Permanently Closing Market Street between Front Street East and The Esplanade

Market Street, between Front Street East and The Esplanade was designed as a flexible street without curbs in 2014. Adjacent to the historic St. Lawrence Market, Market Street is within a heavily pedestrianized and historic part of Toronto known for its many restaurants, shops and boutiques. Following a successful 2022, the St. Lawrence Neighbourhood Association and the St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood BIA have asked that this section of Market Street be permanently closed to vehicular traffic. This closure, aside from providing an attractive space for pedestrians next to a major civic asset, will allow the St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood BIA to once again help program Market Street, and allow opportunities for additional seating, live performances and more. I fully support these efforts, but recognize that closing a City street will require further review. A request to conduct this review was requested by the Toronto and East York Community Council on May 19, 2021, and remains outstanding. I am therefore requesting that a temporary closure this year be permitted until the details of a permanent closure can be brought forward and implemented.

3. 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 June 22, 2023 meeting of Toronto and East York Community Council with recommendations regarding closing this section of Market Street permanently.