Gilda=s Club Greater Toronto (Downtown Ward 24)

To obtain authority to enter into an Occupancy Agreement for the occupation of 110 Lombard Street by Gilda=s Club Greater Toronto for a term of three years. This occupation is being sought under the previous City of Toronto policy governing the occupation of City-owned space at below market rates.

The cost of the allocation of 110 Lombard Street to Gilda=s Club Greater Toronto will be foregone rent in the amount of approximately $105,000 per annum.

Gilda=s Club has agreed to pay the realty taxes, operating costs and maintenance for the building and will undertake certain restoration work at their cost (to include upgrading the electrical system, staircase and sprinkler system where necessary and render the building wheelchair accessible).

(1) the Corporate Services Committee consider the request from Gilda=s Club Greater Toronto for occupancy of City-owned space at 110 Lombard Street at below market rates;

that the Acting Executive Commissioner of Corporate Services be authorized to allocate the use of 110 Lombard Street to Gilda=s Club Greater Toronto for a term of three years subject to the execution of an occupancy agreement, in form and content acceptable to the City Solicitor and the Acting Executive Commissioner of Corporate Services and subject to Gilda=s Club Greater Toronto agreeing to share the use of 110 Lombard Street with The Emma Foundation; and,

City Council, at its meeting held on October 26, 27 and 28, 1992, adopted a policy governing the Occupation of City-Owned Space at Below Market Rates. A request has been received by Gilda=s Club Greater Toronto for the occupation of 110 Lombard Street under this policy.

At its meeting of December 8, 1997, City Council gave interim consideration to this request and adopted Clause No. 42 of the City of Toronto Executive Committee Report No. 25. By doing so, City Council endorsed the use of 110 Lombard Street by Gilda=s Club Greater Toronto. City Council also directed that the Commissioner of Corporate Services report back to the new City Council as early as possible on the allocation.

Gilda=s Club is a free, non-profit non-residential support community for people with cancer, their families and friends. This organization has locations in New York and Florida with facilities in development in Chicago, Detroit, Seattle, Nashville, Ohio, Iowa and London, England. Gilda=s Club is named in honour of the late Gilda Radner (deceased 1989), who launched her comedy career in Toronto at AThe Second City@, 110 Lombard Street (see area map attached as Appendix 1).

Gilda=s Club has agreed to pay the realty taxes, operating costs and maintenance for the building and will undertake certain restoration work at their cost (to include upgrading the electrical system, staircase and sprinkler system where necessary and render the building wheelchair accessible).

110 Lombard Street has been declared surplus to the City=s needs and was scheduled to be offered for sale. However, given the relationship between this property and the late Gilda Radner, Council may wish to consider the retention of the property and allocate the use of the property to Gilda=s Club Greater Toronto.

Since receiving this request from Gilda=s Club Greater Toronto, a request from The Emma Foundation has been received for the occupation of City-owned space at below market rates. This organization is seeking approximately 3,000 square feet. The Emma Foundation is a non-profit organization named for Emma Yang, a recent recipient of a bone marrow transplant. In 1996, at the age of six months, Emma was diagnosed with Omenn=s Syndrome, a form of severe combined immunodeficiency. After Emma=s diagnosis, the media followed Emma=s parents search for a bone marrow donor and drew attention to the high cost of locating a donor and the need for an expanded bone marrow doner registry.

Given that the work of The Emma Foundation and Gilda=s Club Greater Toronto are complimentary, a shared use arrangement for 110 Lombard Street may result in the City being able to support both of these groups while achieving an overall higher use of 110 Lombard Street. Both Gilda=s Club Greater Toronto and The Emma Foundation support a shared use arrangement of 110 Lombard Street. Staff are currently reviewing the application from The Emma Foundation and if this group meets the criteria for occupation of City-owned space at below market rates, I will report back on this matter.

Gilda=s Club has demonstrated its adherence to the previous City of Toronto=s policy governing the occupation of City-owned space at below market rates as set out on the completed application form, attached as Appendix No. 2. The request of Gilda=s Club was reviewed and considered in consultation with the Healthy City Office and the City Treasurer. Please refer to staff comments which are set out on Page 5 of the above-mentioned application form.