Decorative Sidewalk Plaque Installation -

Walk of Fame (Downtown)

 The Toronto Community Council recommends the adoption of the following report (April 22, 1998) from the Director, By-law Administration and Enforcement, City Works Services:

 Purpose:

 To report on a request from Mr. A. Peter Soumalias, Chair, Board of Directors for Canada=s Walk of Fame, to install individual Astars@ in the north sidewalk of King Street West, from Simcoe Street to John Street, to honour Canadian achievers in the entertainment industry.

 Funding Sources, Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

 The supply and installation of Astars@ are to be funded by the proponents. As no special maintenance is required following installation, there will be no financial impact on the City.

 Recommendations:

 (1)That City Council approve the installation of decorative commemorative plaques as described in the body of this report on King Street West (north side), from Simcoe Street to John Street, subject to the Directors of Canada=s Walk of Fame:

 (a)supplying and installing the plaques at no cost to the City;

 (b)submitting to the City an irrevocable letter of credit in the amount of $10,800.00 to guarantee the cost of installation; and

 (c)executing an agreement with such conditions as the Commissioners of Works and Emergency Services and Corporate Services may deem necessary in the interest of the City of Toronto; and

 (2)That City Council officially acknowledge the renaming of the AWalk of Fame@ between Simcoe Street and John Street toACanada=s Walk of Fame@.

 Background:

 The former Toronto City Council, at its meeting of July 6 and 7, 1992, approved the creation of a AWalk of Fame@ in the sidewalk on the north side of King Street West, from Simcoe Street to John Street, to honour celebrities, subject to the requirements that the applicant:

 (a)provide an irrevocable letter of credit in the amount of $95,000.00 for the purpose of reconstructing the sidewalk to its former condition if such restoration was necessary;

 (b)provide a certificate of insurance satisfactory to the City Treasurer, providing public liability, bodily injury and property damage coverage in the amount of $1M and including a cross-liability clause; and

 (c)enter into an agreement with the former Corporation of the City of Toronto.

 Given that the applicant never pursued the request, none of these requirements came into play.

 At its meeting of July 19, 1993, the former Toronto City Council adopted a report from the former Commissioner of Public Works and the Environment entitled ARecognition for the Cultural Contributions of Mr. Ed Mirvish@, authorizing the installation of four plaques, between Simcoe Street and John Street. These plaques were installed in 1993 and indicate AMirvish Walkway@.

 At its meeting of October 18, 1995, the former City Services Committee had before it a communication from Mr. A. Peter Soumalias and Mr. Bill Ballard, Co-Chairs, Ed Mirvish Tribute Committee, Toronto Entertainment District Association Inc., and requested the former Acting Commissioner of Public Works and the Environment to report on the City becoming a partner in tribute to Mr. Ed Mirvish.

 A report dated December 19, 1995, entitled ADecorative Sidewalk Installation - Tribute to Mr. Ed Mirvish - Fronting 260 King Street West@, was submitted to the former City Services Committee and Toronto City Council, which was received by City Council at its meeting of January 22, 1996.

 Subsequently, the former Councillor Martin Silva moved that, subject to a decorative plaque being provided, the Acting Commissioner of Public Works and the Environment be authorized to undertake the necessary work to install and maintain a decorative commemorative plaque in front of 260 King Street West, subject to the City not bearing the costs of the installation, which Council adopted on June 10, 1996.

 The first star was installed on July 10, 1996, in front of 260 King Street West (Royal Alexandra Theatre), in tribute to Mr. Ed Mirvish.

 Mr. Peter Soumalias, Chair of the Founding Directors of Canada=s Walk of Fame, has notified City staff that they would like to install 14 more stars for honourees together with four plaques indicating ACanada=s Walk of Fame@ in English and French in the sidewalk between Simcoe Street and John Street. The proposed installation is scheduled for June 25, 1998. A media conference announcing the inductees was released by Canada=s Walk of Fame on March 4, 1998.

 In addition, a request was made to change the name of AWalk of Fame@ to ACanada=s Walk of Fame@.

 A meeting was held on April 16, 1998 by staff of the Works and Emergency Services, Mr. Stewart Ellis representing Mr. Peter Soumalias of ACanada=s Walk of Fame@and Mr. Russell Lazar representing Mr. Ed Mirvish. Mr. Lazar concurred with the co-existence of AWalk of Fame@ and the AMirvish Walkway@ and the re-naming of the AWalk of Fame@ to ACanada=s Walk of Fame@.

 Comments:

 The fourteen people to be honoured if this request is granted are:

 Bryan Adams

Pierre Berton

John Candy

Jim Carey

Glenn Gould

Norman Jewison

Karen Kain

Gordon Lightfoot

Rich Little

Anne Murray

Bobby Orr

Christopher Plummer

Barbara Ann Scott

Jacques Villeneuve

 The applicant will supply the decorative plaques based on Works and Emergency Services Department specifications, to ensure that they are fabricated in a manner suitable for sidewalk use. The on-going maintenance of the sidewalk will be consistent with a standard sidewalk treatment and, therefore, the plaques will not generate additional maintenance costs.

 Installation of the 4 plaques and 14 stars requires the removal and reinstallation of a complete sidewalk bay at a cost of $600.00 per star/plaque for a total cost of $10,800.00, which would be guaranteed by an irrevocable letter of credit from the applicant.

 The north sidewalk on King Street West, from John Street to Duncan Street, was reconstructed in 1985 and from Duncan Street to Simcoe Street in 1986. The existing sidewalk condition is rated at 9 (i.e. excellent).

 Conclusion:

 The AWalk of Fame@ was approved in principal in 1992 by the former City of Toronto and one star has already been installed on King Street West, north side, in front of 260 King Street West (Royal Alexandra Theatre).

 The implementation of this initiative to add 14 stars and 4 plaques will be at no cost to the City and it will not interfere with routine maintenance and cleaning of the sidewalks.

 The requirements for a $95,000 letter of credit and $1M in insurance adopted by the former Toronto City Council are excessive in relation to the work being undertaken and the associated risk.

 I am therefore, recommending that the installation of the plaques/stars be approved by City Council, subject to the applicant:

 (1)submitting an irrevocable letter of credit in the amount of $10,800.00 to guarantee the cost of the installation; and

 (2)entering into an agreement with the City of Toronto, which will require that the applicant be responsible for the restoration of the sidewalk to its original condition if necessary, and indemnifying the City from and against all actions, suits, claims and demands which may be brought against or made upon the City and from all losses, costs, damages, charges and expenses which may be incurred, sustained or paid by the City as a result of the installation of the Walk of Fame by the licensee.

 I am also recommending that City Council officially recognize the renaming of AWalk of Fame@ to ACanada=s Walk of Fame@.

 Contact Name and Telephone Number:

 Angie Antoniou, 392-7465