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Important notice: Upcoming construction for Campus Core Revitalization 2019

March 19, 2019
Rendering facing west on Gould Street, with mature landscaping in the boulevard and building planters replaced with pavers to extend the pedestrian area.

To: All students and all employees

In preparation for Ryerson University’s Campus Public Realm Plan, some project work is set to begin this spring that will have a significant impact. The Campus Core Revitalization 2019 project will enhance the quality of safe, accessible spaces and allow us to implement essential infrastructure upgrades that will support the Ryerson community as we continue to grow.

This email contains important details about the current project plans, and how they will impact you and the way you get around on campus over the coming months.

Project details

Affected area: Nelson Mandela Walk, Gould Street, Victoria Street 
Construction start: Spring 2019 
Estimated completion: Fall / Winter 2019

How this will impact you

As with all construction work, a number of impacts are inevitable, including noise, dust and debris; access restrictions; and route diversions.

Please note these important details about major access restrictions through the campus core:

  • Nelson Mandela Walk and most of Gould Street west of Bond Street will be fenced off for public safety throughout the duration of the construction work.
  • A pedestrian pathway will remain available on the south side of Gould Street through the affected area.
  • Temporary wayfinding will be posted throughout affected areas on campus.
Map of campus core indicating construction fence line as described in text.

We understand this is a high-traffic area and the closure of such a large space will be an inconvenience throughout the construction phase. However, there are advantages to blocking off the entire implementation zone at once, including:

  • a shorter timeline for construction work; and
  • consistent alternate routes for our community members for the duration of construction, instead of continually disrupting routes through campus.

First step of project implementation

One of the project goals is to broaden the sustainability and ecological function of our urban treescape. A significant number of trees on campus are in less than fair condition, with most of our ash trees showing symptoms of Emerald Ash Borer infestation.

Rendering of proposed Nelson Mandela Walk as it will appear with mature landscaping on both sides of the walkway.

In order to increase plant diversity and resilience, the Campus Core Revitalization 2019 project will remove a number of our trees and replace them with healthy, native species better suited to our environment and climate. With the new plantings, we will be almost doubling the number of trees in our urban forest.

To reduce the risk of disturbing wildlife during the more active, warmer months, tree removal along Nelson Mandela Walk and Gould Street will begin as early as March 25, as the first step towards implementing the project.

Visit the project website to stay in the loop

More information about project plans is available online at ryerson.ca/campus-core-revitalization and we will continue to update this site as the project unfolds.

The website includes important information on:

  • the project area;
  • pedestrian routes and accessibility;
  • bicycles; and
  • trees and plantings.

Questions?

If you have any questions, please contact the FMD Help Desk at fixit@ryerson.ca or 416-979-5091.