Item - 2017.ED19.8

The Economic Development Committee recommends that:

1. City Council authorize a one year extension of the contribution agreement until March 31, 2018, allocating $0.750 million in operating funding to Harbourfront Centre.   

2. City Council direct the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture to report back to Council as part of the 2018 Budget Process with recommendations from a City working group related to a long-term partnership plan between the City of Toronto and Harbourfront Centre.  Specifically, the recommendations will address:

a.  a streamlined operating agreement to ensure the effective management of the relationship between the City of Toronto and Harbourfront Centre; and

b.  proposals related to ongoing financial and other support from the City of Toronto to Harbourfront Centre.

3.  City Council direct the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture to consult with relevant federal and provincial officials to coordinate public funding and support for Harbourfront Centre.

This report is an update to Economic Development Committee's direction to the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, to conduct a review of the City's partnership with Harbourfront Centre (HC). Harbourfront Centre is a key cultural organization which provides arts, culture, education and recreation programming on Toronto's central waterfront.

The report outlines the various relationships between HC and the City, including: infrastructure responsibilities; the extent of capital, operating and other City support; the status of lease and license agreements; and tax arrangements and recommends some immediate and longer term next steps.

The requested review is timely given the expiration of both the City of Toronto (COT) operating and capital funding agreements and the future loss of revenues from the parking operations at 318 Queens Quay West. Harbourfront's operations rely considerably on public funding and parking revenues. Further, the review provides an opportunity for City divisions to enhance their coordination in working with Harbourfront Centre.

To address these and other issues, this report recommends that City Council authorize a one year extension of the current contribution agreement allocating $0.750 million in operating funding to HC. Further, it recommends that the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, report back to City Council with a long-term plan for a streamlined operating agreement to ensure the effective management of the relationship between the COT and HC; and to work with intergovernmental partners to coordinate public funding and support for HC.