George Street Revitalization

GSR at a Glance

A Council-approved project, George Street Revitalization (GSR) will see the reinvention of the northernmost block of George Street and transform Seaton House men’s shelter into a world-class facility providing specialized care for vulnerable populations, including a long-term care home, a transitional living facility, an emergency shelter, affordable housing, and a community hub serving residents of both the site and the local neighbourhood. GSR will be the catalyst for a more safe and vibrant community for all in the heart of the historic Garden District.

City-Building Project

City Council unanimously approved George Street Revitalization in principle in summer 2013. Program plans are being developed with the input of many stakeholders. To date, these plans include:

A long-term care home with 378 beds
A 100-bed emergency shelter for men
An innovative 130-bed “transitional living” service for men and women who need more care than traditional supportive housing can provide, but less than what a long-term care home involves
A service hub for program clients as well as members of the surrounding community
21 units of affordable housing with supports

Transition planning is well underway in consultation with Seaton House clients and community partners, and construction will not proceed until the estimated $50 million plan is in place.

Project Milestones

July 23, 2018, Council adopts a Member’s Motion Authorization to Release Section 37 funds from Various Developments for Community Engagement and the Design of Streetscape Improvements on George Street between Gerrard Street East and Shuter Street
June 26, 2018, City Council adopts the staff report George Street Revitalization – Streetscaping Plan, adopted by Toronto and East York Community Council on June 6
April 25, 2018, City Council adopts the staff report George Street Revitalization Procurement Strategy, adopted by Executive Committee on April 17
February 12, 2018, City Council approves project funding, for details about the approved GSR budget, refer to the SSHA Capital Budget Notes
November 7, 2017, City Council adopts the Official Plan and Zoning Amendment Applications and the Alterations and Demolition of Heritage Properties reports, and on March 26, 2018, City Council adopts a Member’s Motion Correcting Floor Space Index Permissions in regard to the 295-349 George Street Applications
December 13, 2016, City Council approves report for 18-month long consultation contracts for Infrastructure Ontario, PRISM Partners and Montgomery Sisam Architects with Hilditch Architect
July 20, 2017, community members reviewed the latest GSR project information panels, asked questions of project staff and provided feedback. Here is a summary
July 12, 2016, Council approves report on Alternative Financing & Procurement (AFP) via Design-Build-Finance (DBF) model
November 3, 2015, City Council adopted the project scope and an analysis of procurement options for GSR report
June 16, 2015, Community Open House held at Salvation Army Harbour Light Centre, 160 Jarvis Street
February 2015, Montgomery Sisam Architects Inc. with Hilditch Architect chosen for the GSR project
August 2014, Council approval of the Downtown East Revitalization Action Plan and Planning Study OPA Status Report
September 2014, PRISM Partners Inc., project management consultants come onboard
April 2014, Stakeholder Reference Group begins
April 2014, Project Vision and Mission are approved
July 2013, Council approves the project in principle

What’s Next

City is negotiating with Infrastructure Ontario to lead the procurement process through a public-private partnership (known as Alternative Financing and Procurement)
Staff report to Executive Committee in spring 2018
Montgomery Sisam Architects with Hilditch Architect are developing the PSOS, expected to be completed by mid-2018
Construction to start as early as June 2020
Shelter, Support and Housing Administration staff have Council authority to implement the Seaton House transition plan. The current project schedule is for Seaton House clients to be fully moved out of the building by the end of 2019. Plans call for the building to be available for winter respite for the 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 seasons. Seaton House will be fully decommissioned by May 2020
- Health services review in partnership with Toronto Centre Local Health Integration Network; client assessments for housing support needs; site searches for new shelter sites that are needed
- Staff have negotiated with Habitat Services for the purchase of service for up to 150 units of housing with access to on-site supports

Key Project Dates

• Q3 2018 Issuance of Request for Qualification (RFQ)
• Q1 2019 Issuance of Request for Proposal
• May 31, 2020 Seaton House vacated and decommissioned
• June 2020 Expected construction start
• Q4 2023 Expected construction completion
• Q1 2024 Expected move-in
• Q4 2024 Expected Project close-out

GSR Funding

Estimated capital cost of the project is $583 million: $9.4 million for land, $70.1 million for the Seaton House transition and $503.9 for preconstruction and construction costs.
In February 2018, Council approved funding for the GSR project through the 2018 Capital Budget and Plan

Estimated Timeline

Estimated timeline for GSR project: 2017-2019 Implement the Seaton House Transition Plan; 2017-2018 Develop the Project Specific Output Specifications (PSOS) 1 year process; 2018 Funding approved; 2018-2020 Procurement; 2020-2023 Construction of new George Street facility