Potential Redevelopment of 1631 Queen Street East

(Ward 26 - East Toronto)

The Administration Committee recommends:

(1)the adoption of the report (August 31, 1999) from the Acting Commissioner of Corporate Services, subject to amending Recommendation No. (1) by adding thereto the following words "seeking a developer to either provide space in an acceptable building or provide space in a newly constructed building on the site; and in the interim that there be alternative accommodation for the Welfare Office and Childcare Centre"; so that Recommendation No. (1) now reads as follows:

"(1)the potential redevelopment of 1631 Queen Street East be processed through the normal disposal process for review and recommendation by the Property Management Committee respecting the future disposition of this site, and if appropriate, staff from Facilities and Real Estate Division, in consultation with staff from Community and Neighbourhoods Services, investigate the feasibility of any redevelopment proposals for the property including the preparation of a proposal call to achieve a higher and better use of the site; seeking a developer to either provide space in an acceptable building or provide space in a newly constructed building on the site; and in the interim that there be alternative accommodation for the Welfare Office and Childcare Centre"; and

(2)that the Acting Commissioner of Corporate Services be instructed to take a proactive approach to urban renewal on the site and those surrounding sites which the City already owns which would guarantee the provisions of the foregoing Recommendation No. (1).

The Administation Committee submits the following report (August 31, 1999) from the Acting Commissioner of Corporate Services:

Purpose:

To respond to Councillor Jakobek's communication dated July 29, 1999 respecting the potential sale/redevelopment of 1631 Queen Street East.

Financial Implications:

No financial implications at this time.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1)the potential redevelopment of 1631 Queen Street East be processed through the normal disposal process for review and recommendation by the Property Management Committee respecting the future disposition of this site, and if appropriate, staff from Facilities and Real Estate Division, in consultation with staff from Community and Neighbourhoods Services, investigate the feasibility of any redevelopment proposals for the property including the preparation of a proposal call to achieve a higher and better use of the site; and

(2)the appropriate City officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.

Background:

In 1964, the former City of Toronto constructed the building at 1631 Queen Street East for the East District Welfare Centre, Day Nursery and Health Centre. As a result of the former Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto assuming welfare services effective January 1, 1967, ownership of 1631 Queen Street East was transferred from the City to Metro.

The site is located on the south side of Queen Street East just east of Coxwell Avenue extending to Eastern Avenue. It is irregular in shape, having a frontage of 291.64 feet (89 m) and containing an approximate site area of 30,500 square feet (2,833.5 m2). Erected on the site is a two-storey brick building containing a total floor area of 23,100 square feet (2,146 m2) and occupied by the Coxwell Welfare Office and Childcare Centre. This site is zoned MCR T2.0 R2.0 and located in an area identified under the provision of the official plan of the former City of Toronto Cityplan as a low density mixed commercial-residential area.

In recent years, approximately $750,000.00 was expended with provincial funding assistance to upgrade the building including HVAC, electrical and mechanical systems. Two years ago, as part of the renovation project, an additional $500,000.00 was spent to install an elevator making the second floor and rooftop accessible by elevator.

By letter dated July 29, 1999, Councillor Jakobek has requested the Administration Committee to give consideration to the possible sale/redevelopment of 1631 Queen Street East. Given the current improvements and developments underway in this area, this may be the opportune time to bring this institutional type of structure in keeping with the new streetscape.

Comments:

In response to Councillor Jakobek's proposal to redevelop 1631 Queen Street East, the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services has advised that the services provided at this facility must remain in the area and that the same amount of space as currently occupied by staff is required. Should consideration be given to redeveloping the site, the following conditions would need to be considered:

(1)Given the importance of having a welfare service and a childcare centre in this part of the City, and given that it has been very difficult to find a site acceptable to the community and easily accessible by T.T.C. for the clients, any relocation must be within two or three blocks of the existing use;

(2)No further costs should be incurred related to relocation, otherwise Provincial cost-sharing could be jeopardized;

(3)No additional operating costs should be incurred by the City; and

(4)Operational staff represented by Social Services and Children's Services participate in the consideration of any redevelopment proposals in order to ensure that the conditions noted above are met.

In view of the concerns raised, there are two possible options to satisfy the proposal. A proposal call could be issued seeking a developer to either provide space in an acceptable building in close proximity or provide space in a newly constructed building on the site. In either case, it would be necessary for the developer to provide alternative accommodation while the new building was being constructed.

Another matter that must be addressed is that City Council approved a process for the disposal of properties. This process includes the canvassing of potentially surplus properties through agencies, boards, commissions and departments to ascertain if there is municipal interest in the property. The results of the circulation are forwarded to the Property Management Committee for recommendation respecting the future disposition of a potentially surplus property. Although this situation is somewhat unique, in that the subject property is not surplus to the requirements of Community and Neighbourhood Services and the Ward Councillor's desire to achieve a higher and better use of the property while providing space for Community and Neighbourhood Services requirements, it would seem appropriate to process this request though the regular channels in order that full input can be received from all ABCDs with a subsequent report to Council for approval concerning the disposition of this property.

Conclusion:

The logical process would be to recommend that this request be processed through the normal disposal process for review and recommendation by the Property Management Committee and, if appropriate, issue a proposal call to achieve higher and better use of the property while continuing to retain in the area, either through conveyance or long term lease, the office space required by Community and Neighbourhood Services.

Contact Name:

Luba Tymkewycz, 392-7207, Fax No. 392-1880, ltymkewy@toronto.ca.

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The Administration Committee reports, for the information of Council, having also had before it a communication, addressed to Councillor Lorenzo Berardinetti from the Executive Director, Facilities and Real Estate, responding to a communication (July 29, 1999) from Councillor Tom Jakobek respecting the potential disposal of 1631 Queen Street East; and advising that a report thereon will be submitted to the September 7, 1999, meeting of the Administration Committee.

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Councillor Tom Jakobek, East Toronto, appeared before the Administration Committee in connection with the foregoing matter.