Item - 2020.TE16.58

The Toronto and East York Community Council:

1.  Requested the Director, Community Planning, Toronto and East York District, in consultation with CreateTO, Parks, Forestry, and Recreation, Real Estate Services, Transportation Services, and any other necessary civic officials, to undertake a study of public space and other City-owned properties in the Liberty Village area (generally bounded by Dufferin Street, Strachan Avenue, King Street West, Douro Street and the Metrolinx Lakeshore West rail corridor.  The study will assess and identify the need and opportunity to leverage City assets to improve and expand the range of open space and community services and facilities to serve the area.

2. Requested the Director, Community Planning, Toronto and East York District to report to Toronto and East York Community Council with a Terms of Reference for the study and a public consultation strategy in the 3rd Quarter of 2020.

3. Requested the Director, Community Planning, Toronto and East York District to report with recommendations resulting from the study and associated consultation in in the 3rd quarter of 2021.

4. Requested the Director, Community Planning, Toronto and East York District, in consultation with the Ward Councillor's office to prepare a community engagement strategy for the study.

The Liberty Village area (generally bounded by Dufferin Street, Strachan Avenue, King Street West, Douro Street and the Metrolinx Lakeshore West rail corridor) has had residential and commercial growth.  With additional growth, improvements to the public realm and community services and facilities have not kept up with the needs for the community.  There are a number of City-owned property and assets in the area that can potentially be better utilized as well as opportunities for public realm improvements throughout Liberty Village.

In the past, a number of studies have been initiated and directed to staff in Liberty Village related to public realm, transportation improvements, city-owned assets, and community services.  This study request will bring the past direction for studies together and allow staff to move forward in the identification of public realm improvements, pedestrian connections and set direction for the best utilization of city-owned assets and properties throughout Liberty Village in order to ensure that both the public realm and community services and facilities meets the needs of the community throughout Liberty Village.

It is noted that the purpose of this study is not intended as a heritage or land use study and will not explore changes to land use or development rights.