June 29, 1999

To:Toronto Community Council

From:Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services

Subject:"Metropolis" - Private Developer Percent for Public Art Plan, at 10 Dundas Street East (Yonge Dundas Redevelopment Project - Parcel A) (Ward 24, Downtown)

Purpose:

The purpose of this report is to inform the Toronto Community Council of the proposed Metropolis Private Developer Percent for Public Art Plan and to seek approval of the recommendations made by the Public Art Commission concerning this plan.

Source of Funds

All costs associated with this Public Art Plan are the responsibility of the owners of the Metropolis project.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that the Toronto Community Council approve the following recommendations from the City of Toronto Public Art Commission:

(1) that the competition brief be provided to the Public Art Commission for comment prior to distribution to the artists; and

(2) that the Toronto Community Council approve the proposed Private Developer Percent for Public Art Plan, subject to the incorporation of the above recommendation from the Public Art Commission.

Council Reference:

The Ontario Municipal Board in an Order dated November 25, 1998, approved Official Plan and Zoning By-law amendments for the Yonge Dundas Redevelopment Project. A Section 37 agreement was required to include a requirement for a one percent for public art commitment from the owners of the Metropolis project which is to be developed on Parcel A at the northeast corner of Yonge and Dundas Streets.

On May 27, 1999, Art Collection Canada (public art consultants for the Metropolis project), and owner representatives made a presentation to the Public Art Commission. The art consultants were requested to make revisions to the plan, and circulate it back to the Public Art Commission, prior to recommendations. The plan was revised, circulated and the final plan is now attached to this report.

Comments

The Metropolis Private Developer Percent for Public Art Plan as presented by the owner is attached to this report. A brief synopsis is as follows:

The Metropolis is a 320,000 square foot urban entertainment-retail complex to be constructed on the northeast corner of Yonge and Dundas Streets and is being built in conjunction with the redevelopment of the Yonge Dundas area in downtown Toronto.

The owner has decided to undertake a public art program to the value of 1% of the gross construction costs as determined by the value of the building permit upon issuance by the City. The guiding principles of the plan are as follows:

(1)provide the most visible and meaningful works of art for the physical and psychological enrichment of the public;

(2)commission Canadian artists with the experience and reputation that can be considered on par with top- calibre international artists; and

(3)provide such a unique opportunity and exciting art experience that it will draw Torontonians and tourists to "Metropolis" for no other reason than to see and experience the art.

Site opportunities:

The vertical interior space of the complex will be the emphasis of the art project. The space is 80 feet high and could have some type of sculpture suspended at various points. This site also offers the possibility of an integrated sculpture or an interactive work or works of art using one or more elements of sound, light, and sculptural components or a hybrid of these elements in combination.

The other site opportunities may include the exterior columns on the Yonge Street facade and/or free standing columns on the Dundas Street sidewalk, thus unifying the public art elements.

Estimated Public Art Budget:

At this stage, the owner has estimated that 1% of the gross construction costs is approximately $500,000. The final amount will be determined by the value of the building permit upon issuance by the City.

Exterior site 33% (approximately)

Interior site 66% (approximately)

to include: design fee, fabrication, delivery and installation

Administrative/competition costs at an upset of 10% (includes artists fees and jury costs)

Art Selection Method:

The owner has elected to run an invited juried competition among six artists or artist collaborations who will be chosen from the following list:

Evan Penny;

Colette Whiten/Paul Kipps;

Spring Hurlbut;

Janet Cardiff (Georges Bures Miller);

Bruce Mau;

Kim Tomczak and Lisa Steele;

David Rokeby;

James Carl; and

Michael Snow.

The jury will award one commission to an individual artist or team.

Jury Composition:

The jury will be comprised of two owner representatives from the following selection:

Stephen Moorhead, Chairman of Forrec, landscape architect; and

Glenn Miller, President of PenEquity Management Corporation or Keith Travis - Development Manager.

Three others who are art/media experts, one of whom is a local representative and/or business owner will be selected from the following list:

Brian Boigon, architect, multi-media artist, computer expert;

Robert Sniderman, President, Senator Restaurant, founding member of Yonge Street Business and Resident Association, art collector, local business owner;

Christina Ritchie, Curator of Contemporary Art, Art Gallery of Ontario; and

Bruce Elder, critic, filmmaker, Professor of the Image Arts Program, Ryerson Polytechnic University.

Conclusions:

This Public Art Plan conforms with the City's guidelines, as published by Urban Planning and Development Services, in the Development Approval Manual. I am in full support of the

recommendations from the Public Art Commission and I look forward to the results of this public art plan.

Contact Name:

Jane Perdue

Public Art Co-ordinator, Urban Design

Tel: 416-392-1304

Fax: 416-392-1744

Email: jperdu@toronto.ca

Robert Glover

Director, Urban Design

JP/RG/ms

Attachments

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