TORONTO – The results from a seven-month public consultation have found Torontonians want Yonge Street to be more ‘walkable’ in the future.
A campaign titled ‘Yonge Love’ involved coming up with ideas to help revitalize the main street from Richmond Street to north of College Street.
The survey generated more than 2,000 responses and 3,500 ideas through street-level questions, videos, social media and submissions to the survey website.
“What we heard from residents, visitors and business owners is that they want the street to perform more for the human being,” local city councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam said. “So it’s a much more friendly experience for them.”
Some of the ideas include wider sidewalks, green space, more events and festivals as well as public art in an effort to create a cultural hub.
“A lot of people have a lot of opinions on what Yonge Street should be,” Downtown Yonge BIA Executive Director Mark Garner said. “We wanted to make sure that whatever we build here in the future as part of Yonge Street revitalization was inclusive.”
Toronto city council approved a street design study in July and concepts based on the suggestions are expected to be developed in early 2016.
Wong-Tam said the city already has $31-million allocated for streetscape improvement and the money will be directly invested into this project.
“We have over 30 development applications along Yonge Street,” she said. “When the opportunities arise and developments are built, we’re not going to return the street in the same condition we found it.”
More than half a million visitors and employees use the stretch of Yonge Street that is being discussed, according to the Downtown Yonge BIA. A population of 175,000 now live in the area as well.
It’s estimated 49 per cent of those people use transit to get there and 40 per cent walk.
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