1998 Capital Program Parks and Recreation -

Supplementary Arrangements - Woodbine Park Construction

(East Toronto)

The Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee submits, without recommendation, the following report (April 28, 1998) from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism:

Purpose:

Supplementary arrangements, required for the 1998 Woodbine Park construction program, are provided for City Council approval in conjunction with the 1998 Capital program.

Source of Funds:

No funding impact.

Recommendation:

That City Council approve the following implementation arrangements for the Woodbine Park project( P&R , Project #18) in conjunction with the approval of the 1998 Capital program:

(i)That the Section 37 Agreement dated May 22, 1996, between EMM Financial Corp, The City of Toronto, and the Ontario Jockey Club be amended to include Initial Park Improvements funded by the 1998 Capital Budget in accordance with plans, specifications and conditions approved by the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism, and that City officials be authorized to sign any necessary agreement

(ii)That Initial Park Improvements include the removal of 17 trees in the portion of Lakeshore Blvd adjacent to the park as well as fill, grading and tree planting in accordance with the design for Woodbine Park developed by the Commissioner

Comments:

When Council approves the 1998 Capital program for Parks and Recreation, certain details required for Woodbine Park (project #18) implementation should also be approved as set out below.

The Woodbine Park project and design have progressed in tandem with the budget in consultation with many individuals and groups in the community. The 1998 Capital program includes funding for Woodbine Park in 1998 at $1.5 million. The Woodbine Park Design dated April 17, 1998 has been developed in consultation with the community, including an open house held on April 18, 1998, culminating many months of work to achieve a consensus.

The Section 37 Agreement between EMM Financial Corp, The City of Toronto, and the Ontario Jockey Club, dated May 22, 1996, contains arrangements respecting site preparation work and initial park construction work that have proven satisfactory in terms of quality, timing, control and cost of the work performed. Work will continue under this contract throughout 1998 on the park site and adjacent streets.

(1)Amendment to Section 37 Agreement:

I am now recommending that park improvement work funded by the 1998 Capital program for the Woodbine Park project be implemented under an amendment to the Section 37 agreement provisions, to minimize costs and delay and facilitate coordination of the site improvements planned for 1998 applying the 1998 Capital funds, instead of the City=s standard tendering and contract award process. Section 37 agreements frequently provide for park construction by the land owner or developer on behalf of the City.

Arrangements to implement the above should be according to plans specifications and conditions satisfactory to the Commissioner, Economic Development, Culture and Tourism, in consultation with relevant City officials. Appropriate City officials should be authorized by City Council to take the necessary steps to give effect thereto, including signing any necessary agreements.

(2)Lakeshore Blvd. - Tree Removals and Tree Plantings:

Park improvements will occur on lands adjacent to the designated parklands to maximize the effect of the park concept according to the park design dated April 17, 1998. Previous approval by City Council and Metro Council for tree removals on Lake Shore Boulevard East on the southern edge of Woodbine Park were granted subject to further community consultation illustrating the conditions and circumstances of the existing trees and the proposed grading and tree replacements. The condition has been satisfied in conjunction with the community consultation on the park design and the removal of 17 trees on the north side of Lakeshore Blvd. are now required, so that the new grading and tree planting design can be implemented.

(3)Teletheatre Parking Lot:

The Woodbine Park Design of April 17, 1998 relocates the teletheatre parking lot westerly onto City lands and extends the park onto a generally equivalent area of the parking lot lands owned by EMM Financial Corp. This arrangement will require reciprocal leases between EMM Financial Corp/the Ontario Jockey Club and the City, as well as certain planning approvals to proceed, which I am pursuing in consultation with the Commissioner of Urban Development and the City Solicitor.

Contact Name:

Susan Richardson, Email: srichard@city.toronto.on.ca, Tel: 416-392-1941, Fax: 416-392-0845 .