reconvert the old soup plant to last another century.

Officials of QuadReal Property Group, of Vancouver, B.C., on July 4 filed a Site Plan Approval Application to Community Planning Section of the Etobicoke York Community Council for the redevelopment of the former Campbell Soup site at 60 Birmingham Ave.

The plant was a major soup producer and employed hundreds or area residents when constructed in 1931. It brought crops from many area farmers and hired generations of families.

The site was purchased by QuadReal in 2018, who has been busy designing new plans.

The 18.8 acre property is designated Core Employment Area, which permits a range of manufacturing, warehousing and other office type uses.

The company is planning to install three large warehouses that will provide manufacturing and office space, which can be rented out to entrepreneurs or small companies who want to be close to Toronto.

QuadReal intends to extend the ‘employment legacy and redevelop the property into a leading Class ‘A’ last-mile urban distribution and logistics facility’,’ the proposal says.

The company says a “rapid densification of Toronto has put stress on supply chains seeking to meet increasing urban demand from traditional suburban and rural distribution hubs.”

It said evolving consumer expectations in terms of “just-in-time” delivery and e-commerce has fueled tenant requirements to locate closer to their urban consumer bases, reducing total transportation costs and minimizing variability of delivery times.

The plan is calling for three massive single storey warehouse buildings, two of which are connected by 36,954-square-metres of floor area along with the retention of portions of the existing 1931 and 1944 building facades along Birmingham St.

“The development has been designed with strong urban design principles to ensure contextually responsive integration with the surrounding community,” the plan says.

The architect says the proposed development has been designed with strong urban design principles to ensure contextually responsive integration with the surrounding community, particularly to the sensitive residential uses to the east and south of the site.

QuadReal is a global real estate investment, operating and development company. QuadReal manages the real estate and mortgage programs of British Columbia Investment Management Corporation (BCI), one of Canada’s largest asset managers with a $153.4 billion portfolio.

QuadReal manages a $37.6 billion portfolio spanning 23 cities in 17 countries

No hearing dates has been set at this time. The plan has to be voted on by City Council.

Community wishes new dad Usain Bolt a new and happy life

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Happy Daddy Usain.

Members of the Jamaican community are wishing a happy fatherhood to former Olympic sprinter Usain Bolt, whom they say is one of their hero and favourite athlete.

The proud sprinter was all smiles on July 8 as he showed off his daughter Olympia Lightning Bolt to the world.

Bolt and his girlfriend Kasi Bennett, a model, are parents to Baby Olympia, who was born in May.

“Now we have started a new chapter together with our daughter Olympia Lightning Bolt I look forward to what the future will bring for us but be reassured that I will be the ROCK for this family,” the famous athlete wrote to Kasi on her birthday. “I Love you and happy 21th birthday.”

The couple have been dating for several years. Bolt has said he wanted to father three children.

The eight-time Olympic gold medalist is widely considered to be the greatest sprinter of all time. He is the only sprinter to win the Olympic 100-metre and Olympic 200-metre titles at three consecutive Olympics.

 

 

Here’s some good news right in the ‘hood

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Area resident Moma Monica is today thanking her many mask buyers.

She took it upon herself on the outset of COVID-19 to launch a campaign to study and make her own line of face masks, which she then sold to friends, family and others to raise $1,170 which has been donated to the Black Health Alliance.

“I would like to thank everyone who bought a mask from me,” Monica told her supporters online.

The good news was applauded and shared by many on social media.

“Awesome thank you for your donation to a great cause,” Lystra Lewis-Bowles wrote.

“Thank you for doing this incredible fundraiser and letting us take part,” says Lisa Cunningham Davis. “Also, the masks are so comfortable!”

Penny Kyysalak O’Hare notes that the campaign benefits two causes.

It “provides masks to protect us and also to mental health resources which is very much needed,” she says. “Kudos.”

The Black Health Alliance is a community-led registered charity working to improve the health and well-being of Black communities in Canada.

The movement continues to build innovative solutions to improve Black health and well-being, and mobilize people and financial resources to create lasting change in the lives of Black children, families and communities.

 

Tibetan volunteers hand out hot meals to 1,000 frontline workers

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Members of the Tibetan community took to the streets this week taking with them 1,000 steaming hot meals to feed frontline workers at five hard-hit Toronto centres.

Hard-working staff were treated July 6 to hot meals at Lakeshore Lodge long term care, St. Francis Table, The Rekai Centres long term care facility, Toronto Grace Health Centre and Homeless and Needy which was prepared by volunteers and members of the Tibetan Canadian Culture Centre (TCCC).

Dozens of frontline workers at the Eatonville Care Centre, on The East Mall, which has seen a number of COVID-19 deaths, were also treated with hot meals last month.

Members of the TCCC, in partnership with Norling Tibetan and Hakka Cuisine, at 1512 Queen St. W., have been cooking hot meals, to feed as many emergency workers as a way to give back to the community.

“The staff have gone through challenging times and we want to let them know that we care,” says Tsering Wangyal, president of the TCCC. “This is a small gesture by our community to thank our frontline Healthcare Heroes for their commitment and hardwork during these unprecedented times.”

The group thanked the frontline staff and were appreciative of the work they do to help the community.

Members of the TCCC have also fed hundreds of people at Kensington Gardens, a non-profit, long-term care home in the heart of Kensington Market, which offers 24-hour care, programs and services for the 350 residents and their families.

The TCCC is raising funds to make more food, dozens of masks and headgear, which are available at their 40 Titan Rd. centre. Donations can also be made online at tcccgc.org.

Alderwood couple launch Ear Saver project for frontline workers

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Alderwood residents Erik and Lynn Graham have created and donated more than 4,000 “ear savers” to area hospitals and are seeking support to produce more.

The 3D-printed plastic combs are designed to prevent painful ear chafing caused by mask elastics. They make a big difference for health care workers and volunteers who must wear protective gear all day. Recipients include workers at the Hospital for Sick Kids’, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and Etobicoke’s Dorothy Ley Hospice.

The Grahams have launched a GoFundMe campaign to help defray the costs of producing this equipment and would welcome support in any amount. So far they have raised just under $1,000.

“I am a retired small business owner who is currently 3D printing a form of PPE (personal protective equipment) known as Ear Saver,” Graham says. “My purpose is to raise funds to support the purchase of two more Prusa 3D printers and defray the expenses of the PLA filament and shipping costs.”

Eric has invested $2,700 in the project so far and would like to raise $3,500 to keep the initiative going.

“My intent is to make this campaign completely and utterly revenue neutral, any residual funds will be donated,” to a list of hospitals, he says.

Many health care workers agree that wearing the masks for long periods of time is “spectacularly uncomfortable.”

“Nurses in particular are now reporting that they are getting physical sores from the rubbing of the elastic bands on the soft tissue behind their ears,” his material says.

The Ear Savers are printed using plant-based filament, biodegradable polymer and are easily sanitized with soap and water in the work place. They are durable and have been designed to be a “one size fits all” device.
You can make a donation at their Go Fund Me page at https://gf.me/u/yc79a2

 

 

 

Major condo project proposed at Kipling & Queensway Aves.

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A mega condo development that will provide more than 800 residential units and dozens of stores is being planned for the Kipling and Queensway Aves. area.

A proposal is being considered on July 14 at Etobicoke York Community Council and is expected to get a green light.

Council will vote if a parcel of land at 1306 to 1310 The Queensway, on the north-west corner of Kipling Ave., should be deemed residential for the construction of the development to begin.

Architect Giannone Petridcone Associates says the 1306 The Queensway Condos “will be unlike anything we have ever seen.”

“The development will be built in all white materials,” the architects say on their website. “The first six floors will have dark brown panels and tinted visors on the sixth floor to protect residents from the sun.”

The complex will feature two high-rises connected by shared podiums reaching 31 and 24-storeys.

A total of 845 residential units are proposed, comprised of:  95 studio units; 491 one-bedroom units; 167 two-bedroom units; and 92 three-bedroom units.

Tower A will be 31-storeys high and face The Queensway and Tower B will be 24-storeys and overlook Kipling Ave. according to the plan.

The developer, KingSett Capital is known for creating residential suits that offer space and the most modern features and finishes which give residents the chance to enjoy a high-end living experience.

The application also proposes a public park at the southeast corner of the site, a stratified park and landscaped courtyard.

The site consists of two lots that are each occupied by a 1-storey commercial building used for an automobile dealership.

A total of 835 parking spaces would be located, of which 709 are proposed for resident use and 126 for commercial and visitor parking. A total of 636 bicycle parking spaces are proposed.

The plan will have to have to undergo input from the community in public meetings.

The units are expected to  begin in the $400,000 price range, according to realtors.

 

 

Upscale boutique hotel planned for Humber Bay Shores

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A premiere upscale hotel is being planned for Humber Bay Shores and what used to be called the Motel Strip.

A plan by Stay Inn Hospitality to build a 13-storey luxury hotel at 2157 Lake Shore Blvd. W. is up for consideration on July 14 by the Etobicoke York Community Council.

An Official Plan Amendment is sought to amend the Motel Strip Secondary plan to allow an increase in the maximum permitted density and building height.

The proposal, if approved, will see the hotel rise from a vacant staging area that is being used to build a 10-storey and 39-storey mixed used highrises.

The hotel, if it receives the green light, will have 165-suites and a ground-floor restaurant.

Plans show there will be a total of 54 parking spaces in a one-level underground parking garage.

City Planners have ruled that public community consultations for the project has to occur before the building is approved.

“The redevelopment of the lands within the Humber Bay Shores Development Area (also known as the Motel Strip) has resulted in a new mixed use, high density community that provides the surrounding area with a new waterfront destination,” the developers say.

Ironically, the site was previously occupied by the Silver Moon Motel, which was demolished in 2008. It was one of more than a dozen mostly family-run motels that once thrived in the area.

Stay Inn brochures says it “offers a selection of room types for every traveller,  from classic rooms to executive Jacuzzi suites, you will enjoy modern accommodations with top amenities and hotel features at a fabulous rate.”

Etobicoke Community Concert Band silenced by COVID

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Some members of the Etobicoke Community Concert Band got together on Canada Day to celebrate the country’s birthday but may have to wait a while yet to celebrate their own. Helen, John and Dave (left to right) gathered at Applewood Shaver House to perform a version of O’ Canada on the steps.

It may be a while yet before the band is able to do a full show because of COVID 19. The COVID restrictions affect rehearsals as well as performances.

The popular and well-known band had to cancel shows in March and May as well as its summer concert in the park series.

The next scheduled show is October 30 when the band hopes to celebrate its 25th anniversary but that show may also have to be cancelled if there are still COVID restrictions in effect.

You can get updated information on the band at https://www.eccb.ca/

 

Detectives on the trail of possible buck-naked jogger

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Police have stepped up a search for a man who is allegedly exposing himself in areas of south Etobicoke.

Toronto Police 22 Division officers say between June 27 and July 2, between 9 p.m. to 11 p.m., they responded to four radio calls for acts of indecent exposure.

It is not known if the suspect exposed himself in front of others and took off.

Police in a July 3 release said the south Etobicoke incidents occurred on Bloor St. W., and Dundas St. W., west of Royal York Rd., and in the area of Runnymede Rd. and Kennedy Ave.

The suspect is described as white, about 50 to 60-years old, tall, slim build, with short grey hair. He was last seen wearing a blue-black shorts or blue jeans.

Toronto Police launched a similar manhunt one year ago to find a man who tried to talk with women on three separate occasions while jogging naked from the waist down in the Yonge and Eglinton Ave. and Mount Pleasant Rd. and Moore Ave. areas.

Detectives in June 2019 circulated photos of the bottom naked jogger, (attached) who witnesses say was carrying a blue backpack and spoke with an accent.

It is not known if that pervert was ever arrested by police.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police at 416-808-2200, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, online on our Facebook Leave a Tip page, or text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637). Download the free Crime Stoppers Mobile App on iTunes or Google Play.

Pizza maker with a heart of dough that he shares with youth

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A Long Branch pizza maker is receiving high praise on social media for his treatment of local school kids with little or no money.

Adriano, of Adriano’s Pizza, at 3329 Lake Shore Blvd. W., is known to hand out bottles of cold water, or maybe a few slices, to area kids in distress walking by.

“It’s all about the little things we do in life,” Adriano says. “You treat the kids good now and you will have a friend for life.”

He regularly donates his tasty pies to a range of charities, which has been slow lately due to COVID-19.

Adriano has presented to at-risk children expensive running shoes or items of clothing given to him by others.

“One time I saw one kid and his shoes had holes and his feet was wet,” he recalls. “I had a nice shoe here at the store and I gave it to him. He still comes back.”

Area resident Jenn Samson says a “gaggle of teens were walking by” when they were called into Adriano’s shop and left a few minutes later with candies in their hands and giggles on their faces.

“That man is the best guy ever!” one kid said, with the other agreeing.

“Teens aren’t always the most top-paying customers,” Samson says in an online post. “A lot of restaurants accept the business, but find teens loud and annoying.”

She recalls a restaurant in Mimico that treated kids fondly in the 1980s and they still talk about the place lovingly to this day.

“It makes a huge impact on them in a world that rolls their eyes on this stage of life,” she says.

It’s nostalgic to see a business owner not only take pride in their business, but looking out for our kids and being there for them to even just put a smile on their faces, she wrote.

“Bunch of teens laughing and chatting and eating lollipops,” Samson notes. “It was a sight to see.”

“Absolutely best pizza and reasonably price,” Helena Walker-Macinnis wrote about Adriano’s Pizza on social media. “This lakeshore pizza is delicious.”

The social media posting obtained more than 68 comments from area residents who have declared their love for Adriano’s Pizza.

Adriano gets a ‘like’ for sharing his care and respect with our younger citizens in these trying times.