The Purpose
Building on past efforts, the purpose of the Scarborough Centre Public Space and Streetscape Master Plan is to develop a strategy that concentrates on how the in-between public spaces can be enriched to create a Centre that is truly a Centre and not merely a disparate collection of buildings, streets and open spaces. The Plan will focus on creating a connected pedestrian-oriented, urban-scaled place, with a bold dynamic character defined by a hierarchy of public spaces and streets. The Plan will also recommend priority projects for early implementation and identify mid and long range projects for the future. In this regard, one of the key components of the Plan is to establish an Implementation Strategy.
The Site and Context
The study area is bordered by Ellesmere Road, Highway 401, Brimley Road and McCowan Road. It contains the Scarborough Civic Centre building, Albert Campbell Square, Scarborough Town Centre Mall, City-owned woodlots, nine residential condominium buildings, a YMCA, a Federal Government building, two private office buildings and a TTC/GO transit station. In the near future, two additional condominium buildings will be completed. The Scarborough Civic Centre building and landscape have a heritage designation. The Civic Centre building will soon be expanded with the addition of a 15,000 square foot Toronto Public Library and a Toronto Parking Authority underground garage.
Background
In January 2009, Council adopted the “Scarborough Centre Civic Precinct Implementation Plan.” This plan built upon the “Scarborough Centre Secondary Plan” initially approved by Council in 2005 and by the Ontario Municipal Board in 2008. The Secondary Plan sets out broad goals for the future development of the Centre, including the establishment of four “Precincts”. The Civic Precinct Implementation Plan looks at advancing the Secondary Plan goals in one of the precincts – the Civic Precinct. It contains thirteen action items for various City Divisions. The Scarborough Centre Secondary Plan and Civic Precinct Implementation Plan can be found at:
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The Study Area encompasses two of the four Precincts, the Civic Precinct and the Town Centre Commercial Precinct.
Aerial view of Civic and Town Centre Commercial Precincts
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Aerial view of Civic Precinct
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Aerial view of Town Centre Commercial Precinct
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The consultant team led by duToit Allsopp Hillier with ARUP, Nicole Swerhun, Urban Trees and Soils, Urban Forest Innovations Inc., and urbanMetrics inc., was hired through an RFP process in November 2010 to complete the Scarborough Centre Public Space and Streetscape Master Plan.
The Scope
The objective of the study is to develop a Public Space and Streetscape Plan which identifies the distinct character of the Centre; provides a public realm framework that ties together diverse user groups and neighbourhoods; provides amenities that support pedestrian and vehicular circulation; and offers site specific recommendations with an implementation strategy. The Plan will guide the City in public space initiatives that implement the Secondary Plan, Precinct Plan and other public space policies. The Public Space and Streetscape Master Plan is also intended to provide detailed design guidance, which will inform any proponent or developer of what is expected with regard to the public realm when any property (including City property) is redeveloped.
The study will be divided into two phases: Phase One – Research, Consultation, Analysis and Concept Designs; and Phase Two – Public Space Master Plan and Implementation Strategy.
Project Timeline
Phase One-Research, Consultation, Analysis and Concept Designs
Completed.
Phase Two-Public Space Master Plan and Implementation Strategy
On-going.
Phase 2 of developing the Master Plan and Implementation Strategy is underway. Public engagement will take place during mid and late May, with the second of two Design Review Panel presentations in late June. The final steps in Phase 2 – Developing the Implementation Plan will integrate comments from the public and DRP with the final document submitted to the City in July 2011. It is expected that a staff report will be considered at the September 12, 2011 Scarborough Community Council meeting.
Stakeholder Advisory Group
A Stakeholder Advisory Group made up of representatives of various stakeholders in the neighbourhood has been established to provide input into the urban design concepts. There will be two stakeholder meetings – one in each phase of the project.
Meeting 1 – January 25, 2011
Presentation (pdf)
Meeting Report (includes agenda) (pdf)
Meeting 2 – May 16, 2011
Meeting Report (includes agenda) (pdf)
Presentation (pdf)
Public Engagement Meetings
Public meetings offer the opportunity for all community members to receive information on the project as well as provide feedback. There will be two public engagement meetings – one in each phase of the project.
Meeting 1 – February 1, 2011
Presentation (pdf)
Meeting Report (includes agenda) (pdf)
Meeting 2 – May 26, 2011
Presentation (pdf)
Meeting Report (includes agenda) (pdf)
Design Review Panel
City staff and the consultant team will be presenting to the Design Review Panel in each phase of the project.
First Phase presentation: March 29, 2011
Presentation (pdf)
Minutes (pdf)
Second Phase presentation: June 21, 2011
Presentation (pdf)
Contact Us:
If you have any questions or comments, please contact us at:
Urban Design Lead
Robert Stephens
stephens@toronto.ca
City Planning Contact
Kelly Dynes
kdynes@toronto.ca
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