There were (are) certainly some Market merchants opposed to its closure but Transportation were instructed to close it by TEYCC so it WILL happen - probably overnight tonight. (In fairness, Transportation are busily installing the CafeTO barriers and moving the Adelaide St bike lanes etc etc. )
The crunch will come when Staff report back on closing the street all year. The TEYCC motion had two main parts:
Community Council Decision
The Toronto and East York Community Council:
1. Authorized the General Manager, Transportation Services to temporarily close Market Street between Front Street East and The Esplanade from June 1, 2023 to October 15, 2023.
2. Directed the General Manager, Transportation Services to work with stakeholders and the St. Lawrence Business Improvement Area to come up with solutions for deliveries and waste collection, as required, through the permitting for the closure.
3. Requested 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 the Toronto and East York Community Council with recommendations regarding closing this section of Market Street permanently.