News   Mar 27, 2024
 1.2K     1 
News   Mar 27, 2024
 1.1K     2 
News   Mar 27, 2024
 638     0 

University Avenue (History and Future Redesign)

Aha! In a communication to City Council, featuring a letter from Meric Gertler, the U of T President............we see why the northern portion of University Park has suddenly become a going concern,.

Not only is the University supporting the project in letter; it's committed to opening its wallet to the tune of 15-30M for the portion on/next to campus!


From said letter:

1658238472266.png



@AlexBozikovic who has been following this project closely will want to make note.


@interchange42 should 'University Park' get its own thread at this point?
 
@interchange42 should 'University Park' get its own thread at this point?
University Park pretty much is the University Avenue Redesign, so I don't see a point for a thread separate from this one, but maybe this thread should be moved into the Projects Forum.

42
 
so yea metrolinx is still open to moving the entrance but they need concrete funding and design approval by the city first. I wouldn't be surprised to hear a 50 mil budget for that.
no way city council gets themselves together to do this.
 
i.e. council won't move the entrance, but will hopefully be able to provide funding to partially build out the University Park concept post-OL..

(ha - Council had a decade to find funding for Eglinton Connects post-Crosstown and look where that got them!)

I mean seriously, the City of Toronto continues to show that it is completely incapable of delivering public realm improvements on it's own accord. I mean, how long has the John Street Revitalization been going on for now? 15+ years with still no results? And that is with funding behind it!
 
The city is very good at talking, about these aspirational projects, but when it comes to actually funding the work to get done... it's crickets. See Rail Deck Park - City announces project. City gets sued by air rights owner. Judge looks at case, asks city why they haven't done any work to move project forward?!?!?!?

Thank god Waterfront Toronto is around to deliver high quality projects for Toronto
 
The city is very good at talking, about these aspirational projects, but when it comes to actually funding the work to get done... it's crickets. See Rail Deck Park - City announces project. City gets sued by air rights owner. Judge looks at case, asks city why they haven't done any work to move project forward?!?!?!?

Thank god Waterfront Toronto is around to deliver high quality projects for Toronto
Rail Deck Park was never a city project, it was just a vision project by the former mayor.
 
Coming to Council:

MM7.11 - Advancing University Park - by Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie, seconded by Councillor Dianne Saxe​

Notice of Motion
Consideration Type: ACTION
Wards: All
Attention
* Notice of this Motion has been given.
* This Motion is subject to referral to the Executive Committee. A two-thirds vote is required to waive referral.

Recommendations​

Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie, seconded by Councillor Dianne Saxe, recommends that:

1. City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate with the Matthews Foundation and the Michael Young Family Foundation to receive a donation to fully fund the costs of initiating and undertaking a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment, Preliminary Design, and related studies for University Park, including at a minimum the northern section of University Park (Hoskin Avenue to College Street), including the cost of dedicated City staff in appropriate divisions to lead the project as well as consultant costs to undertake the study, in compliance with the City’s Donations for Community Benefits Policy.

2. City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and sign on behalf of the City a donor agreement with the Matthews Foundation and the Michael Young Family Foundation, on terms and conditions satisfactory to the City Manager and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor, and including a term that subject to applicable access and privacy legislation the agreement will be made available to the public.

3. City Council authorize the City Manager, in consultation with the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, to allocate the donated funds to appropriate divisions.

Summary​

In July 2022, City Council adopted Item 2022.EX34.4 - Priority Downtown Parks and Public Realm Opportunities. In this report, City Council endorsed staff recommendations for advancing work on much-needed major parks in the core of the City, including University Park.

The northern section of University Park, from Hoskin Avenue to College Street, would convert the western (southbound) section of Queen’s Park Crescent into parkland, including pedestrian space and a cycle track. This would integrate existing parkland around the Ontario Legislature (Queen’s Park) with greenspace on the University of Toronto Campus, creating 45 acres of connected parkland. Southbound motor vehicle traffic would be diverted to the eastern Queen’s Park Crescent roadway.

The City does not currently have capacity to prepare the environmental assessment for this important public park, which is the essential next step towards realizing it. The Matthews Foundation and the Michael Young Family Foundation have offered to fill this gap by funding dedicated City staff to prepare and submit an environmental assessment of the northern section of University Park. The University of Toronto has affirmed its support for the University Park initiative and committed to a funding contribution specifically targeted to the enhancement of University campus lands within the precinct.

By adopting this Item, Council will authorize the City Manager to determine the best way to take advantage of this generous offer, while ensuring that the terms of the donation are made public.
 
Coming to Council:

MM7.11 - Advancing University Park - by Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie, seconded by Councillor Dianne Saxe​

Notice of Motion
Consideration Type: ACTION
Wards: All
Attention
* Notice of this Motion has been given.
* This Motion is subject to referral to the Executive Committee. A two-thirds vote is required to waive referral.

Recommendations​

Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie, seconded by Councillor Dianne Saxe, recommends that:

1. City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate with the Matthews Foundation and the Michael Young Family Foundation to receive a donation to fully fund the costs of initiating and undertaking a Municipal Class Environmental Assessment, Preliminary Design, and related studies for University Park, including at a minimum the northern section of University Park (Hoskin Avenue to College Street), including the cost of dedicated City staff in appropriate divisions to lead the project as well as consultant costs to undertake the study, in compliance with the City’s Donations for Community Benefits Policy.

2. City Council authorize the City Manager to negotiate and sign on behalf of the City a donor agreement with the Matthews Foundation and the Michael Young Family Foundation, on terms and conditions satisfactory to the City Manager and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor, and including a term that subject to applicable access and privacy legislation the agreement will be made available to the public.

3. City Council authorize the City Manager, in consultation with the Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, to allocate the donated funds to appropriate divisions.

Summary​

In July 2022, City Council adopted Item 2022.EX34.4 - Priority Downtown Parks and Public Realm Opportunities. In this report, City Council endorsed staff recommendations for advancing work on much-needed major parks in the core of the City, including University Park.

The northern section of University Park, from Hoskin Avenue to College Street, would convert the western (southbound) section of Queen’s Park Crescent into parkland, including pedestrian space and a cycle track. This would integrate existing parkland around the Ontario Legislature (Queen’s Park) with greenspace on the University of Toronto Campus, creating 45 acres of connected parkland. Southbound motor vehicle traffic would be diverted to the eastern Queen’s Park Crescent roadway.

The City does not currently have capacity to prepare the environmental assessment for this important public park, which is the essential next step towards realizing it. The Matthews Foundation and the Michael Young Family Foundation have offered to fill this gap by funding dedicated City staff to prepare and submit an environmental assessment of the northern section of University Park. The University of Toronto has affirmed its support for the University Park initiative and committed to a funding contribution specifically targeted to the enhancement of University campus lands within the precinct.

By adopting this Item, Council will authorize the City Manager to determine the best way to take advantage of this generous offer, while ensuring that the terms of the donation are made public.

The Matthews Foundation will be Judy Matthews who this City owes a great deal to as its leading philanthropist when it comes to public realm.

She helped fund the overhaul of St. George Street at U of T and was also the lead donor to The Bentway.
 
Not sure which blocks this is for but I think Queen to College:

Award of Ariba Document Number 4104402739 to2489960 Ontario Inc. o/a Kore Infrastructure Group for Watermain and Substandard Water Service Replacements, Bikeway Construction, and Major Road Resurfacing for Engineering and Construction Services


This from TOInview

ProjectWatermain Replacement
LocationUniversity Ave [east side]
From: College St
To: 120m North of Queen St W

Details

Construction new watermains to enhance the operation and the reliability of the water distribution system. Work may include the replacement of fire hydrants and water valves. The City-owned portion of substandard water service connections will also be replaced. The property owner is encouraged to replace the private portion of the substandard water service connection, as well.

Duration Q3 2024 - Q2 2025
 
From todays reading of the G & M, an article on a re-imaging of the Champs-Élysées, featuring, amongst other things, half of the present number of car lanes…..

 

Back
Top