Space Expansion to the Lower Lobby of the

Bluma Appel Theatre (Ward 24 - Downtown)

The Economic Development Committee recommends that consent be given to the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts to increase the public space available in the lower Bluma Appel Theatre Lobby by providing an additional 248 sq. ft. of lobby space to alleviate over-crowding and provide better patron service facilities.

The Economic Development Committee submits the following report (January 9, 1999) from the Chair, The Board of Management of the St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts:

Purpose:

The Board wishes to increase the public space available in the lower Bluma Appel Theatre lobby to alleviate over-crowding and to provide better patron service facilities.

Clause 7 of By-Law 367-73, which established the Board of Management, states that "The Board shall not make or cause, commit or allow to be made to the Centre, any structural addition, alteration or improvement without the consent of the City".

The full details of the proposal, which will provide an additional 248 sq. ft. of lobby space as well as substantially improving the outward appearance of the building, is outlined in the supporting documentation and drawings provided by Lett/Smith Architects. Also included in this package is a letter of endorsement from the Canadian Stage Company, the major user of the Bluma Appel facility.

The Board also wishes to advise the City that Mrs. Bluma Appel has arranged for a private donation of money, in excess of $80,000.00 (eighty thousand dollars), which she and her husband specifically want applied the expansion of the Bluma Appel lobby. It is also Mrs. Appel's wish that the work on this project be completed before the millennium.

The Board, in consultation with Lett/ Smith Architects, has determined that it is possible to complete the scope of the work in July and August of this year, prior to the commencement of the l999/2000 season, providing City approval is obtained quickly enough to allow for permit application and contract tendering in the next two months. The Board would therefore appreciate the Economic Development Committee expediting Council approval for this project by forwarding a recommendation to City Council for consideration at the Council meeting on February 2, 1999.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

Over 50 percent of the funding provided is being provided by a private donation. The Board of Management has approved that the balance of the project funding be drawn from its own Capital Improvements Fund.

There is no financial requirement for the City to provide any funding for this project.

The project will provide better facilities and services to the public and the Centre's licensees. It will enhance the streetscape and stimulate the final upgrading of the Centre's facade.

Contact Name and Telephone Number:

David Wallett, General Manager

(416) 366-1656, ext 224

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(Communication dated January 6, 1999 from

Mr. David Abel, Executive Producer, Canadian Stage)

Further to our meeting yesterday, I am writing to express the enthusiasm and support of The Canadian Stage Company for the proposed full renovation of the lobby at the Bluma Appel Theatre in the summer of 1999.

The full extension of the northern window of the lobby to the perimeter of the property line, the removal of the bay windows and the relocation of the present emergency exists to the eastern end of the lobby are fully endorsed by the company. These improvements will make an enormous difference to the comfort of our valued patrons, and to the options for usage of the space for entertaining purposes. As well, they will heighten the visibility of the facility to street traffic and extend the advertising possibilities for our Bluma productions.

If there is anything that The Canadian Stage Company can do to facilitate the expansion, please do not hesitate to let me know. I look forward to the implementation of the plan.

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(Communication dated January 1999 from Lett/Smith Architects)

St. Lawrence Centre for the Arts

Changes to the North Facade Ground Floor Lobby Windows

The following proposal has been developed in order to increase the available space in the Bluma Appel Theatre Lobby and to begin to address the anticipated upgrading of the North Facade.

The proposal involves the reconfiguration of the north wall of the Bluma Appel ground floor lobby. This will include removing and replacing the 2 existing display case bays and the doors in the 2 existing door bays, thereby replacing all the north Main Floor Lobby glazing. The attached plans show the existing condition and the new enlarged lobby following the changes outlined in this proposal. The changes include the following:

Platforms, display cases an all outer windows will be removed. The platforms are plenums for the delivery of conditioned air. New floor grilles will be added to the exposed openings in the concrete floor, which are currently below the platforms.

All existing finishes will be repaired and extended. The ceiling profile and adjacent finished will be reconstructed. Light tracks over the display cases will be replaced with fixtures similar to those at adjacent lobby windows.

A new glazed wall be constructed in line with the columns, thereby eliminating the external recesses. These new walls will be designed to address a more comprehensive renovation of the Facade.

The replacement exit doors will be placed in the east bay only, allowing 3 clear glazed bays.

Electrical provision will be made for movable display cases which can be positioned behind the new windows.

The Customer Service Desk, which is currently located against the facade windows, will be redesigned and relocated to the interior of the lobby.

Electrical and communication systems will be extended and relocated to address the revised location of the Customer Service Desk.

The proposal provides an additional 248 square feet of lobby space.

Construction Cost Estimate (Watson)$100,000.00

Customer Service Desk$15,000.00

Relocate Elect/Communication Systems$7,000.00

Professional Fees and Expenses$19,000.00

Building Permit$1,300.00

Display Cases$12,700.00

Project Cost Estimate$155,000.00

General:

Cost estimates are provided by J.S. Watson & Associates, who were the Construction Managers for the Bluma Appel Theatre Renovations. The estimates do not include GST and assume current prices.

The structural engineers responsible for the Bluma Appel Renovations, Halsall & Associates, have confirmed that there will be no structural work required for the proposal outlined above.