Item - 2024.TE17.25

The Toronto and East York Community Council:

1. Authorized the General Manager, Transportation Services to extend the temporary closure to vehicular traffic of Market Street between Front Street East and The Esplanade until January 18, 2025, subject to completion of street event permit application and execution of the permit.

2. Directed the General Manager, Transportation Services to work with participating organizations to develop and assess solutions for deliveries, waste collection and snow removal, as required, through the permitting of the closure.

On October 18, 2023, the Toronto and East York Community Council directed the General Manager, Transportation Services to extend the temporary closure of Market Street between Front Street East and The Esplanade until November 30, 2024 and to report back with recommendations regarding closing this section of Market Street permanently, including working with City Divisions responsible for providing services and community groups to explore possibilities for addressing logistical barriers to permanent closure.

It is recommended that the pedestrianized conditions (i.e. closure to vehicle traffic) be extended until January 18, 2025 to enable animations for holiday shoppers and new year celebrations. It is not feasible to extend the closure to vehicular traffic indefinitely at this time.

This report seeks authorization to extend the closure through to the conclusion of new year celebrations. In addition, this report identifies the policy and formal process development that is required to build the City's capacity to permit long-term pedestrianization of streets.