Item - 2019.TE6.61

On June 18, 2019, during the review of the Order Paper, Speaker Nunziata ruled Item TE6.61 out of order as the item relates to a permanent road closure and a permanent road closure requires notice to the public and the opportunity to be heard at committee. As no notice was provided on this Item, the Item will be resubmitted to the Toronto and East York Community Council for its June 25th meeting so that notice can be given. Speaker Nunziata advised City Council that the General Manager, Transportation Services will report to the Toronto and East York Community Council on the matter.

The Toronto and East York Community Council submits the item to City Council without recommendation.

The Toronto and East York Community Council requested the Director, Project Design and Management, Transportation Services to report directly to the June 18, 2019 meeting of City Council regarding any final remaining approvals necessary for the pedestrianization of Fleet Street between Bathurst Street and Iannuzzi Street, to be implemented during the summer of 2019.

The massive five-arm intersection of Bathurst, Lake Shore, and Fleet doesn't work well for anyone. It is a danger and a barrier for pedestrians, it is confusing for drivers and has a high rate of vehicle collisions, and it delays two streetcar lines. This intersection should tie together the three adjacent neighbourhoods – Bathurst Quay, Fort York, and CityPlace – but instead it separates them from one another.

Going back at least as far as 2004, before the Fort York and CityPlace neighbourhoods were constructed, the City of Toronto has made plans for reconfiguring this intersection. In 2006, City Council endorsed closing vehicular access to one block of westbound Fleet Street between Bathurst Street and Iannuzzi Street, which would shorten the crossing distance for pedestrians and simplify the intersection for drivers.

Concern about this intersection was one of the most common themes I heard from community members throughout the consultations for the Bathurst Quay Neighbourhood Plan in 2014 and 2015. In July, 2015, City Council gave direction to City staff to revisit the feasibility of such a closure (TE7.60).

In addition, in 2018, City Council approved the Waterfront Transit Network Plan (EX30.1) including a long-term goal to completely reconfigure the intersection of Bathurst, Lake Shore, and Fleet by relocating streetcar tracks and permanently pedestrianizing the adjacent block of Fleet Street. As part of the Waterfront Transit Network Plan, I fought for and secured City Council authority to pilot quick, short-term improvements to the intersection that don't need to wait for the full, long-term reconfiguration.

After years of study and approval, progress is long overdue on safety improvements here. City staff are currently preparing a report on any outstanding approvals needed from City Council in order to finally try closing the block of westbound Fleet Street to vehicles from Bathurst to Iannuzzi. With a target to implement the closure this summer when traffic volumes are lowest, it is necessary for City Council to give direction in June, which is unfortunately not possible under the standard reporting timelines. I am requesting that Toronto and East York Council authorize City staff to report directly to City Council about these matters.