Downtown campus / en U of T’s pedestrian-friendly street seeks major revival /news/u-t-s-pedestrian-friendly-street-seeks-major-revival <span class="field field--name-title field--type-string field--label-hidden">U of T’s pedestrian-friendly street seeks major revival </span> <div class="field field--name-field-featured-picture field--type-image field--label-hidden field__item"> <img loading="eager" srcset="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2016-11-21-St%20George%20Entry%20Plaza-lead.jpg?h=a609ba24&amp;itok=zJaFtWLx 370w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_740/public/2016-11-21-St%20George%20Entry%20Plaza-lead.jpg?h=a609ba24&amp;itok=2cpJ9dA0 740w, /sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_1110/public/2016-11-21-St%20George%20Entry%20Plaza-lead.jpg?h=a609ba24&amp;itok=4HlmdPaa 1110w" sizes="(min-width:1200px) 1110px, (max-width: 1199px) 80vw, (max-width: 767px) 90vw, (max-width: 575px) 95vw" width="740" height="494" src="/sites/default/files/styles/news_banner_370/public/2016-11-21-St%20George%20Entry%20Plaza-lead.jpg?h=a609ba24&amp;itok=zJaFtWLx" alt="Photo of Wicox redesign"> </div> <span class="field field--name-uid field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden"><span>ullahnor</span></span> <span class="field field--name-created field--type-created field--label-hidden"><time datetime="2016-11-21T12:53:16-05:00" title="Monday, November 21, 2016 - 12:53" class="datetime">Mon, 11/21/2016 - 12:53</time> </span> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-field-cutline-long field--type-text-long field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Cutline</div> <div class="field__item">Rendering of the St. George entry plaza (photo illustrations courtesy of DTAH)</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-reporters field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/authors-reporters/rachel-halpern" hreflang="en">Rachel Halpern</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-author-legacy field--type-string field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Author legacy</div> <div class="field__item">Rachel Halpern</div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-topic field--type-entity-reference field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">Topic</div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/topics/our-community" hreflang="en">Our Community</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-story-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/wilcox-redesign" hreflang="en">Wilcox redesign</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/u-t" hreflang="en">U of T</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/st-george-campus" hreflang="en">St. George campus</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/downtown-campus" hreflang="en">Downtown campus</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news/tags/pedestrian" hreflang="en">Pedestrian</a></div> </div> <div class="clearfix text-formatted field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Imagine shooting hoops on a court between classes, sitting under an endless&nbsp;tree canopy during&nbsp;lunch, or catching an impromptu musical performance in the heart of U of T's downtown Toronto&nbsp;campus.&nbsp;</p> <p>With the <a href="http://willcockscommon.utoronto.ca/">Willcocks Common Revitalization</a>, students may soon enjoy&nbsp;expanded pedestrian-friendly spaces.&nbsp;</p> <p>Beginning as a pilot project, Willcocks Common became a pedestrian-only area between Huron and St. George streets in 2012. The project could see an extension of that pedestrian-only zone to Spadina Avenue or the creation of a street that has both car and pedestrian friendly spaces.&nbsp;</p> <p>The redesign project is set to revitalize Willcocks Street with the help of landscape consultant team, DTAH.</p> <p><img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__2583 img__view_mode__media_original attr__format__media_original" height="362" src="/sites/default/files/Spadina%20Entry%20Plaza%20with%20view%20towards%20Maple%20Grove-embed.jpg" typeof="foaf:Image" width="750" loading="lazy"><br> <em>Rendering of Willcocks Common from Spadina</em></p> <p>The new design aims to unify the space and create a distinguished student hub. The plans, which were unveiled at a recent U of T open house, include social gathering spaces and seasonal event space. Improved lighting will also be provided in response to concern from the community for increased public safety at night.</p> <p>The revitalization project at Willcocks Common has received media interest.</p> <h3><a href="http://www.blogto.com/city/2016/11/toronto_is_getting_a_gorgeous_new_pedestrian_mall/">Read "Toronto is getting a gorgeous new pedestrian mall" at&nbsp;BlogTO&nbsp;</a></h3> <h3><a href="http://urbantoronto.ca/news/2016/11/public-realm-redesign-works-u-ts-willcocks-street">Read "Public Realm Redesign in the Works for U of T's Willcocks Street" at Urban Toronto</a></h3> <p><img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__2584 img__view_mode__media_original attr__format__media_original" height="362" src="/sites/default/files/Elm%20Grove%20at%20Huron%20Intersection-embed.jpg" typeof="foaf:Image" width="750" loading="lazy"><br> <em>Intersection of Elm Grove Avenue and&nbsp;Huron Street</em><br> <br> The use of greenery plays a significant part in reimagining the urban landscape, as demonstrated through the use of a new tree canopy. To encourage student use, the space will feature additional seating for informal meetings and flexible space for events.</p> <p><img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__2582 img__view_mode__media_original attr__format__media_original" height="288" src="/sites/default/files/Rendered%20Site%20Plan_by%20DTAH-embed.jpg" typeof="foaf:Image" width="751" loading="lazy"><br> <em>Site Plan for Willcocks Common</em></p> <p>Phase one of the project, involving design concepts and gathering feedback from the community, has official wrapped up.</p> <p>Phase two will include detailed design development and construction. The timeline is still to be determined.</p> <p><img alt class="media-image attr__typeof__foaf:Image img__fid__2586 img__view_mode__media_original attr__format__media_original" height="514" src="/sites/default/files/Willcocks%20Common-embed_0.jpg" typeof="foaf:Image" width="750" loading="lazy"><br> <em>Rendering of Willcocks Common</em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-home-page-banner field--type-boolean field--label-above"> <div class="field__label">News home page banner</div> <div class="field__item">Off</div> </div> Mon, 21 Nov 2016 17:53:16 +0000 ullahnor 102551 at