Woodbine Park Development - 1999: Project Management

(Ward 26 - East Toronto)

The Economic Development Committee recommends the adoption of the following report (January 15, 1999) from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism subject to the addition of the following Recommendation (2):

"(2)authority be granted for the appropriate City officials to execute an amendment to the agreement dated June 30, 1998 between EMM Financial Corp. and the City to provide that EMM can commence, continue and complete any work relating to the Woodbine Park Development which is funded by external sources, without further approval of Council, subject to all plans and specifications having first been approved by the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism."

Purpose:

This report will address the need to provide for the continuance of a performance management agreement with EMM Financial Corporation (EMM) to complete the remaining phases of development of Woodbine Park, applying City funds and funds from others.

Source of Funds:

The current budget estimates already include the necessary funding for the continuance of project management, so there is no direct financial impact of this report.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1)Subject to the approval of the 1999-2003 Parks and Recreation Capital Works Program, the continuance of the work by EMM be approved in accordance with the June 30th, 1998 amending agreement to the Section 37 Agreement between the City of Toronto, EMM and the Ontario Jockey Club, applying City funds and funds from others.

Council Reference/Background/History:

Woodbine Park is a multi-phase project being developed on a portion of the lands of the former Greenwood Race Track under a Section 37 Agreement. Phase 1 of the work is complete, which consisted of demolition, site remediation and initial grading and park definition.

On June 30th, 1998, the City of Toronto and EMM entered in to an amending agreement to the Section 37 agreement dated May 2nd, 1996 between the City, EMM and the Ontario Jockey Club to complete certain additional work necessary to implement the design concept for Woodbine Park developed by the City dated April 17th, 1998, to the satisfaction of the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism.

Comments:

Under the amended agreement, funding and completion of work necessary to implement the park design and continuance of the work by EMM will be approved by the City in phases. Funding for phase 1 and EMM's completion of it has been approved by City Council as part of the 1998 Capital Budget. In so far as further phases are concerned, the agreement contains provisions whereby funding for the work and EMM's completion of the work is conditional upon City Council approval.

The City is now prepared to move forward, pending approval of the 1999-2003 Capital Program, with the completion of the park project. This will entail installation of water, sewer, and electrical services; final grading and landscaping the site as well as providing hard surfaces and facilities to accommodate access and programming on the site. The target is to have substantial completion by July or August 1999. In order that the work and necessary project coordination occurs, it is necessary to continue the work by EMM under the existing amending agreement.

Conclusion:

Given the scope and timing of the project and the need to integrate the work of many stakeholders, continued on- site project supervision is necessary. Continuance of the work by EMM under the existing amending agreement, in accordance with the terms outlined in the amended Section 37 Agreement, would ensure that the project moves ahead in a timely fashion.

Contact Name:

Frank Kershaw

392-8199

Neil R. Zaph

395-6065