Old Weston Village was selected for a Revitalization Grant as part of an international Urban Land Institute revitalization competition.
The Urban Land Institute (ULI) Toronto District Council, in partnership with Metrolinx and the City of Toronto, are pleased to announce their joint submission titled John Street Revitalization/Streetscape Plan was selected as part of an international competition for ULI’s Urban Innovation Fund. The grant of $23,750, when matched by partner organizations, will inject between $75,000 and $85,000 to kick-start urban development and renewal of Old Weston Village, an area in need of revitalization.
Selected for its early success and the high quality of proposed projects, the John Street Revitalization/Streetscape Plan calls for the transformation of John Street from a secondary commercial street into a vibrant avenue. Specifically, it provides for a venue for Weston’s popular farmers’ market; an improved environment for existing and future retail, restaurant and café opportunities; and a streetscape link between the commercial core and the heritage neighbourhood of Old Weston Village.
As a result of the grant, the required budget to commence the regeneration plan has been met. Metrolinx, Weston Road Business Improvement Area and a number of City of Toronto Divisions including: Planning; Transportation Services/Public Realm; and Economic Development & Culture have committed to either match the grant financially or provide in-kind contributions.
To kick off the John Street Revitalization/Streetscape Plan, plans are underway in consultation with the local community and in the fall of 2012, a final plan will be put into production.
“We’ve been thrilled with the planning and visual exercises done to date, but the international recognition this initiative has generated goes a long way in helping us to also be proud of the development that is about to take place”, said David McBride, Chair of the Weston Village Residents Association.
The John Street Revitalization/Streetscape Plan is one of the ‘quick-start’ initiatives identified during the Weston 2021 Technical Assistance Panel (TAP) conducted by ULI Toronto’s District Council, together with its two public-sector partners – the City of Toronto and Metrolinx. As part of a greater City of Toronto Weston 2021, the ULI TAP program was developed to bring together the finest industry expertise to determine how to best leverage the upcoming Metrolinx transportation hub and start the revitalization of a neighbourhood in need.
Planned to begin operation in 2015, the Metrolinx Air Rail Link train service is designed to pass through the Weston Road area on route between downtown Toronto and Pearson International Airport.