Those who are old enough to remember the Yonge Street Mall — in the early 1970s, when the City shut down most of Yonge Street between Gerrard and Adelaide Streets for two summers — will likely get a shot of nostalgia, when “Celebrate Yonge” is takes place between Gerrard and Queen Streets.

The Downtown Yonge Business Improvement Area is sponsoring the event, which increases the public space along Toronto’s main street with patios, cafes and open seating areas. The City of Toronto is reducing the roadway from four lanes to two extra-wide lanes, maintaining one north- and one southbound lane for traffic, with beautiful custom planters to define the space between traffic and pedestrians. This will create space to extend outdoor patios into the roadway, with themed blocks providing unique experiences on Yonge Street.

Workers started yesterday Tuesday, August 14 to install planters to narrow the street.

The TTC is continuing to operate buses along the 97B Yonge and 320 Yonge overnight routes, but passengers should expect delays. It may also relocate some bus stops, if necessary.