Item - 2019.IE8.11

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee:

1.  Received the report (October 2, 2019) from the General Manager of Transportation Services, titled "yongeTOmorrow: Municipal Class Environmental Assessment on Yonge Street from Queen Street to College/Carlton Street - Interim Update" for information 

Yonge Street is Toronto's most iconic street and it plays a symbolic role in the cultural identity of Toronto. The section between Queen Street and Carlton/College Street has a distinct character within the broader downtown context – it has a high concentration of street-related retail, entertainment uses, and pedestrians. This area attracts a large number of events, visitors and tourists.

Currently Yonge Street is struggling to serve the growing pedestrian demand. There is overcrowding and insufficient clearway on some sections of sidewalk. The number of pedestrians on the street is expected to grow due to a projected doubling in population and employment in the surrounding area by 2041 along with a continued mode shift towards walking. Without improvement, the sidewalks will become critically deficient, risk pedestrian safety and deter significant economic and cultural investment.

Yonge Street also lacks space for seating, plantings, and sidewalk cafes which support enjoyment of the street as a destination. With a limited right-of-way of 20 metres there are many demands being placed on the street by pedestrians, cyclist and drivers. Prioritization and management of the interactions between all modes will be critical. Consideration must also be given to the operation of surface transit, and curbside activities like deliveries and ride hailing which support the business community.

YongeTOmorrow is a Municipal Class 'C' Environmental Assessment (EA) focused on the development and evaluation of design alternatives for Yonge Street from Queen Street to College / Carlton Street. A number of opportunities are being considered to increase pedestrian space and improve the way people move through and experience downtown Yonge Street. This report provides an interim update on the yongeTOmorrow EA process and key findings to date.

The Downtown Plan (TOcore) and three of the five accompanying infrastructure strategies – community services and facilities, parks and public realm, and mobility – were adopted by City Council on May 22-24, 2018. The Parks and Public Realm Plan has identified Yonge Street as one of Toronto’s Great Streets, a Cultural Corridor and a Priority Retail Street. The goals set for Yonge Street in TOcore, along with consultation feedback will guide the evaluation of alternatives for yongeTOmorrow and the prioritization of space within a physically limited public right-of-way.