Johnny Au
Senior Member
May 1, 2021:
I believe most if not all of the land between the curb and the buildings on Wellington is actually the city-owned boulevard. I'm not sure what the city's plans are for landscaping along Wellington, but at least there wouldn't be any property acquisition needed.Based on the rendering in this photo, the widened sidewalk and landscaping extends all the way west to Portland. Is this accurate, as it seems to imply that the parking lots in front of The Portland Centre etc. will somehow be removed (which would be awesome)?View attachment 317521
The obligation for The Well is limited to Spadina to Draper. From Draper to Portland they had to provide a concept plan but that’s it.Based on the rendering in this photo, the widened sidewalk and landscaping extends all the way west to Portland. Is this accurate, as it seems to imply that the parking lots in front of The Portland Centre etc. will somehow be removed (which would be awesome)?View attachment 317521
Both the Lifetime project and the Portland Commons project between Draper and Portland will continue the same streetscape design for continuity.The obligation for The Well is limited to Spadina to Draper. From Draper to Portland they had to provide a concept plan but that’s it.
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Correct, this is outlined in both projects' SPA / NOAC.Both the Lifetime project and the Portland Commons project between Draper and Portland will continue the same streetscape design for continuity.
Correct, this is outlined in both projects' SPA / NOAC.
A rare example of a councillor actually caring about the public realm. It makes me wonder why this motion is even necessary. Wouldn't the project designs be coordinated by default?A couple of points. First of all, as pointed out above, the parking areas on the south side of Wellington between Draper and Portland are indeed City property, part of the Wellington Street overall right of way, that has been leased on a year by year basis to the adjoining owners for temporary parking use. These leases are not to be renewed and use of the land to revert back to the City when the planned boulevard upgrades are to be undertaken.
Secondly, City Council has approved a resolution requiring coordinated planning for the upgrades to both the North (which is already the responsibility of, and has previously been addressed by the City) and South sides of the Wellington Street boulevard areas all the way from Spadina to Portland, irrespective of which adjoining developments are involved. And the requirement for coordinated redevelopment of the Boulevard areas also extends to the new park at 456 Wellington (sometimes know as the planned 'Cat' park).
The motion before council was sponsored by Joe Cressy - the update from Anthony MacMahon in his staff sent on March 8:
The council agenda has been published, and the councillor's member motion is on the agenda for Wednesday, March 10th. You can find the link to the agenda item here: http://app.toronto.ca/tmmis/viewAgendaItemHistory.do?item=2021.MM30.14, and the Motion itself is here: https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2021/mm/bgrd/backgroundfile-164675.pdf
The summary directly speaks to the amount of Section 37 funds that have been secured to support this project, and that dedicating staff resources and hiring external consultants is necessary to ensure success of the project.
The language of the motion is as follows:
1. City Council direct the Deputy City Manager, Infrastructure and Development Services to coordinate the implementation of construction projects in the vicinity of Wellington Street West and Draper Street, including:
a. the north boulevard of Wellington Street West between Clarence Square Park and Victoria Memorial Square Park;
b. the full reconstruction and redesign of Draper Street;
c. planned cycling infrastructure;
d. water main replacement; and
e. the design of the new City park at 456 Wellington Street West.
2. City Council direct the Deputy City Manager, Infrastructure and Development Services to report to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee no later than the meeting on July 5, 2021, with recommendations for managing and executing the infrastructure projects in Part 1 above to a high standard of coordination and design excellence, including resource requirements, and with regard for the timing of major water main replacement work planned for 2024.
Subsequent update from Anthony MacMahon in Joe Cressy's office on March 10:
Following up – the motion was adopted at city council today. We'll be following up with staff, but it's great news for this work that there is now council endorsement of coordination of the various projects in Wellington Place.
Office component is looking pretty dope.May 6, 2021
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