Today, the City of Toronto, Toronto Public Library (TPL) and CreateTO announced the relocation and expansion of TPL’s St. Lawrence Branch to City-owned land at 125 The Esplanade. Previously slated for the First Parliament site, 271 Front St. E., the new district branch will be approximately 30,000 square feet, more than six times the size of the current location. Planning for the new branch is set to begin in the second half of 2022, with construction anticipated to begin in 2025 and public opening in 2027. A report with recommendations to the TPL Board will be considered at the Library Board Meeting on Monday, March 28.
The current St. Lawrence Branch at 171 Front St. E. is 4,833 square feet. The relocation and significant expansion of the branch will allow for delivery of important services to residents in the St. Lawrence area, and help TPL achieve many of its strategic priorities – in particular, creating accessible, inclusive public spaces that are flexible and sustainable, and provide opportunities for residents to come together in a welcoming environment.
Enhanced library services made possible with the new branch include:
Branch design, programming and services will be identified through the library’s planning and public consultation processes.
The St. Lawrence Branch was initially set to relocate to the First Parliament site, however due to the Province of Ontario’s expropriation of the site for its transit–oriented communities and development timelines of at least 15 years, the City, TPL and CreateTO identified 125 The Esplanade as the St. Lawrence Branch’s new home. The site change will allow the new branch to be operational in a condensed timeframe of approximately six years and cost $34 million, $3.4 million less than the proposed branch at the First Parliament site. Funding of the new branch will be incorporated into the 2023-2032 TPL capital budget and plan submission.
The First Parliament site continues to be an important and strategic location for the City. The space previously identified for the library at First Parliament will be used for other key City programs.
Services and facilities such as libraries, child care, recreation, schools, human services and community space are integral parts of neighbourhoods, and important for the social and physical wellbeing of Toronto’s residents and workers. The City works to ensure that these services and facilities are located strategically within neighbourhoods to deliver programs and services to the local community. In doing so, the City supports communities, contributes to quality of life of its residents and creates neighbourhood focal points that together foster complete communities across Toronto.
Quotes:
“Libraries are a gateway to knowledge and culture. They provide important services and resources to families and youth that shape the future of our city. The relocation and major expansion of the Toronto Public Library’s St. Lawrence Branch will enhance this energetic neighbourhood and add much needed public spaces for residents and visitors from across the city.”
– Mayor John Tory
“Building the new and expanded St. Lawrence Branch is a tremendous opportunity to create a landmark community hub for this rapidly growing neighbourhood. Not only does this new location present an exciting city-building opportunity, it means that the new St. Lawrence Branch will be built years sooner than the previously planned location. I look forward to the process of bringing this important project to life.”
– Councillor Joe Cressy (Spadina-Fort York)
“I’m thrilled that the St. Lawrence Branch has a new home in the neighbourhood after the Province took over the First Parliament site. This new library branch will be a remarkable place of learning, exploration and connection for residents and visitors alike. My staff and I will continue to work with the St. Lawrence Market Precinct Advisory Committee and all the neighbours on this exciting project to ensure the community is served well into the future.”
– Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam (Toronto Centre)
“We’re thrilled that this new district branch will better serve the changing needs of the growing St. Lawrence community, with better access to inclusive, welcoming spaces and expanded programs and services. We’re looking forward to consulting with the community and our partners as we plan for this vibrant new space where Torontonians can come together in their neighbourhood to work, learn and relax.”
– Vickery Bowles, City Librarian, Toronto Public Library
“Working with our colleagues in the City’s Corporate Real Estate Management division, the team at CreateTO was able to identify an alternate site within the City’s own real estate portfolio to meet the needs of the Toronto Public Library, which will result in a new branch being constructed in the St. Lawrence neighbourhood in the near term, as opposed to a decade from now. This is great news for the library and the community.”
– Vic Gupta, CEO of CreateTO
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