Toronto

Yonge Street is Toronto's uncontested ‘main street’. As it has evolved it has accumulated a rich legacy of architectural heritage and collective memories.  Within the 300-Blocks stretching from Dundas to Gerrard, this neighbourhood has served as a prime retail destination, a magnet for live entertainment, a multi-media outlet, and a popular outdoor pedestrian mall.  Since the development of Dundas Square and the implementation of vehicular turning restrictions, Yonge Street as a key component of the downtown public realm has already seen a significant rise in pedestrian traffic, and in the near future, the iconic Ryerson Learning Centre and major redevelopment at the corner of Yonge and Gerrard will further transform and intensify street life in this concentrated area.

Recent additions like these and the potential for more changes stimulated lively discussions within the local community, the BIA and among key stakeholders over the future of this segment of downtown Yonge Street. The prospect of enhanced retail opportunities, residential additions, and a new face for Ryerson on Yonge Street and possible improvements to the street itself have inspired local residents and business owners to work with City Councillor Wong-Tam in seeking ways to embrace these changes while preserving the essential character of Yonge Street as a great pedestrian space. In 2011 Ken Greenberg and KPMB Architects were engaged to prepare a Yonge Street Planning and Design Framework. Four themes were addressed to guide the City & community in moving forward: Public Realm & Transportation; Built Form; Program & Land-use and  Implementation. There is little doubt about the high and growing volume of pedestrian traffic within the 300-Blocks. At the same time Yonge Street will remain as one of Toronto's significant arterial routes. Balancing these needs the recommendation was to develop widened sidewalks to boost local retail activities and foster bonds within the community while preserving two wide lanes for traffic at most times. A highly successful pilot project Celebrate Yonge was held in 2012 to demonstrate the potential of this approach.