Yes, I’m back with another post about the Don Mills Centre/Shops at Don Mills/The two-phase, never-ending saga. But this time around, I want to ask if anyone out there would be interested in joining me in a “hard hat tour” of the job site. Any takers? I’m not sure who I should be contacting over at CF, but it shouldn’t be too tough to get in for visit. Let me know.

I completely forgot to mention in my last post that residents and those visiting Playa should get used to the modern developments, like the Basico, that are planned for the area. With both phases of The Building Loft going up just blocks from the beach and the Azul condos already built in nearby Playacar, there is more of a choice for those looking to buy something a little more interesting in the Mayan Riviera.

Just got back from a week long trip in Playa del Carmen, Mexico, and I finally had an opportunity to check out the Hotel Basico, the latest Micha family hotel in the Mayan Riviera and the most creative and fuctional hotel I have ever visited. Everything seems to fit under the contemporary Mexican theme, including the quirky recycled patio furniture, the sliced oil drum/plunge pools and the unbelievable view of the Caribbean sea. But despite the press they’ve been getting, the hotel seemed a little empty. Granted, they were packed solid during and just after the holiday season, but didn’t seem like there was anyone enjoying the one-of-a-kind facilities.

With the Basico, and many others like it in areas catering to a wide range of tourists, there is a certain intimidation factor that may come into play with some guests and other visitors in the area. In my humble opinion, the hotel is about two to three years ahead of its time, just like the Deseo just down the road never really took off until guests and visitors alike realized that a hotel, with the right design and atmosphere, can be a lot more than just another “hotel.”

Based on some comments I’ve been receiving, both on and offline, I’ve decided to change the look of the blog. It is a little easier to read and I’m kind of fond of the Manhattan streetscape used for the header.

Big night a few days ago regarding the future of the Don Mills Centre. More on this shortly.

Before I begin, I must admit that I got a huge kick out of Mr. O’Connor Clarke’s “Bloganary Triple Bypass.” If Michael had a near death experience, I flatlined like Kiefer back in 1990!

In any case, I wanted to announce that construction has finally started on the new Don Mills Centre (just between the Dominion and the razed CIBC branch). To be quite honest, I have given up any real fight I had in me because the plan for the new mall doesn’t look half bad. And I’m also looking forward to patronizing eastern Canada’s first McNally Robinson bookstore. I’m not, however, sure about high-density residential being developed in the area, but anything is better than what we have now — thousands of square feet of open fields and dust. It’s a little depressing.

Nonetheless, I still think Cadillac Fairview should step up its community relations efforts by speaking DIRECTLY to residents. STOP USING THE DMRI as your mouthpiece. And how about spending a few dollars on a proper website and some press releases; do the teachers have two much invested in the Maple Leafs’ pathetic roster?

If I had the time, money, influence and connections, I would make one more serious attempt at getting a mall that truly fits the neighbourhood. However, with very little of the above and a sense that no one will ever be happy with whatever goes up, I’m happy just sitting back and hoping for the best.

If you don’t agree and insist on writing me a nasty e-mail, just remember that the community had a similar response from some of its members when CF decided to cover the mall (confirmed by a former resident with close ties to Don Mills). The original Don Mills Centre WAS uncovered and was the talk of the town for nearly three decades.

As far as I’m concerned, the community should be focused on protecting and improving the public lands and infrastructure (some of our schools need some major help). I’d rather have a new mall and some condos than have our schools and parks shut down.

The last time I posted was March 23, 2007. That’s almost three months and definite no-no in this social media game. To all my readers (all three of you), I’m very, very sorry. I know you don’t want to hear any lame excuses, but things have been extremely busy over the last little while — new job, rambunctious one-year-old and a major pool fill-in that has finally been completed.

I should have something for you shortly; just trying to gather my thoughts and whatever is left of my scattered brain. Stay tuned.

Kudos to Peter Sharpe’s handlers for making the redevelopment of the Don Mills Centre sound like the single greatest retail development in recent history. Can’t wait, Mr. Sharpe! But you know what would make me, and others in the neighbourhood, really happy? An opportunity to take a look at the latest plans so we can all get a better sense of what it’s going to look like. And while you’re at it, you can update the Don Mills Centre website with some NEW renderings and a press release or two to update us little people on the progress of the redevelopment.

There’s no need to be afraid. You can improve your image by simply taking a two-pronged approach to your communications campaign: media AND community relations. Do you really want Cadillac Fairview to be known as the corporation that sucked the life out of Don Mills? We all know you can do better.

Below, I’ve posted the media advisory for the upcoming Don Mills heritage event. Is celebrating ten years as a Ontario heritage community a weak excuse to throw a party? Maybe so. But getting Macklin Hancock, Douglas Lee and Henry Fliess together should make for an amazing time for those who appreciate the community and all of its values and principles. Hell, how often do you get a meet the designer of 15 authentic mid-century modern homes (thank you Mr. Fliess!)?

Attention: City, Lifestyle and Architecture Editors

DON MILLS CELEBRATES TEN YEARS AS AN ONTARIO HERITAGE COMMUNITY

Community members to pay tribute to the builders of Canada’s first planned subdivision

DON MILLS, ON (February 22, 2007) — On Wednesday, February 28, the Don Mills friends, a volunteer group of Don Mills residents, and other members of the community will be hosting a heritage event to commemorate the tenth anniversary of Don Mills’ designation as a Heritage Community by the Ontario government. Macklin Hancock, the community’s lead designer, will be on hand for the celebration, along with distinguished Don Mills architects Douglas Lee and Henry Fleiss.

What: Celebrating the heritage of Don Mills – a tribute to the builders of Canada’s first modern planned community

Who: Macklin L. Hancock. A Harvard graduate, urban planner Macklin Hancock was selected by brewery magnate E.P.Taylor to design Don Mills, a self-contained community distinguished by consistent design principles and modernist style.

Henry Fliess. A renowned architect, Henry Fliess designed 15 modernist homes for the community’s residential area, with some 300 to 400 built. Fliess also designed Sherway Gardens with fellow Don Mills architect James Murray.

Douglas Lee. A distinguished architect, Douglas Lee played a leading role in the design of Don Mills.

When: Wednesday, February 28, 2007
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Where: Don Mills Library
Downstairs Auditorium
888 Lawrence Avenue East (Lawrence and The Donway West)

About Don Mills Friends

Don Mills friends is a volunteer group of Don Mills residents and friends who are working towards seeing a new indoor mall constructed on the Don Mills Centre site and towards ensuring that the character of the area is maintained with the new development. For more information, visit www.donmillsfriends.org.

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For more information, please contact:
Paul Zanettos
Don Mills Friends
(416) 893-5435
pzanettos@rogers.com

Thanks to the coolest freaking journalist in town, I finally have proof that other design-savvy folks are buying in Don Mills. Merci beaucoup, David LeBlanc. Let us now consider the flood gates wide open.

Speaking of Don Mills, the Friends are putting together a Heritage event at the Library to celebrate the community’s tenth anniversary as an Ontario Heritage site. More on this later.

After several posts on the subject, I’ve decided to take some action. Since I don’t want to see my town centre become a big-box frankenmall, I’ve officially joined the Friends of Don Mills, the most vocal group in the community protesting Cadillac Fairview’s decision to change the face of North America’s first planned community with an “outdoor lifestyle centre.”

Now, I have to admit: I do feel a little awkward joining this group. In Seinfeld terms, I’m like Kramer, running for president of Del Boca Vista (Phase II), while Morty Seinfeld plans to use his son’s friend as a puppet leader. But is this the reality of my current situation? Not even close.

Over the last week, I’ve had the chance to meet and speak with some of the group’s members and there’s nothing underhanded or overly political happening behind the scenes with this campaign. In fact, Simone Gabbay, the group’s leader and official spokesperson, is an amazing communicator, who keeps everything open and transparent. And even though I don’t agree with all her views (I’m actually quite relieved they razed the old Don Mills Centre — it almost kept me from buying in the neighbourhood), we both believe Cadillac Fairview’s current plans don’t even come close to accomodating and serving the needs of the community.

As part of this campaign, I hope to convince CF on the following:

1. The NEED for a covered or partially covered shopping area. Don Mills is not southern California.
2. Less parking; more people. I want to feel safe when strolling my daughter through the town centre.
3. Despite what you may think, design can make all the difference. If you’re looking for some design inspiration for the new Don Mills Centre, take a look at some of the subway stops on the Sheppard line. Making it look a little “googie” (thanks to Dave LeBlanc for the definition) while looking forward with some glassy, post-modern touches, will do wonders for the community AND Cadillac Fairview’s reputation as a forward-thinking developer.

No need for a fight, guys. We can work this out. If you really want one, though, look out.