yongeTOmorrow News & Updates

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Project Timeline

Phase Progress Events
Phase 1: Winter 2018 Problem and opportunity statement
Phase 2: Spring 2018 –
Fall 2019
  • Spring 2018 – Fall 2018: Background data collection and analysis
  • Fall 2018 – Spring 2019: Long list of alternatives and evaluation criteria
  • Spring 2019 – Fall 2019: Evaluate alternatives to select short list and preferred solution
Phase 3: Winter 2020 –
Spring 2020		 Alternative design concepts for preferred solution Spring 2020: Public Event #3
Phase 4: Summer 2020 Final Environmental Assessment (EA) report (30-day review period) Report to Council
Phase 5: Future Project Implementation

 

For over a century, Yonge Street has been an iconic destination in the heart of downtown Toronto for both residents and visitors. Today, downtown Yonge Street is booming with development and high volumes of pedestrian activity. The City of Toronto is conducting a study that will consider a number of opportunities to increase pedestrian space and improve the way people move through and experience Yonge Street between Queen Street and College/Carlton Street.

Thanks to public feedback, three street design options have been short-listed for downtown Yonge Street:

  • Two driving lanes with an improved pedestrian experience, seating and patios
  • One-way driving lane with space dedicated for deliveries, ride hailing and services and wider sidewalks
  • Pedestrian priority with a focus on active transportation, tourism, events and vehicle access managed by time

We would like to hear from you

We invite you to attend the second drop-in event to learn more about the street design options, how they can be applied to Yonge Street block by block and the preliminary recommendation. Staff will be available to answer your questions and receive your comments.

November 21, 2019
Drop-in anytime from 4 to 8 p.m.
Central YMCA, Auditorium, 20 Grosvenor Street (just south of Wellesley St. W.)

All information materials are posted online at toronto.ca/yongeTOmorrow. Feedback is encouraged through the online questionnaire until December 6, 2019.

Study process

The study is being carried out under Schedule ‘C’ of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA), which is an approved planning process under the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act. The public will have opportunities for input at key stages of this study. The study will define the problem, develop and evaluate alternative solutions, review public and stakeholder feedback, and identify measures to minimize any impacts. An Environmental Study Report will be prepared at the end of the process in accordance with the requirements of the Municipal Class EA.

We are making progress in the evaluation of alternatives to increase pedestrian space and improve the way people move through and experience downtown Yonge Street (between Queen Street and College/Carlton Streets). At our last public event in May, we focused on people’s future priorities for moving through and enjoying Yonge Street in addition to a review of a long list of potential alternatives (i.e. car-free, one driving lane, two driving lanes, three driving lanes).

We updated the Infrastructure and Environment Committee (IEC) of City Council with a staff report outlining the emerging alternatives for Yonge Street. These alternatives will form the basis of a short list of alternatives to be presented and discussed at the next round of public consultation coming this November.

The staff report was considered and adopted.

The project team met with the SAG on July 18, 2019, to receive feedback on the evaluation criteria and recommendations of a short list of alternatives.

Thanks to all who attended the drop-in event at the Courtyard Marriott Downtown on May 9, 2019.

Thanks to all who attended the launch at Yonge-Dundas Square on May 3rd, 2019 with a performance by Unity Break Dancers and speakers including: Donald Corbiere from the City’s Indigenous Affairs Office, local Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam and Barbara Gray, General Manager of Transportation Services.



 

The City is holding a Community Consultation meeting where you can learn more about this application, ask questions and share your comments:

Thursday, May 9, 2019
Open House 4 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Courtyard Marriott Toronto Downtown, The Alexander Room, 475 Yonge Street (just north of Carlton Street)

Background

Yonge Street is an iconic destination in the heart of downtown Toronto where residents and visitors come to live, work, learn and play. Currently, the sidewalks on Yonge Street have some of the highest pedestrian volumes in Canada. There has also been a considerable amount of development in the neighbourhood and the current population and employment are projected to double by 2041. City Council has identified Yonge Street as one of Toronto’s Great Streets – a significant retail and civic corridor to be developed as a pedestrian priority urban destination.

The City of Toronto is carrying out a study that will focus on the section of Yonge Street from Queen Street to College/Carlton Street. A number of opportunities will be considered to increase pedestrian space and improve the way people move through and experience Yonge Street.

The Process

The study is being carried out under Schedule ‘C’ of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (EA), which is an approved planning process under the Ontario Environmental Assessment Act. The public will have opportunities for input at key stages of this study. The study will define the problem, develop and evaluate alternative solutions, review public and stakeholder feedback, and identify measures to minimize any impacts. An Environmental Study Report will be prepared at the end of the process in accordance with the requirements of the Municipal Class EA.

The project team met with the SAG on April 1, 2019, to report on study progress, present a draft long list of alternatives and provide opportunities for questions and feedback.

The Stakeholder Advisory Group (SAG) provides a diverse range of organizations with an opportunity to review design options for Yonge Street with City of Toronto staff.

SAG Members include representatives from local community associations, institutions and businesses who will meet five times during the Environmental Assessment process.

The project team met with the SAG on July 30, 2018, to introduce the study, provide an update and receive initial stakeholder feedback.

To request assistance with any difficulties viewing documents, contact Maogosha Pyjor at yongetomorrow@toronto.ca or 416-338-6866.