(Report dated June 11, 1998, addressed to the Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee from the City Clerk)

Subject:Toronto Heritage Fund Grant Application - 427 Bloor Street West (Trinity St. Paul Church)

Recommendation:

The Municipal Grants Review Committee on June 11, 1998, recommended to the Strategic Policies and Priorities Committee, and Council, the adoption of the attached report (June 9, 1998) from the Managing Director, Toronto Historical Board, respecting an increase in the Toronto Heritage Fund grant for 427 Bloor Street West.

(Report dated June 9, 1998, addressed to theMunicipal Grants Review Committee, from theManaging Director, Toronto Historical Board)

Purpose:

To assist the owner to complete necessary restoration as part of a five-year phased restoration project.

Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

Funds are provided through the Toronto Heritage Fund.

Recommendations:

(1)That the Toronto Heritage Fund Application for 427 Bloor Street West, for an increased $10,000.00 from the previously recommended sum of up to $35,000.00 to support an increased scope of restoration that includes the north-east and north west tower roof, be approved.

(2)That the grant be conditional on the Board of Trustees entering into a Restoration Grant Agreement prepared by the City Legal Department in consultation with the Managing Director of the Toronto Historical Board.

(3)That the Trustees ensure that the Board's involvement in the project is suitably recognized.

Background:

The property at 427 Bloor Street West, Trinity St. Paul Church, was designated under Part IV of the Ontario Heritage Act by By-law No. 166-80, passed by City Council on February 4, 1980.

On April 29, 1998, William W. Small, Chair, Board of Trustees, Trinity-St. Paul's United Church, wrote requesting an increase in the grant from the Toronto Heritage Fund to cover costs for (1) re-roofing both towers with red slate, (2) new gutters and downspouts, (3) masonry repointing on both towers, and (4) repair of decorative woodwork at a total cost of $170,000.00. The grant increase request is based on completing work previously planned for 1999 this year. Therefore, the request is for the cost of the 1998 restoration work of $135,000.00 (including a previously approved grant for $35,000.00), plus the increased scope of work for $55,000.00 (including a requested grant of $10,000.00) for a total of $170,000.00 of construction cost. Allowing the work to occur at one time would allow a cost savings to the applicant.

At its meeting of May 20, 1998, the Toronto Historical Board adopted the staff recommendation that this property receive additional financial support from the Toronto Heritage Fund.

Discussion:

The Church's Board of Trustees is undertaking a five-year restoration and renovation program. The work is being funded through a capital fund raising campaign, with pledges paid over five years. Because the funding will be spread out, the work has been carried out in phases. Five phases have been identified. In 1996-1997, Phases I and II were completed with the support of Toronto Heritage Fund grants of $7,000.00 and $25,000.00, respectively. The recently approved grant of $35,000.00 and the request are Phase III and IV to be completed in 1998. The current application is for Phase IV and is a request for a Toronto Heritage Fund grant of $10,000.00. The church entered into a Heritage Easement Agreement with the City of Toronto last year.

The scope of work proposed by the architect is as follows:

"The work will entail re-roofing both tower roofs with red slate and shaped metal hip detailing to match the roof over the centre entrance. The roof work will also include new gutters and down pipes, or in the case of the north-east tower, spigots. In addition, we propose that complete repointing of the masonry take place on the east face of the south-east tower as it is exhibiting deterioration. As well, the upper area, all four sides, of the north-east tower will be repointed, as will the stones at the sides of the entry steps. Finally, the work will include making good any deteriorated woodwork, including the south-east entry doors, and refinishing the same. There is to be a moderate bit of glazing work to be carried out on both towers."

The Toronto Historical Board views the work as necessary to ensure the continued preservation of the building. Staff recommends that continued support is warranted given the site's high visibility and diverse community programming.

The grant therefore would help make good the existing roofing on the north west tower. We understand that the cost of repairing the roof in red slate exceeds $55,000.00.

Staff recommends the additional grant of $10,000.00 to support the restoration of the significant architectural feature of the red slate roofing at the north west tower.

Contact Name:

Winston Bridgman

Heritage Toronto

Tel: 392-6827, ext. 238/Fax: 392-6834