GreenSudbury: May 2009

Sunday, May 31, 2009

Sudbury St. Louis de Gonzague Slated for Demolition

St. Louis de Gonzaguue school was named after Aloysius Gonzaga and is also the patron Saint of the St. Aloysius elementary school next door.Both schools have been closed for decades as a result of low enrollment, and shifting demographics.

Located directly across from Sudbury Secondary School in the central school hub of MaryMount College and College NotreDame, the area between Kathleen Street and Mackenzie/College Street is now slated for the Downtowns newest housing development in years.

The neighbourhood, home of the Main public library site, St. Joseph Rectory, Christ the King, St. Annes Church, and the Sudbury Star and CBC, reflects its central importance to the city over the years as a gateway entry point. Situated on the edge of the multi ethnic 'donovan', francophone Flour Mill and the core downtown, the neighbourhood has always been a barometer of the shifting tides of the City

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Saturday, May 30, 2009

Downtown Sudbury May 2009

One of 3 new French bookstores in Sudbury has put out a few tables on Durham street and is the perfect spot this summer to be seen wearing your beret and drinking cappuccinos.But more seriously building a revitalized culturally alive mainstreet has been happpening in the Downtown core over the last 5-7 years, with new businesses from the arts community stepping forward.This location was the launch site for Mariana Lafrance's photography book 'La Ville Invisible' - commissioned by the city for the 125th anniversary. Mariana ran the city's first photo blog at The Little Smoke

Meanwhile, the provincial building provides a bike rack for the public while warning against biking. And they are very serious about the signage!

Cost of signage?

One of a handful of public benches in the downtown core

Every set of light standards runs close to $100,000 to be installed, complete with engineering studies, transportation planning and the whole lot. Yet for 90% less, a share of proven alternatives are ready to be implimented.

It seems like a lot of people are just well directed to drive past the downtown as they head toward greener destinations. Even the Sudbury transit signage is smaller and relegated to the bottom of the list.

One of only 2 Zebra walks in the downtown core - with emphasis on the 5 seniors residences located in walking distance. Cost: paint vs a set of lights?

The Sudbury transit islands are actually fairly funky structures

And whats the summer without a little sidewalk work? Not a new bike rack, bike lane or new piece of street furniture to be seen anywhere. Serious serious lack of seating throughout the Downtown.

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Thursday, May 28, 2009

Dowtown Sudbury - Corner of Durham and Cedar

It's interesting how certain street corners tend to develop a character and life all of their own - apart from the planned use, they become accidental urban crossroads, nighttime meeting places, public space for sitting, music, begging, chatting - all signs of a liveable city.
Downtown Sudbury - Corner of Durham and Cedar

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Tuesday, May 26, 2009

It's Cycling Time Again in Sudbury

Lots of bikes appearing Downtown and lots of pedal power in public. Just a few snaps from today's foray into the Sudbury Downtown milieu.Here's the Heart and Stroke Big Bike in front of the YMCA sponsored by Shkakamekwe Native Health

Elgin Street seems to be the place to really get the cycle going!

Downtown Sudbury now has a Bike Messenger service running as well!

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Sunday, May 24, 2009

Remember to Pay for your feul

Remember to Pay for your feul, originally uploaded by Fredrik Thommesen.

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Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Cyclo-Nomade visits Sudbury

Benoit Tousignant, also known as « Le CycloNomade » will be speaking at Tom Davies Square on Wednesday May 27 as he passes through Sudbury. The presentation (in French only) will take place from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in Council Chambers, 200 Brady Street, Sudbury.

Through the CycloNomade project, Mr. Tousignant, a secondary school teacher from Quebec, has been travelling around the world by bicycle in order to make people aware of the great challenges we face in improving the state of our environment. Particularly, he wants to observe and increase the level of awareness among young people regarding environmental protection. Since his journey began, over one year ago, the CycloNomade has inspired more that 10,000 school children to write letters to the Prime Minister expressing their concerns and commitment to the environment. He will take these letters to Parliament Hill when arrives in Ottawa on June 5, 2009, World Environment Day.

Hopefully you will be able to attend, and please distribute this invitation widely.