Kensington Market Safe Streets Implementation: Prioritizing Pedestrians in Kensington Market

Andrew Street from Kensington Avenue to Spadina Avenue The programmed work presents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to improve safety and accessibility while supporting local businesses. Extensive feedback from local stakeholders and the public has been sought through three rounds of consultation between Fall 2021 and Spring 2023. Transportation Services is recommending a design that will prioritize pedestrians while accommodating slow speed vehicle access for local residents and enhancing loading opportunities for businesses. Key features include: - Mid-block curb extensions to calm vehicular traffic and provide space for cafes, pedestrians and furnishings (bike parking, waste receptacles, etc.); - Curb extensions and reduced corner radii at intersections wherever possible; - Widened sidewalks on Augusta Street, Nassau Street and St. Andrew Street; - A universally-accessible rolled curb installed on all streets; - Concrete pavers on roadways that are permeable where possible to filter and reduce stormwater runoff; - Dedicated Commercial Loading Areas - 160 metres of commercial loading area, providing twelve (12) spaces for large delivery trucks; - Flexible Loading Areas - 234 metres of by-lawed no-parking areas that would allow temporary loading, deliveries and pick-up and drop-off, providing eighteen (18) spaces for large delivery trucks or forty-two (42 spaces) for passenger vehicles; - Reduced speed limits on all streets in the project area from 30 km/h to 20 km/h; - More bike parking and Bike Share Toronto stations; - Pedestrian-scale street lighting in partnership with the Kensington Market BIA; and - Street trees added where possible. Transportation Services also proposes to pursue a pedestrianisation pilot project following the completion of construction. This would allow more time to consult with local businesses and residents, other City Divisions and the public to determine the best balance for Kensington Market that puts pedestrians first, while also keeping the Market accessible for businesses and local residents. Staff would form and work closely with a local stakeholder committee to consult on, implement and evaluate a temporary pedestrianised zone within Kensington Market. Consultation on the pedestrianisation pilot would begin in 2024 during the tendering and construction periods of the project.

and East York Community Council direct staff to form and work closely with a local stakeholder committee to consult on and propose to implement a time-restricted pilot project to test and evaluate a pedestrianised zone following construction of the capital works.