Ryerson Alumni - Summer 2019 - 12

GOULD STREET

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CAMPUS REVITALIZATION

A new plan for
Victoria and
Gould Streets

IF YOU NOTICE some construction on
Gould and Victoria Streets this year,
you may wonder what's going on and why.
The work is part of the Campus Core
Revitalization project, designed to enhance
the qualit y of safe, accessible spaces
and implement infrastructure upgrades,
resulting in a campus that's greener, more
easily accessible, pedestrian-friendly and
connected to the community.
"As a key component of our Campus
Public Realm Plan, this project really aims to
create common outdoor spaces on campus
where our community can come together

Ryerson University Magazine / Summer 2019

and thrive," said Deborah Brown, vicepresident, administration and operations.
"While addressing these needs, we are
taking the opportunity to build accessibility
into the design and to modernize our
infrastructure. We want to create a defined
campus core that encourages community
connections and enhances the experience
of being at Ryerson."
From this spring to fall and winter 2019,
the revitalization region will stretch down
Victoria Street and Nelson Mandela Walk
from Gerrard St. E. to 285 Victoria Street;
and along Gould Street from O'Keefe Lane
to Bond Street. Since those areas will largely
be fenced off for public safety, a pedestrian
pathway will remain available on the south
side of Gould Street.
KEY UPGRADES

This initiative will enhance the campus in
several key ways:
1. Pedestrian-friendly

A permanent pedestrian-only zone will be
established on Gould Street from O'Keefe
Lane to Bond Street. Bollards will prevent
vehicles from entering and cyclists will
continue to be requested to dismount.

2. Accessibility

The project will raise the street level to be
even with curbs throughout the pedestrianonly zone and add two new ramped entrances
from Nelson Mandela Walk into Kerr Hall to
make the area more accessible.
3. Connection to community

You'll see new outdoor event infrastructure,
including seating and programming space
for more community gatherings and connections on campus.
4. Green space

Nearly 15,000 large shrubs, perennials
and grasses will be planted in the project
area. Diseased trees will be removed and
replaced by nearly twice as many trees, and
a more diverse collection of native species
that offer visual interest in every season.
Trees planted in paved areas will go into
underground soil cells, which allow for root
growth, drainage and better plant health.
The Campus Core Revitalization 2019
project was made possible thanks to the
generous contribution of $7 million in funding towards the overall budget of this project from the City of Toronto and tremendous support from Toronto City Councillor
Kristyn Wong-Tam.-Deborah Smyth

Ryerson Alumni - Summer 2019

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