I don't agree with the permanent car free concept, but I think having Dundas closed on the weekends during the summer would be great. I definitely think the focus needs to start shifting back towards the pedestrian/cyclists downtown. A great first step would be moving the buses to King and Queens. It sucks that a few businesses along Dundas may be negatively affected by the detour, but the overall feel of the street will certainly change for the better.

Less noise, diesel fumes and giant crowds at DnR. It'll be good to disperse those crowds across a few more main streets. The whole downtown will feel more lively with the more consistent amount of foot-traffic in the core.

Any time I hear any of the "usual suspects", who have been on the taxpayers dollar for many years, start talking about improvements I know we're in trouble. For most of the politicians and top rank city hall employees, their interests are not our interests. They wrecked the Market and made sure that there was far less choice of suppliers than was previously there. One family owns all the fruit and vegetable stands. Fontana lives in Masonville so why does he care what happens to the businesses who will no longer have foot or bus traffic on Dundas? Whose interest is he looking after? it won't be yours unless you have money.

ABSOLUTELY :D

This is an amazing idea. Close off Dundas between Wellington and Talbot and permit open-air vendors, buskers, sidewalk cafes and possibly a staging area for featured performances.
Municiple, Provincial and Federal services can remain at their current locations, but bus service should be re-routed along Queens Ave and King St.

I think this is a great idea, but yes, removing cars is not enough. You have to create an atmosphere that people want to come to

Possibly make it an extension of the Market?

I do remember the street closing in East London. I recall the bending then straightening. I do not recall all the why's and wherefores about it. Was it a bad concept or a concept handled badly? I do know it works in Ottawa, but that is there and this is here. I am thinking it's not what we do, but what we do with it once it's there.

I well remember the experiement in east London, and the parking garage that was built and subsequently closed.

Downtown London is not welcoming. Guards are in place so that anywhere you might sit, you can't, and music is used as a weapon to drive people away.

Many more — Underground Atlanta, Jackson Square district of New Orleans, St. Lawrence Market area of Toronto, sections of Whyte Ave. in Edmonton, etc.

Closing Dundas from Wellington to Talbot is a good idea, but it MUST be combined with something else to draw people. You could have a street market or build a major attraction along with this idea. If it's just closing down the street, I don't think it will draw anyone extra because I can walk on my street anytime I want.

I think the area to focus on for this is around the JLC and market.

If by car-free, you mean interlocking brick streets or WALKways with vendors and events like you see in Montreal and Ottawa, then I'd be all for it.

I've suggested something similar and it has been greeted with some hesitation. Apparently this destroyed Old East.

To me, I think it is worth trying, what happened 30 years ago may not happen again. Dundas is a filthy street, it's too narrow to accommodate traffic and business.

Sorry, I really don't see how closing 3 blocks would be that damaging. But since I didn't see what happened in the East, I could be wrong.
In my opinion, there isn't that much parking there in the first place. If I drive downtown I park at the CitiPlaza or at the lot near Chaucer's. Preventing driving on Dundas wouldn't eliminate that parking, it would just clean up the area and make it a more pleasant place.

I think it could work if it was done well and made beautiful. Don't just simply stop it from car traffic but make it a space people want to walk - interesting paving, art installations, statues and small fountatins etc etc

Further to Robby's comment - I remember how devastating the elimination of traffic was to London East. Prior to that it had been a thriving business community. Unfortunately when you eliminate cars, you make it a longer walk for people to participate, which eliminates a lot of people. I have times when arthritis makes me consider every step - no cars on Dundas means I won't be going there. Something to consider.

Robby, no need to be insulting.

The combination of narrow sidewalks, parked cars and frequent bus traffic make that short segment of Dundas that should be a hub of culture and commerce an unpleasant place to walk, shop and dine.
If the area was more pedestrian friendly, people would be more apt to stay and enjoy.

Trying this on weekends is a great start. Maybe street vendors would be encouraged to set up shop.

Agreed...check out 4th Street Live in Louisville KY...considered a great success after many years..http://www.4thstlive.com/

Excellent idea. Challenge though is finding parking for all the giant SUV's Londoner's love so much to drive everywhere? If you had a great new LRT or RBT, and parking on the edge of the downtown, you could do this in an instant- and it will work. Press on!

This is the dumbest idea ever. It was tried 35 years ago at an enormous cost on Dundas east of Adelaide and the area has still yet to recover from this folly. If you want to totally destroy the core this stupid idea would seal the deal.