Pedestrianizing Market Street and Leader Lane

May 19, 2021 Toronto and East York Community Council City Hall, Committee Room 1 100 Queen Street West Toronto ON M5H 2N2 Dear Chair and Council Members, RE: Pedestrianizing Market Street and Leader Lane Figuring out how to better use our physical infrastructure is increasingly important as we look to create healthier, safer and more active communities. The St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood Business Improvement Area (BIA) has been reviewing streets within its catchment and have identified two streets within, Market Street and Leader Lane, as having the potential to be transformed into pedestrian-only streets that support these goals. Market Street, between Front Street East and The Esplanade, was designed as a flexible, curbless street in 2013. Adjacent to the historic St. Lawrence Market, Market Street currently accommodates one-way southbound traffic, with parking on both sides. During the summer and fall, parking on the west side of the road is turned into space for restaurant patios. Its design was chosen in part to allow Market Street to easily be closed to vehicular traffic, with the long-term intention to see the street closed to vehicles. Aside from being a draw for pedestrians, this closure could help assist Market Street restaurants and St. Lawrence Market Street vendors who have struggled during this pandemic. Leader Lane, between Colborne Street and Wellington Street East, is a city laneway that accommodates one-way southbound traffic. The BIA and community desires to see the laneway closed to create a safer, more attractive connection to Berczy Park, and have partnered with the Laneway Project with plans to “winterize it” this year. While it does accommodate limited servicing for buildings in the area, the BIA has been working closely with stakeholders to redirect loading/unloading off this laneway. Closure for the summer will benefit the Wellington Street reconstruction and remove the need to accommodate traffic during construction. The St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood BIA would like to see these streets piloted for a temporary closure this summer to review and implement changes that would help benefit local residents and businesses. The BIA would also like to explore what a long-term closure beyond 2021 would look like. 1 RECOMMENDATIONS Therefore, it is recommend that: 1. Toronto and East York Community Council request 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 temporary closure of Market Street, between Front Street East and The Esplanade this year, and if required, to report back to the June 24, 2021 meeting of Toronto and East York Community Council to implement this temporary closure. 2. Toronto and East York Community Council request 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 November 24, 2021 meeting ofToronto and East York Community Council with recommendations regarding closing this section of Market Street permanently. 3. Toronto and East York Community Council request the General Manager, Transportation Services, to consult with the St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood Business Improvement Area, the St. Lawrence Neighbourhood Association, representatives from 30 Wellington Street East and other City divisions and stakeholders as identified about the temporary closure of Leader Lane, between Colborne Street and Wellington Street East this year, and to report back to the June 24, 2021 meeting to Toronto and East York Community Council if required to implement this temporary closure. 4. Toronto and East York Community Council request the General Manager, Transportation Services, to consult with the St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood Business Improvement Area, the St. Lawrence Neighbourhood Association, representatives from 30 Wellington Street East and other City divisions and stakeholders as identified about the permanent closure of Leader Lane, between Colborne Street and Wellington Street East this year, and to report back to the November 24, 2021 meeting ofToronto and East York Community Council with recommendations regarding closing this section of Market Street permanently. Respectfully submitted, Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam Ward 13, Toronto Centre 2 .

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