BY SHIRLEY LIN
The fight to close Gould Street is finally over. At least for one year. A temporary Gould Street closure was confirmed last week when Toronto community council rubber-stamped a year-long pilot project. The shutdown, slated for Spring 2010, is the result of a partnership between Ryerson and the city of Toronto. The plan has the support of Kyle Rae, city councillor for Toronto Centre-Rosedale. To celebrate the announcement, the Ryerson Students’ Union (RSU) rolled turf down Gould Street, closing it for over four hours on Sept. 22. Mayor David Miller, at Dundas Square the same day, seemed amused by the surprise shutdown. “I’m responsible for running the city so I can’t approve of any illegal activity no matter how fun it is. But if I went to Ryerson I’d probably do the same thing,” said Miller. The RSU’s turf stunt was cut short at noon as police arrived to open the street to traffic. Ryerson administration was notified of the event late last night by a press release sent out by Toby Whitfield, RSU vice-president finance and services. The temporary 2010 closure fulfills one aspect of Ryerson’s Master Plan, a long-term vision for campus development, which calls for a pedestrian- friendly Gould Street. The city will form a committee of Ryerson representatives with the transportation department to figure out which parts of the street will be closed. Whitfield said Ryerson will continue to lobby different committees next year in an attempt to make sure the closure is permanent.
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