Gently used Government building could be yours

It was my pleasure to interview the past Mayor of Etobicoke, currently sitting Toronto Councillor Doug Holyday. This destinguished gentleman has served a long term in the public sector.

In attending the offices at the Etobicoke Civic Center, my consideration was what a fabulous location on and off the highway that would better serve as high rise high density mixed use being a combination of retail commercial with residential above. [Hard not to be a realtor]

This became one of our conversational points. If the City moved its west offices to one of the subway hubs, either Kipling or Islington, and built on (vertically) what was previously a bus terminal, this would be a prudent, intelligent planning choice to provide services to the public (ultimately the city's customers) in a location where the residents could easily access.

Imagine, slipping home early on the subway for your extra stop at the New and Improved Civic Center to pick up your approved Fast Tracked Building Permit for the changes you are making in your house.

With the relocation of the civic centre to a subway corridor there is now the matter of the Burnhamthorpe site. DOug Holyday said "We don't need something as opulent as the Taj Mahal, we need something that is functional and will serve the residents long term". Councillor Holyday continued "this entire building could be extirely funded from the sale of the Burnhamthorpe and West Mall location sale, this would be betterment for the city in providing a new building and an improvement to the Neighbourhood that already has higher use structures." Have a look

The dedicated people that run the Municipal level of government are always under the microscope of public opinion and the purse strings of tax dollars. Money at these levels is not raised as a bake sale. Money comes from Federal and Provincial programs for infrastructure but ultimately a municipality raises funds thru the development fees collected and the ongoing taxation of residential and commercial property owners. These are issues for experienced people who are altruistic in their goals to help others in their own community. Hospitals, Recreation Centers and Transit identify the larger issues but the smaller councils also decide the fate of the tree on your front lawn.

Will the Double Miller Tax [Toronto Land Transfer Tax] be repealled with a new administration? How will transit expansion unfold in the near future? Will there be new subway lines ie Eglinton Ave.,?

Investigate and support someone who is running for office. Help them get elected. Have a voice in the process and how our tax dollars are being spend.

Thank you Mr. Holyday The second part of the interview is here.

A moment with Tom Adams Oakville

I recently had the distinct pleasure to meet and interview Tom Adams Councillor Ward 6 of the town of Oakville.

The gentlemen is well spoken, informed, reserved and deserves to be where he is. This conversation lead me to a better understanding of the intricate nature of services provided by the local municipal government and the people that they serve.

This goes further than the Community Recreation Center and when will they allow equal hockey ice time to all (recently a news item in Toronto) but to the larger issues that speak to governance of municipal assets like land, air and water. Halton Region and Oakville are embarking on the construction of a new hospital at the intersection of Third Line and Dundas; There is a power plant proposal for increased hydro availability near the Ford Plant on Royal Windsor Dr, Oakville has recently upgraded their transit system with new improved transit routes for commuters to down town Toronto's Bay street.

Have a listen to Tom Adams.

Oakville does have higher development charges than surrounding communities and that does effect growth. Nevertheless Oakville continues to be a sought after community in the west Toronto GTA. With a vibrant and growing Transit System, New Hospital, proposed and improving Recreational Facilities Oakville does seem poised to continue its stellar growth.

If you would like information about this community, please call 647 218 2414 or write me email: david@davidpylyp.com

Buy a house at the Grocery Store

Attention Kmart Shoppers Blue Light Special on Aisle 5 NEW and improved? Shopping for your home in a grocery store?

Some consumers will now be able to go to their local supermarket and pick up a more substantial purchase than dinner -- a house. RE/MAX of New England is teaming up with a large supermarket chain to open "micro" real estate offices in grocery stores, the franchise real estate brokerage announced this week. http://tinyurl.com/ycw4lgb

The company has signed an exclusive, five-year agreement with Quincy, Mass.-based Stop and Shop Inc., one of the largest supermarket chains in New England with more than 375 stores throughout New England, New York and New Jersey, according to Stop and Shops Web Site.

"The (real estate offices) will be at the front of the store. We wanted to have facilities where we could have additional awareness to our brand and our agents. Stop and Shops have such a large traffic volume that they seemed to be a perfect fit," said Jay Hummer, executive vice president of RE/MAX of New England.

I don't know about your shopping experience.. I know about mine. Last night, I googled the evening menu, found a recipe I liked, thought about the ingredients that I would need and snuck from the office a little earlier than expected to cook dinner for my lovely bride. With my printed recipe in hand I hit the fresh fish counter, mused about some cheese appetizers, lamenting the winter fresh vegetable prices, made my selections, selected a wine and hurried home to prepare dinner.

At the entrance to the store is the Local Newspaper giving free copies with every subscription. [I don't have a bird and there is no puppy in my condo.] Have you seen how many people have not removed their yellow pages to the recycle bin? The financial services group has a 10 x 10 foot "booth" that is always staffed, grabbing your attention by having the bank machines [ATMs]. I look inside they are no cheerful smiles, no private quiet spaces to ponder your selections, just the hub bub of the food store with their open public address system. There are pamphlets on a variety of services you may need.

There is a segment of the real estate market that is promoting the concept of "boutique" real estate offices that service a select clientelle. OK, so here's the scenario. We will provide you with a lounge, endless video's about proposed construction, views and the building amenities and interiors, [There will be no alcohol as you may be drunk and TRICKED into a financial transaction] Just sign here...

What happened? You still want to see it, touch it, feel it, see who the neighbours might be, check the actual view vs staring at the 60 x 30 foot advertising tablet from Astral Media that will flash like the Star of David 24 hours a day, (outdoor pixel billboard) walk the underground garage to see where your parking stall and storage unit are. Some buyers are equipped to invest and risk what may be around them for the values that are available in pre- construction pricing. Other buyers are hesitant and want to feel their space. Each buyer is unique. Each buyer is correct.

The important issue for us in the Toronto GTA is to buy before the HST crushes us all. Hurry it may be gone is no longer a hollow sales rally cry. Ready to go shopping? email me david@davidpylyp.com or visit http://ShopTOism.com and start your own shopportunity.