Toronto City Council has voted in favour of a pilot project that will turn part of Church Street into a car free zone this summer. The plan will create a pedestrian only stretch in the heart of the city's village, an area known for its bars, clubs and nightlife. Supporters described it as a change that could reshape the character of the street.
According to the council decision, the pilot runs from Friday until the middle of August. It covers two blocks of Church Street, from Wellesley Street East to Alexander Street. With cars removed from that section, the area is meant to become a more open and festival like space for the warmer months.
The absence of traffic will let businesses extend their patios out onto the street itself. Organizers said that will create more room for outdoor gatherings and give people somewhere to spend long summer evenings. One popular club, Flash, will be able to offer customers patio seating where a lane of traffic and parking used to be.
The idea came from Rodney Chan, who proposed the project after being inspired by Montreal's village, which already has a summertime pedestrian only zone. He said the sidewalks along Church Street were often packed, with people spilling into the road as they chatted, took breaks or stepped out of the clubs. He argued there was already strong demand for more space.
City Councillor Chris Moise brought the project forward to council and said he wanted it to grow. While it is only a pilot this year, he said his hope was that it would continue in the years to come and eventually become permanent. He added that he expected lessons to be learned that would help expand the idea over time.
Officials framed the pilot as a way to test the effects of pedestrianization on local businesses and on the wider area. They said it would offer a chance to see how shops and restaurants perform during the closure, while also helping the city understand the impact on traffic flow and customer satisfaction.
Moise, along with Councillor Josh Matlow, plans to put forward a motion next week to have a plan in place to replicate the project in other parts of the city. Backers of the change argued that it is people, not cars, who support local businesses. They said they hoped the summer experiment would point the way toward more pedestrian friendly streets across Toronto.