Just a few weeks after one local restaurant owner launched an icy, anti-King Street pilot campaign, a group of more than 15 different resident associations and community groups have come together in support of the public transit initiative.

Calling themselves the King for All Coalition, the project's supporters include advocacy groups and non-profits like 8 80 Cities, CivicAction, TTCriders, Cycle Toronto and the Toronto Environmental Alliance.

Resident and business associations from Liberty Village, Corktown, Parkdale, CityPlace, and The Garment District are also on board, as are dozens of independent citizens who support the idea of "building a street that works for all."

Proud to stand alongside 15 organizations to launch the #WeLoveKing coalition in support of the #KingStreetPilot. Visit https://t.co/J7fa8Ogxe8& sign the pledge to show your support for King. pic.twitter.com/148KF9ARUv

— Joe Cressy (@joe_cressy) February 5, 2018

"The King Street Pilot prioritizes transit along King between Bathurst and Jarvis," reads a pledge form on the group's newly-launched website.

"The pilot aims to provide faster, more reliable transit and make the street work for everyone," it continues. "Local residents, businesses, community organizations, and commuters who work along the corridor all stand to benefit from a successful pilot project."

Those who agree with the group's point of view are encouraged to sign an online pledge declaring  "I support keeping the King Street Pilot." 

CodeRedTO is proud to join a coalition of organizations, community groups and residents to show support for the #KingStreetPilot. Improved transit helps all parts of our city and region. Show your support here: https://t.co/UbovkHCfdR#WeLoveKing#TTC#TOpolipic.twitter.com/xEf22EA65N

— CodeRedTO (@CodeRedTO) February 5, 2018

The pledge will be sent to Toronto City Council on behalf of commuters, residents and businesses who feel that the pilot project has already improved King Street and their own daily lives.

"Transit riders are already seeing positive impacts: greater reliability, faster travel times, and a significant increase in streetcar ridership," said Shelagh Pizey-Allen, Executive Director of TTCriders, in a press release issued by the group this morning.

"We believe that everyone stands to benefit from a successful pilot project that moves people quickly, safely, and reliably, and are excited to work together to make it a success." 

Parking in the #KingStreetPilot area? Starting today, use this code - kingpilot – for the duration of the pilot which is equivalent to 2 hours of free parking (a max $10 value) at participating GreenP spaces noted on the map here https://t.co/INQQocARXA#CityofTO#Everyoneisking

— Green P Parking (@GreenPParking) February 5, 2018

Coincidentally (or maybe not,) the City of Toronto is allowing motorists to park in the King Street Pilot area for up to two hours, totally free, beginning today.

The Green P parking promotion is one of several measuresthecity said would be taking in light of complaints from restaurant owners who say the pilot project is hurting business.

"I believe these updates to the Pilot will help transit riders, businesses and drivers," said Toronto Mayor John Tory when announcing the changes last month. "I remain committed to listening to everyone about this project and making changes where they make sense."

Like fresh-baked goods and candy bars? So does Craig Pike of Craig's Cookies – and he's pretty good at combining the two.

The Newfoundland born actor-turned-entrepreneur has been making (and hand delivering) cookies daily in Toronto for almost five years now, racking up accolades across the city for his classic chocolate chip and confectionary-infused creations.

A post shared by Craig's Cookies - Toronto (@craigscookies) on Oct 11, 2017 at 6:10am PDT

Currently in the midst of a 6-month-long popup at the Williams Sonoma store in Yorkdale Mall, Pike recently decided that he was ready for a shop of his own.

The rest, as they say, is yummy, yummy history.

Parkdale, meet Craig's Cookies, opening this March on Queen Street West just east of Roncesvalles.

Well hello, gorgeous! Opening up on March 1st in Parkdale - West Queen West! Want to help get the shop opening? Donate today! (Link in bio) @wsyorkdale @yorkdalestyle #foodie #torontoeats #torontosweets #torontofood #parkdale #libertyvillage #TO_finest #craigscookies #torontofoodie #yum #yyz #gaybaker #tasteofto #tastetoronto #torontolife #torontocookies #gaytoronto #torontogay #tofoodies #instafood #toronto @blogto @torontolifemag @globeandmail #the6 #yelptoronto #tastethesix

A post shared by Craig's Cookies - Toronto (@craigscookies) on Feb 3, 2018 at 9:55am PST

"Craig's dream is to have a cookie shop that also promotes community and kindness," reads a GoFundMe page set up in support of the company's first brick and mortar store.

"Designed after his grandmothers kitchen in Kilbride, Newfoundland, Craig's Cookies will be a haven of nostalgia. You will literally walk into a designed Newfoundland kitchen and feel like your Mom or Grandmother has baked cookies JUST FOR YOU!"

A post shared by Craig's Cookies - Toronto (@craigscookies) on Mar 16, 2017 at 6:50am PDT

Comments on the fundraiser page, as well as elsewhere around the web, hint that this place will be popular right off the bat.

"The cookies look AMAZING and I can't wait to be able to eat them more frequently!" wrote one customer on the GoFundMe page. 

"I wish I could invest a million," wrote someone else. "I believe in this man and his cookies."

Get ready for more headaches at Yonge and Eglinton as a perfect storm of construction projects are set to make the intersection and surrounding streets (even more of a) nightmare.

The intersection of Yonge and Eglinton has already been an obstacle course of road closures and construction barricades since work on the Eglinton Crosstown started in 2014, but now it's subway riders’ turn to get a taste of the confusion.

Eglinton and Davisville Stations are going to be shut down this weekend (Feb 10-11), and then again, for the three weekends after that. 

Whether you're waiting for a bus, driving through narrow, cement barricaded lanes on Eglinton or trying to get in or out of your neighbourhood, blocked by no turn signs & snaking traffic - we're pretty sure the #CrosstownLRT cannot arrive fast enough! #Toronto#TorontoProblemshttps://t.co/cfgKXigCzz

— Josie Stern Team (@JosieStern) January 3, 2018

Crosslinx, the private firm in charge of building the Crosstown, have also been tasked by the TTC with creating a better smoke ventilation system for the Line 1 station, which will be housed in a brand new “Facility Services Building” down the street.

This addition isn’t specifically related to construction of the LRT line, but, as the Globe and Mail notes, Crosslinx will also use the shut down as an opportunity to begin work inside Eglinton Station in preparation for the integration of the Crosstown line.  

A post shared by Scenes of Toronto (@toronto.scene) on Feb 3, 2018 at 7:06am PST

This is just the beginning. The station is set to close another 21 times this year. During these closures shuttle service will be offered from the bus terminal, but there are going to be a lot more vehicles on the road as people navigate around the subway closure and other construction projects in the area.

The situation may seem dismal right now, but, hey, if being herded onto a shuttle bus in jammed traffic in 2018 means a whole new underground LRT by 2021, then maybe we can all find some deep well of patience during the construction process.

The Toronto Tool Library is in jeopardy of closing, but the non-profit organization isn't going down without a fight. 

Self-described as the “largest tool sharing network on the planet,” the TTL opened in 2013 and subsequently grew to boast three locations, including East York, Parkdale, and Hillcrest.

Now, according to a recent Indiegogo campaign, an injection of cash is needed to keep the library afloat. 

Over the last 5 yrs, we’ve transformed sharing in Toronto: with 65,000+ loans, we’ve become a local hub for swapping, repairing & learning. Help us keep #Toronto a sharing & community driven city, SUPPORT our campaign now >>> https://t.co/hBeZ7u6xPi#sharingeconomypic.twitter.com/20hDUWMfow

— Toronto Tool Library (@TOToolLibrary) January 29, 2018

The organization has been hit with some heavy costs, citing steep rent and unexpected city permit issues as the primary needs for financial aid. It's crowdfunding for $35,000 to get back on its feet.

Toronto Tool Library founders Ryan Dyment and Lawrence Alvarez started the library with the hope of enriching the city's sharing economy. It's only fitting that they turn to crowdfunding to keep the library viable now. 

The Tool Library is actually quite a bit more than its name promises. It also offers workspaces and workshops supervised by experienced members.

And, since 2016, the library has expanded to include two “sharing depots,” where community members can rent and swap pretty much anything, from camping equipment to board games.

The campaign to keep the library alive already has already raised $22,170 toward its $35K goal on account of 244 backers. With 18 days left to go, here's hoping that they meet the mark. 

Toronto's first and probably last nature-themed, educational log ride has a special place in the hearts of many around this city.

Who didn't feel like a total badass when they finally grew tall enough to hop on the Wilderness Adventure ride at Ontario Place? And again when they could ride it without being scared of all those creepy animatronic miner dudes?

This kitschy little piece of Canadian history opened up all the way back in 1986, but was shut down at the provincial government's behest in 2012 along with the rest of Ontario Place.

Here is a very old TV commercial for your enjoyment.

Urban explorers haven't shied away from the former amusement park in recent years, but it wasn't until last spring that the public could actually visit Ontario place again legally.
Of course, things look a bit different now than they did pre-abandonment, or even two years ago, before artists were allowed to strip the attraction for parts.

The robotic moose are gone (I know, I wanted to ride one too) but ghosts of what once lived here can still be found all over the former Wilderness Adventure ride.

Five years facing the elements (not to mention people with spray paint) has left the log ride itself in a state of serious disrepair.

Most of what's dangerous has been removed from a path running through the ride site, now that it's adjacent to a Winter Lights exhibit. But you don't have to go far to see remnants.

Several instructional signs still hang on "rock" surfaces that used to run alongside people in boats.

The rock walls may be fake, but they're beautiful to look at while walking through if you ignore the gaping holes.

Deeper into the ride, you'll find old artifacts like TNT barrels...

More signs...

And what might be the naked, dismembered butt of an animatronic lumberjack.

Some parts of the ride are blocked off by wood and metal barriers (which someone who I met said wasn't the case two summers ago). 

Off the main path, it's easier to explore. I saw several people going into the log ride's ascension tunnels when I was there, but don't recommend trying this out as it seems pretty dangerous.

And rusty. I don't imagine it would be fun to get cut on an abandoned log ride.

Or accidentally touch a poisonous fungal growth.

Just kidding! That's yarn.

Somebody appears to have yarn-bombed one corner of the ride, close to where it meets the water separating it from Lakeshore Boulevard. 

There hasn't been any indication from the government as to exactly what the next stages of the Ontario Place redevelopment will look like, but it's highly unlikely that anything like Wilderness Adventure is part of the plans. 

Kathleen Wynne and company have so far given us a massive new waterfront park and trail, a working Cinesphere, a skating rink, and a jam-packed schedule of special events at the newly-reopened Ontario Place, but the old water attraction is in a sad state to say the least.

I'd sneak a peak at the ruins ASAP, if you're interested. What's left of the Wilderness Adventure ride could soon go the way of its one-time neighbour, the giant water slides: cool in life, cooler in death, and now just a memory in our nostalgic little hearts and iPhones.

In the wake of dangerous overcrowding on the TTC, there's been renewed calls for the city to get on with building the Relief Line. If this is as bad as Bloor Station can get today, how much worse might in be in a decade?

Mayor John Tory is quick to argue that he's doing everything he can to push forward the project, which is projected to arrive in 2031 despite a fully fledge funding plan, but his commitment to SmartTrack and the one-stop Scarborough Subway extension draw that into question. 

I will be asking the province to match the federal government’s $4.8 billion investment in Toronto transit including the Relief Line. City staff have indicated that they are working quickly and efficiently to get this project built.

— John Tory (@JohnTory) February 1, 2018

But here's what should really burn. We could already have a Relief Line if transit planners and the various levels of government made good on the many proposals that have long existed to expand Toronto's transit infrastructure. 

It's cruel to think about what the TTC might look like today had the political will existed to provide the city with the transit it so desperately needs. Worse, the failure to follow through draws into question the future plans that are touted today.

A 1910 proposal for a subway in Toronto that would service the east and west sides of the city as well as the Yonge corridor. 

Yes, Toronto is good at imagining new transit futures, but not at making them happen. This has been happening since 1910, when the first meandering subway was proposed for Toronto.

If only we had really started building underground transit that long ago. We might even have a Queen subway and the Bloor-Danforth Line.

Before the Bloor-Danforth was built, the plan was to build a streetcar subway along Queen St. 

The grandaddy of all of these visions would be almost seven years old now had the political will existed to push it through to realization.

Conceived in 1985 when the city realized that it was falling behind in transit infrastructure growth, Network 2011 would shuttle Toronto into the future with no less than three new subway lines.

Look at all those subway lines laid out in the Network 2011 plans.

Whenever Network 2011 comes up, the project that gets the most focus is the Downtown Relief Line (DRL), but in fact this was a comprehensive package meant to help Toronto meet the transportation needs of its rapidly swelling population across the entire city.

Along with a DRL, significant commitments were made away from the core. Here's the plan in a nutshell:

The YUS Line would be extended to Downsview, A Sheppard Line would be built from Downsview to Scarborough Town Centre, Bloor-Danforth would be extended to Sherway Gardens, an Eglinton West Line would be built to the airport, the Scarborough RT would be extended to Malvern, and a DRL would be built from Union to Pape.

Fantasy transit maps imagine the Toronto transit that could be. This one comes courtesy of Bryan Bonnici.

Nowadays this is all sounds like the stuff of a TTC fantasy map, and yet it was very real when it was brought to the table. Yes, there was some controversy at city level, but it was changes at the provincial level that ultimately destroyed the plans.

Premier Bill Davis was on board with the plan, but trouble started when he retired in 1985. The provincial Conservatives would lose the next election to the Liberals, who quickly put Network 2011 up for review. It would never look the same after that.

Some of the plan stuck around over subsequent governments, namely the YUS extension to Downsview and a version of the Sheppard Subway. We would also have an Eglinton West subway today if Mike Harris hadn't killed that almost immediately after taking office from Bob Rae.

In other words, Network 2011 wasn't the only plan that was scrapped along the way. In fact, each time a new provincial government was elected, Toronto's transit future was re-imagined. The end result, however, was that not much of anything ever got built.

The ill-fated Transit City plan, only some of which survived the Rob Ford mayoralty. 

What particularly stung about Rob Ford's attempt to kill the Transit City plan in 2010 is it pushed back the construction dates on many of the transit lines even further after funding cuts from Dalton McGuinty's Liberals.

This was an ambitious project that was carved up by both levels of government. Some of the projects that remain (in some form) from the initial proposal would have been open years ago. 

Metrolinx was founded in 2006 in part to provide greater stability in long term transit planning across the region, but Toronto council flip-flops Transit City and the Scarborough subway have hindered progress on addressing Toronto's rapid transit needs. 

With overcrowding becoming more and more of an issue on both Line 1 and 2, it's surely tempting to shake your fist at the politicians of the past for getting us into this mess. 

Representatives from one of the world's biggest car-sharing companies say that Toronto is falling behind when it comes to embracing the future – and that we only have city council to blame.

Car2go announced late last week that it would be "reexamining" its operations in Toronto after council voted to delay a pilot project that would let car-share members use residential parking spaces on city streets.

"We've been trying to work with the City of Toronto for almost five and a half years to get a pilot up and running," said car2go regional director Josh Moskowitz by phone today.

"We've done our due diligence," he said, pointing to a study on the link between car-sharing and lower greenhouse gas emissions, "but unfortunately council doesn't want to acknowledged the benefits we bring to the table in terms of mobility and transportation."

Car share companies in Toronto have incurred more than $6.5 million in parking fines since April 2016. pic.twitter.com/r5deZk6S8d

— Matt Elliott (@GraphicMatt) February 5, 2018

City staffers, however, back the idea of a one-year pilot project aimed at bolstering the car-share industry here in Toronto. 

In fact, it was the city's Department of Transportation Services that recommended a free-floating car-share policy be adopted this year in the first place.

City council voted 30-2 on Thursday to defer the motion, which came as a surprise to many – both because of how one-sided the vote was and because the motion had been submitted by a city department.

"If I understand correctly, car2go's proposal was for 2,000 free-floating permits at $1,500/yr," wrote someone on Twitter in response to news that car-share companies had incurred more than $6.5 million in parking fines since April of 2016. 

"So, $3M/yr. On an annualized basis, the city is taking in about 20% more than that in fines. Hmmm…"

@cityoftoronto please reconsider your stance on @car2goToronto and, if you'resmart, get a share in the company. They take cars off the road, even for small businesses! Between Car2Go and @CarShareOntario, our household does not need a car, nor our small biz.

— KASHKA ✨ Kat Burns (@therealkatburns) February 5, 2018

City council's deferral doesn't mean that the pilot project has been scrapped – only delayed – but it does throw a wrench in the German transportation company's plans of expanding locally.

"Given the City of Toronto's consistent unwillingness to establish this critical free-float carshare policy," wrote car2go North America president and CEO Paul DeLong in an email to members on Friday, "We are forced to re-examine our operations moving forward in Toronto."

"While the Toronto City Council seems focused on giving preferential treatment to car owners," DeLong wrote, "other major Canadian and U.S. cities are increasing their support for carshare. In a nutshell, Toronto is being left behind."

What does this mean for the roughly 75,000 current car2go members in the 6ix?

i really hope @car2goToronto don't pack up and leave, i use car2go all the time. more than uber, more than taxis, more than Enterprise Autoshare, of which i'm also a member.

— Michael Rancic (@therewasnosound) February 5, 2018

Moskowitz says that "every option is on the table now," evading my questions about whether the service was considering pulling out of the Toronto market.

"It's really unfortunate for Torontonians," he said. "We are nothing without our customers, and they stand to lose the most as a result of council's actions."

Some online have suggested that the foreboding email is an empty threat, but it is of note that car2go – which is available in 62 cities worldwide – has pulled its services out of Miami, San Diego, Stockholm, London and Copenhagen (among others) in the past.

The company assures members that they will be notified in advance of any major changes to service, so they "can plan accordingly."

Events today in Toronto today include an intimate show from a member of Vampire Weekend, a magical Harry Potter pub night, and day two of Toronto Fashion Week. The extreme cold alert has been terminated, so it's time to get out and about.

New Toronto restaurants with beautiful interior design wow guests before they’ve even taken a bite. Dine under chandeliers, seated on leather and surrounded by beautiful artwork at these swanky establishments.

Here's a round-up of some of Toronto's newest restaurants with the most eye-catching interior design.

BlueBlood Steakhouse

This new restaurant inside Casa Loma has original Warhols and a Dali, plus, oh yeah, did you catch that it’s in a castle? There’s pretty much no place in Toronto with more wow factor than this steakhouse that also features incredible leather seating and antler chandeliers.

It almost feels like Old Hollywood at The Civic inside the Broadview Hotel. Photo by Jesse Milns.

The Civic

The ground floor restaurant of the Broadview Hotel in Riverside is meant to pay homage to the era in which the historic building was built, the late 1800’s to the early 1900’s. It does a stunning job of this with lots of deep moody tones, touches of old Hollywood glamour setting off the look.

The ceiling is a stunner at Akira Back. Photo by Hector Vasquez.

Akira Back

The Toronto restaurant on the second floor of the Bisha Hotel by a world-renowned chef is surprisingly personal. Exterior signage, a sophisticated ceiling design and even plates feature artwork inspired by the chef’s mother. Even getting into the restaurant is impressive thanks to an all-gold stairway.

The pastel colour palette is sure to cheer you up at Laduree. Photo by Hector Vasquez.

Laduree

This French export of a cafe that’s been around since the 1800’s brings a little piece of Paris to Yorkdale Mall. A chandelier and adorable pastel colour palette make this place feel like a little girl’s make-believe tea party come to life, and the food is just as pretty.

Chandeliers and flowers set the mood at Sorelle and Co. Photo by Hector Vasquez.

Sorelle and Co.

Gluten-free, vegan and those with other dietary restrictions no longer have to feast only their eyes at gorgeous restaurants. Now there’s a place just for them in Yorkville serving the bakery’s signature sweets like cupcakes and donuts along with cafe fare like grilled cheese sandwiches, and delicate design here is squeal-worthy.

Toronto's housing market was cool and slow for the first month of 2018, just like our weather and subway lines.

Home sales were down by 22 per cent in January compared to the year previous at 4,019 across the entire GTA, according to the Toronto Real Estate Board's monthly market figures report.

The average selling price, however, was actually up for (almost) all types of homes in the region over the same period of time, thanks in large part to the ongoing condo boom.

The only exception – and it's a crucial one – pertains to detached houses.

Single-family detached homes were worth 9.1 per cent less this January compared against last January, dragging the entire market's overall average selling price down by 4.1 per cent to just $736,783.

Of course, as TREB market analysis director Jason Mercer points out, it's all relative.

"It is not surprising that home prices in some market segments were flat to down in January compared to last year," he said in today's report. "At this time last year, we were in the midst of a housing price spike driven by exceptionally low inventory in the marketplace."

Mercer says that market conditions will likely support an increase in value for most homes during the second half of this year – but, again, condos will be the primary driver of this price growth.

"As we move through the year, expect the pace of home sales to pick up," said TREB president Tim Syrianos in the report, "as the psychological impact of the Fair Housing Plan starts to wane and home buyers find their footing relative to the new OSFI-mandated stress test for mortgage approvals."

An eye-catching addition to Toronto's Entertainment District is being proposed in the form of colourful, curvy, 25-storey hotel and office tower at 217 Adelaide Street West.

Developed by Humbold Properties, the proposed tower would consist mainly of office space – 149,872 square feet of it, to be exact. Another 81,839 square feet would be spread across 192 hotel suites, with five underground levels available for car and bike parking.

Retail and commercial uses would make up the ground level, along with 1,328 square metres of privately owned publicly-accessible space fronting onto Adelaide between Duncan and Simcoe Streets.

But most importantly, look at this place. Look at how cool it is.

As Urban Toronto notes, the vibrant accents of colour and shape are somewhat of a rarity in "the largely dichromatic Entertainment District."

Kirkor Architects is leading up the design charge on this building, with Toronto's Terraplan/Studio taking care of landscape architecture. It's gone through a few different iterations, though this colourful and rounded version is the most alluring.

Humbold, the developer, had formerly submitted plans for a 56-storey high condo tower at the same location in 2015, but was refused by the city.

A second version of the project, pitched to the Ontario Municipal Board in 2016, proposed a 47-storey high, purpose-built office tower and boutique hotel with 179 square metres of privately owned publicly-accessible space at its base.

The plan has since been even further revised to scrap all residential components, leading to the plans and renderings seen above.

Humbold may want to build a shorter, more colourful version of its original proposed tower on Adelaide, but will it be allowed to? We should know more after an OMB pre-hearing conference in March, where the next steps for this project will be discussed.

Get ready to bundle up and brave the elements. Toronto is in for a pesky snowfall that'll come just in time for the Wednesday morning commute.

Environment Canada has just issued a special weather statement warning that Toronto and surrounding areas should expect significant snowfall to start overnight and continue through the day.  

11:10 EnvCanada issued statement #Weather#Toronto#ONStormhttps://t.co/Y2BYbOeNET

— Toronto (@ECAlertON143) February 6, 2018

While snowfall amounts aren't expected to exceed 10 centimetres, "areas close to the Lake Ontario shoreline may see slightly higher amounts due to extra moisture from the lake," according to the advisory.  

It's the timing of the storm rather than overall accumulation that could make travelling a mess tomorrow. Both the morning and afternoon commutes could be effected depending on when the snow tapers off in the afternoon. 

So buckle up and leave extra time, Toronto. It sounds like some patience will be required when getting into work tomorrow. 

It's that time of year again. We're opening the poll to 15 new best of categories including butcher shops, karaoke bars, Afghan restaurants, congee, piercing, luxury hotels and more. Voting ends on Wednesday February 7 at 11:45 p.m.

Take the poll here

Fresh on the heels of a disastrousweek for public transportation, the TTC has unveiled a new campaign aimed at "renewing its commitment" to customers, employees and communities in Toronto.

They're calling it "The TTC Way" – a set of values that will henceforth guide how transit workers (and hopefully passengers) conduct themselves while riding the Rocket.

"The TTC Way is made up of six pillars that describe how we treat others and how we expect to be treated," reads a description of the project, which is a key element of the transit commission's new five-year corporate plan. 

They are:

• Respect one another 
• Value each other's time
• Tell people what’s happening
• Stay safe
• Mind your space
• Help others out

Each of the six objectives come with their own directions for TTC staffers, customers and communities.

"Value each other's time," for instance asks customers to "help keep us moving. Try not to do anything that could hold up service."

In exchange, the TTC promises that "we will do all we can to keep you moving quickly, efficiently and reliably," as well as "actively manage and work to minimize the impact of closures, detours and other disruptions in your community."

Be sure to check out The TTC Way. The #TTC is renewing its commitment to customers, employees and community partners with The TTC Way, a set of six objectives that will guide improved service. pic.twitter.com/Sz9Ypd9Rmw

— John Tory (@JohnTory) February 5, 2018

In principle, this all sounds great – but some transit riders aren't very confident in the TTC's ability to actually achieve any of its objectives.

How does this improve the subway's reliability? People don't need empty promises, they'd appreciate basic, working transit.

— Akil Sadikali (@akilsadikali) February 5, 2018

After all, it was less than a week ago that customers were using the term "TTC way" while describing how bad the system is.

It's the TTC way, unreliable service during the week, then when people need to shop during the weekend...they go completely down.

— Psychotoe (@Psychotoe1) January 31, 2018

A news release issued yesterday explains that the TTC consulted hundreds of people "from various groups that interact with the TTC" to understand and address their needs with this plan.

Working with the Toronto-based service design firm Bridgeable, the transit agency hosted design workshops with customers and employees "from all levels of the organization."

They also prototyped solutions  with frontline operators, consulted with regional transit agencies, and researched best practices from around the world.

“Tell people what’s happening.” I look forward to that. Any delay of time on the subway deserves a comment to riders.

— Cynthia McLeod (@SunnyCynthia) January 26, 2018

A campaign promoting the six objectives is set to appear on TTC vehicles beginning this week. Expect at least a few fiery reactions on social media.

It was just one year ago when Toronto learned that a demolition date had been set for Honest Ed's - along with its huge, flashy, incandescent signs.

Since then, one of the store's four legendary marquee signs (the one facing west onto Markham Street) was saved by David Mirvish.

Other, smaller signs were preserved by Westbank Development Corp, which purchased the discount department before closing it forever in 2016. Still others were unceremoniously pitched in dumpsters as the site was prepared for demolition.

Two of the other gigantic light-up signs were torn down over the past few months as Honest Ed's disappeared, bit by bit, from its longtimehome atBathurst and Bloor.

A post shared by Alison Gordon (@alisonphoto) on Feb 5, 2018 at 8:13pm PST

As of this morning, only one part of one sign still remained. As of this afternoon, that sign is a pile of rubble.

#riphonesteds you will be missed

A post shared by jackiiiee (@jackiiiee) on Feb 6, 2018 at 6:55am PST

As sad as this might be for some people to watch, it's also intriguing visually to see the mighty icon crumble.

They're tearing down the Honest Ed's sign and it is totally mesmerising

A post shared by Melanie Wood (@melw00d) on Feb 6, 2018 at 6:42am PST

Almost everything left of the much loved discount retailer is now gone, but the stories of cheap deals, funny finds and annual turkey giveaways will live on the hearts of those who experienced them forever.

There are also many, many Honest Ed's photos on the internet to spark your nostalgia.

Renting a TTC streetcar is easier than you might think. While most kids had their 10th birthday parties at the Putting Edge or Laser Quest, my cousin held his on board a vintage PCC trolley.

We took it on a joy ride of sorts around the city and ended up at Nathan Phillips Square, where we sipped on hot chocolate in front of city hall.

Many years later while I was waiting for the 504 at King and Simcoe one night, I saw a crew of office workers decked out in party attire jump onto a regular-looking streetcar. But, it was their private chariot for the night - hey, a streetcar sure beats a big yellow school bus.

The whole thing looked entirely exclusive but a ton of fun. Yet, it's actually quite easy and not wildly expensive to rent TTC vehicles out for parties and events in Toronto, even if few of us have had the pleasure to take a chartered ride.

You can, for instance, rent a PCC streetcar from 1951 for three hours to the tune of $1,881.45. This isn't the only option available, though.

A TTC streetcar is turned into a roaming concert venue during NXNE in 2014. Photo by Matt Forsythe.

A number of models of streetcars and buses ($508.50 one way, $1,041.86 roundtrip) are available for rent, including CLRV ($1,605.73 for three hours) and ALRV ($2,410.29 for three hours) models.

Right now, the new low floor Bombardier streetcars aren't available for charter, presumably because we need as many as we can get for actual transit service. 

Speaking of which, while the TTC lets you charter its fleet, there's a blackout during rush hour (i.e. 6 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Monday through Friday).

It suggests a sight-seeing route for chartered rides, but it obviously does not provide a tour guide. You can, however, design your own route along the tracks, though the TTC can change it at its discretion - you know, if there's a delay or something.

And while a bona fide party on a street car might sound like the best idea ever, remember, you can't drink or smoke while on board - this is still public transit.

The King Street Transit Pilot has emerged in recent weeks as one of the top catalystsfor dramain downtown Toronto, but – believe it or not – the project has done more than inspire saucy ice sculptures.

When the year-long pilot commenced in November, city officials were thrilled to announce Toronto's first transit priority corridor – a major street with new traffic restrictions meant to get an estimated 65,000 commuters across the city more quickly and reliably every day.

Many have proclaimed the initiative a smashing success in recent months based on city data, passenger reactions and the simple experience of riding a streetcar along King without getting stuck.

Some local business owners may not like it, but the news just keeps on getting better for TTC riders.

#KingStreetPilot delivers *predictable transit*. This graph is a thing of beauty: on the left, the old way; on the right, note the new consistency of 504 King operation. Learn more in @SwanBoatSteve's update: https://t.co/hGxJaT740Ppic.twitter.com/sAX0ZkXF8P

— Cameron MacLeod (@c_9) February 6, 2018

Local author and transit advocate Steve Munro is shining some much-appreciated light on the pilot project this week in terms of how travel times, line capacity and headway reliability have been affected along King Street.

Using vehicle tracking data from the Toronto Transit Commission, Munro has compiled a series of travel time sets for 504 streetcars heading westbound from Jarvis to Bathurst.

Charts published on his website this week show data for five representative hours of operation – 8:00 am, 1:00 pm, 5:00 pm, 8:00 pm and 10:00 pm. – between September of 2017 and January of 2018.

The difference following the introduction of the pilot is obvious. Travel times are lower overall, but as Cameron MacLeod points out, what's remarkable here is a visible increase in predictability.

"Data for January 2018 show that the travel times through the pilot area between Jarvis and Bathurst Streets continue to be both below the pre-pilot values," writes Munro, "and generally without the day-to-day 'spikiness' in the range of typical travel times."

Munro also looked at capacity in his most recent post, taking care to point out how much the capacity for streetcar riders on King Street has increased – though this has more to do with the streetcars themselves than with the traffic rules.

As more new, larger, Flexity streetcars are added into the fleet, the volume of people moving across the city increases.

It's that simple;  bigger cars = more capacity. When Bombardier finally delivers the rest of Toronto's order, King Street will be in even better shape for commuters downtown. 

Winter in Toronto can sometimes feel like a toss-up between walking headlong into a snowstorm, and being cooped up inside for six months. 

A weekend getaway to a steamy, outdoor grotto could, however, achieve some kind of happy medium between the pleasures of cozying up in the warmth and embracing the frigid air.

A post shared by Zeba ▫ Toronto Fashion Blogger (@ellaprettyblog) on Jan 27, 2018 at 11:40am PST

The Fieldstone Grotto is one of the key features at the beautiful Ste. Anne's Spa in Grafton, Ontario, which is about two hours from Toronto in normal traffic.

A post shared by Ste. Anne's Spa (@steannesspa) on Jan 5, 2018 at 12:05pm PST

The year-round outdoor facility includes a hot tub, heated lap pool, and a cooling pool, all of which are surrounded by quaint stone that looks particularly nice covered in snow. There's also a host of spa and wellness services offered inside.

A post shared by Ste. Anne's Spa (@steannesspa) on Feb 5, 2018 at 10:32am PST

The grotto is nestled among a picturesque collection of cottages set amid acres of rolling hills. There's even a stable of horses to ride once you're done your water therapy.

This historic country estate (established by Samuel Massey in 1858) feels like a completely different world than salt-stained Toronto in the midst of winter.

A view of the lap pool at the Fieldstone Grotto. Photo courtesy of Ste. Anne's Spa.

Unlike the highly popular Scandinave Spa near Collingwood, Ste. Anne's features overnight accommodations, which allow visitors to make the most of the grotto and spa facilities over the course of a weekend. 

You can, however, also take advantage of day packages if you're tight on time. They start at $185 per person and include spa services, lunch and tea, plus access to all facilities. 

If you'd like to wear both a toque and bikini this winter, but aren't sure where that would be acceptable, Ste. Anne's grotto is might be the place for you.

I'm a sucker for old houses with new interiors, and this recently listed property at 147 Borden St. in Harbord Village ticks off both boxes with beauty to spare. The exterior exudes Victorian charm while the inside is all industrial minimalism.

Fireplace fans will surely like the modern wood burning stove that acts as the centrepiece of the living room. As is often the case with renovation efforts like this one, the first floor has been turned into an open concept space that helps to temper the narrowness of the house.

This quality can't be entirely hidden in the kitchen area, where the floor plan tapers, but there's still enough room to eat breakfast at the counter here. The primary drawback is the truncated family room, which only accommodates a couch and a TV.

I'm not always a fan of concrete floors, but with radiant heat and the right furniture, it all seems to work in this space. 

Upstairs, the master and en suite combo is boasts impressive square footage, while the rest of the bedrooms are on the smaller size (for a house priced at almost $2 million). But, hey, there are four of them, which is nothing to scoff out so close to downtown.

By way of added bonus, the downstairs apartment could be a great way to subsidize the mortgage payments. It's a tasteful one bedroom that would likely fetch more than $1000 a month in rent.

Specs

• Address: 147 Borden St.
• Price: $1,849,000
• Lot Size: 18.5 x 114 feet
• Bedrooms: 4 + 1
• Bathrooms: 3
• Parking: 2
• Walk Score: 96
• Transit Score: 100
• Listing agent: Abhai Singh Bhullar
• Listing ID: C4034599

Good For

Someone who in love with an industrial aesthetic who also has a soft spot for old Toronto homes. This one offers the best of both worlds.

Move On If

I suspect the concrete floors will be contentious for prospective buyers here. Either you love 'em or hate 'em in a house like this. 

Thanks to Bosley Real Estate Ltd., Brokerage for sponsoring our house of the week. All editorial written and selected by blogTO.

Car dealerships might be worth a lot of money, but you know what’s worth even more money? Condos. 

In North America's fourth largest city, during a time of unparalleled growth, in an era where bikes can move downtown faster than any motor vehicle, nobody wants a two-floor Mazda dealership when they could sell the land under it for a fortune. 

Enter the existence of an automobile shopping district on Toronto’s lower east side. 

It almost certainly wasn't by design, but as land becomes more and more scarce west of Yonge, large open spaces like car dealerships have become prime targets for developers.

A post shared by Grand Touring Automobiles (@grandtouringautos) on Dec 13, 2017 at 3:01pm PST

Grand Touring Automobiles recently moved to Dundas Street East and the Don Valley Parkway from its original home at 740 Dupont Street, which is slated to become a huge residential development.

The luxury auto dealer can now be found within a stone's throw of downtown Toronto's biggest (and in some cases only) Bentley, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz and Audi dealerships.

A post shared by Grand Touring Automobiles (@grandtouringautos) on Jan 29, 2018 at 1:18pm PST

For its part, Grand Touring offers some of the most wildly luxurious vehicles in the city, from Rolls Royce and Bugatti to Aston Martin and Lamborghini. The Jaguar stock here almost feels pedestrian when lined up against these other brands. 

Yep, this is a car-lovers wet dream.

While a disproportionate number of our city’s biggest car dealerships are all located within a few (generous) blocks of each other near the DVP, this might be the most exclusive of them all. 

A post shared by Mike Steeves (@mikejsteeves) on Dec 5, 2017 at 3:12pm PST

As to just how baller the dealership will be when it's fully open remains to be seen. Right now, the fourth floor serves as the main showroom. Construction continues on the third floor, which will eventually house more cars that Drake might buy on a whim someday. 

While the Grand Touring was a fixture on Dupont St., the Don Valley setting works really well here. Even though the dealership's not yet fully operational, you can already get a sense of the incredible photo ops it offers.

What's a $250K car if you can't show it off against the slick backdrop of the city's skyline?