Lower Yonge planners ask for pedestrian safety, green space

Anthony Marcusa –

The future of lower Yonge St. looks very promising, even if the vision is at the very early stages. The first public meeting for the Lower Yonge Precinct was held on May 22. The purpose of the meeting was to look ahead and to consider possibilities to keep the developing area pedestrian-friendly, ensure that it features green parks and public spaces, and most importantly, create a safe streetscape.

Response by those in attendance was unanimously positive. Attendees brainstormed ideas in roundtable groups and often found themselves in agreement.

“The amazing level of consensus was quite stunning,” said Julie Beddoes, a community leader and waterfront activist. “There is no really detailed plan here and it’s far from being decided, but generally feelings were very high.”

The project area (as defined by Waterfront Toronto) is bounded by Yonge St., Lake Shore Blvd., Lower Jarvis and Queen’s Quay.

There is no formal proposal before the city at this time and there are no specific designs in place: Waterfront Toronto organized the meeting to measure current residents’ reactions.

“The two most highly stressed issues were that financing has to be found for the East Bayfront LRT,” said Beddoes. The idea of making the area attractive and comfortable for pedestrians was also a common concern.

At least one woman voiced her concerns for safety on the lower portion of Yonge, Sherbourne, and Jarvis, both in terms of the amount and speed of traffic, and its dark and dreariness, reported Beddoes.

The future of Harbour St.—a short one-way street that serves more as a transition from the Gardiner and does not accommodate pedestrians or bicycles—was also discussed.

The area around 1 Yonge St.—currently occupied by the Toronto Star, an LCBO, a Loblaws, and several parking lots—looks to be a site of future high rises, raising concerns about ever-increasing density in the Downtown core.

Still, there was a sense of hope leaving the meeting.

“I’m optimistic for Waterfront Toronto and the working together to make a precinct plan,” said Beddoes. “In the past they’ve made nice ones, and mostly seem to realize the input from people.”