Stumbling over each other on Yonge Street Better sidewalks for pedestrians possible without harming business?

Harrison Lowman –

The Downtown Yonge BIA would like to see a revitalized Yonge St. serve as an “incubator centre” for start-up businesses, supported by improved pedestrian access. The group’s comments come as the city begins a community consultation involving changes to streetscape and retail conditions between the waterfront and Davenport Rd.

“We’ve got the digital media zone (DMZ) which is what Ryerson works on right at the corner of Dundas Square. That DMZ is for social innovation and start up businesses,” says executive director and chief staff officer Mark Garner, who took up his post this January. “We’re talking about putting them in all our vacant second storey and third storey buildings.”

According to Garner, filling reduced rent spaces with similar start up businesses could bring between 400 and 600 more jobs to Yonge St. He describes the BIA facilitating the growth of shops that staff two to three people, into those that could compete in a larger “Cadillac Fairview” retail environment. Garner hopes that by nurturing companies with bright ideas, the area will attract big names like Facebook and Google.

Within the area, Garner stresses that the needs of the pedestrian are paramount. He says Yonge should offer visitors a complete “urban experience” including active storefronts with improved facades and window space. He touts previous proposals to introduce curbless streets, and temporary road closures for events. Garner says that shoppers who are simply looking for a retail experience can visit a mall.

In order to meet the needs of these pedestrians, the executive director says the city must finally respond to its swelling population and focus on supporting pedestrians overflowing its sidewalks.

According to a 2011 Yonge St. Planning report by KPMB Architects and Greenberg Consultants Inc., more than 53,000 people pass through Yonge and Dundas every eight hours.

“What does it take for the community and council, the city to say, ‘Ok, now it’s at a number that we should make some change?’

“How big does it need to get before you evolve it?”

Rising numbers of residents and visitors has also meant additional pressure on the city’s transit lines. The same report cites that Dundas station services 20 million users each year. According to Garner, before debating TTC extensions, the city should be addressing issues with the existing lines; such as the need for more exits and larger platforms.

“My initials are still carved into various different subway stations, in Maple Leaf Gardens on walls since 1972 after a Van Halen concert I was at,” he says.

“It hasn’t changed. Population has tripled Downtown in the last 20 years, but the streets have not evolved to handle that capacity.”

However, some are hesitant to put the primary emphasis on pedestrians during Yonge St. revitalization discussions. The 2011 report cites city recommendations including, to “…consider Yonge St.’s role within a major arterial network before developing plans.”

Nevertheless, Garner is convinced Yonge can be given a pedestrian thrust that will not come at the expense of drivers.

He says this was proved during the BIA’s 2012 “Celebrate Yonge” traffic study that reduced Yonge to two lanes between Queen St. and Gerrard St. for one month in order to make space for pedestrians. According to Garner, Bay, University, Jarvis, and Church St. were able to handle the traffic overflow with insignificant delays.

The city’s 5-year capital works plan includes extensive utility and road resurfacing projects on Yonge St.

The repairs provide the city with a chance to identify commercial developments that could take place alongside the scheduled construction.

The repairs are scheduled for 2016, following World Pride 2014 and the 2015 Pan Am Games.

Garner says the lull provides the perfect opportunity to reevaluate Yonge St.’s 300 blocks.