Item - 2009.EX33.20

This report recommends that the Western Waterfront Master Plan be approved by City Council and used to guide future decisions related to improvements to the public realm within the Western Waterfront over the next twenty years and beyond.

The Master Plan provides an overall vision for improving parkland, beaches, break walls, trails, promenades, roads, bridges, servicing and recreational facilities within the Western Waterfront. The Plan applies to the waterfront area between the Humber River and Exhibition Place and includes Sunnyside Beach and Marilyn Bell Park. It was prepared for the City by a consulting team led by planning Alliance.

Funding for some projects referenced in the Master Plan is available under existing City programs in the approved 2009 Capital Budget and Five-Year Capital Forecast for Transportation Services, Technical Services, Toronto Water, Economic Development, Culture and Tourism, and City Planning. These projects, with a total value in 2009 of $2.134 million, are:

-           Rehabilitation of Jameson Avenue and Lake Shore Boulevard bridges over the Gardiner Expressway

-           Beach curtain pilot project at Sunnyside Beach

-           War of 1812 Bi-Centennial Trail

-         Humber East Trail Improvements- Gardiner to The Queensway

-           Boardwalk Repair- Sunnyside Pavilion to Palais Royale

-           Interpretive Feature- Humber Historical Trail

In addition, developer contributions under Section 37 of the Planning Act and a private donation are being used in 2009 to construct a new playground at the Joy Station at a cost of $125,000, and up to $325,000 in Section 37 funding is available in 2009 for the installation of public art at the Windermere underpass.

The cost in 2010 for Technical Services to continue the rehabilitation of the Jameson and Lake Shore Boulevard bridges over the Gardiner is expected to be in the range of $3 million. Funding in 2010 for this and other ongoing capital programs of City divisions within the Western Waterfront, and for any possible enhancements to these programs to expedite implementation of the Master Plan along with their capital and operating impacts, will be reviewed by the recommended Inter-divisional Staff Committee for consideration in the 2010 Capital Budget.

Initiation of a new project, the Environmental Assessment for reconfiguration of Lake Shore Boulevard in the Western Waterfront, will cost up to $2.0 million over two years. It is recommended that a request for new capital funding for this amount be presented for consideration in the 2010 Capital Budget for Transportation Services.

Other new projects identified in the implementation plan of the Western Waterfront Master Plan will require new capital funding from the City, private sector or other sources. Staff is recommending that any new projects be identified and assessed by the Inter-divisional Staff Committee recommended in this report and submitted for consideration as new projects in the 2010 Capital Budget process. 

A preliminary estimate (in 2009 dollars) prepared by the study consultants of the capital cost for full implementation of the Master Plan is:

Phase 1 (1-5 years) -        $23.5 million

Phase 2 (6-20 years) -    $196.9 million

Phase 3 (20+ years) -       $42.0 million

               Total                 $262.4 million

The cost of Phase 3 would increase in the range of $70 million if deflector islands at the Humber River are constructed.

These preliminary cost estimates are based on a concept plan level of analysis and the consultants’ experience with similar projects. A contingency of 30% for land-based projects and 40% for in-lake projects is included. Cost escalation would further increase the costs beyond 2009 dollars, depending on when the projects are implemented.

The Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer has reviewed this report and agrees with the financial impact information.