Item - 2022.TE31.73

The Toronto and East York Community Council:

1. Directed Transportation staff to review their capital plan and report back to the June 29, 2022 meeting, on the feasibility of improving pedestrian safety at Front Street East and Frederick Street by accelerating the widening of sidewalks and the removal of boulevard parking.

A proposal was submitted to my office with over 60 supporters on the importance of a crosswalk at Front and Frederick Streets.

The St. Lawrence community has long advocated for a crosswalk running north south at the corner at Front and Frederick. Young People’s Theatre is on the south east corner, which hosts 85,000 patrons a year, along with their educational centre across the street, which requires children to cross Front Street East in order to access both facilities. Front Street East is heavily traveled and this will only worsen as the area is planned for further increase of new residents. Historically, traffic lights have been installed at every intersection on Front Street East between Parliament and Church Streets – with the exception of Frederick Street where the children’s theatre is located. Furthermore, it is unlikely that young people will walk a block east to Sherbourne Street or west to George Street to cross at available lights.

As the Young People's Theatre undergoes necessary upgrades in the coming months, it will be imperative that the area is made safe and welcoming for patrons and students as they return in large numbers following the pandemic lockdowns. My office has worked with the St. Lawrence neighbourhood to become even more pedestrian friendly in recent years and this would be another crucial step forward.