Item - 2021.TE25.49

The Toronto and East York Community Council:

1. Rescinded the parking prohibition in effect from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, on the east side of Church Street, between Wood Street and Alexander Street.

2. Prohibited standing at all times on the east side of Church Street, between Wood Street and Alexander Street.

Over the past four years, my office has been in deep conversation with City staff, Toronto District School Board, Church Wellesley Village BIA, Church Wellesley Neighbourhood Association, local business and community members about opportunities for public realm improvements in the area, especially on Church Street.

Central to our discussions was the community ambitions to produce a significant placemaking opportunity by replacing the failing and outdated fence of the school. To that effect and through City Council approval, my office provided $1,051,744.54 to the Church Street Public School through s.37 and s.45(9) funding for the the creation, design and installation of a customized decorative fence and public art installation around the perimeter of the school. The central piece of this new public work will be prominently featured on the west fence at the Church Street Public School.

The Church Wellesley community has rightly expressed a desire to further improve pedestrian safety, maintain clear sightlines and significantly beautify Church Street by ensuring that the new public art and significant public investment can be appreciated and seen at all time without any visual obstructions caused by parked vehicles.

In preparation for the completion and permanent unveiling of this new artwork, there have been community requests to prohibit parking at any time on the east side of Church Street, between Wood and Alexander Streets.