Retail Developments

The City has received an application to rezone a piece of land on Fairville Blvd. from  Industrial to Shopping Centre, according to a posting in today's TJ. The area is located on the strip of land behind / beside Staples, The Colour Center, Papa John’s. etc. 

Also, in  today’s TJ  a brief article on the purchase of Lancaster Mall.  I get the impression that flipping properties such as malls and shopping centers is a common business practice.

A Great Start to 2011

Happy New Year. 

Today's great weather was a nice way to start 2011. I took a run over to the Irving Nature Park, lots of activity going on, families, walkers, people kayaking, and wildlife, like these guys.

Duke Street Traffic Changes

Recommendations by city staff to council to change traffic patterns on Duke St were made at this week's council session. As reported by CHSJ news the change will improve driver  / pedestrian safety.  City Line  and Lancaster Street are very steep hills, and drivers do have a problem seeing oncoming traffic when turning onto Duke Street.

The Shelves are Getting Bare at the Coop

The sign is gone and the remaining goods are 40% off today a the Co-op on Fairville  Blvd.  The parking lot was as full as I've seen it in a long time.
The clothing consignment store which was attached to the Coop moved to Grand Bay early in the month.

SJ Transit Fares Going Up

SJ Transit has announced fare increases for 2011.  It's going to hurt.

It's sort of like paying the bridge toll without taking the bridge.

I like public transit. Getting pricey though.

Ward 3 elects Mel Norton

Ward three, now is your time to really tell Mel what's on your mind. Very poor voter turn out, no surprise with today's storm, still earned a win for Mel Norton. Unofficial results  have Mel Norton winning with 516 votes to second place Mark Leger's 392.

December 13 - Ward 3 Byelection

Lower Westsiders can vote at the Carleton Community Centre from 10-8.  Don't let a little rain prevent you from exercising your franchise!

Fairville Blvd. real estate

As expected, the Westside Coop management announced last night that it's closing the Fairville Blvd. store at the end of the month.  (CBC story)  I imagine the land will go for a good price, as development in the area has been picking up significantly in the last couple of years.

Another page added to the history book.

I Remember this day - it wasn't good.

I am missing important community events

A general meeting of the Coop West membership has been announced for Wed. Dec 8th. I am a member, however, I cannot attend.  My gut (and previous news reports) is telling me it won't be good news for the longstanding mainstay of the Golden Mile.  Declining sales and competition from new and improved stores may have been too much for the Coop.

I am going to miss PlanSJ's open house tomorrow, I can't be there for the session.   And I was not able to attend the ward meetings held last week.

So much for community involvement on my part.