Item - 2023.TE3.40

The Toronto and East York Community Council: 

1. Authorized the General Manager, Transportation Services to temporarily close Market Street between Front Street East and The Esplanade from June 1, 2023 to October 15, 2023.

2. Directed the General Manager, Transportation Services to work with stakeholders and the St. Lawrence Business Improvement Area to come up with solutions for deliveries and waste collection, as required, through the permitting for the closure.

3. Requested the General Manager, Transportation Services to consult with the Manager, St Lawrence Market Complex, Corporate Services, St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood Business Improvement Area, the St. Lawrence Neighbourhood Association, and other City divisions and stakeholders as identified about the permanent closure of Market Street, between Front Street East and The Esplanade, and to report back to the June 22, 2023 meeting of the Toronto and East York Community Council with recommendations regarding closing this section of Market Street permanently.

Market Street, between Front Street East and The Esplanade,  was temporarily closed in 2022 at the request of the St. Lawrence Neighbourhood Association and the St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood Business Improvement Area (BIA). This closure last summer was very well received by the local community, with a survey indicating that approximately 80% of participants were interested in seeing Market Street close permanently to accommodate pedestrians and programming.

Market Street, between Front Street East and The Esplanade was designed as a flexible street without curbs in 2014. Adjacent to the historic St. Lawrence Market, Market Street is within a heavily pedestrianized and historic part of Toronto known for its many restaurants, shops and boutiques.

Following a successful 2022, the St. Lawrence Neighbourhood Association and the St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood BIA have asked that this section of Market Street be permanently closed to vehicular traffic.

This closure, aside from providing an attractive space for pedestrians next to a major civic asset, will allow the St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood BIA to once again help program Market Street, and allow opportunities for additional seating, live performances and more.

I fully support these efforts, but recognize that closing a City street will require further review. A request to conduct this review was requested by the Toronto and East York Community Council on May 19, 2021, and remains outstanding. I am therefore requesting that a temporary closure this year be permitted until the details of a permanent closure can be brought forward and implemented.