Alex Freeman
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northernnerd.bsky.social
Alex Freeman
@northernnerd.bsky.social
Toronto Area Housing & Construction.
Gaming & Photography, Bike Data.

Did I mention I like Disc Golf.
Pinned
Episode 3 of my long-form series on housing construction and affordability out now.

This week we dig into why time is the unifying cost multiplier across all stages of development.
3 - Fighting Father Time
Why time is the most expensive input in housing
open.substack.com
I don't think I'll live in a place with a view quite like this ever again.

College & Spadina.
January 31, 2026 at 1:54 AM
Reposted by Alex Freeman
January 30, 2026 at 8:41 PM
Reposted by Alex Freeman
CAVI is seeking collaborators for small projects to test ideas around clean air, citizen science and sharing CO2 monitors. Please apply if you are in Canada and have a good idea! airtable.com/appqa5ftYie4...
January 7, 2026 at 8:03 PM
Today I learned TPL loans out CO² monitors.... Line 2 on my way home.
January 30, 2026 at 7:09 PM
Reposted by Alex Freeman
January 30, 2026 at 12:23 PM
Reposted by Alex Freeman
The irony of seeing a Russian-flagged tanker sail as close as possible to a NATO coastline in order to avoid an attack by Ukrainian drones.

#OOTT #Tankers #Russia #Ukraine
January 30, 2026 at 8:45 AM
What's it called? Gondola!

@blairscorgie.bsky.social
Rising Above Gridlock
Gondolas. Yes, gondolas.
open.substack.com
January 30, 2026 at 9:47 AM
Reposted by Alex Freeman
We don't mind sharing our 🇨🇦 comfort foods with you. Have you tried poutine?
January 30, 2026 at 1:24 AM
Hey look Donny's shooting America in the foot again.
The team from @theaircurrent is seeking more information on this statement from the President. A massive amount of the U.S. fleet of mainline, regional, helicopter and military aircraft are "made in Canada."
January 30, 2026 at 1:06 AM
I still use Discover for a bit of a broader reach but this is pretty awesome too.
January 30, 2026 at 12:10 AM
Reposted by Alex Freeman
The setting sun as viewed through the webcam atop the Dorset Tower in the Algonquin Highlands of The Great White North 🇨🇦
#DorsetTower
#AlgonquinHighlands
#GreatWhiteNorth
#CanadaStrong
January 29, 2026 at 10:03 PM
Did some digging, surprised no one has floated a FOI of the actual contract itself but there is some detail on why sidewalk clearing has been so useless.

It comes down to the long-term contract doesn't include any snow removal, that's all done on a time & material basis, but it's all the same crew.
January 29, 2026 at 10:02 PM
What's up with the weird blurring of the city logo on the hi vis?
Snow removal continues today, as crews clear TTC stops to improve accessibility for transit riders.
January 29, 2026 at 7:52 PM
Reposted by Alex Freeman
Prices aren’t just “taxes”, but signals of scarcity. You can zero out the price, but it doesn’t fix the scarcity (often making it worse for everyone)
January 29, 2026 at 5:09 PM
Had no idea wire was the precursor to tapes.
Wire Recorder #chrisboden #comedy #engineering #science #educational #history #physics #tech #audio
YouTube video by Chris Boden
youtube.com
January 29, 2026 at 4:20 PM
Seemingly relevant article, with comments from @stateofthecity.bsky.social
January 29, 2026 at 4:11 PM
Reposted by Alex Freeman
Okay so it’s been 4 days, and on the #PlowTO map, the cycling lane plow & salter vehicles are all sitting in the same location downtown, except for one which is on Woodbine.

Hoping #BikeTO gets some relief on Danforth, Harbord and College soon.
cc @diannesaxe.bsky.social . #toronto #topoli
January 29, 2026 at 2:33 PM
Reposted by Alex Freeman
Scenes From The Subway Stairs
January 28, 2026 at 11:39 PM
The kids are out of their minds.
January 29, 2026 at 1:36 AM
Reposted by Alex Freeman
How much longer should we be patient with @toronto.ca over half-assed sidewalk clearing? Three days after the storm, the walk down Coxwell was an eyeopener, dangerous. Scooters in the street and seniors struggling with shopping carts. @paulafletcherto.bsky.social @mayoroliviachow.ca how.ca #SnowTO
January 28, 2026 at 8:55 PM
Reposted by Alex Freeman
85/ Huscroft, what do you say to the general proposition?

Beck - It's wrong. You aren't always free to go back to a prior state. If it causes harm, then it engages s. 7.

Huscroft, isn't that creating a 1 way ratchet.?

Beck - if it implicates human life? Yes.

Huscroft - Doesnt that expand issue?
January 28, 2026 at 5:52 PM
The Ford administration is literally suggesting bike lanes harm bike riders.
61/ Govt makes a...somewhat wild IMO...point that a point to weigh is that MORE people are injured overall when bike lanes go in because volume goes up, so even if it's safer overall, in aggregate, more injuries will occur...
January 28, 2026 at 5:18 PM
We had no obligation to provide a guardrail for that cliffside so we're allowed to mandate its removal.
25/ Govt counsel argument is technical. The TYPE of action at play isn't the type of "state deprivation" that triggers s. 7 in the first place.

Essentially, because there's no obligation to make it, there's no obligation to keep it.
January 28, 2026 at 3:39 PM
Reposted by Alex Freeman
It’s the big day! The appeal hearing @cycletoronto.bsky.social’s successful Bill 212 case is being heard at Ontario’s Court of Appeal. Time permitting I’ll try and live post the proceedings, like I did for the Ottawa convey injunctions back when #lawtwitter was a thing.
January 28, 2026 at 1:43 PM
Reposted by Alex Freeman
Winter Stations is back! Toronto’s annual exhibition of temporary outdoor art installations at Woodbine Beach launches Feb. 16. I got to be part of this year’s jury, and here’s some of the winning entries that you’ll be seeing!
January 28, 2026 at 12:08 PM