Weekends on London's only flex street are about to be all about pedestrians, cyclists, and local business.
The City of London has announced it will close Dundas Place to vehicles every weekend for the rest of the summer in an effort to allow more physical distancing and space for expanded restaurant patios.
The closure on Dundas Street from Talbot to Wellington streets will be in effect from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays.
“Safety during COVID-19 is paramount, and more space for Londoners shopping or dining on Dundas will help us maintain physical distance,” Mayor Ed Holder said in a statement. “While Dundas Place is not able to host traditional events or summer festivals downtown at this time, the city can still take advantage of the flex street’s ability to open and close to vehicle traffic.”
Currently, there are seven new patios on Dundas Place. More are being planned by other restaurants and cafes in the area.
Temporary outdoor sanitization stations are also being added along Dundas Place.
According to city officials, the temporary changes to Dundas Place are part of a pilot project to support economic recovery in London. City staff and Downtown London will consult with businesses along the three-block stretch each week to address any concerns that may arise, including difficulties with curbside pickup or deliveries.
Additional temporary loading spaces are being added nearby, similar to what was used during the construction of Dundas Place, city officials added.
“Opening Dundas Place will allow businesses to take advantage of additional physical space as they enter Stage 3 of economic recovery,” said Barbara Maly, executive director of Downtown London. “During Downtown London's extensive member outreach, we learned many of the businesses along Dundas felt they would benefit from additional physical space to try new things and experiment.”
