Michelle Berquist, Samira Behrooz, Alyssa Krantzberg
Area Transportation Planning, City of Toronto
Sivahami Vijenthira
Public Consultation, City of Toronto
Aviva Levy
Toronto Parking Authority
Re: Follow-up to meeting with Avenue Road Safety Coalition, July 23, 2024
Dear Michelle, Samira, Alyssa, Sivahami and Aviva,
Thank you for meeting with the Avenue Road Safety Coalition representatives on July 23 to discuss the City’s installed and planned improvements for Avenue Road between Davenport and Dupont.
We appreciate Michelle’s recognition of the importance of local community involvement in the success of City projects. Community involvement has been crucial in addressing the unsafe conditions of the six-lane expressway between Bloor and St. Clair. We value your willingness to listen to our concerns
The Avenue Road Safety Coalition is pleased with the progress made since May 9 and the news that work is proceeding quickly to complete some of the construction this season. The reduction to 4 lanes, a key ARSC goal to encourage slower speeds, is approved for the first kilometre. Since Council approved the revisions, we have seen tangible progress with the bike lanes, the design for pedestrian improvements between Davenport and Dupont are underway and that the much-needed signalized mid-block pedestrian crosswalk will be completed in sync with the sidewalk improvements over the next few months. These are all positive steps to celebrate. The ARSC will continue to advocate for further progress to ensure the safety and well-being of our community.
We understand that you are managing multiple projects simultaneously, and your time is limited. We acknowledge that the hour we had for our meeting was insufficient to cover all our points of interest. This letter serves as an aide memoire and a platform to further our conversation.
Pedestrian safety is the priority.
Although you were unable to share the details, we are encouraged to hear that the layout is trending in the right direction, with the inclusion of crosswalks and pedestrian spaces provided along the streetscape. We encourage the Transportation Services team to continue to explore options to expand the pedestrian spaces south of Dupont. Addressing pedestrian safety and providing accommodation for people with disabilities is the primary mandate of the Avenue Road Safety Coalition. Complete reconstruction is a ways off; however, these interim improvements can be effective and are needed. Removing a modest number of parking spaces along the street to liberate pedestrian space is a minor inconvenience for drivers that will yield significant immediate benefits for the quality and safety of the pedestrian realm.
Retaining parking in this area while removing it as a City priority in similar circumstances elsewhere is inconsistent and inequitable. Curbside parking does nothing to solve the problem of the narrow sidewalks that are substandard and dangerous. Street-level space is required and can be accommodated between Davenport and Dupont. The meaningful positive benefits of turning parking spaces between Davenport and Dupont over to the pedestrian realm cannot be underestimated. The additional pedestrian space will result in relief of sidewalk congestion, improved accessibility, enhanced safety, and provide space for placemaking elements.
While we have always acknowledged that some curbside parking is necessary for local businesses, Avenue Road already benefits from ample parking infrastructure, including 540 spots within a five-minute walk at Yorkville Village. We have attached an appendix with updated local observations for your consideration.
Design Elements
Coherent design elements that consider the existing community character and set the groundwork for Complete Street elements are also important. We appreciate the tangible demonstration of community priorities expressed by local Residents’ Associations and Councillor Saxe’s agreement to allocate some of the area’s Section 37 funds towards enhancing pedestrian safety and improving the streetscape. We hope the City will use these funds and the input offered by this community and the Yorkville Business Improvement Area (BIA) to establish a coordinated and cohesive aesthetic character for this interim installation.
It is essential that the elements used for the new layout, such as barriers and pavement painting, have coordinated patterns and a color palette that aligns with the BIA’s, as the community-sponsored Planning Partnership report recommended on pages 18 and 19. Low jersey barriers similar to those along the Richmond Street cycle track, are preferred to achieve a protective edge from traffic lanes, while being minimally obtrusive visually. (Why would they not be safe here if they are safe on Richmond Street?) A cohesive design creating a unique, harmonious local identity will enhance the vibrancy, walkability, attractiveness, and safety of the community, benefiting both businesses and residents and ultimately gaining public support.
Please consider the points in this letter and update us about the design as decisions proceed.
Additionally, we would like to discuss the following items in a future meeting:
- evaluation of the installation of the Bloor to Davenport bike lane, including pedestrian safety improvements.
- remaining Council decisions required for developers to be empowered to rebuild sidewalks to new curb lanes.
- scope and anticipated steps of the next Council decision point about Avenue Road.
- updates on plans for the raised pedestrian crossing for Roxborough Street West at Avenue Road.
- potential future protection for the sidewalk adjacent to the Hare Krishna Temple
Thank you for your continued collaboration to make Avenue Road safe for all users.
Sincerely,
Avenue Road Safety Coalition representatives in attendance July 23,
Ian Carmichael, Arlene Desjardins, Mary Helen Spence (ABC RA)
Dylan Reid (Walk Toronto)
Jessica Spieker (Friends & Families for Safe Streets)
Henry Wiercinski (Annex RA)
