Item - 2018.GM29.24

The Government Management Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council approve the Recommended Alignment (No. 4) with retail in the Northwest PATH EA Addendum Environmental Study Report, prepared by Arup Canada Inc., dated April 30, 2018, to extend the below-grade route between Union Station and Wellington Street to support increased pedestrian flows to and from Union Station.

2.  City Council authorize the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning and the Director, Real Estate Services to issue a Notice of Completion and to file the Northwest PATH EA Addendum Environmental Study Report in the public record for 30 days in accordance with the requirements of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (Schedule C).

3.  City Council direct the General Manager, Facilities Management, to manage the technical development of the project moving forward into detailed engineering, procurement and execution.

4.  City Council request the Director, Real Estate Services to report back during the 2019 Capital Budget Process on a business case that reflects all third party interests, results of the funding discussions with Metrolinx, and any necessary amendments to the 2019-2028 Capital Budget that detail the shared cost of constructing a new northwest PATH pedestrian connection.

On July 7, 2015, City Council deferred completion of the Northwest (NW) PATH, due to projected cost increases to complete the tunnel, and directed the Chief Corporate Officer to undertake a review of the options for the completion of the NW PATH and to continue negotiations with Metrolinx on funding options.

This report recommends a new route for the underground pedestrian connection, animated with approximately 3,600 square feet of retail and advertising, situated within the University Avenue right-of-way, starting at the end point of the Phase 1 PATH tunnel at the York/Front/University intersection and extending northwesterly through the existing underground parking garage by removing 185 spaces (Carpark No. 52, operated by the Toronto Parking Authority), connecting to the existing underground PATH system at the northeast corner of University Avenue and Wellington Street.