Toronto business representatives are calling for better co-ordination of construction and more predictable event funding as Mayor Olivia Chow begins her second term, CityNews reports. Their requests follow an October municipal election in which congestion, construction management and the promotion of marquee events were campaign issues.

Dana Duncanson, managing director of the Downtown West Business Improvement Area, told CityNews he sees a promising future for downtown Toronto. His organization represents businesses both north and south of Union Station, where pedestrians and travellers with suitcases move through the area.

“Toronto is really going through this, great evolution,” Duncanson said.

But the BIA wants city hall to improve how it co-ordinates construction, including the timing of major projects.

“Timing things so that we can get these big projects taken care of, in a manner that doesn’t impact the city too much,” he said.

Jon Kiru, who represents an umbrella organization for Toronto’s BIAs, said businesses across the city want predictability both in event funding and in construction management. He described concerns about projects proceeding on an “on-again, off-again” basis, along with a lack of planning and understanding.

Responding to CityNews, Chow spokesperson Braman Thillainathan acknowledged there is more work to do during the mayor’s second term. He said construction co-ordination has been a priority since she first took office.

“Mayor Chow established the Strategic Capital Coordination Office and appointed Toronto’s first chief congestion officer,” Thillainathan wrote in a statement.

He said the goal is a city that moves and is safe and clean.

The Downtown West BIA identified traffic agents at busy intersections as one measure that is working. According to CityNews, Toronto currently has 100 active traffic agents, with plans to increase that number to 127 by early next year.

Sources