Council votes to make Church Street car free for part of summer but staff could cancel project | CBC News

Toronto city council approved a summer pilot to make a portion of Church Street pedestrian-only between Wellesley Street East and Alexander Street from June 19 to Aug. 21. Cross streets would remain open to vehicle traffic. The closure targets the Church-Wellesley neighbourhood known as The Village. Council also approved a motion allowing the general manager of transportation services to cancel the temporary closure if there are unacceptable impacts or concerns related to public safety, security, emergency response times, or traffic. Staff are expected to consult with senior city officials and the Toronto police chief, while the decision to cancel remains discretionary. Support includes petitions, the Church-Wellesley Village BIA, and The 519, with claims that closures improve community vibrancy and business performance.

"Council voted 20 to 4 in favour of a pedestrian-only space between Wellesley Street East and Alexander Street from June 19 to Aug. 21. Cross streets would remain open to vehicle traffic. The street is the heart of Toronto's Church-Wellesley neighbourhood known as The Village. Council also voted 16 to 8 to approve a motion by Coun. Brad Bradford that gives the general manager of transportation services the power to cancel the temporary closure of the street to cars if it causes too many problems."

"The motion gives the general manager of transportation services the power to cancel the temporary closure of the street to cars if required due to "unacceptable impacts or concerns" around public safety, security, emergency response times and traffic. Staff would be expected to consult with the deputy city manager, the city's chief congestion officer and Toronto police chief, but Bradford said cancelling would be up to their discretion. Coun. Chris Moise said more than 3,500 people signed a petition in support of the closure and it has the support of the Church-Wellesley Village BIA and The 519."

""We are in a good place. People are excited about it," Moise said. "It has really helped to build the mood and vibrancy of the community." Moise said studies show that when there is a street closure, businesses do well. In the motion, Moise said Church Street has "a proven track record as a high-volume corridor for world-class festivals like Pride Festival and Halloween." He also said "the absence of dedicated bus or streetcar routes" makes going car free easier on the stretch of Church Street."

"The motion says Church Street has a cluster of hospitality and retail venues and the closure to cars would draw people to the street. Moise said the pilot project would also help the city to develop a policy and guidelines on the &qu"

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