August 23, 1999

To:Toronto Community Council

From:Andrew Koropeski, Director, Transportation Services, District 1

Subject:Installation of Signs to Direct Tourists to Downtown Chinatown

(Ward 24 - Downtown)

Purpose:

To respond to a request from Toronto Community Council to report on the feasibility of installing signs at appropriate locations directing traffic to Downtown Chinatown as a tourist destination.

Recommendation:

It is recommended that this report be received for information.

Background:

Toronto Community Council, at its meeting of May 26, 1999, in considering a communication (May 25) from Councillor Olivia Chow, requested staff to report on the feasibility of installing signs at appropriate locations, directing traffic to Downtown Chinatown as a tourist destination and to consult with the Chinatown Development Association on possible locations for such signs (Clause 58(w) in Report No. 8).

Comments:

Councillor Chow, in her correspondence to the Community Council, suggested that signs similar to those installed for the Art Gallery of Ontario and the Royal Ontario Museum be considered on the F. G. Gardiner Expressway directing traffic to Downtown Chinatown. The municipality has over the years received many requests from communities, business improvement associations, interest groups and attractions for the installation of "Special Attraction" signs to direct tourists to their attraction. As many of the preferred sign locations requested were on the expressways and major arterial roads, it was deemed necessary to develop a policy in order to prevent the proliferation of signs as well as to retain locations for future regulatory traffic signs on the road network. Therefore, a policy was developed for determining which special attractions are eligible to have signs installed. The policy states that a major activity centre must meet all of the following criteria to be considered:

(1)It is unique to the City of Toronto;

(2)It is government sponsored or owned;

(3)It forms a major attraction and destination for persons living outside of the limits of the City of Toronto; and

(4)Has a minimum annual attendance of 40,000 persons.

Transportation Services staff have reviewed Councillor Chow's request against the criteria for "Special Attraction" signs and found that not all the criteria are met. Specifically, there are many similar areas in the City of special identity and it is not a government sponsored facility. In the past, similar requests for communities such as Greektown and Little Italy have been reviewed but have also not met the criteria and therefore not been signed. We have consulted with Councillor Chow with regard to the foregoing.

Conclusion:

Since Downtown Chinatown does not meet all the criteria for "Special Attraction" signs, we do not recommend the installation of directional signs on the freeways. However, we suggest that when the Chinatown Development Association advertises for Downtown Chinatown they advise tourists to exit the F.G. Gardiner at Spadina Avenue and proceed north to Dundas Street West. Transportation Services has recently upgraded the overhead guide signs on the F.G. Gardiner Expressway including the Spadina Avenue exits. It should also be noted that traffic can only proceed northbound when exiting the F.G. Gardiner Expressway at Spadina Avenue.

Contact Name:

Myles A. Currie

Manager, Signs & Pavement Markings

District 1

Phone: 397-5179

Fax: 392-8504

Director

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