June 1, 2023 Update: In response to local stakeholder feedback, the project team is revising elements of the proposed design to address concerns. The final proposal and related reports are expected to be published in mid-June, prior to reporting for approval at Toronto and East York Community Council.

 

The City of Toronto is inviting residents to learn more and provide feedback on a new proposed design for the streets in Kensington Market to improve safety and to make it more pedestrian-friendly. Public feedback, along with technical considerations and City policies and guidelines will be considered in decisions to be made by staff and City Council.

Improvements are recommended on the following streets within the Kensington Market area:

  • Augusta Avenue
  • Baldwin Street, from Augusta Avenue to Spadina Avenue
  • Kensington Avenue
  • Nassau Street, from Bellevue Avenue to Augusta Avenue
  • St. Andrew Street

This project proposes modifying segments of these streets into three types of zones (see map).

Augusta Ave from College St to Dundas St W. Nassau St from Bellevue Ave to Augusta Ave. Baldwin St from Augusta Ave to Spadina Ave. Kensington Ave from end to end. St. Andrew St from end to end.

Slow Street Zones

  • Space for vehicles on the roadway is separated from space for pedestrians on the sidewalks
  • Parking and pick up/drop off available in signed spaces.
  • Sidewalk curb is low and rolled.

Shared Street Zones

  • Pedestrian-priority street where people driving are permitted for laneway access only.
  • Vehicle stopping and parking are not allowed on street.
  • Sidewalk curb is low and rolled.

Pedestrian-only Zones

  • No private motor vehicles permitted.
  • Flat curbless street.

All street types permit cycling and allow City service operations (e.g. emergency services, waste collection, and snow removal).


Text description of map:Slow street zone along Nassau street from Bellevue Avenue to Augusta Avenue; Baldwin Street from Kensington Avenue to Spadina Avenue; St. Andrew street from Kensington Avenue to Spadina Avenue; Kensington Avenue from Baldwin street to Dundas Street west; and sections of Augusta Avenue from college street to Oxford street and from Denison Square to Dundas Street westShared street zone on sections of Augusta Avenue from Oxford street to driveway access between Oxford Street and Nassau Street; from Nassau street to driveway access between Nassau street and Baldwin street; and from lane south Nassau west Augusta to Denison square; and on Baldwin street from little Hayes lane to Kensington AvenuePedestrian only zone on section of Augusta Avenue beta Nassau street and driveway access between Oxford street and Nassau street; and the area around the intersection of Augusta Avenue with Baldwin street.

 

After careful analysis, design and public consultation, the City is proposing the following for the streets:

man standing on sidewalk next curb that rolled

  • Pedestrian-only and Shared Street zones on sections of Baldwin St and Augusta Ave
  • Sidewalk widening on Augusta Ave, Nassau St, St. Andrew St
  • Universally accessible rolled curb on all streets
  • Safety Improvements at all intersections
    • Curb radius reductions and tactile walking surface indicators
    • Curb extensions wherever possible
  • Mid-block pinch points along all streets
  • Concrete Pavers in red and grey to designate street function and permeable (where possible) to filter and slow storm water
  • More bike parking, consolidated to racks and corrals
  • More bike share locations
  • Pedestrian scale lights to better illuminate the public space (in partnership with the BIA)
  • New commercial loading spaces for deliveries, pick-up and drop-off by motor vehicle

All laneways, driveways, garages, boulevard parking and other parking on private property will remain accessible to motor vehicles, although it may require people driving to take a new route to and from these spaces.  The proposal reduces on-street parking, while reserving an adequate local supply of parking spaces for permit holders and visitors.

See materials with imagery, drawings and details under Phase 3 Public Consultation below.

Phase 3 Public Consultation – 2023

The comment period for this public consultation has now closed.  Consultation was carried out from April 5, 2023 to May 23, 2023. Consultation activities included multiple stakeholder meetings, two all-day public drop-in events (attended by over 150 people), communications via email and telephone, and a survey (with over 1600 responses, including over 110 respondents who live/work/own on the affected streets.

A summary of the public consultation will be published in the coming weeks.

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Consultation Materials

While we aim to provide fully accessible content, there is no translation or text alternative available for some of the content on this page. If you require translation, alternate formats or need assistance understanding our maps, drawings or any other content, please contact us at 416-338-2830 or email KensingtonSafeStreets@toronto.ca

 

 

 


Phase 2 Public Consultation – 2022

A Virtual Public Event was held on Monday, July 18, 2022.

Phase 1 Public Consultation – 2021

A Virtual Public Event was held on Thursday, October 28, 2021.

While we aim to provide fully accessible content, there is no translation or text alternative available for some of the content on this page. If you require translation, alternate formats or need assistance understanding our maps, drawings or any other content, please contact us at 416-338-2830 or email KensingtonSafeStreets@toronto.ca

Street Construction is Coming in 2024-2025

State-of-good-repair work, including watermain replacements, road resurfacing, and road reconstruction, are urgently needed in Kensington Market, scheduled for 2024 and 2025 along the following streets:

  • Augusta Avenue from College Street to Dundas Street West
  • Baldwin Street from Augusta Ave to Spadina Avenue
  • Kensington Avenue from end to end
  • Nassau Street from Bellevue Ave to Augusta Avenue
  • St. Andrew Street from end to end

Specific construction schedules and temporary impacts will be published in notices to affected properties in the months and weeks prior to construction start in 2024.

This reconstruction work presents a once in a generation opportunity to redesign the streets for safety and public realm improvements for the next 50 to 100 years.

Prioritizing Pedestrians

Kensington Market has long been valued as a cultural, community and commercial destination with high pedestrian traffic. During previous public consultations for this project (Fall 2021 and Spring-Summer 2022), the City heard consistent requests to increase space for pedestrians and business loading and decrease space for on-street paid parking and driving.

Vehicle Access to Properties Will Be Maintained

All laneways, driveways, garages, boulevard parking and other parking on private property will remain accessible to motor vehicles, although it may require people driving to take a new route to and from these spaces.

Changes to Loading (Deliveries, Pick-up and Drop-off)

People driving can only stop outside of the Shared Street Zones and Pedestrian-only Zones, or on private property.

We recognize these changes will make loading less convenient at times, and may require people to walk further between where their vehicles are stopped and their buildings. This situation is similar to when the convenient parking spaces are not available.

In light of the proposed changes, dedicated loading only zones have been provided on all streets in the project area. We are also proposing increasing the permitted loading times from 7am-12noon to 24 hours. These loading locations and permitted times can be adjusted in the future to accommodate recognized needs. We welcome feedback on the timing, locations, and supply of the proposed loading areas.

May 3, 2024 Update:   Based on feedback received from various businesses and residents, the City is considering the following options in the Shared Street and Pedestrian-Only zones:

  • Loading for businesses with time restrictions
    (e.g. 7 a.m. – 11 a.m., Mon. – Fri.)
  • Special permits for moving and construction vehicles

Consultation on loading will continue in the future.

Reduced On-street Parking

11 permit spaces will be removed from local permit Area 6C, leaving 260 spaces to serve the 207 regular permit users (as of February 2023).

On-street paid parking spaces will be removed on Augusta Ave between Oxford St and Denison Sq and all of Baldwin St. Visitor parking is encouraged at the Green P Carpark (Kensington Garage) where there is capacity to absorb the proposed paid parking loss.

Neighbourhood Character

The top priority of Kensington Safe Streets is to improve road safety without significantly changing the character of the neighbourhood. The City recognizes the uniqueness of Kensington Market and the community’s desire to preserve the welcoming and accessible character of the neighbourhood.

Dedicated Cycling Facilities

The streets within the project scope are not part of the City’s Cycling Network Plan (opens in new window). Implementing dedicated cycling facilities would take up more space than what is available on the road to accommodate all uses. However, safer designs of intersections, such as bump-outs and curb radii reductions, will lower vehicle speeds, increase visibility between all users and make it safer for cyclists and drivers to share the road. All proposed street types will permit cycling.

Construction Details to be Published in 2024

Specific construction schedules and temporary impacts will be published in notices to affected properties in the months and weeks prior to construction start in 2024.

 

City staff will review public feedback and consider any changes to the proposed designs before reporting to Toronto and East York Community Council for official approval in the summer of 2023. Subscribe to our email list to be notified. Subject to approval, installation is planned for 2024-25.

 

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Personal information is collected under the authority of the City of Toronto Act, 2006. The information is used to allow the City to send you emails about project updates and future consultation opportunities. Questions about this collection may be directed to the Manager, Public Consultation at 416-392-2990 or tracy.manolakakis@toronto.ca