This request will be completed outside of the Participatory Budgeting Process.
Unfortunately, funds available for participatory budgeting can only be used for capital projects such as one-time installations and construction of immovable infrastructures. The proposed project request will require operational funds that cannot be obtained from community benefit charges under Section 37 of the Provincial Planning Act.
Additional cleaning would fall into the category of operational expenses under solid waste management. Please take a look at the comprehensive 2025 Downtown East Action Plan Refresh. Perhaps we can look into this issue using other methods.
Yonge Street beautification
From "2025 PB Cluster 1"
Go to the project
Yonge Street between Charles and Alexander streets sits in a gap between BIA coverage. It's an area filled with the CAA theatre, restaurants, cafes etc. and so is very busy and very very dirty. This corridor is very popular with tourists, it's a regular route of the hop on hop off City Sightseeing bus. We currently are not putting our best foot forward in this part of the ward. We need dedicated, consistent effort to make the area look as good as it can.
Regularly scheduled cleaning would go a very long way, the installation of trees would be a cherry on top, adding a neighbourhood feel to the corridor and doing its part of mitigate summer heat in an overbuilt area.
This part of the ward deserves basic attention for the increasing number of people who call it home.
Official updates
Last update: October 17, 2025
Posted on October 17, 2025
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Profile of Maryam Siddiqi
Posted by:Maryam Siddiqi
1 year ago
Read more about this strip of Yonge Street here: https://www.torontotoday.ca/local/business-economy/yonge-street-density-gentrification-9860638
Profile of Connie Langille
Posted by:Connie Langille
1 year ago
@Maryam Siddiqi I agree Yonge St is definitely changing! Massive intensification of the area has had a huge impact on the area. The lack of a BIA drastically reduces the cohesion of the strip. No street beautification projects, education for shop owners, safety planning with local partners etc. With the main land holders being development companies there is no will to change the game sadly. Each one feels they have a golden ticket and are awaiting big returns for their investors. Properties are left empty or in disrepair on a regular basis resulting in gaps all along the strip. Kudos to the businesses that are taking a chance with Yonge St and making a difference! One can hope that they will see the benefit of uniting and forming a vibrant BIA to address the many short comings of the area.
Profile of Connie Langille
Posted by:Connie Langille
1 year ago
Agree. The businesses on Yonge St need to better care for the areas in front of their stores. I have seen shop staff sweep, wet broom and pick up litter in front of their business. Sadly not enough of them do. Businesses need to be educated on how the condition of their store front impacts the community and steps to do better. The city has the equipment to manage the situation. We need to better advocate at the city level to educate businesses and maintain standards along all of our famous street.
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