The fastest gunfight in the West Queen West

If urban planning is the new rock ‘n’ roll, then it was punk against glam on West Queen West as the media launch for the WESTside Lofts was preceded by community association Active 18’s release of their report from the Queen West Triangle Charette earlier this month, where ideas for sustainable development of the area were hashed out. While the visually provocative sales centre across from The Drake Hotel was erected last fall, only now is it opening to prospective buyers, in spite of still awaiting approval – and Active 18 are now petitioning the Ontario Municipal Board to adjourn their pre-hearing about the construction until City Council can get an earful in June. All of this activism was a rapid response to the rapid desirability of the area, transformed over the past two years from a fleabag bohemia to an increasingly coveted neo-Annex. Those lobbying to put the breaks on the WESTside plan argue that the condo sales scheme is targeting transient hipsters with money, who might actually be better than transient hipsters without money. Rather, this opposing faction argues that West Queen West is a place where a generation of artistic-minded types oughta continue putting down roots; something that a bunch of glass towers isn’t going to encourage, especially when they’re erected at random, based on whatever derelict space awaits a windfall for the current landlords. The proposed triangle complex may be reconsidered based on a few technicalities – such as the private pedestrian bridge proposed to link Queen St. to King St. over the railway tracks, connecting the 400 mid-rise lofts to the 19-storey tower designed by starchitect Will Alsop. Behind the WESTside headquarters – whose permanent structure will get converted into a gallery later on – is 48 Abell St., a historic live/work space whose fate is also the subject of concern, with the design charette concluding it could ideally serve as the anchor for the area, rather than being overshadowed by a gruppie playground. John Sewell is characteristically arguing the Active 18 cause on the bureaucratic level, telling those gathered at the Lot 16 Bar how he longs for how planners were able to work directly with people in the 1970s. Need it always be the government’s problem, though? The unveiling of the WESTside Lofts was no less of an optimistic affair – as condo developer Landmark express much enthusiasm for renewal, boasting of their 15 year dedication to the area, not to mention a million-dollar splurge on local artwork as a gift to each suite buyer. Members of Local 18 were prohibited from snooping around the lime-bathed model suite, invited to return on April Fool’s Day to check it out themselves, along with the other chequebook holders.

Active 18 Association [official website + PDF-fest]