June 17, 1998

 To:Budget Committee

 From:City Clerk

 Subject: Prince Edward (Bloor Street) Viaduct: Measures to Deter Suicide Attempts

 Recommendation:

 The Urban Environment and Development Committee on June 15 and 16, 1998, recommended to the Budget Committee that it recommend to the Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee, and Council, that up to $1.5 million be allocated from the Corporate Contingency Account to undertake the project to avert suicides on the Bloor Street Viaduct.

 The Urban Environment and Development Committee reports, for the information of the Budget Committee, having recommended to Council the adoption of the report (May 28, 1998) from the Interim Functional Lead, Transportation.

 (The foregoing recommendation to Council is contained in a Clause, headed "Prince Edward (Bloor Street) Viaduct: Measures to Deter Suicide Attempts", embodied in Report No. 8 of The Urban Environment and Development Committee, which will be considered by City Council on July 8, 1998.)

 Background:

 The Urban Environment and Development Committee on June 15 and 16, 1998, had before it a report (May 28, 1998) from the Interim Functional Lead, Transportation recommending that:

 (1)the Urban Environment and Development Committee support in principle the introduction of measures, as outlined in this report, to deter suicide attempts from the Bloor Street Viaduct;

  (2)a Request for Proposals be issued, as outlined in this report, to solicit proposals for design concepts and full architectural services, with the submissions being evaluated by a Project Steering Committee comprised of representatives from:

 -the Schizophrenia Society of Ontario;

-the Council on Suicide Prevention;

-the Toronto Historical Board/Heritage Toronto;

-Architecture and Civic Improvements, City Planning;

-the Transportation Division, Works and Emergency Services Department; and

-the Public Art Policy Advisory Committee;

 (3)a further report be submitted to the Urban Environment and Development Committee on the selection of a preferred design, the detailed budget requirements and a project schedule; and

 (4)the appropriate City of Toronto officials be directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto;

 advising that funds of between $40,000.00 and $60,000.00 for the proposed Request for Proposals and design process can be absorbed within the approved 1998 Transportation Capital Works budget; that preliminary estimates indicate that the installation costs for barriers/safety netting/equipment on the Viaduct will range from $400,000.00 to $700,000.00 plus operating and maintenance costs ranging from $10,000.00 to $25,000.00 per year; pointing out that these estimates are based on the provision of basic safety systems and do not include any costs associated with architectural or artistic enhancements to conform with City urban design practices; that the cost of these enhancements is unknown at this time but could increase the costs to between $800,000.00 and $1,300,000.00; and stating that the Works and Emergency Services Department does not have funds allocated for this project in either its Current or Capital Budget for 1998.

 The Committee also had before it a communication (June 11, 1998) from Dr. Robin R. Richards, Head - Division of Orthopaedics, St. Michael=s Hospital, expressing strong support for the efforts of the Committee in increasing the safety of the Prince Edward Viaduct and other pedestrian bridges in Toronto; advising that most patients who jump from this bridge do not survive, but that those who do usually suffer severe musculoskeletal injuries that result in permanent disability; and urging the Committee to take action with regard to this issue.

 The following persons appeared before the Urban Environment and Development Committee in connection with the foregoing matter:

 -Mr. Al Birney, President, East York Chapter and Chairman, Bridge Committee, Schizophrenia Society of Ontario;

-Mr. Ray Doucette, Scarborough;

-Mr. Michael McCamus, Spokesperson of the Bridge Committee, Schizophrenia Society of Ontario;

-Police Superintendent Aidan Maher, Toronto Police, 55 Division;

-Dr. Paul Links, Arthur Sommer Rotenberg Chair in Suicide Studies, University of Toronto;

-Dr. Robin R. Richards, Head of Orthopaedics, St. Michael's Hospital;

-Dr. Isaac Sakinofsky, Psychiatrist, Clarke Institute of Psychiatry, and Professor of Suicide Studies, York University;

-Ms. Karen Letofsky, Executive Director, Suicide Survivor Support Programme, Toronto Distress Centre;

-Mr. Dale Wright, Canadian Airmotive Ltd.; and

-Councillor Jack Layton, Don River.

 City Clerk

 R. MacKenzie/lv

 Copy to:Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services

Mr. Dave Kaufman, General Manager Transportation Services

Ms. Wendy Walberg, Legal Department

Mr. Les Kelman, Transportation Services, Metro Hall

All Interested Persons