Item - 2017.MM32.44

City Council on October 2, 3 and 4, 2017, adopted the following:

1. City Council direct the City Manager to report back to the November 29, 2017 Executive Committee Meeting on:

a.  establishing an inter-divisional and Agency working group to coordinate City efforts to identify local opportunities and to maximize the social and economic impact of the Eglinton Crosstown investment;

 
b.  integrating "Eglinton is Open for Business" messaging into City of Toronto communication channels including print publications, posters, social media and press releases;

 
c.  offering free or subsidized registration to restaurants on Eglinton Avenue for Winterlicious/Summerlicious events, for the duration of construction, in partnership with Metrolinx and Crosslinx Transit Solutions;

 
d.  onboarding restaurants along Eglinton Avenue to food delivery platforms such as Uber Eats or Just Eat in conjunction with Enterprise Toronto;

 
e.  designating Eglinton Avenue as a Culture Hotspot for 2018, 2019 or 2020;

 
f.  including locations on Eglinton Avenue as venues for Nuit Blanche 2018, 2019, and 2020;

g.  exploring a business tax deferral program for Eglinton Avenue businesses and building owners;

 
h.  requesting an assessment freeze from the Municipal Property Assessment Corporation for the duration of construction on retail properties behind construction hoarding and/or within 200 metres of future Light Rail Transit stations;

 
i.  enhancing the coordination of future streetscape design and implementation with the Toronto Business Improvement Area Office, City of Toronto Planning, Metrolinx, and Crosslinx Transit Solutions to support the City Council-endorsed vision outlined in the Eglinton Connects study;

 
j.  installing temporary bus shelters where technically feasible, if existing bus shelters have been removed for longer than 6 months to accommodate construction;

 
k.  waiving Street Event Fees for permitted Business Improvement Area/community events along the Eglinton Avenue corridor for the duration of construction;

 
l.  conducting a review of StreetART mural opportunities along Eglinton Avenue, and accommodate new mural projects within the existing budget;

 
m.  conducting Economic Scans of Eglinton Avenue Business Improvement Area areas impacted by construction, including the Eglinton Hill Business Improvement Area, the Fairbank Village Business Improvement Area, the York-Eglinton Business Improvement Area, the Upper Village Business Improvement Area and The Eglinton Way Business Improvement Area; and

 
n.  developing a plan for reducing litter along the Eglinton Avenue corridor during construction.

2.  City Council direct the City Manager to request Metrolinx and Crosslinx Transit Solutions to:

 
a.  cover Toronto Transit Commission diversion fees for permitted Business Improvement Area street festivals on Eglinton Avenue;

 
b.  negotiate arrangements similar to easement agreements that offer financial support and/or incentives for businesses that are directly behind station construction hoarding;

 
c.  establish a "business continuity fund" that would allow businesses that are situated behind construction hoarding or adjacent to station construction sites and that can exhibit a loss in revenue to apply for modest financial relief through a forgivable loan. (Modelled on the Minneapolis/St. Paul program);

 
d.  provide quarterly Community Benefits Program updates, including apprenticeship and employment metrics, to the City of Toronto Economic Development and Culture and Social Development Finance and Administration Divisions;

 
e.  provide funding for City of Toronto developed television and radio spots promoting Eglinton Avenue; and

 
f.  work with local businesses and Business Improvement Area's to develop promotions and "construction hat specials" to incent those working on the Eglinton Crosstown to spend locally.

3.  City Council direct the City Manager to request the Toronto Parking Authority to consider the following and report back to the November 29, 2017 Executive Committee meeting:

 
a.  implement free 1 hour parking on Eglinton Avenue from Mount Dennis to Kennedy Avenue for the duration of construction to encourage local shopping, where technically feasible;

 
b.  implement free 3 hour parking on the first block of all side streets along Eglinton Avenue for the duration of construction to encourage local shopping, where feasible; 

 
c.  work with Metrolinx and Crosslinx Transit Solutions to provide a discount or special promotions at Green P lots for business patrons who park and shop along the Eglinton Crosstown alignment; and

 
d.  report back on the existing commercial and institutional parking capacity on Eglinton Avenue from Marlee Avenue to Caledonia Avenue and the school parking pilot at St. Thomas Aquinas Elementary School and further explore opportunities to expand the pilot to other Toronto District School Board/Toronto Catholic District School Board properties across Eglinton Avenue.