STAFF REPORT

February 2, 2000

To: Scarborough Community Council

From: Brenda Glover

Subject: Designation of the Scarborough Civic Centre and the Albert Campbell Square as a heritage site within the meaning of the Ontario Heritage Act

Ward 15 - Scarborough City Centre

Purpose:

To report on the request made by the Scarborough Local Architechtural Conservation Advisory Committee to review and recommend that the Scarborough Civic Centre and the Albert Campbell Square be designated as a heritage site within the meaning of the Ontario Heritage Act. [Refer: Item (v), Clause 10, Report No. 14 of the Scarborough Community Council]

Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

There are no financial implications associated with this report.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that the request by the Scarborough LACAC be referred to the working group of the Office Consolidation Sub-Committee dealing with the Scarborough Civic Centre:

(1) The Scarborough Community Council receive this report for information.

Background:

The Community Council had before it a motion (November 23, 1999) from Councillor Soknacki, recommending that Community Council request the Scarborough Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee to review and recommend that the Scarborough Civic Centre and Albert Campbell Square be designated as a heritage site within the meaning of the Ontario Heritage Act.

On a motion by Councillor Ashton, the Scarborough Community Council referred the aforementioned motion to the Acting Commissioner of Corporate Services for a report to Scarborough Community Council on the implications of this recommendation on future potential development of the Civic Centre.

Comments:

Staff advise that designation as a heritage site will have impact on the future development of the Scarborough Civic Centre and Albert Miller Square - the exact impacts cannot be ascertained without an understanding of the elements to be designated (i.e., Structural elements, interior spaces, current configuration, etc..)

In consideration of the Master Plan for Office Accommodation, Council proposed that a Working Group be formed to resolve the current ownership and occupancy of Scarborough Civic Centre.

In Specific, the recommendation relating to Scarborough Civic Centre:

" (5) in preparation for phase 3, the long term accommodation strategy, three Working Groups of Councillors be formed to work with appropriate staff and other government agencies to give consideration to:

(a) resolution of the current dual ownership and occupancy of the Scarborough Civic Centre…….."

Therefore, until the Working Group has reported through the Office Consolidation Sub-Committee, staff feel that comment on potential impact is premature.

In discussions with Mr. John Blumenson, Preservation Officer, EDCT, Culture Division, we are advised that the Toronto Preservation Board will play a significant role in the designation of a particular property and advise City Council accordingly.

Conclusions:

It would be difficult to report on future development implications at this point in the process when it is unclear as to the elements to be designated. It is our understanding that these "elements" would be defined and recommended by the Scarborough LACAC in consultation with the Toronto Preservation Board.

Further, it would appear premature to report on future development until the dual ownership and occupancy of Scarborough Civic Centre has been resolved by the Working Group charged with this task.

Contact:

Mr. Michael White, Manager, Buildings Portfolio-East, 416-397-4664 (Office) 416-392-4663 (Fax) email: mwhite@toronto.ca

Brenda Glover,

Acting Commissioner, Corporate Services