Dundas Street West between Bathurst Street and University Avenue represents the exceptional diversity of the City of Toronto. Over the past few years, this portion of Dundas Street West has been the focus of intense redevelopment, with significant projects scheduled for the near future.

The firm worked with the City of Toronto’s Urban Design Department on a plan to bring the same focus to the redevelopment of Dundas Street’s public realm. Coordinated with the construction of a new watermain, the new streetscape will serve to bring cohesion to the streetscape while acknowledging the diversity of its users. Upgrades to the basic municipal infrastructure will be coordinated with private initiatives along the street. Proposed upgrades include the consolidation of utility poles, pedestrian lighting, increased planting, rationalized street furniture, and new bike rental parking stalls throughout the length of the street.

Special projects include improvements around the Scadding Court Community Centre, the block at AGO and the plaza at 52 Division. Plans for Scadding Court consist of a night market, a narrowing of the street, two new pocket parks, and public art, all integrated with the vibrant community work which emanates from the Centre. At the AGO, plans aim to tie the art gallery and the row of Victorian townhouses across the street into a cohesive urban whole. Plans for feature paving along the curb lanes would allow for the flexible, shared use of the street on special occasions or festival days. At 52 Division, a revamped plaza would play host to a variety of activities, including an art and farmers market, and incorporate additional planting and new paving.