Memo To:Budget Committee
City of Toronto
From:Josephine Bryant
City Librarian
Date:May 10, 1999
Subject:Transmittal of Evaluation of the Leaside Neighbourhood Branch Library -
Capital Budget Project
Attached for consideration of the Budget Committee at its May 25, 1999 meeting is the
Leaside Neighbourhood Branch Library report adopted by the Toronto Public Library Board at
its May3, 1999 meeting. The Board approved the following recommendation:
That the Toronto Public Library Board:
1.Adopt Option 2* as outlined in the Parkin Group report as the preferred option and
convey this to the Budget Committee in May 1999 as requested, and
2.Proceed to working drawings for the new building in 1999, funded by expending the
balance of the 1999 capital allotment for the Leaside project estimated at $240,000.
The report is provided in response to the Budget Committee's request for an overall
evaluation of the Leaside Public Library facility.
Attachment
cc:Shirley Hoy
Commissioner, Community and Neighbourhood Services
*Options 1 and 2 of the Leaside Branch Feasibility Study, April 26, 1999 attached
Project Cost Estimates (GST is excluded from all amounts)
Option 1 - Upgrade Existing Building
-Renovations to existing building including$1,362,409.00
construction of new elevator, barrier free
washroom and enlarged main entrance
-Professional fees and associated costs (10%)136,000.00
-Furniture, fixtures and equipment175,000.00
-Building permit fees @ $12.00/mē11,160.00
Total Project Cost Estimate (renovation)$1,684,570.00
Option 2 - New Building
-Construction of new 9000 sq ft library$1,477,211.00
including demolition of existing building
-Professional fees and associated costs (10%)147,720.00
-Furniture, fixtures and equipment175,000.00
-Building permit fees @ $12.00/mē10,800.00
Total Project Cost Estimate$1,810,731.00
(new construction)
The Parkin Group/Parkin Architects Limited
Toronto Public Library - Leaside Branch Feasibility Study - April 26, 1999
Adopted by the Toronto Public Library Board
at the May 3, 1999 Board Meeting
To:Toronto Public Library Board - May 3, 1999
From:City Librarian
Subject:Leaside Neighbourhood Branch Library
Purpose:
To present the results of the Feasibility Study to determine whether to retrofit or reconstruct
Leaside Neighbourhood Library.
Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
Funding for the project was provided in the 1998 Capital Budget and further funds were
approved pending the City Librarian's report to the Budget Committee on an overall
evaluation of the Leaside Public Library facility.
Recommendation:
It is recommended that the Toronto Public Library Board:
1.Adopt Option 2 as outlined in the Parkin Group report as the preferred option and convey
this to the Budget Committee in May 1999 as requested, and
2.Proceed to working drawings for the new building in 1999, funded by expending the
balance of the 1999 capital allotment for the Leaside project estimated at $240,000.
Comments and/or Discussion and/or Justification:
In 1998, a capital budget of $235,000 was approved for the Leaside Neighbourhood Library to
provide barrier-free access to the building (elevators, washroom, automatic doors). Upon
undertaking the work for this project, difficulties associated with high water table escalated
the cost to $600,000.
As a result of the 1999 capital budget discussions, Council directed that:
CThe increase in expenditures of $65 thousand in 1999 and $300 thousand in 2000 required
for the Leaside Accessibility project be approved pending the City Librarian's report to the
Budget Committee on an overall evaluation of the Leaside Public Library facility.
Overall concern was expressed about the $600,000 cost of providing barrier-free access when
the whole facility could be completely replaced at two-to-three times the cost. The
expenditure was considered not good value for money, particularly in view of the fact that
other building deficiencies would remain.
The Parkin Group was employed by Toronto Public Library to undertake an overall evaluation
of the Leaside Public Library.
The results of the Parkin Group study are two options, with costing provided for each. Option
1 is for renovating the existing facility at just under $1.7 million. Option 2, the recommended
option, is for demolition of the existing facility and construction of a new facility at $1.8
million.
In assessing both options it is important to note that the renovation program to upgrade the
existing facility in Option 1 does not address a number of significant deficiencies, and there is
no guarantee as to the longevity of the building or equipment:
CAn elevator is required in the retrofit option. In addition, the elevator doors will open
directly into the auditorium; there is no space for a vestibule or lobby area on the lower level.
CWhile the circulation desk service area will be enhanced with a renovation, site lines into
the adult and children's areas will remain problematic. It is anticipated that current staffing
levels at Leaside will remain unchanged. For those times when it is not possible to staff the
adult or children's desks, the circulation desk staff will continue to be responsible for service
in those areas and will have difficulty monitoring these activities.
CThe stairway to the lower level is very steep. An investigation was undertaken to rebuild
the existing stair that would see a decrease in the slope as well as eliminate the 90 degree turn
at the landing. However, such a significant redesign of the existing facility would impact on
space allocation (a minimum of 8 feet would be lost in the auditorium), and increase costs
significantly. In the retrofit option, there is no change to the existing stair.
CThere will continue to be inefficient use of space. There is no opportunity to rationalize
space allocation for collection and services; eg. the proportion of adult and children's areas
and the opportunity to respond to local needs such as the addition of a local history collections
area.
CEnergy efficiency of the building could be improved with the installation of insulation and
a vapour barrier on perimeter walls, but this upgrade may cause deterioration of the exterior
wall brickwork.
A significant investment of almost $1.7 million results in some important improvements to
the Leaside Library. However, the Library Board is left with a facility built in 1950 where a
number of deficiencies continue, and the life expectancy of the building and equipment
remain uncertain.
Contact Names:
Ann Eddie, Director, Administration, 393-7091
Bruce Barnett, Senior Manager, Facilities, 395-5880
Josephine Bryant
City Librarian