Keep an Eye Out
There was a theft from a driveway at the western intersection of Wychwood Park and Longbow this week. Also a male, without ID, solicited a home from charity and then rode off on a bike without stopping at other homes. The police were notified and a report taken. Some thieves are brazen – don’t leave doors open or things out in your driveway. Also, do not hesitate to report unusual activity. The non-emergency number for the police is 519-661-5670
Robin Hood Day in Sherwood Forest (Library) – March 17th, 10:00-5:00
Come celebrate all things Robin Hood in Sherwood Forest!
There will be activities for all ages all day long including archery, music, history presentations, and refreshments.
From Councillor Squire – Ward Meeting, Monday, March 19th
Just to give everyone a quick heads up, I will be having my final ward meeting of this term of Council on Monday March 19 from 7-9 pm at Kings College in the Dante Lenardon Hall. There will be 2 topics on the agenda, the first being community safety. We will have a police officer there to answer any questions about neighbourhood safety and in particular break-ins. The other topic will be BRT and how it is being proposed in Ward 6. I will be updating you on the plan that will be going to Council for approval on April 9. I will also have a guest speaker, Frank Moretti who is a transportation policy analyst and can comment on different transit plans in North America and future trends. I hope people will come out to give me input on these two topics. It is really important that people be there and show interest.
Phil Squire, City Councillor, Ward 6
Bus Rapid Transit
If you did not get to the open house on what the City is planning, you can have a look at the information presented by going to: https://www.shiftlondon.ca/brt_open_house_display_boards
Sherwood Forest School Site, New Housing and Park
The process is moving along. We understand from the developer that he will have an information meeting sometime in April. There will be a sign on the site with date, time and location as well as information on our website.
There will be a separate city led process with us and the City Parks Planning staff for the park design and amenities. The park is to be developed in 2019. The developer will be constructing the path that will link Finsbury and Wychwood.
Medway Valley Heritage Forest Environmentally Significant Area
The public participation meeting on the proposed two bridges to be built across the Medway, including one in our area of the Valley, will take place at City Hall on April 16th. We will update you when we find out the time and when the final report is posted. If you wish to submit your opinion in writing for the meeting agenda, write to pec@london.ca noting that you wish your communication to appear on the agenda. It should be addressed to Chair and Members, Planning and Environment Committee. At the meeting, anyone may speak without pre-registering. You will have up to 5 minutes to speak.
Aurelia House, the New Addition to the Monastery
If you have been along Ramsay Road, you have seen the work being done to add an addition to the Precious Blood Monastery. The Sisters will welcome the community for an Open House soon.
Casino Survey Online
Further to City Council’s resolution on the municipal requirements to be satisfied for a proposed expansion of a gaming site in London, the city has launched the online survey which can be accessed at the following link:
https://getinvolved.london.ca/expansion-gaming
Medway Valley Heritage Forest Environmentally Significant Area
City staff are now proposing two bridges in the Valley including one in our area (see the black circles on the map below). The bridges may be similar to those across the Creek north of Fanshawe Park Road as each crossing is roughly 3 times wider than across Rollingwood Creek below Metamora.
BRT Update from Councillor Squire
Given the announcement yesterday and the media attention I want to bring you up to date on the BRT process:
1. The City staff will be having their last Public Information Sessions on the BRT before it comes to council for final approval. Attached is the information on the date and location and an overview of what will be discussed.
2. The provincial government through the Minister of Transportation yesterday announced that it will fund the BRT plan to the extent of up to 170 million dollars. The city itself has committed 130 million which means the project needs approximately 200 million from the Federal government to be completely funded. The provincial government made it clear that it is funding this plan only.
3. The plan will be coming to council for final approval in April. Please keep in mind that the initial vote on the business plan was 14-2. I have no reason to believe that vote will change.
4. The chances of this council putting this matter to a referendum in the election is I believe almost zero. I have heard this suggestion being made so I wanted to comment on it.
5. I will be having a public meeting prior to the final council decision so I can hear from constituents.
These are I believe the important points to make. If you have any questions please let me know.
Phil Squire
City Councillor, Ward 6
Brescia News
Brescia will be demolishing the building behind its library and removing the portable and replacing it with a new building of similar height and footprint. Here is a message from the Principal and Brescia’s media release. Brescia will keep the community updated.
In 2019, as we celebrate our centennial year, we will also set a course for the next 100 years with the opening of a new state-of-the art academic pavilion.
This modern, light-filled building will not only allow us to respond to the strong demand for the Brescia experience, but will also support our world-class academic programs, current and future growth aspirations and bold leadership for decades to come.I invite you to learn more about this announcement in the press release below and I look forward to keeping you up to date on this exciting milestone in Brescia’s story.
Sincerely,
Dr. Susan Mumm, DPhil
Brescia University College is investing in future women leaders through the construction of a new $ 14 million state-of-the-art academic pavilion. The 30,000 square foot, light-filled building captures the best in educational design. The pavilion will include three state-of-the-art food and nutritional science laboratories, sensory and research laboratories, two multi-tiered classrooms, informal study spaces and an active learning classroom designed for dynamic group work to support Brescia’s current and future growth aspirations.
Designed by the internationally recognized architectural firm HDR, the pavilion is anticipated to open in Fall 2019, which coincides with the 100th anniversary celebration of the University’s founding in 1919.
For more information on Brescia’s academic pavilion, including renderings and live updates, visit: brescia.uwo.ca/academic-pavilion
Additional facts, photos and updates can also be found by following @BresciaUC and #BresciaBuilds2019 on Twitter. Additional information will continue to be updated throughout the course of the project. Questions may be directed to brescia.communications@uwo.ca
Be Aware and Be Careful
An open garage was vandalized on Bloomfield Drive recently. It is hard to believe but there are people who wander the neighbourhood looking for “soft” targets. Please do not hesitate to report suspicious activities to the police.
Bus Rapid Transit
This has been in the news a lot lately. Councillor Squire is co-hosting an information session at the downtown library on April 12. It is expected to be well attended so sign up in advance if you wish to attend.
Continue reading “April News”
Orchard Park / Sherwood Forest Neighborhood Association 