Daryl Gonsalves –
It’s that time of year again, when Toronto neighbourhoods slowly transform local streets and storefronts to welcome the holiday season. Residents within walking proximity of the Distillery District are painfully familiar with a gift that starts giving in November: the Distillery Winter Village and the accompanying onslaught of motor vehicle traffic.
This year’s Distillery Winter Village runs daily from Wednesday, November 13 to Sunday, January 5 (except on Christmas Day).
Over the past few years, the Gooderham & Worts Neighbourhood Association (GWNA) has worked with the Distillery District with diligence and care to represent the community’s interests and the Distillery District has made adjustments in response to certain resident concerns.
Last year, the main complaint from local residents was the duration of the Winter Village. The Distillery District responded by continuing the village’s second annual tradition: extending its length to challenge how early residents could tolerate holiday-themed music before Christmas. In a few more years, will we see the start of the Distillery Fall Village to increase profitability?
As in previous years, residents have reported that rideshare vehicles continue to illegally use Cherry Street’s bike lane as a drop-off zone – which was not approved in the traffic management plan. Earlier this year, a young 24-year old Toronto cyclist was killed by a motor vehicle when the bike lane was illegally obstructed. The only solution is dedicated infrastructure that blocks motor vehicles from the bike lane.
Also, like last year, parking was prohibited from areas of Parliament, Mill and Front Streets. However, these areas continue to be filled with parked cars during peak periods, as understaffed traffic enforcement officers cannot keep up with the volume of vehicles. When I asked an officer if cars would be towed on Mill Street as indicated on nearby signage, they replied that such a tool is not available.
New this year, the traffic management plan was changed to allow rideshare and taxi traffic on Mill Street. The Distillery District says this was due to complaints from residents last year. However, during peak periods, Mill Street has bumper to bumper traffic. In a recent walk, I witnessed multiple cars pass through red lights at Mill and Cherry Streets with no action from the nearby paid duty officer.
Some residents have been frustrated at the lack of response when voicing concerns through the Distillery District’s public relations channels. When I called to ask a few questions, Rik Ocvirk from distillery management answered my questions with thoughtful responses.
But even the best-laid plans can go off the road. Similar to previous years, the carefully crafted and well-intentioned traffic management plan has failed due to the elephant in the room: the area surrounding the Distillery District cannot safely accommodate the annual increase in motor vehicle traffic.
A potential solution is to look at adjustments that (similar to last year) reduce and/or prevent non-local motor vehicle traffic from accessing all surrounding roads during peak periods. Access could be helped by increasing public transit in the area. And instead of employing paid duty officers, why not use Toronto’s new traffic management (Vision Zero) team, which has been assisting rush hour traffic in the city?
Residents and readers are encouraged to call 311 as city staff will monitor traffic and noise conditions over the course of the Distillery Winter Village, gather feedback after the event and report to City Council. Residents and readers can share concerns with the city by telephoning 311 or logging a service request through the 311 smartphone app or www.toronto.ca/home/311-toronto-at-your-service.
The Distillery District itself can be contacted via wintervil[email protected] or 647-493-4646 (HOHO).
