Dear Friends of Kingston Inner Harbour
Every now and then it’s good to stop and consider what we have actually helped achieve. Right now we’re feeling pretty good about a couple of re-purposed heritage buildings and the take-over of our community trail clean-ups by yet another wonderful community organization.
The photo included here was from 2013 and includes the trucks provided by the wonderful Cataraqui St. moms and their families. Doesn’t seem like that long ago!
Concerning the repurposing of heritage buildings, both the developers and city staff have worked hard on the Queen City Oil building and the Bailey Broom Company projects over the last few years and deserve huge thanks for preserving these valuable Inner Harbour heritage assets – great demonstrations of “Where History and Innovation Thrive”.
Huge thanks are also due to Helen Finlay and those members of the Frontenac Heritage Foundation and the Kingston Historical Society who cared enough to ensure heritage designation in 1987 for 9 North St. and to John and Michael Sinclair of Living Rooms, Jennifer McKendry, Laura Murray and the many people to rose to the occasion to support the re-purposing of the Bailey Broom Company in the spring of 2014 when the City was threatening its demolition. The only major downside has been the very real interference with the local turtle population. However, to look on the bright side, the City and Queen’s University are in continuing discussion with the developer as to best accommodations.
PLEASE NOTE: If you want to reply, please do so to inverarymary@yahoo.com. For some odd reason, your reply will be blocked if you try to reply to this message directly.
1. Queen City Oil Company Update (ABNA Investments Ltd)
2. Bailey Broom Company Update (RAW Design)
3. TRAIL CLEAN-UP SAT MAY 16 – 10 AM
4. Third Crossing & Boating Updates
5. Turtle and Wetland Concerns at Cataraqui Cemetery
6. Current Water Level Projections
7. Helping Neighbours
8. “Collecting Histories”: City’s Online Exhibition
9. Engaging with City during Pandemic
10. Ferry Passengers Asked to Carry Masks
11. Kingston Velo Club’s Advocacy to the City for C-19 Accommodations
12. Kingston Coalition for Active Transportation’s Letter to City re COVID Accommodations
13. Online Survey of the Rideau Waterway
14. Central Kingston Growth Strategy
15. TAKE THE TIME TO READ THIS: Re-Wilding Ourselves and our Environments
1. Queen City Oil Company (9 North St.) Update
The Queen City Oil Co. Ltd. warehouse at 9 North Street (better known as on Wellington St. below Rideaucrest), is a mostly two-storey limestone building designed by William Newlands in 1897. Newlands is well known for his handsome houses and his beautiful pavilion on the lakeshore near the Richardson Bath House. Read more about this building’s truly fascinating history in the historical account by John Duerkop included at the end of this update. Did you know, for example, that one of the founders was a relative of today’s media giant Ted Rogers?
Back in 2012, our original hope was that the building would become an extension of the Kingston Rowing Clubwith boat storage on the main floor and office space on the second floor. This proposal, led by the energetic Brad Brennan, Kingston Rowing Club coach, would also have involved students from the Limestone Board of Education’s housebuilding focus program. This was back when the Wellington St. Extension was still seen as a viable option. Sadly, at that time, the powers that be deemed it unsafe for students. So Brad moved his dream to the west end where he has since created the very successful Limestone Boat and Board Club.
Then, in 2014, the 9 North St. property was sold to ABNA Investments Ltd. pursuant to RFP Number F31-CSI-RELD-2014-01 to acquire, stabilize, restore and repurpose 9 North Street.
Work is now ongoing (Spring 2020).
Applications for Brownfield Assistance and for Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendments have been filed to facilitate its redevelopment into eight residential units.
Brownfield Financial Assistance
Due to former industrial uses on the site, the proposed project has required management, remediation, and risk assessment of environmental contaminants. Council has approved a brownfield financial tax rebate benefit in exchange for remediation and redevelopment of this brownfield property, and the approval of by-laws and execution of agreements for that purpose. Report to Council Number 20-120 dated April 21, 2020 is here . In short:
“The report recommends approval of brownfield financial tax rebate benefits of up to a maximum of $1,216,915 to ABNA Investments Ltd. in exchange for the remediation and redevelopment of the brownfield property at 9 North Street, and the approval of by-laws and execution of agreements for that purpose.”
Heritage Approval
This property is also designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act and has was deemed complete March 20, 2020. The application for Heritage Permit was presented to Heritage Kingston (Report HK-20-023) on April 15, 2020 (File Number P18-019-2020).
Alterations include the following;
1. Withdraw of the approvals under Heritage Permit P18-110-2017
2. Restoring and repointing of the remaining limestone walls of the building, including the reconstruction of the south gable-end chimney to its original height;
3. Reconstructing the gabled roof to its former profile, with new standing seem metal roofing and two vent boxes, at a 4:12 pitch and at a height of approximately 1.5 metres above the stone walls;
4. Installing pattress plates on the east, west and north elevations, and exhaust vents on the east elevation
5. Altering a number of the openings on the north and south elevations to accommodate new entrances;
6. Installing metal-clad wooden sash wooden sash windows and wooden exterior doors with partial glazing in their respective openings around the building;
7. Installing concrete steps, landings and metal hand rails at the entrances on the east elevation;
8. Erecting of a “silo” shaped metal-clad stair enclosure addition on the north side of the building with a painted “Queen City Oil Company” signage on its east face;
9. Installing landscaping pavers, plantings, and a larger stone planter;
10. Relocating retaining wall to create a level access to the second floor on the south elevation; and
That the approval of the alterations be subject to the following conditions:
1. A Building Permit shall be obtained, as necessary;
2. A Sign Permit shall be obtained, as necessary;
3. All Planning Act applications, including Official Plan and zoning by-law amendment and Site Plan Control approval, as necessary, shall be completed;
4. Drawings and specifications submitted as part of the Building Permit process shall be provided to Heritage Planning staff for review to ensure consistency with the Heritage Permit;
5. Details related to the colour(s) of the new siding, trim and roofing shall be submitted to Heritage Planning staff, prior to installation, for review and approval, to ensure it complements the heritage character and attributes of the property;
6. All planters shall be constructed as free standing structures and not attached to the stone walls;
7. All masonry works shall be completed in accordance with the City’s Policy on Masonry Restoration on Heritage Buildings;
8. All window works shall be completed in accordance with the City’s policy on Window Renovations in Heritage Buildings; and
9. Any minor deviations from the submitted plans, which meet the intent of this approval and do not further impact the heritage attributes of the property, be delegated to the Director of Planning Services for review and approval.
You can find out more about this project by visiting DASH and searching using the application file number D35-001-2020 and/or by contacting James Bar, Senior Planner, jbar@cityofkingston.ca
2. Bailey Broom Company Update (305-325 Rideau St.)
The Bailey Broom Factory application for Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment was passed at Planning Committee on April 16, 2020 , and approved by Council on May 5, 2020. Report Number PC-20-027 can be found by clicking here.
Background and Decision Dates
In the spring 2014, Council approved the purchase the road corridor lands within 5 Cataraqui Street and all of the property known as 305-323 Rideau Street.
A condition of the City’s purchase was the demolition of all the buildings on the 305-323 Rideau Street property by the vendor, including the bailey broom factory. At that time, the former Bailey Broom Factory was not listed or designated and recognized as exemplifying heritage significance.
In June 2014, Council passed a motion to amend the terms of the City’s agreement to purchase 305-323 Rideau Street so that the requirement of the vendor to demolish the former Bailey Broom Factory was removed.
In August 2014, Council approved a budget to complete investigations of the existing building, which included a designated substance review, a building condition assessment, minor structural repairs, a heritage assessment and any other investigations. Council also directed staff to undertake a Request for Information (RFI) process to publicly solicit proposals to acquire, restore and repurchase the 305-323 Rideau Street property.
An assessment of the Cultural Heritage Value was undertaken by an independent consultant.
As per the recommendation of the heritage assessment, in January 2015, Council approved the Municipal Heritage Committee’s recommendation to designate the subject property to recognize its façade and cultural heritage attributes.
In November 2014, staff issued the RFI. RAW Design Inc. was the sole respondent to the RFI. Subsequently in March 2015, a Request for Proposal (RFP) was issued to RAW Design Inc. for the acquisition, restoration and repurposing of the former Bailey Broom Factory. In 2016, RAW Factory Inc. purchased the subject properties which included a sale agreement that requires the owner to complete the restoration of the existing heritage building prior to developing the vacant lands known municipally as 323 Rideau Street. In accordance with By-Law Number 2007-43, these applications were subject to a preapplication meeting held on November 29, 2016, with the Planning Service and various other departments and agencies.
Following this, a complete application submission was made by the applicant on March 29, 2018.
Since the initial Public Meeting on May 17, 2018, the applicants worked with staff to address technical comments related to site design, details of the amending zoning by-law, other site factors, taking the application beyond the 210 days after a complete application was received. Staff have reviewed the revised information and have no further technical concerns with preparing this report to advance a recommendation for consideration by the Planning Committee and Council.
The applicant is proposing to redevelop the former Bailey Broom Factory at 305 Rideau Street (southern parcel) by introducing commercial uses in the designated heritage building.
The applicant is proposing to retrofit the existing building to accommodate office space, co-working office/meeting space along with a café/restaurant. Additional uses such as an event space, performance space, artisan workshops, food-based start-ups, market and education space are considered and contemplated to be located within the adaptively repurposed heritage building.
The site includes nine vehicular parking spaces including one accessible parking space, and 15 bicycle parking spaces. A small accessory building is proposed to be located at the rear of the property that will enclose the garbage facilities for the commercial operations (Exhibit D – Site Plan and Elevations for Southern Parcel).
The property at 323 Rideau Street(northern parcel) was originally proposed to be redeveloped with nine (9) residential townhome units. This site is currently vacant. This proposal saw the nine (9) townhomes built at 3.5 storeys tall with each townhouse dwelling including an individual garage located at the rear of the property accessed via a private lane.
Through technical review, the northern parcel has been reconfigured to propose seven (7) dwelling units consisting of five (5) townhomes and a semi-detached building (Exhibit E – Site Plan and Elevations for Northern Parcel). The dwelling units are proposed to have their own individual garage and vehicular access onto Rideau Street.
Pedestrian access is also provided from Rideau Street. Each dwelling unit is also designed to accommodate a second dwelling unit in the basement and a bicycle parking space at grade.
In support of the applications, the applicant has submitted the following:
• Planning Rationale;
• Site Plan Drawing Package for the Southern Parcel;
• Site Plan Drawing Package for the Northern Parcel;
• Architectural Elevations;
• Townhome Floor Plans;
• Serviceability Report;
• Stormwater Management Report;
• Servicing and Grading Plan;
• Tree Inventory and Preservation Plan;
• Noise Study;
• Record of Site Condition;
• Archaeological Report;
• Landscape Plan; and
• Heritage Impact Statement
The approved proposal will see the Bailey Broom Factory redeveloped with a mix of neighbourhood commercial uses, and the addition of 5 townhomes and a semi-detached building containing two units on the vacant parcel north of the Broom Factory.
You can find out more about this project by visiting DASH and searching using the application file number D35-007-2017.
More Info? James Bar, Senior Planner, jbar@cityofkingston.ca
| 3. K&P TRAIL CLEAN-UP – SAT MAY 16 AT 10 AM Organized by Derek Cooper and the Frontenac K&P Trail Community Group (Find on Facebook). After so many years of FKIH organizing park and trail clean-ups with great help from the wonderful Cataraqui St. moms and their families (and with much appreciated goodie donations from the Main Street Market, Quattrocchi’s and the Bread and Butter Bakery) we are delighted to be passing on this responsibility to yet another wonderful community group. This group is expanded on our efforts – planning a clean-up of the entire urban portion of the K&P Trail. All wonderful! A sign-up sheet has been posted at http://www.derekcooper.com. Derek has broken the 3km of trail from the trailhead at 0km to Elliott Ave adjacent to the CN yard into 4 zones. Here is how you can get involved.. “Sign-up for a zone – do a favourite section or keep the zones balanced for number of people. Later this week I will add the maps for each zone as PDFs for download – they will show where to pickup the garbage bags and sharps containers and where we will be piling everything when we’re done for City pickup. Questions?” 4. Third Crossing and Boating Updates Received May 1, 2020 |
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May work activity Work continues on the west and east shores in building two major activities – a temporary rock causeway and a temporary trestle bridge. This work has been on-going for a few months and has seen a lot of progress. For a visual understanding of the work, watch our latest drone video. Other work activity happening throughout May includes: Continuing to install eco-passages. We will be putting in the fourth eco-passage along the temporary rock causeway which allows aquatic animals to pass through the in-water construction. Five eco-passages will be installed at specific locations along the temporary rock causeway. Progressing work on the temporary trestle bridge Continued work on the west abutment, which is building the base of the bridge where it meets the west shore. Further mobilization of equipment & materials such as drills and cranes. Extended work hours Extended work hours allow our team to be as efficient as possible while the bridge progresses. It has been in our plans to work extended hours wherever possible and has been discussed at near neighbour meetings, open houses and in previous communications. Starting in May, crews will be working extended work hours, Monday to Saturday. Some of the work activities that require extended work hours include: Installing the temporary trestle bridgeMaterial offloading onsiteBoater season During boating season in-water work will continue on the Third Crossing within the project site boundaries. Signs stating “Construction Ahead” have been placed on LaSalle Causeway and on Parks Canada Lock 46 to inform boaters of the in-water construction work on the Cataraqui River due to building the Third Crossing. The City has also notified Parks Canada, Transport Canada, the Canadian Coast Guard Vessel Traffic Centre, LaSalle Causeway and Lock 49 of the ongoing in-water construction work. Every boater should read and be familiar with the Cataraqui River canals regulation. Important Dates for Boaters Parks Canada has stated that the Rideau Canal will not open until June 1, which means Kingston Mills locks will be closed until June 1st at the earliest LaSalle Causeway will be delayed until May 12 as stated by Public Services and Procurement Canada Kingston Re-Opens some Municipal Boat Launches, Marinas Remain Closed Received May 5, 2020 Today the City will be re-opening the following municipal boat launches: Collins Bay boat launch, 4086 Bath Rd. Grass Creek Park, 2991 Hwy 2. Lake Ontario Park, 920 King St. W. West Street boat launch, 1 Ontario St. Cataraqui St. boat launch (at Emma Martin Park and the Woolen Mill) The boat launches at Portsmouth Olympic Harbour Marina remain closed to the public under provincial emergency orders. |
5. Turtle and Wetland Concerns at Cataraqui Cemetery
Although it is not Inner Harbour, the city is planning further
destruction of wetlands if the proposed new development at the Cataraqui
Cemetery proceeds. Here is what Mabyn Armstrong of Turtles Kingston
posted in the Turtles Kingston Facebook page.
“Without prejudice.
My concern is the impact this housing development will have on the adjacent wetland. This City seems to be in constant conflict with the environment and development. It is uniquely situated in the middle of a Provincially Significant Wetland.
One does not have to look far from the entrance to this development to
find the atrocity of the Via Rail overpass that was built IN the wetland
with no regard to the Species at Risk found there. Thousands of tons of
substrate dumped in that portion of the wetland without any regard,
protection or mitigation measures put in place before the tons of rocks
were dumped.
Respect for the environment can only be upheld with applied integrity.
90% of the wetlands in Ontario have disappeared because of over
development. Wetlands play a crucial role in respect to human welfare. They
sequester huge amounts of carbon so are essential in the realization of
the City’s Climate Change Initiatives. Wetlands are the worlds
‘freshwater reservoirs’.
Less than 2% of the worlds water is a freshwater source and 20% of that
is found in Ontario. In addition, Canada contains about 14% of the
worlds wetlands with most found in Ontario.
We have already seen world populations migrating in search of freshwater
sources. We in Canada, and in Ontario are to be held accountable for
the role we play in the protection of our freshwater sources.
The proximity of this development to a freshwater source is of major
concern. The impact that it will inevitably have on the surrounding
environment and the variety of species therein is of great concern.
The world is presently living with the repercussions that the
elimination of a huge percentage of its biodiversity has brought. The
ladder of biodiversity is being sorefully challenged at this time.
With the elimination of more than a million species on the planet as
per last year’s Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on
Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) Report, there is grave
concern for the worlds sustainability.
You cannot climb a ladder that is missing rungs.
Turtles play an essential part in the eradication of species as they are the most imperilled vertebrate species on the planet.
In my opinion, the Environmental Assessment of this development is not complete.
The Turtle populations have not been adequately profiled in the assessment.
Turtles have been on the planet for more than 220 million years and in
less than 50 years we have sent them on the road to their extinction.
They are a keystone species meaning that they are a species on which
other species in an ecosystem largely depend, so that if they were
removed, the ecosystem would change drastically.
They are called the ‘janitors’ of the wetlands because of the vast
amount of carrion (dead flesh) they consume. Remove them from the
wetlands and the wetlands will implode.
It is essential that they and their habitat be protected.
Instead of constructing housing units directly beside the
wetlands, why not provide a more expansive buffer zone that guarantees
the protection of the wetlands and the amazing diversity within.
Because of its proximity to the wetlands, this development, particularly
the 6 – 19 floor high rise buildings, will have increased value because
a fair percentage of the units will be sold at a premium because they
are ‘rooms with a view’. It is only ‘fair’ that the wetland
realize a percentage of that profit. There should be a ‘return in value’
in the form of greater protection of the wetland ensuring that there
would be an increased buffer zone between the development and the
wetland. The plans show that the development is extremely
‘condensed’ which will carry an exaggerated number of both residential
vehicles and foot traffic. The houses that are to be built along
the perimeter of the wetland and the ‘ribbon of life’ corridor found
there should be eliminated to allow for an increased buffer zone. There
needs to be ‘breathing space’ between the highly developed residential
zone and an area of natural wonder that is already facing many
challenges of urbanization encroachment. Let’s not add insult to injury.
Why not take the steps to celebrate the uniqueness found
throughout the City in its wetlands by taking creative steps of greater
protection and recognition.
There are references in the Environmental Assessment that
sedimentation is a potential concern with references made to future
dredging if deemed necessary.
Dredging is an invasive and consequential procedure that would be warranted as a result of the construction of the development. The
concern is that the increased sedimentation created by the construction
of the development could create ‘flooding issues’ by altering water
levels and flow. There would be an increased ‘run off’ from
extensive roofing and paved roads. Note that this ‘run off’ would carry
contaminants like road salt and gas and oil discharges from residential
vehicles.
A storm water holding area is planned that will be adjacent to the
wetland. which carries the potential risk of contamination of the
wetlands with any breeches.
With Kingston declaring a Climate Emergency last year which
inspired its commitment to environmental concerns, development
initiatives like this one must be scrutinized with a template that takes
a stand for the environment and guarantees its protection.
This city is becoming a ‘lemon’.
It seems every piece of land available for development has been
‘squeezed dry’ so compromises are being made to build in areas that
previously would be not be considered.
There is a gross irresponsibility in that and a lack of creativity and imagination.
Currently there are development initiatives that can be perceived as
exploitive because they challenge the basic protection of sensitive
areas and the at risk species found within.
Let’s learn the value of our limited resources by enthusiastically protecting them from exploitation.
This opinion is not in a ‘conflict of interest’ as there is
nothing to be gained but the preservation of something that is unique,
limited and that contains the magical essence of life.
Kingston, let us simply do the right thing.”
Catarqui Cemetery officials are also opposed:
https://www.thewhig.com/news/local-news/cataraqui-cemetery-president-worried-about-more-nearby-building-plans?fbclid=IwAR2eDTLsx8nAdjxmxCcXE2CCglo3YGRIl_kl1Kfx6ZSUPFCL5psrCufQvAQ
Also please check out the Turtles Kinston Facebook page for the following.
This year due to COVID-19 they are requesting that people who find
injured turtles take them to Sandy Pines Wildlife Centre in Napanee. https://www.facebook.com/TurtlesKingston
6. Current Water Level Projections
Favourable conditions mean Lake Ontario outflows not limited, Standard Freeholder (Cornwall, Ontario), May 1, 2020 (also appeared in the Brockville Recorder and Times). It’s
difficult to find anything about the spring of 2020 that’s an
improvement on last year at this time. But that’s the assessment being
made by the International Joint Commission’s International Lake
Ontario-St. Lawrence River Board, which said this week that due to
favourable weather and water supply conditions, the board no longer
needs to limit outflows to alleviate flooding risks downstream. Next
Friday at noon, the ILOSLRB will discuss water levels in the Great
Lakes, the webinar being led by Canadian IJC co-chair Pierre Beland and
American co-chair Jane Corwin. The latest information will be presented
and answer questions will be answered, mainly regarding the water
levels forecasts for all of the Great Lakes, and the IJC’s role in
regulating levels and flows. The ILOSLRB says water levels throughout
the Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River system are expected to peak well
below the record-highs of 2017 and 2019.
Great Lakes and Lake St. Clair to set new April water level records, MLive (Ann Arbor, Michigan), May 2, 2020. As
April ends, a few of the Great Lakes will again average higher than
ever recorded for April. Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie and Lake
St. Clair will all average out at new April record high water
levels. Lake Superior is just below record levels, while Lake Ontario
is over one foot below record April levels.
7. Helping Neighbours
Message from Sharon Way of Mutual Aid Katarokwi Kingston, a new group formed to respond to the impacts of COVID 19 in Kingston.
“In a few words, we are a collective that:
– connects people who need deliveries of groceries, prescriptions or food bank food with people who can deliver them;
– connects people who are requesting phone or email check ins with people who are offering this;
– has a campaigns group that is working on supporting people who are
facing evictions and issues related to housing and homelessness in
Kingston.
None of this involves physical contact with others, however, we are
trying to match folks who live near each other for practical reasons and
in hopes that new local connections and relationships can be formed at
the neighbourhood level.
You can read more about us on our website or facebook , watch a video here, or listen to the Mutual Aid on Lockdown podcast
to learn all the ways we are making connections with neighbours and
creating the infrastructure that allows ordinary people to act out their
natural tendencies towards Mutual Aid.
We invite people to get involved! If you would like to participate in the project you can:
Sign up to do or receive deliveries or check ins using our online form
- Share the online form with your networks, specifically people you know who might benefit from deliveries or check ins, or have time to offer one or both.
- Share our posters (from this media page) electronically or print and post them in your front window or where you can, to help us get the word out.
- Donate to the project. We are accepting e-transfers at mutualaidkatarokwi@gmail.com or you can mail cheques written to Mutual Aid Katarokwi and mail or drop off to 1-75 Queen Street, Kingston ON K7K 1A5. This helps us cover: voicemail service, bank fees, cleaning supplies, groceries for people who cannot afford it, printing costs, etc. Any amount you can offer is helpful! And no worries if you can’t.”
8. “Collecting Histories”, City’s Online Exhibition
Received May 6
The official opening of the Collecting Histories exhibition at the
PumpHouse scheduled for April 2 has been delayed by the COVID-19
pandemic. This is an historic moment, however, and there are many
stories that demand to be shared so Collecting Histories is being
launched today as an interactive and evolving online experience on the
City of Kingston’s Get Involved platform.
“Communities are vibrant and ever changing. The stories that describe a
community’s past events, people, traditions and ideas are its history,”
explains Jennifer Campbell, Manager of Cultural Heritage at the City of
Kingston. “The Kingston community is experiencing a unique moment right
now, and we have an opportunity to explore it and build on our
collective history together.”
The exhibition, Collecting Histories, was meant to explore the
role objects and artifacts play in engaging and inspiring us to learn
about local history. In describing the exhibition, City Curator
Paul Robertson says “Collecting Histories shares some of the
fascinating historical, archival, archaeological and artistic works that
form what we refer to as the Civic Collection. The show also looks at
the challenges and opportunities we face in building a collection that
represents the many facets of our community experience in an inclusive
way.”
In this moment, the City of Kingston’s Get Involved platform is being
used to involve the Kingston community in the process of ‘collecting
histories’ using online technologies. This provides a unique opportunity
to help make history until the PumpHouse can re-open by bringing
together City staff and the public to explore the Civic Collection, to
share objects and artifacts that residents value and how we can work
together to remember this moment in Kingston’s history.
Visit Collecting Histories on Get Involved to
participate in this evolving exploration of history as it is being
written. To find out more about Collecting Histories, visit our latest Culture Blog post.
9. Engaging with City during Pandemic
Received May 8, 2020
“Kingston wins when you engage! The City of Kingston has launched an
online survey to seek input on how it should engage residents on City
projects, policies and initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Are residents ready for us to engage them on subjects beyond the
pandemic? If so, how can we best do that given that in-person
engagements such as open houses, workshop and appearances at community
events aren’t an option at the moment due to physical distancing,” says
Debbi Miller, Manager, Communications and Public Engagement.
The brief survey is now available for input at GetInvolved.CityofKingston.ca until
May 22. In addition to seeking input on engagement in general, it also
asks about the possible use of specific technologies. Residents may also
offer their ideas for communicating with them during COVID-19 on this
site.
The City has not held an in-person engagement since mid-March, but has a
number of projects that were scheduled for engagement in 2020 and City
staff will be providing a recommendation on how to replace in-person
engagement during this time. The results of this survey will inform a
Report to Council on this subject in early June.
In 2019 the City of Kingston was named the International Association of
Public Participation (IAP2) Canada’s Organization of the Year, in
recognition of its work to produce, implement and support its Public Engagement Framework.”
10. Ferry Passengers Asked to Carry Masks
Received from the Kingstonist, May 10, 2020
Passengers of local ferries such as the Glenora Ferry and the Wolfe
Island Ferry are now being asked to bring protective face coverings with
them on their trip.
Transport Canada is asking all travellers to be in possession of a
removable face covering large enough to cover their mouth and nose while
on board passenger vessels and ferries to reduce the spread of
COVID-19, according to Alex Westendorp, Communications Services
Coordinator for the Ontario Ministry of Transportation.
According to Westendorp, passengers are also asked to use the ferry for
essential travel only, and to self-identify any COVID-19 symptoms by
using the Transport Canada self-assessment questionnaire posted at ferry
terminals.
Passengers are also required to practice physical distancing and to stay in their vehicle throughout their trip.
Previous measures, such as the closure of common areas, including washrooms and terminals, remain in place.
11. Kingston Velo Club’s Advocacy Update
“1. Our Advocacy Committee has shared some of our favourite rides to Tourism Kingston and the County of Frontenac.
These will be placed on their website – the Ride with GPS files can be
downloaded by anyone wishing to cycle in Kingston area. The intent is to
build Kingston and area as a very credible cycling destination, that
will in the future continue to contribute to our economic wellbeing and
facilitate the development of cycling infrastructure.
2. Again our Advocacy committee has worked with the folks at
Kingston Coalition for Active Transportation to support the development
of space in the City for proper and safe physical distancing,
see the KCAT letter below. We encourage everyone to contact their
councillors and express their opinions in support of measures that many
cities have already implemented.
3. Currently, we are talking to other clubs in the area about
taking a proactive role to reestablish ‘VIRUS SAFE’ group riding in
Kingston area. We have established communications with the KFLA
Public Health and will be clarifying “Best Practices” so we can all
cycle safely.
4. Our Ride Calendar is very tentative at this time until we understand how the cycling season will unfold. Once we have clarity, the calendar will be updated.
5. Signage on the urban section of the K&P trail and from the K&P to Invista is missing or inadequate.
Our Advocacy group has identified the problem to the city, and even has
gone so far as presenting a a signage plan to make it easier for City
staff. Hopefully we will see results soon.
6. Please renew your membership for 2020. Your club
needs your support to carry on! Most members have renewed with the faith
that we will have a shortened but great season this year, like we did
last year.”
12. Kingston Coalition for Active Transportation’s Letter to City re COVID-19 Accommodations
“To Mayor, City Council, and City Staff,
We thank all of our City officials, first responders, and essential workers for all of their
hard work in these uncertain times. We recognize that these times are full of challenges
but in times of change, there are also opportunities.
People in our community are experiencing financial worries and are much more isolated
than before. This can lead to additional stress that can be detrimental to our personal
health and the health of our community in various ways. We are well aware of the
multiple benefits that access to fresh air, exercise, and nature have on our wellbeing
and health. Maintaining physical distance should continue to be the best practice to
combat the spread of COVID-19, however, this should not restrict our ability to go
outside for our own health if we are following the recommendations from our health
professionals.
Following announcements from various forward-thinking cities that have designated
new space and infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists, we feel that it is time for
Kingston to make bold moves towards a sustainable and healthy future now and once
this pandemic is under control. We strongly recommend that the City of Kingston be a
leader and repurpose as many streets as feasible to accommodate a greater number of
pedestrians and cyclists while enabling them to maintain physical distance. An Open
Streets approach should be taken in various parts of the City. Following a rapid street
assessment and neighbourhood consultation, we strongly recommend that the city
consider temporarily reducing access to, or closing, streets to motorized vehicles (other
than local traffic, delivery vehicles, and emergency vehicles). This recommendation not
only applies to residential streets but also to streets in the heart of our city such as
Princess St., Queen St., King St., Ontario St., Brock St., Johnson St., Wellington St.,
Clarence St., William St., and Clergy St. Kingstonians out for walks, runs or bicycle rides
need space for proper physical distancing and connector routes to vital services (e.g.
grocery stores, pharmacies, etc.) as well as parks and natural areas.
Additionally, we recommend that the City promote active transportation for trips under
5 kilometers as this will continue to reduce car traffic, keep pedestrians and cyclists safe,
and encourage more people to engage in healthy behaviours. More bike racks and
secure bike parking, especially near essential service locations, should be implemented
to help cyclists maintain physical distance while securing their bikes when making
essential trips. An increased priority should be given to cleaning up and patching bike
lanes. We recognize that this work has already started in parts of Kingston so let’s keep
up the good work!
With COVID -19 on our horizon for at least the next few weeks, it is important to
continue to inform residents of the strategies that the City is engaging in to keep our
communities safe. Instead of giving people fines (as other Ontario municipalities are
starting to do), this is an opportunity to distribute information on how to maintain
physical distance while being active. An awareness campaign should be directed
towards all road users advising them of the changing patterns in road usage and to be
considerate of others. This should be done through various media outlets (i.e.
newspapers, social media, billboards, etc.) to ensure as wide a reach as possible.
Thank you for taking the time to read and consider these recommendations. We feel
that all of these recommendations are consistent with the City’s Active Transportation
Master Plan and Climate Emergency Strategy – we are only asking that implementation
plans be modified to adjust to the new reality the world is experiencing. With the
weather warming up, it will be imperative to provide residents with the necessary space
to move and enjoy the outdoors. We strongly believe that these actions will help
residents of Kingston better comply with distancing to protect public health while also
promoting health through physical activity. We would be pleased to talk with you about
any of these recommendations as well as help in the implementation of any active
transportation strategies.
Sincerely,
Carla Teixeira, on behalf of KCAT and other interested citizens.
Links:
https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/city-to-test-weekend-road-closures-to-helpcalgarians-
keep-their-distance/
https://www.oaklandca.gov/news/2020/city-of-oakland-announces-oakland-slow-streetsprogram-
starting-saturday-to-enable-safer-walking-cycling
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/11/world-cities-turn-their-streets-over-towalkers-
and-cyclists?fbclid=IwAR1dXfofVktnmRWxSVHBTFywl3i3a5df83abat5iMLqXf1995vibb9Fp8I”
13. Online Survey of the Rideau Waterway
Received from Ottawa U. grad student, Christine Beaudoin, May 11, 2020
This might be a good opportunity to express concerns about
potential turtle habitat disruption. We are concerned that turtles that
should normally be basking at the Tannery don’t seem to have arrived.
Wondering if they are feeling deterred from coming south to the Tannery
from Kingston Mills due to the Third Crossing – despite the routes being
created? More about this in the June update.
“We are sending you this email to remind you about our online survey, which
will help us better understand the views of a broad range of people
about historic waterways in Ontario! Please find more details below, we
would greatly appreciate it if you could complete the survey and
distribute it in your networks whether it’s through newsletters,
word-of-mouth or social media. Have your opinions heard!
Researchers from the University of Ottawa, Carleton University, and the
University of Sherbrooke are partnering with Parks Canada to complete
research on the social, ecological, and engineering issues and
challenges facing the Rideau Waterway and the Trent-Severn Waterway.
We want to hear from you! Whether you are a visitor to the waterways, a
property-owner, or a member of the general public, we want to hear your
views.
Please take a moment to complete the online survey for the Rideau Canal and/or the Trent-Severn Waterway: https://www.surveymonkey.ca/r/RC_TSW.
You will be providing us with valuable information about your views of the Rideau Waterway and the Trent-Severn Waterway.
Feel free to share the link with your colleagues, friends and family.
Surveys are available in French and English.
Additionally, here is our new website for this research on Historic Waterways in Ontario: https://historicwaterways.wixsite.com/research.
Refer to the website for more information and updates on our results.”
More Info? Christine Beaudoin, cbeau143@uottawa.ca”
14. Central Kingston Growth Strategy
Received May 11
What: City of Kingston to deliver updates on Central Kingston Growth Strategy
The City’s Planning Services Department will be providing key updates on
the Central Kingston Growth Strategy, as the project enters its next
phase.
Who/When: Facilitated by project consultants from WSP,
staff will be posting a pre-recorded video presentation on May 25,
followed by a two-week online Q&A period.
Elaboration: This presentation will include preliminary
recommendations for proposed changes to the City’s Official Plan and
Zoning Bylaw, and urban design guidelines, based on proposed
intensification and infill areas. After viewing the presentation,
residents will have an opportunity to leave their questions and comments
by visiting Get Involved Kingston, or by contacting City Planning
staff.
“We recognize that this is a unique time for Kingston’s residents, and
we want to emphasize that this public engagement approach is a temporary
solution, intended to keep residents up-to-date on the project,” says
Andrea Gummo, Manager of Policy Planning for the City of Kingston.
“While this is a different approach, we also want to emphasize that the
project team is committed to ensuring that residents understand the
proposed Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw recommendations and urban design
guidelines.”
The Central Kingston Growth Strategy aims to create a policy and
regulatory framework to guide infill and intensification in the central
area of the City. The aim of this strategy is to facilitate a long-term
vision for the residential areas of Central Kingston by preserving what
is valued in Kingston’s communities and identifying the appropriate
locations and forms for accommodating future growth.
The study area for the strategy includes the residential areas of
central Kingston except for the area covered by the North King’s Town
Secondary Plan, the Kingston Provincial Campus Secondary Plan, and the
downtown core and the Princess Street corridor, including Williamsville
Main Street.
Learn more about the Central Kingston Growth Strategy on the City’s website and by visiting the Get Involved Kingston project page.”
15. TAKE THE TIME TO READ THIS: Re-wilding Ourselves and the Our Environments
The following wonderful quote is from Joyce at Rewild My City – joyce@rewildmycity,.com
“Becoming wild
I like Gavin van Horn‘s distinction between wildness & wilderness:
wildness: the self-renewing processes that create the conditions for the flourishing of life
wilderness: typically large tracts of land or water that are formally designated for protection
Wildness isn’t a state. It’s a process. A way of thinking. A way of feeling. A way of doing.
For some people rewilding is about recreating a pristine wilderness
where humans are unwelcome. But aren’t we part of the natural world?
Aren’t we in relationship with the natural world? And if we are part of
the natural world, then rewilding includes us. I love how David Haskell
(The Songs of Trees) talks about ecological aesthetics as a “step toward
belonging in all dimensions.”
Rewilding is creating belongings. And creating belongings means building relationships.
How do we build relationships with the natural world (the more-than-human world)? Robin Wall Kimmerer offers some wisdom:
“We need to build a unique relationship to our place. By
paying attention. By imagining what a reciprocal relationship with that
place might be like. By asking, ‘How does this land sustain me, and how
do I sustain this land?’ By expressing gratitude for the land. By
living in such a way that the land will be grateful for your presence on
it.”
For me, inviting wildness into my life means:
Restoring my relationship to land
Engaging in reciprocity with land
Cultivating my senses (learning to see land and the more-than-human world)
Learning the history (the story) of the land
Learning from (apprenticing with) plants
Exploring Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and indigenous or ancestral worldviews
Caring for the land
Restoring plant communities
Sharing my love of land with people in my community
Seeking the unseen, the invisible, the impossible to measure or quantify
Seeking belongings with the more-than-human world
Exploring meanings (I just learned that what I’ve thought of as biodiversity, traditional peoples call kin)
If forest is kin, if the plants in my garden are kin, if all beings are
kin how does that change my relations in the world? How does that change
how we garden? How we farm?
As I sit with these wonderings, I’m trying to learn patience, keeping this advice from an indigenous elder in mind, ‘Go slowly. Listen to the land, it will tell you what to do.’ “
Wishing you wildness,
Mary Farrar, President,
Friends of Kingston Inner Harbour
www.friendsofinnerharbour.com
613-544-1246
THE QUEEN CITY OIL CO. LTD. WAREHOUSEBy John Duerkop 2018
The Queen City Oil Co. Ltd. warehouse at 9 North Street (better known as
on Wellington St. below Rideaucrest), is a mostly two-storey limestone
building designed by William Newlands in 1897 (Contract Record, vol. 8
no. 30 (26 August 1897), p.2). Newlands is better known for his handsome
houses and his beautiful pavilion on the lakeshore near the Richardson
Bath House. The warehouse received a municipal heritage designation on 3
November, 1987 (By-law 87-355).
Background:
Petroleum in large quantities was discovered near Oil Springs, Canada
West in 1851 by the International Mining and Manufacturing Co. The oil
was lying in pools on saturated soil. It had to be dug out. It was used
to make asphalt and kerosene. Free-flowing underground oil was
discovered during the hand digging of a water well there in 1858.
Commercial production began at nearby Petrolia CW that year and in
Pennsylvania USA in 1859. The Canadian Oil Co., better known under the
trade name “White Rose”, was formed at Petrolia in 1860. The company was
the world’s first integrated oil producer, involved in the production,
refining and marketing of petroleum products.
The availability of kerosene (paraffin) by rail led to the founding of
the Queen City Oil Co. Ltd. in Toronto (the “Queen City”) in 1882 by
brothers Samuel and Elias Rogers 2 who amalgamated previous firms
(including their Queen City Oil Works) founded in 1877 in Hamilton and
Ottawa.
In that era, when fear of fire could produce public hysteria, the first
sailing ships specifically designed to carry petroleum as case oil 2, in
barrels 3 or even in bulk, appeared in the early 1860s. Since they were
sailing, not steam, vessels they were accepted as safe. But eventually
oil companies moved to larger steam-powered tankers. The first
ocean-going steam tanker was the British-built GLÜCKAUF of 1886. She was
designed to carry kerosene in bulk from New York and Philadelphia to
Europe 4.
There was a great deal of opposition to her arrival in New York. Some of
it revolved around the safety of the new Brooklyn Bridge (1883) as many
claimed that terrorists would drop bombs on her as she passed under the
bridge, blowing up the bridge and even parts of New York City. Others
were sure that she would have explosives on board and blow herself up
under the bridge. The price of kerosene in Europe, however, was soon cut
in half by the introduction of large steam tankers and the long-range
bulk transportation of petroleum products changed world-wide.
History of Queen City Oil Co. Ltd:
Queen City Oil was mainly a wholesaler of kerosene in barrels and tins.
The kerosene arrived in rail tank cars at regional warehouses across
southern Ontario from refineries in Toronto and Sarnia. It was unloaded
at a warehouse’s railway siding and transferred into iron tanks. The
kerosene was transferred to barrels and tins in the warehouse. The
barrels were sold to retailers that sold it in smaller amounts to
homeowners for use in “coal oil lamps” for interior lighting, “barn
lanterns” for rougher work, ship’s navigation lights, etc. An 1898
postcard advertising Queen City Oil’s “Sarnia” brand kerosene said that
it was the “… best regular grade Canada Oil ever made. No smell. No
smoke. No crust on the wick.” Other petroleum products, such as “Sarnia”
brand lubricating oil, naphtha, axle grease, candle wax and castor oil
arrived in small lots or as case oil.
In the mid 1890s, the City of Kingston was in the midst of a
letter-writing campaign aimed at attracting new industry. The city’s Oil
Limit was an impediment for at least Queen City Oil. Samuel Rogers
wrote to the Kingston city engineer on 9 July 1895 saying that the
company did not think it was justified to open a kerosene barrelling
works in Kingston under the existing by-laws.
At that time, cities in Ontario had two common ways of trying to
minimize the risk of a fire spreading from one building to another. An
Oil Limit restricted the amount of specified flammable liquids that
could be in any premises within the limit. A Fire Limit, on the other
hand, required buildings in the specified area to be built of fireproof
materials such as brick, concrete, stone or metal-covered wood
construction. Typically, this would be an area where buildings were
large and close together, such as a downtown commercial area. Gunpowder,
blasting powder, etc. were controlled in a separate by-law.
Any premises within the Oil Limit was prohibited from having more than
five barrels of kerosene or petroleum, or two barrels of naphtha,
benzene (C6H6 C6H6), bensole (a solvent, C6H), gasoleum (fuming
sulphuric acid, H2O7S2), turpentine or any other liquid containing any
of the banned liquids on the premises at any time. There was a combined
limit of no more than five barrels of any flammable liquids at any
location.
The Fire Limit was older than the Oil Limit. By-law 11, the first by-law
establishing a Fire Limit in Kingston, had been passed on 8 November
1847. The 1883 Fire Limit, within which all buildings had to be built of
fireproof materials, was not a problem for the oil companies. The Fire
Limit then was a line 30.5 m (100’) south of and parallel to Cataraqui
St. from the Great Cataraqui River extended west to Montreal St. When
Imperial Oil came to Kingston about 1892, they built their kerosene
sheds outside the Oil Limit without protest. Their sheds appear to have
been wood covered with corrugated iron or tin, sensible but not legally
required in that particular location.
Queen City Oil thought that they needed a large facility in Kingston.
They especially wanted a rail siding and a building large enough to
handle kerosene brought in bulk by rail car, stored in iron tanks and
then dispensed into barrels. The company also wanted convenient access
to a wharf or jetty where they could receive and ship product by water.
On 9 November 1896, John Morris of Queen City Oil wrote City Council
that access to navigable water was critical for the company and without
it; they would not come to Kingston 5.
The company tried to get permission to build a stone or brick warehouse
on the Grand Trunk Railway spur line as close as possible to navigable
water. The specific location they wanted was Lot 40 with frontage on
Rideau St. and North St. It was within the Oil Limit. Like Imperial Oil
before them, Queen City Oil’s planned location was north of the Fire
Limit so the “fire proof” building they wanted was not legally required.
But the contents of the building would be contrary to the Oil Limit and
that was what they wanted changed 6.
The root cause of much of the opposition to Queen City’s plan was that
many people, aldermen included, did not understand the differences
between the Oil Limit and the Fire Limit. The insurance underwriters
first heard from people who thought the Fire Limit was being changed and
they reacted accordingly with warnings that every property owner in the
city might face an increase in fire insurance rates.
A public meeting, the largest ever held in Kingston City Hall to that
point, was held on the evening of Saturday 14 November 1896. Supporters
of the new Queen City Oil project were greatly outnumbered in the
audience. A petition bearing 132 signatures opposed to the Queen City
project was sent to City Council from the meeting. It was subsequently
alleged that an agent of Queen City’s competitor Imperial Oil had
sponsored the petition.
Newspaper overage was extensive and the debate extended into whether
American coal oil was burned cleaner than Canadian coal oil, whether the
alleged American coal oil available in Kingston was really American,
what the wholesale prices of coal oil in Kingston and in New York State
actually were and would the insurance underwriters use a kerosene
warehouse within the Oil Limit as a reason to raise everyone’s fire
insurance rates?
In 1883-1893, the city’s by-laws included a ban on manufacturing
flammable liquids anywhere in the city. As previously mentioned, they
also included a limit on the amounts of certain flammable liquids that
could be stored at any premises within the Oil Limit. The Oil Limit
became the focus of a continuing debate in 1895-1897.
The subject was referred to the Fire, Water and Light Committee of City
Council. It was discussed at no less than four meetings of the committee
in October and November of 1896. The by-law was defeated by council
9-10 on second reading at their meeting on 28 November 1896. Then
finally, the insurance underwriters understood the city’s intent and
withdrew the possibility of an increase overall fire insurance rates.
Alderman Carson was the sponsor of a by-law to change the Oil Limit.
Called a by-law “… respecting Petroleum and other illuminating oils and
fluids”. He moved in council on 11 January 1897 that a committee be
established to draft an amendment to the Oil Limit so that Queen City
Oil or any other company could locate “… near the Kingston &
Pembroke quarry hole.” He said that Queen City Oil would begin quarrying
at once to create enough level space and that it would erect a stone
building. The motion was withdrawn, to be brought up again at the next
meeting. After some time and further discussion, the proposed changes
passed council on third reading 16-4 on 1 November 1897.
The new Oil Limit changes kept the previous west and south boundaries
but with two exemptions. The first exempted a triangle of land beginning
at the junction of Cataraqui St. and the railway allowances, extending
30.5 m (100’) along both the railway allowances to the south and along
Cataraqui St. to the east. There was a pre-existing oil storage building
within this triangle.
The second exemption was critical for Queen City Oil. This exemption was
bounded by a line drawn south from Cataraqui St. to North St., running
parallel with and 76.2 m (250’) east of Rideau St. and then west along the centre of North St. Lands west and north of this line were placed outside the Oil Limit,
The main fire dangers at a kerosene warehouse were of leakage from the
barrels and spillage while “barrelling”, transferring kerosene from the
outside tanks to barrels. It is possible that at least the floor of the
second level of the Queen City Oil warehouse was paved in asphalt that
would retard any spilled kerosene.
The new two-storey warehouse built in 1897-1898 was limestone, 30 m
(99’) long x 18 m (59’) wide, with a “fireproof” roof. A small
one-storey extension of the building and a very prominent chimney
occupied the south end of the structure.
Kerosene was pumped out of bulk tank railcars (Queen City Oil owned at
least six of them and could lease others) and piped into two iron tanks
that were located at the north end of the warehouse 7. Barrelling was
done inside the warehouse. Local deliveries to retailers were made at
first by horse-drawn wagons and later by motor trucks.
On 4 January 1897, the Daily British Whig reported that John Morris of
Queen City Oil had stated in a letter that Queen City would not
amalgamate with Imperial Oil. This reassurance soon became meaningless.
The Rogers brothers had sold 80% of their firm to Rockefeller’s Standard
Oil Co. of New York in 1896. The sale was probably influenced by the
Laurier government’s decision to allow kerosene to be transported to
Canadian ports in bulk tankers and to lower import duties on kerosene
and lubricants. Queen City Oil in Canada then started to be supplied
with some kerosene and lubricants from Standard Oil’s Buffalo refinery.
Standard Oil bought 75% of Imperial Oil of London Ontario in 1898 for
$339,470. Then, in 1899, Standard Oil made Queen City Oil a subsidiary
of Imperial Oil. In about 1900, Imperial shut their kerosene own sheds
and then used the Queen City Oil warehouse instead.
In 1911, the US Congress forced the breakup of Standard Oil Co. The
breakup involved 34 companies, mostly in the United States but also
worldwide. Imperial Oil Co. Ltd. and its subsidiary Queen City Oil Co.
Ltd., both registered Canadian companies, were given by the US Congress
to what became the Standard Oil Co. of New Jersey.
The Rogers family sold their remaining Queen City Oil shares to Imperial
in 1912. Imperial then stopped selling products under Queen City’s
“Sarnia” brand. It is interesting to note, however, that as late as 1915
Imperial used the Queen City Oil Co. Ltd. name as owner of a new
refinery in East Montreal. The mv MOTOR QUEEN, registered in Kingston,
continued to be officially owned by Queen City Oil until 1930 when she
was sold 5.
As mentioned previously, the Queen City Oil warehouse had a Grand Trunk
Railway siding on its east side. This was where it received petroleum
products. It also had an entrance on the west side of the upper level
that gave it the street address – 9 North St. It does not appear that
there was a proper roadway through the rail yards near the lower level.
No evidence of an external staircase or ramp to connect the levels has
been found, but two of the openings on the west side of the warehouse’s
second floor seem larger than the others.
A wooden stable for the horses that were used by the Queen City Oil
warehouse’s delivery wagons was built on North St., close to what is now
the southeast corner of Rideaucrest,. The stable was gone by 1908,
replaced by a wooden garage for motor vehicles.
The Queen City Oil physically separated its Kingston administration and
sales from the warehouse by opening an office at the foot of Clarence
St. (also given as the corner of Clarence St. and Ontario St.) downtown
by 1903. In 1913, the city directory listed ‘Imperial Oil Co. Queen City
Division” at 198 Ontario St.
John Morris, the former manager of Queen City Oil in Kingston and a
former partner of Samuel Rogers, was listed as the Imperial Oil manager.
The geographic growth of Kingston, the need for gasoline filling
stations throughout the city and then the decline in the use of coal oil
lamps (replaced by gas lamps in many late 19th Century buildings and
later by the widespread use of electric light after the Great War) ended
the usefulness of the Oil Limit.
The warehouse was of diminished importance after the Great War. By then
petroleum products were increasingly distributed in bulk, rather than in
barrels or tins. By 1924, the “Imperial Oil Ltd. Queen City Division”
had six oil tanks above the embankment. Two of the tanks were very
large.
Later, Imperial Oil tankers used a terminal at the entrance to Anglin
Bay to discharge their bulk cargo to the tanks behind the warehouse. The
pipes and bollards for the terminal are still there. The heating oil
and gasoline the tankers brought moved by pipe to eight large tanks on
the embankment above the warehouse. The change to gas or electric
heating of buildings, coupled with the point-to-point movement of
heating oil and gasoline by truck, meant that by 1990 the tanks were
gone.
Other oil companies had terminals and/or warehouses in the area. Rosen
Fuels, British American Oil (in what we now call the Bailey Broom
Factory) and Canadian Oil (“White Rose”) were all in the area by 1924.
Since 1987:
The warehouse had been owned by the city since 1987, although nothing
had been done to protect the structure. In 2003, the estimate for
rehabilitation was $800,000. The city rated the warehouse as of medium
historical significance, low operational significance and low public
visibility. The 2004 city Building Conservation Master Plan estimated
the cost of rehabilitating the building at $1,467,070.31 including an
allowance of $370,195.31 for contingencies. The remainder was to be
divided between $450,000 of urgent work and $1,050,000 of future costs.
Despite the inclusion of the cost estimates, no actual assessment of the
interior of the building had been done. That was because access has
been denied for years. The city did not repair the roof, which suffered
significant damage, including the collapse of the tall stone chimney, in
the spring of 2018! The internal wooden structures, including the
second floor, have collapsed. Even in 2004, enough internal damage was
visible through the open windows for the city to fence the building.
They then spent $5,000 to board it up to prevent further access and
further deteriorate. The property standards by-law was not applied.
The 2007 city budget included $100,000 for the building’s demolition.
Council subsequently voted to investigate the sale and rehabilitation of
the building. It was noted that the city could hardly fight to force
the CNR to rehabilitate the Outer Station while at the same time owning a
building of similar vintage and in a similar state of disrepair.
The Doornekamp family’s ABNA Investments bought the Queen City Oil
warehouse in 2014 and has since gained approval from Heritage Kingston
and from City Council to restore it as an eight-unit apartment building.
There are to be six two-bedroom and two one-bedroom apartments. Those
on the main floor are to be accessible. A great project! It will
reactivate one of the very few industrial buildings left in Kingston
from before 1900. Hopefully its industrial origins, including the tall
chimney, will be prominent features its appearance.
Except for the Bajus Brewery (1835 with various additions until 1861),
the Davis Dry Dock (original 1889 and with subsequent reconstructions)
and the Cotton/Woolen Mill (1882 with additions in 1887 and 1890); the
Queen City Oil warehouse is the last remaining pre-1900 industrial
building left on the west bank of the Great Cataraqui River.
Acknowledgements:
Thank you to those who supported this paper on what must have seemed to
be a rather obscure topic. The research and writing would not have
happened without the encouragement and help of Helen Finley several
years ago. More recently, Dr. Jennifer McKendry has been the source of
valuable information, encouragement and advice. The staff of the Queen’s
Archives, especially Heather Home, have been particularly helpful.
Their support is much appreciated, but any errors or omissions are mine.
Bibliography:
City of Kingston Consolidated By-Laws 1883, 1895 and 1907.
——————- Council Papers 1896-1898.
——————- “Minute Book”, Fire, Water and Light Committee 1896-1902.
——————- Minutes of Council 1896.
——————- Proceedings of City Council 1896-1899.
——————- Report Book “H” 1896-1899.
Daily British Whig 17, 19 and 20 November 1896; 4, 11 and 19 January, 2
February, 10 and 18 August 1897; 19 January 1898.Dear Friends of
Kingston Inner Harbour
Every now and then it’s good to stop and consider what we have actually
helped accomplish so far. Right now we are feeling pretty good about a
couple of re-purposed heritage buildings and the take-over of our
community trail clean-ups by yet another wonderful community
organization. The photo included here was from 2013 and includes the
trucks provided by the wonderful Cataraqui St. moms and their families.
Doesn’t seem like that long ago!
Concerning the repurposing of heritage buildings, both the developers
and city staff have worked hard on the Queen City Oil building and the
Bailey Broom Company projects over the last few years and deserve huge
thanks for preserving these valuable Inner Harbour heritage assets –
great demonstrations of “Where History and Innovation Thrive”.
Huge thanks are also due to Helen Finlay and those members of the
Frontenac Heritage Foundation and the Kingston Historical Society who
cared enough to ensure heritage designation in 1987 for 9 North St. and
to John and Michael Sinclair of Living Rooms, Jennifer McKendry, Laura
Murray and the many people to rose to the occasion to support the
repurposing of the Bailey Broom Company in the spring of 2014 when the
City was threatening its demolition. The only major downside has been
the very real interference with the local turtle population. However,
the City and Queen’s University are in continuing discussion with the
developer as to best accommodations.
1. Queen City Oil Company Update (ABNA Investments Ltd)
2. Bailey Broom Company Update (RAW Design)
3. TRAIL CLEAN-UP SAT MAY 16
4. Third Crossing & Boating Updates
5. Turtle and Wetland Concerns at Cataraqui Cemetery
6. Current Water Level Projections
7. Helping Neighbours
8. “Collecting Histories”: City’s Online Exhibition
9. Engaging with City during Pandemic
10. Ferry Passengers Asked to Carry Masks
11. Kingston Velo Club’s Advocacy to the City for C-19 Accommodations
12. Kingston Coalition for Active Transportation’s Submission to City re COVID Accommodations
13. Online Survey of the Rideau Waterway
14. Central Kingston Growth Strategy
15. TAKE THE TIME TO READ THIS: Re-wilding Ourselves and our Environments
1. Queen City Oil Company (9 North St.) Update
The Queen City Oil Co. Ltd. warehouse at 9 North Street (better known as
on Wellington St. below Rideaucrest), is a mostly two-storey limestone
building designed by William Newlands in 1897. Newlands is well known
for his handsome houses and his beautiful pavilion on the lakeshore near
the Richardson Bath House. Read more about this building’s truly
fascinating history in the historical account by John Duerkop included
at the end of this update. Did you know, for example, that one of the
founders was a relative of today’s media giant Ted Rogers?
Our original hope was that the building would become an extension of the
Kingston Rowing Club with boat storage on the main floor and office
space on the second floor. This proposal, led by the energetic Brad
Brennan, Kingston Rowing Club coach, would also have involved students
from the Limestone Board of Education’s housebuilding focus program.
This was back in 2012 when the Wellington St. Extension was still seen
as a viable option. Sadly, at that time, the powers that be deemed it
unsafe for students. So Brad moved his dream to the west end where he
has since created the very successful Limestone Boat and Board Club.
In 2014 the 9 North St. property was sold to ABNA Investments Ltd.
pursuant to RFP Number F31-CSI-RELD-2014-01 to acquire, stabilize,
restore and repurpose 9 North Street.
Work is now ongoing (Spring 2020).
Applications for Brownfield Assistance and for Official Plan Amendment
and Zoning By-law Amendments have been filed to facilitate its
redevelopment into eight residential units.
Brownfield Financial Assistance
Due to former industrial uses on the site, the proposed project has
required management, remediation, and risk assessment of environmental
contaminants. Council has approved a brownfield financial tax rebate
benefit in exchange for remediation and redevelopment of this brownfield
property, and the approval of by-laws and execution of agreements for
that purpose. Report to Council Number 20-120 dated April 21, 2020
is here . In short:
“The report recommends approval of brownfield financial tax rebate
benefits of up to a maximum of $1,216,915 to ABNA Investments Ltd. in
exchange for the remediation and redevelopment of the brownfield
property at 9 North Street, and the approval of by-laws and execution of
agreements for that purpose.”
Heritage Approval
This property is also designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage
Act and has was deemed complete March 20, 2020. The application for
Heritage Permit was presented to Heritage Kingston (Report HK-20-023) on
April 15, 2020 (File Number P18-019-2020).
Alterations include the following;
1. Withdraw of the approvals under Heritage Permit P18-110-2017
2. Restoring and repointing of the remaining limestone walls of the
building, including the reconstruction of the south gable-end chimney to
its original height;
3. Reconstructing the gabled roof to its former profile, with new
standing seem metal roofing and two vent boxes, at a 4:12 pitch and at a
height of approximately 1.5 metres above the stone walls;
4. Installing pattress plates on the east, west and north elevations, and exhaust vents on the east elevation
5. Altering a number of the openings on the north and south elevations to accommodate new entrances;
6. Installing metal-clad wooden sash wooden sash windows and wooden
exterior doors with partial glazing in their respective openings around
the building;
7. Installing concrete steps, landings and metal hand rails at the entrances on the east elevation;
8. Erecting of a “silo” shaped metal-clad stair enclosure addition on
the north side of the building with a painted “Queen City Oil Company”
signage on its east face;
9. Installing landscaping pavers, plantings, and a larger stone planter;
10. Relocating retaining wall to create a level access to the second floor on the south elevation; and
That the approval of the alterations be subject to the following conditions:
1. A Building Permit shall be obtained, as necessary;
2. A Sign Permit shall be obtained, as necessary;
3. All Planning Act applications, including Official Plan and zoning
by-law amendment and Site Plan Control approval, as necessary, shall be
completed;
4. Drawings and specifications submitted as part of the Building Permit
process shall be provided to Heritage Planning staff for review to
ensure consistency with the Heritage Permit;
5. Details related to the colour(s) of the new siding, trim and roofing
shall be submitted to Heritage Planning staff, prior to installation,
for review and approval, to ensure it complements the heritage character
and attributes of the property;
6. All planters shall be constructed as free standing structures and not attached to the stone walls;
7. All masonry works shall be completed in accordance with the City’s Policy on Masonry Restoration on Heritage Buildings;
8. All window works shall be completed in accordance with the City’s policy on Window Renovations in Heritage Buildings; and
9. Any minor deviations from the submitted plans, which meet the intent
of this approval and do not further impact the heritage attributes of
the property, be delegated to the Director of Planning Services for
review and approval.
You can find out more about this project by visiting DASH and searching
using the application file number D35-001-2020 and/or by
contacting James Bar, Senior Planner, jbar@cityofkingston.ca
2. Bailey Broom Company Update (305-325 Rideau St.)
The Bailey Broom Factory application for Official Plan Amendment and
Zoning By-law Amendment was passed at Planning Committee on April 16,
2020 , and approved by Council on May 5, 2020. Report Number PC-20-027
can be found by clicking here.
Background and Decision Dates
In the spring 2014, Council approved the purchase the road corridor lands within 5 Cataraqui Street and all of the property known as 305-323 Rideau Street.
A condition of the City’s purchase was the demolition of all the buildings on the 305-323 Rideau Street
property by the vendor, including the bailey broom factory. At that
time, the former Bailey Broom Factory was not listed or designated and
recognized as exemplifying heritage significance.
In June 2014, Council passed a motion to amend the terms of the City’s agreement to purchase 305-323 Rideau Street so that the requirement of the vendor to demolish the former Bailey Broom Factory was removed.
In August 2014, Council approved a budget to complete investigations of
the existing building, which included a designated substance review, a
building condition assessment, minor structural repairs, a heritage
assessment and any other investigations. Council also directed staff to
undertake a Request for Information (RFI) process to publicly solicit
proposals to acquire, restore and repurchase the 305-323 Rideau Street property.
An assessment of the Cultural Heritage Value was undertaken by an independent consultant.
As per the recommendation of the heritage assessment, in January 2015,
Council approved the Municipal Heritage Committee’s recommendation to
designate the subject property to recognize its façade and cultural
heritage attributes.
In November 2014, staff issued the RFI. RAW Design Inc. was the sole
respondent to the RFI. Subsequently in March 2015, a Request for
Proposal (RFP) was issued to RAW Design Inc. for the acquisition,
restoration and repurposing of the former Bailey Broom Factory. In 2016,
RAW Factory Inc. purchased the subject properties which included a sale
agreement that requires the owner to complete the restoration of the
existing heritage building prior to developing the vacant lands known
municipally as 323 Rideau Street.
In accordance with By-Law Number 2007-43, these applications were
subject to a preapplication meeting held on November 29, 2016, with the
Planning Service and various other departments and agencies.
Following this, a complete application submission was made by the applicant on March 29, 2018.
Since the initial Public Meeting on May 17, 2018, the applicants worked
with staff to address technical comments related to site design, details
of the amending zoning by-law, other site factors, taking the
application beyond the 210 days after a complete application was
received. Staff have reviewed the revised information and have no
further technical concerns with preparing this report to advance a
recommendation for consideration by the Planning Committee and Council.
The applicant is proposing to redevelop the former Bailey Broom Factory at 305 Rideau Street (southern parcel) by introducing commercial uses in the designated heritage building.
The applicant is proposing to retrofit the existing building to
accommodate office space, co-working office/meeting space along with a
café/restaurant. Additional uses such as an event space, performance
space, artisan workshops, food-based start-ups, market and education
space are considered and contemplated to be located within the
adaptively repurposed heritage building.
The site includes nine vehicular parking spaces including one accessible
parking space, and 15 bicycle parking spaces. A small accessory
building is proposed to be located at the rear of the property that will
enclose the garbage facilities for the commercial operations (Exhibit D
– Site Plan and Elevations for Southern Parcel).
The property at 323 Rideau Street
(northern parcel) was originally proposed to be redeveloped with nine
(9) residential townhome units. This site is currently vacant. This
proposal saw the nine (9) townhomes built at 3.5 storeys tall with each
townhouse dwelling including an individual garage located at the rear of
the property accessed via a private lane.
Through technical review, the northern parcel has been reconfigured to
propose seven (7) dwelling units consisting of five (5) townhomes and a
semi-detached building (Exhibit E – Site Plan and Elevations for
Northern Parcel). The dwelling units are proposed to have their own
individual garage and vehicular access onto Rideau Street.
Pedestrian access is also provided from Rideau Street. Each dwelling
unit is also designed to accommodate a second dwelling unit in the
basement and a bicycle parking space at grade.
In support of the applications, the applicant has submitted the following:
• Planning Rationale;
• Site Plan Drawing Package for the Southern Parcel;
• Site Plan Drawing Package for the Northern Parcel;
• Architectural Elevations;
• Townhome Floor Plans;
• Serviceability Report;
• Stormwater Management Report;
• Servicing and Grading Plan;
• Tree Inventory and Preservation Plan;
• Noise Study;
• Record of Site Condition;
• Archaeological Report;
• Landscape Plan; and
• Heritage Impact Statement
The approved proposal will see the Bailey Broom Factory redeveloped with
a mix of neighbourhood commercial uses, and the addition of 5 townhomes
and a semi-detached building containing two units on the vacant parcel
north of the Broom Factory.
You can find out more about this project by visiting DASH and searching using the application file number D35-007-2017.
More Info? James Bar, Senior Planner, jbar@cityofkingston.ca
3. K&P TRAIL CLEAN-UP – SAT MAY 16
Organized by Derek Cooper and the Frontenac K&P Trail Community Group (Find on Facebook).
After so many years of organizing park and trail clean-ups with help
from the wonderful Cataraqui St. moms (and with much appreciated goodie
donations from the Main Street Market, Quattrocchi’s and the Bread and
Butter Bakery) we are delighted to be passing on this responsibility to
yet another wonderful community group. This group has expanded out
efforts and are planning a clean-up of the entire urban portion of the
K&P Trail. All wonderful!
The sign-up sheet has been posted visit http://www.derekcooper.com.
Derek has broken the 3km of trail from the trailhead at 0km to Elliott
Ave adjacent to the CN yard into 4 zones. Here is what Derek has posted.
“Sign-up for a zone – do a favourite section or keep the zones balanced
for number of people. Later this week I will add the maps for each zone
as PDFs for download – they will show where to pickup the garbage bags
and sharps containers and where we will be piling everything when we’re
done for City pickup. Questions?”
4. Third Crossing and Boating Updates
Received May 1, 2020
May work activity
Work continues on the west and east shores in building two major
activities – a temporary rock causeway and a temporary trestle bridge.
This work has been on-going for a few months and has seen a lot of
progress. For a visual understanding of the work, watch our latest drone
video.
Other work activity happening throughout May includes:
Continuing to install eco-passages. We will be putting in the fourth
eco-passage along the temporary rock causeway which allows aquatic
animals to pass through the in-water construction. Five eco-passages
will be installed at specific locations along the temporary rock
causeway.
Progressing work on the temporary trestle bridge
Continued work on the west abutment, which is building the base of the bridge where it meets the west shore.
Further mobilization of equipment & materials such as drills and cranes.
Extended work hours
Extended work hours allow our team to be as efficient as possible while
the bridge progresses. It has been in our plans to work extended hours
wherever possible and has been discussed at near neighbour meetings,
open houses and in previous communications. Starting in May, crews will
be working extended work hours, Monday to Saturday.
Some of the work activities that require extended work hours include:
Installing the temporary trestle bridge
Material offloading onsite
Boater season
During boating season in-water work will continue on the Third Crossing within the project site boundaries.
Signs stating “Construction Ahead” have been placed on LaSalle Causeway
and on Parks Canada Lock 46 to inform boaters of the in-water
construction work on the Cataraqui River due to building the Third
Crossing. The City has also notified Parks Canada, Transport Canada, the
Canadian Coast Guard Vessel Traffic Centre, LaSalle Causeway and Lock
49 of the ongoing in-water construction work. Every boater should read
and be familiar with the Cataraqui River canals regulation.
Important dates for boaters
Parks Canada has stated that the Rideau Canal will not open until June
1, which means Kingston Mills locks will be closed until June 1st at the
earliest
LaSalle Causeway will be delayed until May 12 as stated by Public Services and Procurement Canada
Kingston re-opens some municipal boat launches, marinas remain closed
Received May 5, 2020
Today the City will be re-opening the following municipal boat launches:
Collins Bay boat launch, 4086 Bath Rd.
Grass Creek Park, 2991 Hwy 2.
Lake Ontario Park, 920 King St. W.
West Street boat launch, 1 Ontario St.
Cataraqui St. boat launch (at Emma Martin Park and the Woolen Mill)
The boat launches at Portsmouth Olympic Harbour Marina remain closed to the public under provincial emergency orders.
5. Turtle and Wetland Concerns at Cataraqui Cemetery
Although it is not Inner Harbour, the city is planning further
destruction of wetlands if the proposed new development at the Cataraqui
Cemetery proceeds. Here is what Mabyn Armstrong of Turtles Kingston
posted in the Turtles Kingston Facebook page.
“Without prejudice.
My concern is the impact this housing development will have on the
adjacent wetland. This City seems to be in constant conflict with the
environment and development. It is uniquely situated in the middle of a
Provincially Significant Wetland. One does not have to look far from the
entrance to this development to find the atrocity of the Via Rail
overpass that was built IN the wetland with no regard to the Species at
Risk found there. Thousands of tons of substrate dumped in that portion
of the wetland without any regard, protection or mitigation measures put
in place before the tons of rocks were dumped.
Respect for the environment can only be upheld with applied integrity.
90% of the wetlands in Ontario have disappeared because of over
development. Wetlands play a crucial role in respect to human welfare.
They sequester huge amounts of carbon so are essential in the
realization of the City’s Climate Change Initiatives. Wetlands are the
worlds ‘freshwater reservoirs’.
Less than 2% of the worlds water is a freshwater source and 20% of that
is found in Ontario. In addition, Canada contains about 14% of the
worlds wetlands with most found in Ontario.
We have already seen world populations migrating in search of freshwater
sources. We in Canada, and in Ontario are to be held accountable for
the role we play in the protection of our freshwater sources.
The proximity of this development to a freshwater source is of major
concern. The impact that it will inevitably have on the surrounding
environment and the variety of species therein is of great concern.
The world is presently living with the repercussions that the
elimination of a huge percentage of its biodiversity has brought. The
ladder of biodiversity is being sorefully challenged at this time. With
the elimination of more than a million species on the planet as per last
year’s Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and
Ecosystem Services (IPBES) Report, there is grave concern for the worlds
sustainability.
You cannot climb a ladder that is missing rungs.
Turtles play an essential part in the eradication of species as they are the most imperilled vertebrate species on the planet.
In my opinion, the Environmental Assessment of this development is not complete.
The Turtle populations have not been adequately profiled in the assessment.
Turtles have been on the planet for more than 220 million years and in
less than 50 years we have sent them on the road to their extinction.
They are a keystone species meaning that they are a species on which
other species in an ecosystem largely depend, so that if they were
removed, the ecosystem would change drastically.
They are called the ‘janitors’ of the wetlands because of the vast
amount of carrion (dead flesh) they consume. Remove them from the
wetlands and the wetlands will implode.
It is essential that they and their habitat be protected.
Instead of constructing housing units directly beside the wetlands, why
not provide a more expansive buffer zone that guarantees the protection
of the wetlands and the amazing diversity within.
Because of its proximity to the wetlands, this development, particularly
the 6 – 19 floor high rise buildings, will have increased value because
a fair percentage of the units will be sold at a premium because they
are ‘rooms with a view’. It is only ‘fair’ that the wetland realize a
percentage of that profit. There should be a ‘return in value’ in the
form of greater protection of the wetland ensuring that there would be
an increased buffer zone between the development and the wetland. The
plans show that the development is extremely ‘condensed’ which will
carry an exaggerated number of both residential vehicles and foot
traffic. The houses that are to be built along the perimeter of the
wetland and the ‘ribbon of life’ corridor found there should be
eliminated to allow for an increased buffer zone. There needs to be
‘breathing space’ between the highly developed residential zone and an
area of natural wonder that is already facing many challenges of
urbanization encroachment. Let’s not add insult to injury.
Why not take the steps to celebrate the uniqueness found throughout the
City in its wetlands by taking creative steps of greater protection and
recognition.
There are references in the Environmental Assessment that sedimentation
is a potential concern with references made to future dredging if deemed
necessary.
Dredging is an invasive and consequential procedure that would be
warranted as a result of the construction of the development. The
concern is that the increased sedimentation created by the construction
of the development could create ‘flooding issues’ by altering water
levels and flow. There would be an increased ‘run off’ from extensive
roofing and paved roads. Note that this ‘run off’ would carry
contaminants like road salt and gas and oil discharges from residential
vehicles.
A storm water holding area is planned that will be adjacent to the
wetland. which carries the potential risk of contamination of the
wetlands with any breeches.
With Kingston declaring a Climate Emergency last year which inspired its
commitment to environmental concerns, development initiatives like this
one must be scrutinized with a template that takes a stand for the
environment and guarantees its protection.
This city is becoming a ‘lemon’.
It seems every piece of land available for development has been
‘squeezed dry’ so compromises are being made to build in areas that
previously would be not be considered.
There is a gross irresponsibility in that and a lack of creativity and imagination.
Currently there are development initiatives that can be perceived as
exploitive because they challenge the basic protection of sensitive
areas and the at risk species found within.
Let’s learn the value of our limited resources by enthusiastically protecting them from exploitation.
This opinion is not in a ‘conflict of interest’ as there is nothing to
be gained but the preservation of something that is unique, limited and
that contains the magical essence of life.
Kingston, let us simply do the right thing.”
Catarqui Cemetery officials are also opposed:
https://www.thewhig.com/news/local-news/cataraqui-cemetery-president-worried-about-more-nearby-building-plans?fbclid=IwAR2eDTLsx8nAdjxmxCcXE2CCglo3YGRIl_kl1Kfx6ZSUPFCL5psrCufQvAQ
Also please check out the Turtles Kinston Facebook page for the
following. This year due to COVID-19 they are requesting that people
who find injured turtles take them to Sandy Pines Wildlife Centre in
Napanee. https://www.facebook.com/TurtlesKingston
6. Current Water Level Projections
Favourable conditions mean Lake Ontario outflows not limited, Standard
Freeholder (Cornwall, Ontario), May 1, 2020 (also appeared in
the Brockville Recorder and Times). It’s difficult to find anything
about the spring of 2020 that’s an improvement on last year at this
time. But that’s the assessment being made by the International Joint
Commission’s International Lake Ontario-St. Lawrence River Board, which
said this week that due to favourable weather and water supply
conditions, the board no longer needs to limit outflows to alleviate
flooding risks downstream. Next Friday at noon, the ILOSLRB will
discuss water levels in the Great Lakes, the webinar being led by
Canadian IJC co-chair Pierre Beland and American co-chair Jane
Corwin. The latest information will be presented and answer questions
will be answered, mainly regarding the water levels forecasts for all of
the Great Lakes, and the IJC’s role in regulating levels and
flows. The ILOSLRB says water levels throughout the Lake Ontario-St.
Lawrence River system are expected to peak well below the record-highs
of 2017 and 2019.
Great Lakes and Lake St. Clair to set new April water level
records, MLive (Ann Arbor, Michigan), May 2, 2020. As April ends, a few
of the Great Lakes will again average higher than ever recorded for
April. Lake Michigan, Lake Huron, Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair will all
average out at new April record high water levels. Lake Superior is
just below record levels, while Lake Ontario is over one foot below
record April levels.
7. Helping Neighbours
Message from Sharon Way of Mutual Aid Katarokwi Kingston, a new group formed to respond to the impacts of COVID 19 in Kingston.
“In a few words, we are a collective that:
– connects people who need deliveries of groceries, prescriptions or food bank food with people who can deliver them;
– connects people who are requesting phone or email check ins with people who are offering this;
– has a campaigns group that is working on supporting people who are
facing evictions and issues related to housing and homelessness in
Kingston.
None of this involves physical contact with others, however, we are
trying to match folks who live near each other for practical reasons and
in hopes that new local connections and relationships can be formed at
the neighbourhood level.
You can read more about us on our website or facebook , watch a
video here, or listen to the Mutual Aid on Lockdown podcast to learn
all the ways we are making connections with neighbours and creating the
infrastructure that allows ordinary people to act out their natural
tendencies towards Mutual Aid.
We invite people to get involved! If you would like to participate in the project you can:
Sign up to do or receive deliveries or check ins using our online form
Share the online form with your networks, specifically people you know
who might benefit from deliveries or check ins, or have time to offer
one or both.
Share our posters (from this media page) electronically or print and
post them in your front window or where you can, to help us get the word
out.
Donate to the project. We are accepting e-transfers at mutualaidkatarokwi@gmail.com or
you can mail cheques written to Mutual Aid Katarokwi and mail or drop
off to 1-75 Queen Street, Kingston ON K7K 1A5. This helps us cover:
voicemail service, bank fees, cleaning supplies, groceries for people
who cannot afford it, printing costs, etc. Any amount you can offer is
helpful! And no worries if you can’t.”
8. “Collecting Histories”, City’s Online Exhibition
Received May 6
The official opening of the Collecting Histories exhibition at the
PumpHouse scheduled for April 2 has been delayed by the COVID-19
pandemic. This is an historic moment, however, and there are many
stories that demand to be shared so Collecting Histories is being
launched today as an interactive and evolving online experience on the
City of Kingston’s Get Involved platform.
“Communities are vibrant and ever changing. The stories that describe a
community’s past events, people, traditions and ideas are its history,”
explains Jennifer Campbell, Manager of Cultural Heritage at the City of
Kingston. “The Kingston community is experiencing a unique moment right
now, and we have an opportunity to explore it and build on our
collective history together.”
The exhibition, Collecting Histories, was meant to explore the role
objects and artifacts play in engaging and inspiring us to learn about
local history. In describing the exhibition, City Curator Paul Robertson
says “Collecting Histories shares some of the fascinating historical,
archival, archaeological and artistic works that form what we refer to
as the Civic Collection. The show also looks at the challenges and
opportunities we face in building a collection that represents the many
facets of our community experience in an inclusive way.”
In this moment, the City of Kingston’s Get Involved platform is being
used to involve the Kingston community in the process of ‘collecting
histories’ using online technologies. This provides a unique opportunity
to help make history until the PumpHouse can re-open by bringing
together City staff and the public to explore the Civic Collection, to
share objects and artifacts that residents value and how we can work
together to remember this moment in Kingston’s history.
Visit Collecting Histories on Get Involved to participate in this
evolving exploration of history as it is being written. To find out more
about Collecting Histories, visit our latest Culture Blog post.
9. Engaging with City during Pandemic
Received May 8, 2020
Kingston wins when you engage! The City of Kingston has launched an
online survey to seek input on how it should engage residents on City
projects, policies and initiatives during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Are residents ready for us to engage them on subjects beyond the
pandemic? If so, how can we best do that given that in-person
engagements such as open houses, workshop and appearances at community
events aren’t an option at the moment due to physical distancing,” says
Debbi Miller, Manager, Communications and Public Engagement.
The brief survey is now available for input at GetInvolved.CityofKingston.ca until
May 22. In addition to seeking input on engagement in general, it also
asks about the possible use of specific technologies. Residents may also
offer their ideas for communicating with them during COVID-19 on this
site.
The City has not held an in-person engagement since mid-March, but has a
number of projects that were scheduled for engagement in 2020 and City
staff will be providing a recommendation on how to replace in-person
engagement during this time. The results of this survey will inform a
Report to Council on this subject in early June.
In 2019 the City of Kingston was named the International Association of
Public Participation (IAP2) Canada’s Organization of the Year, in
recognition of its work to produce, implement and support its Public
Engagement Framework.
10. Ferry Passengers Asked to Carry Masks
Received from the Kingstonist, May 10, 2020
Passengers of local ferries such as the Glenora Ferry and the Wolfe
Island Ferry are now being asked to bring protective face coverings with
them on their trip.
Transport Canada is asking all travellers to be in possession of a
removable face covering large enough to cover their mouth and nose while
on board passenger vessels and ferries to reduce the spread of
COVID-19, according to Alex Westendorp, Communications Services
Coordinator for the Ontario Ministry of Transportation.
According to Westendorp, passengers are also asked to use the ferry for
essential travel only, and to self-identify any COVID-19 symptoms by
using the Transport Canada self-assessment questionnaire posted at ferry
terminals.
Passengers are also required to practice physical distancing and to stay in their vehicle throughout their trip.
Previous measures, such as the closure of common areas, including washrooms and terminals, remain in place.
11. Kingston Velo Club’s Advocacy Update
“1. Our Advocacy Committee has shared some of our favourite rides to
Tourism Kingston and the County of Frontenac. These will be placed on
their website – the Ride with GPS files can be downloaded by anyone
wishing to cycle in Kingston area. The intent is to build Kingston and
area as a very credible cycling destination, that will in the future
continue to contribute to our economic wellbeing and facilitate the
development of cycling infrastructure.
2. Again our Advocacy committee has worked with the folks at Kingston
Coalition for Active Transportation to support the development of space
in the City for proper and safe physical distancing, see the KCAT letter
below. We encourage everyone to contact their councillors and express
their opinions in support of measures that many cities have already
implemented.
3. Currently, we are talking to other clubs in the area about taking a
proactive role to reestablish ‘VIRUS SAFE’ group riding in Kingston
area. We have established communications with the KFLA Public Health and
will be clarifying “Best Practices” so we can all cycle safely.
4. Our Ride Calendar is very tentative at this time until we understand
how the cycling season will unfold. Once we have clarity, the calendar
will be updated.
5. Signage on the urban section of the K&P trail and from the
K&P to Invista is missing or inadequate. Our Advocacy group has
identified the problem to the city, and even has gone so far as
presenting a a signage plan to make it easier for City staff. Hopefully
we will see results soon.
6. Please renew your membership for 2020. Your club needs your support
to carry on! Most members have renewed with the faith that we will have a
shortened but great season this year, like we did last year.”
12. Kingston Coalition for Active Transportation’s Submission to City re COVID Accommodations
“To Mayor, City Council, and City Staff,
We thank all of our City officials, first responders, and essential workers for all of their
hard work in these uncertain times. We recognize that these times are full of challenges
but in times of change, there are also opportunities.
People in our community are experiencing financial worries and are much more isolated
than before. This can lead to additional stress that can be detrimental to our personal
health and the health of our community in various ways. We are well aware of the
multiple benefits that access to fresh air, exercise, and nature have on our wellbeing
and health. Maintaining physical distance should continue to be the best practice to
combat the spread of COVID-19, however, this should not restrict our ability to go
outside for our own health if we are following the recommendations from our health
professionals.
Following announcements from various forward-thinking cities that have designated
new space and infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists, we feel that it is time for
Kingston to make bold moves towards a sustainable and healthy future now and once
this pandemic is under control. We strongly recommend that the City of Kingston be a
leader and repurpose as many streets as feasible to accommodate a greater number of
pedestrians and cyclists while enabling them to maintain physical distance. An Open
Streets approach should be taken in various parts of the City. Following a rapid street
assessment and neighbourhood consultation, we strongly recommend that the city
consider temporarily reducing access to, or closing, streets to motorized vehicles (other
than local traffic, delivery vehicles, and emergency vehicles). This recommendation not
only applies to residential streets but also to streets in the heart of our city such as
Princess St., Queen St., King St., Ontario St., Brock St., Johnson St., Wellington St.,
Clarence St., William St., and Clergy St. Kingstonians out for walks, runs or bicycle rides
need space for proper physical distancing and connector routes to vital services (e.g.
grocery stores, pharmacies, etc.) as well as parks and natural areas.
Additionally, we recommend that the City promote active transportation for trips under
5 kilometers as this will continue to reduce car traffic, keep pedestrians and cyclists safe,
and encourage more people to engage in healthy behaviours. More bike racks and
secure bike parking, especially near essential service locations, should be implemented
to help cyclists maintain physical distance while securing their bikes when making
essential trips. An increased priority should be given to cleaning up and patching bike
lanes. We recognize that this work has already started in parts of Kingston so let’s keep
up the good work!
With COVID -19 on our horizon for at least the next few weeks, it is important to
continue to inform residents of the strategies that the City is engaging in to keep our
communities safe. Instead of giving people fines (as other Ontario municipalities are
starting to do), this is an opportunity to distribute information on how to maintain
physical distance while being active. An awareness campaign should be directed
towards all road users advising them of the changing patterns in road usage and to be
considerate of others. This should be done through various media outlets (i.e.
newspapers, social media, billboards, etc.) to ensure as wide a reach as possible.
Thank you for taking the time to read and consider these recommendations. We feel
that all of these recommendations are consistent with the City’s Active Transportation
Master Plan and Climate Emergency Strategy – we are only asking that implementation
plans be modified to adjust to the new reality the world is experiencing. With the
weather warming up, it will be imperative to provide residents with the necessary space
to move and enjoy the outdoors. We strongly believe that these actions will help
residents of Kingston better comply with distancing to protect public health while also
promoting health through physical activity. We would be pleased to talk with you about
any of these recommendations as well as help in the implementation of any active
transportation strategies.
Sincerely,
Carla Teixeira, on behalf of KCAT and other interested citizens.
Links:
https://calgaryherald.com/news/local-news/city-to-test-weekend-road-closures-to-helpcalgarians-
keep-their-distance/
https://www.oaklandca.gov/news/2020/city-of-oakland-announces-oakland-slow-streetsprogram-
starting-saturday-to-enable-safer-walking-cycling
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/apr/11/world-cities-turn-their-streets-over-towalkers-
and-cyclists?fbclid=IwAR1dXfofVktnmRWxSVHBTFywl3i3a5df83abat5iMLqXf1995vibb9Fp8I”
13. Online Survey of the Rideau Waterway
Received from Ottawa U. graduate student, Christine Beaudoin, May 11, 2020
“We are sending you this email to remind you about
our online survey, which will help us better understand the views of a
broad range of people about historic waterways in Ontario! Please find
more details below, we would greatly appreciate it if you could complete
the survey and distribute it in your networks whether it’s
through newsletters, word-of-mouth or social media. Have your opinions
heard!
Researchers from the University of Ottawa, Carleton University, and the
University of Sherbrooke are partnering with Parks Canada to complete
research on the social, ecological, and engineering issues and
challenges facing the Rideau Waterway and the Trent-Severn Waterway.
We want to hear from you! Whether you are a visitor to the waterways, a
property-owner, or a member of the general public, we want to hear your
views.
Please take a moment to complete the online survey for the Rideau Canal and/or the Trent-Severn Waterway: https://www.surveymonkey.ca/r/RC_TSW.
You will be providing us with valuable information about your views of the Rideau Waterway and the Trent-Severn Waterway.
Feel free to share the link with your colleagues, friends and family.
Surveys are available in French and English.
Additionally, here is our new website for this research on Historic Waterways in Ontario: https://historicwaterways.wixsite.com/research.
Refer to the website for more information and updates on our results.”
More Info? Christine Beaudoin, cbeau143@uottawa.ca”
14. Central Kingston Growth Strategy
Received May 11
What: City of Kingston to deliver updates on Central Kingston Growth Strategy
The City’s Planning Services Department will be providing key updates on
the Central Kingston Growth Strategy, as the project enters its next
phase.
Who/When: Facilitated by project consultants from WSP, staff will be
posting a pre-recorded video presentation on May 25, followed by a
two-week online Q&A period.
Elaboration: This presentation will include preliminary recommendations
for proposed changes to the City’s Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw, and
urban design guidelines, based on proposed intensification and infill
areas. After viewing the presentation, residents will have an
opportunity to leave their questions and comments by visiting Get
Involved Kingston, or by contacting City Planning staff.
“We recognize that this is a unique time for Kingston’s residents, and
we want to emphasize that this public engagement approach is a temporary
solution, intended to keep residents up-to-date on the project,” says
Andrea Gummo, Manager of Policy Planning for the City of Kingston.
“While this is a different approach, we also want to emphasize that the
project team is committed to ensuring that residents understand the
proposed Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw recommendations and urban design
guidelines.”
The Central Kingston Growth Strategy aims to create a policy and
regulatory framework to guide infill and intensification in the central
area of the City. The aim of this strategy is to facilitate a long-term
vision for the residential areas of Central Kingston by preserving what
is valued in Kingston’s communities and identifying the appropriate
locations and forms for accommodating future growth.
The study area for the strategy includes the residential areas of
central Kingston except for the area covered by the North King’s Town
Secondary Plan, the Kingston Provincial Campus Secondary Plan, and the
downtown core and the Princess Street corridor, including Williamsville
Main Street.
Learn more about the Central Kingston Growth Strategy on the City’s
website and by visiting the Get Involved Kingston project page.”
15. TAKE THE TIME TO READ THIS: Re-wilding Ourselves and the Our Environments
The following wonderful quote is from Joyce at Rewild My City – joyce@rewildmycity,.com
“Becoming wild
I like Gavin van Horn’s distinction between wildness & wilderness:
wildness: the self-renewing processes that create the conditions for the flourishing of life
wilderness: typically large tracts of land or water that are formally designated for protection
Wildness isn’t a state. It’s a process. A way of thinking. A way of feeling. A way of doing.
For some people rewilding is about recreating a pristine wilderness
where humans are unwelcome. But aren’t we part of the natural world?
Aren’t we in relationship with the natural world? And if we are part of
the natural world, then rewilding includes us. I love how David Haskell
(The Songs of Trees) talks about ecological aesthetics as a “step toward
belonging in all dimensions.”
Rewilding is creating belongings. And creating belongings means building relationships.
How do we build relationships with the natural world (the more-than-human world)? Robin Wall Kimmerer offers some wisdom:
“We need to build a unique relationship to our place. By paying
attention. By imagining what a reciprocal relationship with that place
might be like. By asking, ‘How does this land sustain me, and how do I
sustain this land?’ By expressing gratitude for the land. By living in
such a way that the land will be grateful for your presence on it.”
For me, inviting wildness into my life means:
Restoring my relationship to land
Engaging in reciprocity with land
Cultivating my senses (learning to see land and the more-than-human world)
Learning the history (the story) of the land
Learning from (apprenticing with) plants
Exploring Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and indigenous or ancestral worldviews
Caring for the land
Restoring plant communities
Sharing my love of land with people in my community
Seeking the unseen, the invisible, the impossible to measure or quantify
Seeking belongings with the more-than-human world
Exploring meanings (I just learned that what I’ve thought of as biodiversity, traditional peoples call kin)
If forest is kin, if the plants in my garden are kin, if all beings are
kin how does that change my relations in the world? How does that change
how we garden? How we farm?
As I sit with these wonderings, I’m trying to learn patience, keeping
this advice from an indigenous elder in mind, ‘Go slowly. Listen to the
land, it will tell you what to do.’ “
Wishing you wildness,
Mary Farrar, President,
Friends of Kingston Inner Harbour
www.friendsofinnerharbour.com
613-544-1246
THE QUEEN CITY OIL CO. LTD. WAREHOUSE
By John Duerkop 2018
The Queen City Oil Co. Ltd. warehouse at 9 North Street (better known as
on Wellington St. below Rideaucrest), is a mostly two-storey limestone
building designed by William Newlands in 1897 (Contract Record, vol. 8
no. 30 (26 August 1897), p.2). Newlands is better known for his handsome
houses and his beautiful pavilion on the lakeshore near the Richardson
Bath House. The warehouse received a municipal heritage designation on 3
November, 1987 (By-law 87-355).
Background:
Petroleum in large quantities was discovered near Oil Springs, Canada
West in 1851 by the International Mining and Manufacturing Co. The oil
was lying in pools on saturated soil. It had to be dug out. It was used
to make asphalt and kerosene. Free-flowing underground oil was
discovered during the hand digging of a water well there in 1858.
Commercial production began at nearby Petrolia CW that year and in
Pennsylvania USA in 1859. The Canadian Oil Co., better known under the
trade name “White Rose”, was formed at Petrolia in 1860. The company was
the world’s first integrated oil producer, involved in the production,
refining and marketing of petroleum products.
The availability of kerosene (paraffin) by rail led to the founding of
the Queen City Oil Co. Ltd. in Toronto (the “Queen City”) in 1882 by
brothers Samuel and Elias Rogers 2 who amalgamated previous firms
(including their Queen City Oil Works) founded in 1877 in Hamilton and
Ottawa.
In that era, when fear of fire could produce public hysteria, the first
sailing ships specifically designed to carry petroleum as case oil 2, in
barrels 3 or even in bulk, appeared in the early 1860s. Since they were
sailing, not steam, vessels they were accepted as safe. But eventually
oil companies moved to larger steam-powered tankers. The first
ocean-going steam tanker was the British-built GLÜCKAUF of 1886. She was
designed to carry kerosene in bulk from New York and Philadelphia to
Europe 4.
There was a great deal of opposition to her arrival in New York. Some of
it revolved around the safety of the new Brooklyn Bridge (1883) as many
claimed that terrorists would drop bombs on her as she passed under the
bridge, blowing up the bridge and even parts of New York City. Others
were sure that she would have explosives on board and blow herself up
under the bridge. The price of kerosene in Europe, however, was soon cut
in half by the introduction of large steam tankers and the long-range
bulk transportation of petroleum products changed world-wide.
History of Queen City Oil Co. Ltd:
Queen City Oil was mainly a wholesaler of kerosene in barrels and tins.
The kerosene arrived in rail tank cars at regional warehouses across
southern Ontario from refineries in Toronto and Sarnia. It was unloaded
at a warehouse’s railway siding and transferred into iron tanks. The
kerosene was transferred to barrels and tins in the warehouse. The
barrels were sold to retailers that sold it in smaller amounts to
homeowners for use in “coal oil lamps” for interior lighting, “barn
lanterns” for rougher work, ship’s navigation lights, etc. An 1898
postcard advertising Queen City Oil’s “Sarnia” brand kerosene said that
it was the “… best regular grade Canada Oil ever made. No smell. No
smoke. No crust on the wick.” Other petroleum products, such as “Sarnia”
brand lubricating oil, naphtha, axle grease, candle wax and castor oil
arrived in small lots or as case oil.
In the mid 1890s, the City of Kingston was in the midst of a
letter-writing campaign aimed at attracting new industry. The city’s Oil
Limit was an impediment for at least Queen City Oil. Samuel Rogers
wrote to the Kingston city engineer on 9 July 1895 saying that the
company did not think it was justified to open a kerosene barrelling
works in Kingston under the existing by-laws.
At that time, cities in Ontario had two common ways of trying to
minimize the risk of a fire spreading from one building to another. An
Oil Limit restricted the amount of specified flammable liquids that
could be in any premises within the limit. A Fire Limit, on the other
hand, required buildings in the specified area to be built of fireproof
materials such as brick, concrete, stone or metal-covered wood
construction. Typically, this would be an area where buildings were
large and close together, such as a downtown commercial area. Gunpowder,
blasting powder, etc. were controlled in a separate by-law.
Any premises within the Oil Limit was prohibited from having more than
five barrels of kerosene or petroleum, or two barrels of naphtha,
benzene (C6H6 C6H6), bensole (a solvent, C6H), gasoleum (fuming
sulphuric acid, H2O7S2), turpentine or any other liquid containing any
of the banned liquids on the premises at any time. There was a combined
limit of no more than five barrels of any flammable liquids at any
location.
The Fire Limit was older than the Oil Limit. By-law 11, the first by-law
establishing a Fire Limit in Kingston, had been passed on 8 November
1847. The 1883 Fire Limit, within which all buildings had to be built of
fireproof materials, was not a problem for the oil companies. The Fire
Limit then was a line 30.5 m (100’) south of and parallel to Cataraqui
St. from the Great Cataraqui River extended west to Montreal St. When
Imperial Oil came to Kingston about 1892, they built their kerosene
sheds outside the Oil Limit without protest. Their sheds appear to have
been wood covered with corrugated iron or tin, sensible but not legally
required in that particular location.
Queen City Oil thought that they needed a large facility in Kingston.
They especially wanted a rail siding and a building large enough to
handle kerosene brought in bulk by rail car, stored in iron tanks and
then dispensed into barrels. The company also wanted convenient access
to a wharf or jetty where they could receive and ship product by water.
On 9 November 1896, John Morris of Queen City Oil wrote City Council
that access to navigable water was critical for the company and without
it; they would not come to Kingston 5.
The company tried to get permission to build a stone or brick warehouse
on the Grand Trunk Railway spur line as close as possible to navigable
water. The specific location they wanted was Lot 40 with frontage on
Rideau St. and North St. It was within the Oil Limit. Like Imperial Oil
before them, Queen City Oil’s planned location was north of the Fire
Limit so the “fire proof” building they wanted was not legally required.
But the contents of the building would be contrary to the Oil Limit and
that was what they wanted changed 6.
The root cause of much of the opposition to Queen City’s plan was that
many people, aldermen included, did not understand the differences
between the Oil Limit and the Fire Limit. The insurance underwriters
first heard from people who thought the Fire Limit was being changed and
they reacted accordingly with warnings that every property owner in the
city might face an increase in fire insurance rates.
A public meeting, the largest ever held in Kingston City Hall to that
point, was held on the evening of Saturday 14 November 1896. Supporters
of the new Queen City Oil project were greatly outnumbered in the
audience. A petition bearing 132 signatures opposed to the Queen City
project was sent to City Council from the meeting. It was subsequently
alleged that an agent of Queen City’s competitor Imperial Oil had
sponsored the petition.
Newspaper overage was extensive and the debate extended into whether
American coal oil was burned cleaner than Canadian coal oil, whether the
alleged American coal oil available in Kingston was really American,
what the wholesale prices of coal oil in Kingston and in New York State
actually were and would the insurance underwriters use a kerosene
warehouse within the Oil Limit as a reason to raise everyone’s fire
insurance rates?
In 1883-1893, the city’s by-laws included a ban on manufacturing
flammable liquids anywhere in the city. As previously mentioned, they
also included a limit on the amounts of certain flammable liquids that
could be stored at any premises within the Oil Limit. The Oil Limit
became the focus of a continuing debate in 1895-1897.
The subject was referred to the Fire, Water and Light Committee of City
Council. It was discussed at no less than four meetings of the committee
in October and November of 1896. The by-law was defeated by council
9-10 on second reading at their meeting on 28 November 1896. Then
finally, the insurance underwriters understood the city’s intent and
withdrew the possibility of an increase overall fire insurance rates.
Alderman Carson was the sponsor of a by-law to change the Oil Limit.
Called a by-law “… respecting Petroleum and other illuminating oils and
fluids”. He moved in council on 11 January 1897 that a committee be
established to draft an amendment to the Oil Limit so that Queen City
Oil or any other company could locate “… near the Kingston &
Pembroke quarry hole.” He said that Queen City Oil would begin quarrying
at once to create enough level space and that it would erect a stone
building. The motion was withdrawn, to be brought up again at the next
meeting. After some time and further discussion, the proposed changes
passed council on third reading 16-4 on 1 November 1897.
The new Oil Limit changes kept the previous west and south boundaries
but with two exemptions. The first exempted a triangle of land beginning
at the junction of Cataraqui St. and the railway allowances, extending
30.5 m (100’) along both the railway allowances to the south and along
Cataraqui St. to the east. There was a pre-existing oil storage building
within this triangle.
The second exemption was critical for Queen City Oil. This exemption was
bounded by a line drawn south from Cataraqui St. to North St., running
parallel with and 76.2 m (250’) east of Rideau St. and then west along
the centre of North St. Lands west and north of this line were placed
outside the Oil Limit,
The main fire dangers at a kerosene warehouse were of leakage from the
barrels and spillage while “barrelling”, transferring kerosene from the
outside tanks to barrels. It is possible that at least the floor of the
second level of the Queen City Oil warehouse was paved in asphalt that
would retard any spilled kerosene.
The new two-storey warehouse built in 1897-1898 was limestone, 30 m
(99’) long x 18 m (59’) wide, with a “fireproof” roof. A small
one-storey extension of the building and a very prominent chimney
occupied the south end of the structure.
Kerosene was pumped out of bulk tank railcars (Queen City Oil owned at
least six of them and could lease others) and piped into two iron tanks
that were located at the north end of the warehouse 7. Barrelling was
done inside the warehouse. Local deliveries to retailers were made at
first by horse-drawn wagons and later by motor trucks.
On 4 January 1897, the Daily British Whig reported that John Morris of
Queen City Oil had stated in a letter that Queen City would not
amalgamate with Imperial Oil. This reassurance soon became meaningless.
The Rogers brothers had sold 80% of their firm to Rockefeller’s Standard
Oil Co. of New York in 1896. The sale was probably influenced by the
Laurier government’s decision to allow kerosene to be transported to
Canadian ports in bulk tankers and to lower import duties on kerosene
and lubricants. Queen City Oil in Canada then started to be supplied
with some kerosene and lubricants from Standard Oil’s Buffalo refinery.
Standard Oil bought 75% of Imperial Oil of London Ontario in 1898 for
$339,470. Then, in 1899, Standard Oil made Queen City Oil a subsidiary
of Imperial Oil. In about 1900, Imperial shut their kerosene own sheds
and then used the Queen City Oil warehouse instead.
In 1911, the US Congress forced the breakup of Standard Oil Co. The
breakup involved 34 companies, mostly in the United States but also
worldwide. Imperial Oil Co. Ltd. and its subsidiary Queen City Oil Co.
Ltd., both registered Canadian companies, were given by the US Congress
to what became the Standard Oil Co. of New Jersey.
The Rogers family sold their remaining Queen City Oil shares to Imperial
in 1912. Imperial then stopped selling products under Queen City’s
“Sarnia” brand. It is interesting to note, however, that as late as 1915
Imperial used the Queen City Oil Co. Ltd. name as owner of a new
refinery in East Montreal. The mv MOTOR QUEEN, registered in Kingston,
continued to be officially owned by Queen City Oil until 1930 when she
was sold 5.
As mentioned previously, the Queen City Oil warehouse had a Grand Trunk
Railway siding on its east side. This was where it received petroleum
products. It also had an entrance on the west side of the upper level
that gave it the street address – 9 North St. It does not appear that
there was a proper roadway through the rail yards near the lower level.
No evidence of an external staircase or ramp to connect the levels has
been found, but two of the openings on the west side of the warehouse’s
second floor seem larger than the others.
A wooden stable for the horses that were used by the Queen City Oil
warehouse’s delivery wagons was built on North St., close to what is now
the southeast corner of Rideaucrest,. The stable was gone by 1908,
replaced by a wooden garage for motor vehicles.
The Queen City Oil physically separated its Kingston administration and
sales from the warehouse by opening an office at the foot of Clarence
St. (also given as the corner of Clarence St. and Ontario St.) downtown
by 1903. In 1913, the city directory listed ‘Imperial Oil Co. Queen City
Division” at 198 Ontario St. John Morris, the former manager of Queen
City Oil in Kingston and a former partner of Samuel Rogers, was listed
as the Imperial Oil manager.
The geographic growth of Kingston, the need for gasoline filling
stations throughout the city and then the decline in the use of coal oil
lamps (replaced by gas lamps in many late 19th Century buildings and
later by the widespread use of electric light after the Great War) ended
the usefulness of the Oil Limit.
The warehouse was of diminished importance after the Great War. By then
petroleum products were increasingly distributed in bulk, rather than in
barrels or tins. By 1924, the “Imperial Oil Ltd. Queen City Division”
had six oil tanks above the embankment. Two of the tanks were very
large.
Later, Imperial Oil tankers used a terminal at the entrance to Anglin
Bay to discharge their bulk cargo to the tanks behind the warehouse. The
pipes and bollards for the terminal are still there. The heating oil
and gasoline the tankers brought moved by pipe to eight large tanks on
the embankment above the warehouse. The change to gas or electric
heating of buildings, coupled with the point-to-point movement of
heating oil and gasoline by truck, meant that by 1990 the tanks were
gone.
Other oil companies had terminals and/or warehouses in the area. Rosen
Fuels, British American Oil (in what we now call the Bailey Broom
Factory) and Canadian Oil (“White Rose”) were all in the area by 1924.
Since 1987:
The warehouse had been owned by the city since 1987, although nothing
had been done to protect the structure. In 2003, the estimate for
rehabilitation was $800,000. The city rated the warehouse as of medium
historical significance, low operational significance and low public
visibility. The 2004 city Building Conservation Master Plan estimated
the cost of rehabilitating the building at $1,467,070.31 including an
allowance of $370,195.31 for contingencies. The remainder was to be
divided between $450,000 of urgent work and $1,050,000 of future costs.
Despite the inclusion of the cost estimates, no actual assessment of the
interior of the building had been done. That was because access has
been denied for years. The city did not repair the roof, which suffered
significant damage, including the collapse of the tall stone chimney, in
the spring of 2018! The internal wooden structures, including the
second floor, have collapsed. Even in 2004, enough internal damage was
visible through the open windows for the city to fence the building.
They then spent $5,000 to board it up to prevent further access and
further deteriorate. The property standards by-law was not applied.
The 2007 city budget included $100,000 for the building’s demolition.
Council subsequently voted to investigate the sale and rehabilitation of
the building. It was noted that the city could hardly fight to force
the CNR to rehabilitate the Outer Station while at the same time owning a
building of similar vintage and in a similar state of disrepair.
The Doornekamp family’s ABNA Investments bought the Queen City Oil
warehouse in 2014 and has since gained approval from Heritage Kingston
and from City Council to restore it as an eight-unit apartment building.
There are to be six two-bedroom and two one-bedroom apartments. Those
on the main floor are to be accessible. A great project! It will
reactivate one of the very few industrial buildings left in Kingston
from before 1900. Hopefully its industrial origins, including the tall
chimney, will be prominent features its appearance.
Except for the Bajus Brewery (1835 with various additions until 1861),
the Davis Dry Dock (original 1889 and with subsequent reconstructions)
and the Cotton/Woolen Mill (1882 with additions in 1887 and 1890); the
Queen City Oil warehouse is the last remaining pre-1900 industrial
building left on the west bank of the Great Cataraqui River.
Acknowledgements:
Thank you to those who supported this paper on what must have seemed to
be a rather obscure topic. The research and writing would not have
happened without the encouragement and help of Helen Finley several
years ago. More recently, Dr. Jennifer McKendry has been the source of
valuable information, encouragement and advice. The staff of the Queen’s
Archives, especially Heather Home, have been particularly helpful.
Their support is much appreciated, but any errors or omissions are mine.
Bibliography:
City of Kingston Consolidated By-Laws 1883, 1895 and 1907.
——————- Council Papers 1896-1898.
——————- “Minute Book”, Fire, Water and Light Committee 1896-1902.
——————- Minutes of Council 1896.
——————- Proceedings of City Council 1896-1899.
——————- Report Book “H” 1896-1899.
Daily British Whig 17, 19 and 20 November 1896; 4, 11 and 19 January, 2 February, 10 and 18 August 1897; 19 January 1898.
Dictionary of Canadian Biography Vol XI (1818-1890).
Dunn, Lawrence. The World’s Tankers, 1956.
Encyclopædia Britannica Vol 24, 1911.
Foster’s Kingston Directories 1894 to 1907.
Goad, Charles E. Kingston Fire Insurance Maps 1908 and 1924.
Guild & Hanson, Kingston City Directory 1906-1909, 1910-1914, 1915-1920 and 1923.
Holtoff, Benjamin L. “Queen City Oil Building”, MA thesis, Queen’s University 2015.
Inglis, Lily and Downey, Bruce. Plans of Queen City Oil Building 2007.
Irwin, W.H. & Co., Irwin’s City of Kingston Directories 1891-1894.
McKendry, Dr. Jennifer. Personal communications 19 and 22 April and 27 May 2018.
Marchidon, Gregory P. Canadian Multinationals and International Finance 2013 (excerpt).
(The) Mercantile Navy List 1911, 1929 and 1930.
Might Directories City Directory of Gananoque, Kingston and Napanee 1927, 1929, 1965 and 1969-1971.
Van Hasselt, Caroline. High Wire Act: Ted Rogers and the Empire that Debt Built 2010 (excerpt).
Footnotes:
1 Samuel Rogers and his wife had a son Edward (“Ted”) born in 1900. That
son and his wife also had a son “Ted” (1933-2008) who, as founder and
head of Rogers Cable, was far better known than any of his ancestors.
Samuel Rogers continued to have his own kerosene distribution company
for several years after co-founding the Queen City Oil Company. Elias
Rogers & Sons, originally a lumber and coal dealer, was later sold
to McColl Bros., the Canadian affiliate of Texaco.
2 “Case oil” was two American five-gallon tins put together in a wooden
case that might weigh a manageable total of 40.8 kg (90 lb).
3 Barrels of petroleum were “standardized” in 1866 at one barrel = 42 US
gallons, 35 Imperial gallons or 159 litres. The weights were not
actually standard. 42 US gallons and 159 litres are both 336 lb. of
water. But, 35 Imperial gallons are 350 lb. of water.
4 GLÜCKAUF was 91.6 m (300.5’) long, with a deadweight tonnage of 2,740
tonnes (3,020 tons). That large amount of kerosene near a lit boiler was
what raised most of the opposition. She was built on speculation with
the expectation that a German or Norwegian shipowner would buy her.
Before she was finished a German firm, associated with Standard Oil, did
buy her and named her “glűckauf” or “good luck”.
5 Between 1910 and 1930, Queen City Oil owned the MOTOR QUEEN ex SUPPLY,
official number 130322. A small wooden vessel, built in Alexandria Bay
NY in 1904, she was only 20 gross tons and 15.4 m (50.4’) long. Based in
Kingston, she delivered gasoline, kerosene, lubricating oil etc. to
yacht clubs, general stores and even cottages along the Rideau and
throughout the 1000 Islands. She was sold to a Windsor Ontario owner.
6 The 1883 Fire Limit, still in force then, had been from the foot of
Barrie St. north to Ordnance St. and then down Ordnance to Rideau St.
and north to Bay St., east down Bay to the harbour (at roughly the
present corner with Wellington St.) and east and south along the
shoreline to the foot of Emily St. west on Emily to King St. and south
on King to the starting point at the foot of Barrie.
7 Five iron petroleum tanks show on the 1908 Fire Insurance Map. They
were above the embankment behind the Queen City Oil warehouse, and the
two tanks formerly north of the building were gone, possibly moved up
the hill. Those two tanks were the only circular ones in the group. Like
the others, they were not very large, being only about 7.6 m (25’) in
diameter.
Dictionary of Canadian Biography Vol XI (1818-1890).
Dunn, Lawrence. The World’s Tankers, 1956.
Encyclopædia Britannica Vol 24, 1911.
Foster’s Kingston Directories 1894 to 1907.
Goad, Charles E. Kingston Fire Insurance Maps 1908 and 1924.
Guild & Hanson, Kingston City Directory 1906-1909, 1910-1914, 1915-1920 and 1923.
Holtoff, Benjamin L. “Queen City Oil Building”, MA thesis, Queen’s University 2015.
Inglis, Lily and Downey, Bruce. Plans of Queen City Oil Building 2007.
Irwin, W.H. & Co., Irwin’s City of Kingston Directories 1891-1894.
McKendry, Dr. Jennifer. Personal communications 19 and 22 April and 27 May 2018.
Marchidon, Gregory P. Canadian Multinationals and International Finance 2013 (excerpt).
(The) Mercantile Navy List 1911, 1929 and 1930.
Might Directories City Directory of Gananoque, Kingston and Napanee 1927, 1929, 1965 and 1969-1971.
Van Hasselt, Caroline. High Wire Act: Ted Rogers and the Empire that Debt Built 2010 (excerpt).
Footnotes:
1 Samuel Rogers and his wife had a son Edward (“Ted”) born in 1900. That
son and his wife also had a son “Ted” (1933-2008) who, as founder and
head of Rogers Cable, was far better known than any of his ancestors.
Samuel Rogers continued to have his own kerosene distribution company
for several years after co-founding the Queen City Oil Company. Elias
Rogers & Sons, originally a lumber and coal dealer, was later sold
to McColl Bros., the Canadian affiliate of Texaco.
2 “Case oil” was two American five-gallon tins put together in a wooden
case that might weigh a manageable total of 40.8 kg (90 lb).
3 Barrels of petroleum were “standardized” in 1866 at one barrel = 42 US
gallons, 35 Imperial gallons or 159 litres. The weights were not
actually standard. 42 US gallons and 159 litres are both 336 lb. of
water. But, 35 Imperial gallons are 350 lb. of water.
4 GLÜCKAUF was 91.6 m (300.5’) long, with a deadweight tonnage of 2,740
tonnes (3,020 tons). That large amount of kerosene near a lit boiler was
what raised most of the opposition. She was built on speculation with
the expectation that a German or Norwegian shipowner would buy her.
Before she was finished a German firm, associated with Standard Oil, did
buy her and named her “glűckauf” or “good luck”.
5 Between 1910 and 1930, Queen City Oil owned the MOTOR QUEEN ex SUPPLY,
official number 130322. A small wooden vessel, built in Alexandria Bay
NY in 1904, she was only 20 gross tons and 15.4 m (50.4’) long. Based in
Kingston, she delivered gasoline, kerosene, lubricating oil etc. to
yacht clubs, general stores and even cottages along the Rideau and
throughout the 1000 Islands. She was sold to a Windsor Ontario owner.
6 The 1883 Fire Limit, still in force then, had been from the foot of
Barrie St. north to Ordnance St. and then down Ordnance to Rideau St.
and north to Bay St., east down Bay to the harbour (at roughly the
present corner with Wellington St.) and east and south along the
shoreline to the foot of Emily St. west on Emily to King St. and south
on King to the starting point at the foot of Barrie.
7 Five iron petroleum tanks show on the 1908 Fire Insurance Map. They
were above the embankment behind the Queen City Oil warehouse, and the
two tanks formerly north of the building were gone, possibly moved up
the hill. Those two tanks were the only circular ones in the group. Like
the others, they were not very large, being only about 7.6 m (25’) in
diameter.