September 30, 1998
To:Toronto Community Council
From:Andrew Koropeski, Director , Transportation Services, District 1, Works and
Emergency Services
Subject:Proposed closing of the public lane O'Keefe Lane, extending between Dundas Street
East and Dundas Square - Yonge Dundas Redevelopment (Downtown)
Purpose:
To authorize the stopping-up and closing of the public lane O'Keefe Lane, east of Yonge
Street extending between Dundas Street East and Dundas Square, to accommodate the
construction of a City owned public square and underground parking structure on Parcel D of
the Yonge Dundas Redevelopment Project.
Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
Funds in connection with the statutory processing of the proposal are accommodated in
Yonge Dundas Capital Fund Account No. 216692.
Recommendations:
- That the public lane O'Keefe Lane, shown hatched on the attached Plan SYE2854, be
stopped-up and closed as public lane, and placed under the jurisdiction of the
Commissioner of Corporate Services;
- That an easement be reserved for Toronto Hydro, over a portion of O'Keefe Lane, for
access, operation, use, inspection, repair, maintenance, reconstruction or alteration of the
existing underground conduit and for the construction of additional or new services, with
the exact location to be determined after construction, by survey;
- That the public hearing required to be held pursuant to the terms of the Municipal Act be
held by the Toronto Community Council; and
- That the appropriate City Officials be authorized to take the necessary action to give effect
to the foregoing recommendations, including the introduction in Council of any Bills that
might be required and provide notice to the public.
Background:
The former Toronto City Council, at its special meeting of May 6, 1997, in considering
Minute S16.2, directed, among other things, the Commissioner of City Works Services to
initiate the street and lane closing process as may be required to undertake the Yonge Dundas
Redevelopment Project. The closing of O'Keefe Lane, shown hatched on the attached Plan
SYE2854, is necessary to accommodate the construction of a City-owned public square with a
250 space underground parking garage.
City Council, at its meeting of July 8, 9 and 10, 1998 adopted, as amended, Clause 26 in
Report No. 10 of the Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee, and in doing so authorized
the Yonge Dundas Redevelopment Project to proceed.
Comments:
The development of Parcel D of the Yonge Dundas Redevelopment Project, being the block
bounded by Yonge Street, Dundas Street East, Victoria Street and Dundas Square, involves
the acquisition by the City of Premises Nos. 285 to 301 (inclusive) Yonge Street, the surface
parking lot at Premises No. 25 Dundas Street East (operated by the Toronto Parking
Authority) and the public lane O'Keefe Lane, shown hatched on the attached Plan SYE2854.
Parcel D is to be developed as a public square and a 250 space underground parking garage,
which will be constructed and operated by the Toronto Parking Authority (TPA).
The cost to cover the at-grade physical adjustments, and the statutory processing, is estimated
to be $14,209.00, and consists of:
(a)Removing and abandoning Bell Canada cable, estimated to be $2,709.00;
(b)Removing and abandoning Rogers cable, estimated to be $2,000.00;
(c)Reconstructing the standard curbs and sidewalks at both ends of O'Keefe Lane, estimated
to be $6,000.00; and
(d)Paying the out-of-pocket expenses and other administration fees associated with the lane
closing, estimated to be $3,500.00.
I have been advised by Urban Planning and Development Services officials that funds to
cover these adjustments will be absorbed in the public square development budget.
In addition, I have been advised by officials from the Parking Authority that discussions are
ongoing with respect to the below grade adjustments, consisting of abandoning the sewer and
the possible relocation of Toronto Hydro's conduit at the north end of O'Keefe Lane, which
will be carried out in conjunction with the construction of the parking garage. The issues,
including the cost responsibilities, will be resolved prior to the introduction of the Bills in
Council for the closing of the subject portion of O'Keefe Lane. The City will provide Hydro
with an easement for the conduit once the new location has been determined and verified by
survey.
This undertaking is pre-approved in accordance with Schedule "A" of the Class
Environmental Assessment for Municipal Road Projects.
Contact Name and Telephone Number:
Laurie Robertson, Project Technician - Street and Lane Closings (392-7711)
Director
LR/ja
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