'Now is the time': Dundas East strip makeover looming
The Del-Mar restaurant on London’s Dundas Strip is a central reflection of the area it surrounds.
“The look we have here is ‘dated authentic.’ The Del-Mar remains in a time capsule,” states co-owner Leo Nikas.
Much of the Dundas East strip has a time-capsule charm, with signs and businesses taking visitors back to the ‘50s and ’60s.
It is a feature most don’t want changed as the city, the Argyle Business Improvement Association (BIA) and residents look to move forward with a core area improvement plan.
London city Councillor Shawn Lewis agrees.
“I don’t want to see the signage go, I don’t want to see our overall look or feel go, but I’d like to see it enhanced.”
London City Councillor Shawn Lewis on Thursday, June 24, in London, Ont. (Sean Irvine / CTV News)
Lewis represents the area of Dundas Street East being looked at in the report. It stretches roughly from Highbury Avenue through Clarke Road.
“When you look down this corridor it is very much a concrete jungle,” he contends.
And that’s what the city’s draft plan, in part, is looking to address.
It’s hoped the Argyle Core Area Community Improvement Plan will enhance the appeal of the strip to locals and visitors.
The report includes suggestions from city staff, business owners and the public.
Lewis says infrastructure renewal over the next few years to parts of the strip offers an opportunity to improve features including benches, green space and sidewalks.
However, the draft plan also calls for business incentives to spruce things up.
“I’d like to see the same kind of investments that we are making on Hamilton road, in Old East Village with those other BIAs around the city.”
The question remains if financial incentives and infrastructure changes are enough to give the strip a boost.
“I would actually say now is the time to start making a change in Argyle. I think this is a neighbourhood that is on the move,” argues Lewis.
Back at the Del-Mar, Nikas partially agrees, as he looks at a photo of Dundas East just before the creation of the strip in the 1950s.
Leo Nikas is co-owner of the Del-Mar restaurant on Dundas St. E. (Sean Irvine / CTV News)
“And the street is lined with trees. The whole street was lined with trees.”
While a tree-lined Dundas East may never be seen again, Lewis says it could be greener.
“A few trees, some planter boxes in the city space would go a long way to making it a more welcoming neighbourhood for people on foot.”
This fall, the public will have another chance to provide input into the Argyle Core Area Community Improvement Report before the city looks at its budget to fund it.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Police investigating shooting outside of Drake's Bridle Path mansion: source
Toronto police are investigating a shooting that took place outside of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion early Tuesday morning, a source tells CP24.
Canadian cadets rock mullets and place second at U.S. military competition
Sporting mullets, Canadian Armed Forces officer cadets placed second in an annual military skills competition in the U.S.
'It looked so legit': Ontario man pays $7,700 for luxury villa found on Booking.com, but the listing was fake
An Ontario man says he paid more than $7,700 for a luxury villa he found on a popular travel website -- but the listing was fake.
Your body needs these three forms of movement every week
Movement is movement, right? Not exactly. Here’s what your body is looking for in addition to your morning walk or yoga session, according to experts.
The Met Gala was in full bloom with Zendaya, Jennifer Lopez, Mindy Kaling among the standout stars
The Met Gala and its fashionista A-listers on Monday included Jennifer Lopez, Zendaya and a parade of others in a swirl of flora and fauna looks on a green-tinged carpet lined by live foliage.
Quebec to limit sperm donations per donor after 3 men from same family father hundreds of children
Quebec is looking at tightening the regulations around sperm donation in the province following the release of a documentary that revealed three men from the same family fathered hundreds of children.
There's actually no such thing as vegetables. Here's why you should eat them anyway
The rumours are true: Vegetables aren't real — that is, in botany, anyway. While the term fruit is recognized botanically as anything that contains a seed or seeds, vegetable is actually a broad umbrella term.
Noelia Voigt resigns as Miss USA, citing her mental health
Noelia Voigt, who was crowned Miss USA in November 2023, has announced she is resigning from her role, saying the decision is in the best interest of her mental health.
Highlights from the 2024 Met Gala exhibit: Sleeping Beauty would wake up for these gowns
Sure, she was a royal princess and all. But there’s no way Sleeping Beauty — either before or after her nap — ever had quite the fabulous wardrobe that’s been assembled at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.