August 31, 1998

To:Toronto Community Council

From:Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services

Subject:Federal Funding for the Taddle Creek Project (Downtown)

Purpose:

To seek Council authority to apply, jointly with University of Toronto and other area institutions, for federal funding for a project for major landscaping and drainage improvements along the course of Taddle Creek through the University.

Financial Implications:

To date, this initiative has been funded by the City and the University of Toronto. A 1999 budget request will be submitted by the Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services for the costs of detailed design and specifications. If the grant application is successful, the Federal Government will cover up to one third of the estimated $1.2 million total project costs. The local contribution is to be shared by the City and the area institutions. Further detailed reporting will follow on City budget implications.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

1)Council authorize civic staff to apply for Canada Millennium Partnership Program funding jointly with the University of Toronto and other area institutions and public interest groups for the construction of the storm water retention and landscape water features on the Philosophers Walk portion of the former Taddle Creek.

2)That Council authorize civic staff to investigate other funding opportunities and seek appropriate partnerships for the construction of the storm water retention and landscape water features on the Philosophers Walk portion of the former Taddle Creek.

Comments:

1.Background

i)The Status of the Proposal

On March 24, 1997, the former City of Toronto City Council requested civic staff, in consultation with the University of Toronto, to develop a plan for pedestrian and landscape enhancement of Philosophers Walk and the west side of Queen's Park Crescent, part of the route of the former Taddle Creek. On August 21, 1997, Council authorized the establishment of a technical staff working group to work on the technical aspects of this project with their University of Toronto colleagues. Staff of the Departments of Works and Emergency Services, Urban Planning and Development Services and Economic Development, Culture and Tourism have been working co-operatively on this matter with area institutions and community groups over the past year.

The former Taddle Creek was replaced by a combined sewer in the 1880's, and most of the institutional buildings abutting Philosopher's Walk have stormwater drainage into that combined sewer. In early 1998 the City of Toronto and the University of Toronto jointly commissioned a feasibility study to investigate the possibility of diverting stormwater flow, currently discharging into the storm and combined sewer system, to surface stormwater management features located within the historic Taddle Creek alignment. The final consultant's report dated June 1998 found that the project was eminently possible. The creation of stormwater ponds along Philosopher's Walk and Hart House Circle would have numerous important public benefits: a lessening of combined sewer overflows and lake pollution during storm events; the creation of landscaped water features in a frequently visited public open space, the commemoration of the former route of Taddle Creek, and amelioration of existing basement flooding problems in public institutions in the area. While the consultants estimated a cost of approximately 1.2 million dollars, this estimate may be altered as the University of Toronto consultants refine the design concept and as decisions on landscaping are made.

The University of Toronto is fully supportive of the proposal. As part of the Open Space Master Plan project the University is currently undertaking, a more detailed conceptual design for the project will be developed at the University's expense by their consultants. This work should be completed by December 1998. The University has requested that the City allocate funds in the 1999 municipal budget for engineering and detail design drawings. The Commissioner of Works and Emergency Services is proposing to include a 1999 budget item to prepare the detailed engineering drawings for the stormwater portion of the project.

ii)Joint Partnership

While the open space is owned by the University of Toronto, both the City and other area institutions would benefit greatly from the improvement scheme. The University of Toronto, the Royal Ontario Museum, and the Royal Conservatory of Music all have as-of-right development envelopes adjacent to the site under the former City of Toronto Zoning By-law that would be enhanced by the landscape improvements and have drainage problems in buildings that could be resolved through the stormwater diversion plan. The City would reap water quality benefits from the retention of stormwater and the improvement of a heavily used publicly accessible open space.

There is an active citizens public interest group, the Taddle Creek Watershed Initiative, that has played an important role in putting forward ideas and public education for projects along the route of the former Taddle Creek, including this scheme. Discussions have taken place between the University, the City, area institutions and the Taddle Creek Initiative and all parties are moving forward with these plans on a co-operative and consultative basis.

It has been anticipated that the City would be requested to contribute towards the storm retention features and the University would contribute towards the landscape improvements. Other area institutions would be expected to at least contribute towards the cost of the diversion of the stormwater from their buildings.

It has also been suggested that the City, the University of Toronto, the Royal Conservatory of Music, the Royal Ontario Museum and the Taddle Creek Initiative jointly submit an application to the Canada Millennium Partnership Program for funding assistance for the project construction.

iii)Joint Application to the Canada Millennium Partnership Program

The Federal Government has launched the Canada Millennium Partnership Program which is now considering applications for funding of millennium projects. The next deadline for applications is October 31, 1998. Successful applicants will receive funding for up to one-third of project costs. Staff of the University of Toronto, the City of Toronto, the Royal Conservatory of Music and the Taddle Creek Watershed Initiative have discussed submission of a joint application to the Canada Millennium Partnership Program to fund the Taddle Creek/Philosophers Walk project. The Royal Ontario Museum and other area institutions and public groups may also be approached as parties to the joint application. By virtue of the recommendations in this report civic staff are seeking permission to enter into such a joint application to the Canada Millennium Partnership Program.

This project has been discussed with staff of the City of Toronto Millennium Committee, and arrangements are being made to present the project to the Millennium Sub-Committee of Council for possible designation as a civic legacy millennium project. Staff of the City of Toronto Millennium Committee are aware of the potential application for federal funding and are supportive.

Contact Name:Paul Bain

Telephone: (416) 392-7622

Fax: (416) 392-1330

E-Mail: pbain@city.toronto.on.ca

Beate Bowron

Director, Community Planning, South District

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