Item - 2018.TE33.44

The Toronto and East York Community Council recommends that:  

1.  City Council endorse the approach proposed in the report (May 18, 2018) from the Director, Public Realm, Transportation Services to developing a public realm plan to provide an enhanced streetscape on George Street between its intersection with Gerrard Street and Shuter Street taking into account planned, proposed and potential future redevelopment in the area, recognizing the historic Indigenous presence and the relationship to some of the most vulnerable members of our society, such improvements to also address safety, security and mobility and create more pedestrian-friendly, liveable streets.

2.  Subject to approval of the release of Section 37 contributions to expand the scope of the George Street Revitalization Project, undertake community and stakeholder engagement and consultation, and prepare a streetscape design for improvements on George Street between Gerrard Street and Dundas Street, City Council authorize the General Manager, Shelter Support and Housing Administration, General Manager, Long-Term Care Homes and Services, co-sponsors of the George Street Revitalization  Project and the George Street Revitalization Project Executive Committee to direct the George Street Revitalization consultants to:

a.  expand the scope of the George Street Revitalization  Project to incorporate an approach to improving the public realm to the entirety of George Street between Gerrard Street and Dundas Street, as generally proposed in this report. The current George Street Revitalization Project and budget provides for public realm improvements only within the site of the George Street Revitalization Project proper; and

 
b.  work with Indigenous consultants to undertake respectful and meaningful engagement and consultation with the Indigenous community as well as the local community and other stakeholders in the planning and design of a streetscape that is culturally based and responsive to local needs, goals and objectives of this streetscaping initiative.

3.  City Council authorize the Deputy City Manager, Internal Corporate Services to negotiate and execute agreements, as required, to engage Indigenous consultants to undertake community consultation, design and review activities and to amend the scope of work and fees for the George Street Revitalization consultants including Infrastructure Ontario as required to undertake the work described in Recommendation 2 above.

4. City Council direct the General Manager, Transportation Services, in consultation with the George Street Revitalization Project Team, to report back to the Toronto East York Community Council in February 2019 on the results of the consultation; status of the streetscape design; the inclusion of the expanded public realm design in the George Street Revitalization Project Request for Proposals for delivery by the successful proponent; and, inclusion of Indigenous persons in the process to select the preferred proponent for implementation of the George Street Revitalization Project and streetscape improvements.

At its meeting of November 7-9, 2017, in considering Official Plan, Zoning By-law and Municipal Shelter By-law, City Council directed the General Manager, Transportation Services to examine opportunities to prepare a public realm plan to provide an enhanced streetscape on George Street between its intersection with Gerrard Street East and Dundas Street East taking into account planned, proposed and potential future redevelopment in the area, recognizing the historic Indigenous presence and the relationship to some of the most vulnerable members of our society and to report back to the June 6, 2018 meeting of the Toronto and East York Community Council on boulevard, roadway and other public realm improvements to improve safety, security and mobility and create more pedestrian-friendly, liveable streets.

This report responds to Council's direction to the General Manager, Transportation Services and provides opportunities for the development and implementation of an integrated public realm as part of the George Street Revitalization Project. In accordance with City planning policy, the GSR Project has also committed one percent for public art, and there is potential to integrate the GSR public art with the public realm.

The George Street Revitalization Project (GSR), co-sponsored by Shelter Support and Housing Administration and Long-Term Care Homes and Services Divisions in collaboration with other City divisions, creates a significant opportunity for Indigenous placemaking in the downtown urban fabric and to celebrate and honour Indigenous culture as another step toward reconciliation. As directed by Council, the streetscape component includes and extends beyond the limits of the GSR site to include the full George Street right-of-way between Gerrard Street East and Dundas Street East. This report provides input into the Project Specific Outcome Specifications for streetscape design.

In recognizing the historic Indigenous presence in the area, the design of the streetscape for the George Street Revitalization project would explicitly take into account the Principles and Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Recognizing the historic presence of the First Peoples of this land would also support and accelerate development of the emerging Indigenous District within Toronto and contribute to establishing a more respectful relationship with some of the most vulnerable members of our society from all backgrounds.

The design concept will incorporate engineering and geometric improvements to address road safety, encourage active transportation (walking and cycling), improve mobility and generally enhance the experience of all road users. Consideration will be also be given to incorporating Green Street elements to capture and reuse rainwater to support tree and plant growth rather than directing it into the sewer system.

This approach is consistent with and complements and/or contributes to achieving many public policy goals including: City Council's Strategic Actions, Divisional Strategies, Plans and Initiatives (Shelter Support and Housing Administration; Long-Term Care Homes and Services; Affordable Housing Office; City Planning; Economic Development & Culture; Equity, Diversity & Human Rights; Parks, Forestry & Recreation; Toronto Community Housing; Transportation Services), Toronto Strong Neighbourhoods Strategy 2020, Toronto Seniors Strategy, Downtown East Revitalization Action Plan, Healthy Toronto by Design as well as Provincial Policy Statements, Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe; and federal policy direction.

This approach has been developed in consultation with the GSR Project Executive Committee and project staff, City Planning and Economic Development & Culture staff and GSR consultants. The integrated plan concepts presented in this report are in the early stages of development and require consultation with the Indigenous community
and local residents.