Authorization to Release Section 37 Funds from the Development at 231-237 College Street and 177-189 Huron Street to fund the creation and installation of a Heritage Plaque commemorating the Universal Negro Improvement Association - by Councillor Mike Layton, seconded by Councillor Joe Cressy

Thirty-two Divisions were charted throughout Canada. On December 1, 1919, Toronto's Black community received a Universal Negro Improvement Association charter establishing Division 21. In 1925, members purchased the three-story brick building at 355 College Street. With only a few hundred Black families in Toronto, most of them living in the Bathurst and College area, the Hall quickly became an important community-building venue and hosted civic meetings, legal clinics, theatrical events, employment workshops, concerts, dances and fashion shows. Marcus Garvey visited Toronto three times and addressed Universal Negro Improvement Association members at the Hall. In an effort to train future Universal Negro Improvement Association leaders, in 1937 Marcus Garvey launched the School of African Philosophy in the building. Division 21 connected Toronto and Canada to the wider Black Nationalist movement and remained active until 1982. An application has been approved by Heritage Toronto for the installation of a commemorative plaque, recognizing the historic significance of the Universal Negro Improvement Association Hall, formerly located at 355 College Street. The centenary of the Toronto Chapter of the Universal Negro Improvement Association will be celebrated in December 2019. This application has been endorsed by the Ontario Black History Society and St. Stephen's Community House. The City of Toronto secured funds under Section 37 of the Planning Act with the owners of the development at 231-237 College Street and 177-189 Huron Street, authorized by site-specific Zoning By-law 806-2015. The by-law and the associated Section 37 Agreement provides that certain funds shall be used specifically a variety of community benefits including for streetscape improvements in the immediate area. Both instruments also provide that in the event that some or all of the cash contributions have not been used for the intended purpose within three (3) years of the By-law coming into full force and effect, the unused cash contributions may be redirected for another purpose, at the discretion of the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, in consultation with the local Councillor, provided that the purpose is identified in the Toronto Official Plan and will benefit the community in the vicinity of the lands. Three years have passed since the By-law came into full force and effect. Accordingly, this Motion proposes to redirect $2,100 from the unused cash contribution for streetscape improvements to fund the creation and installation of a heritage plaque commemorating the Universal Negro Improvement Association. Funding for other non-profit arts, cultural, community or institutional facilities is a purpose identified in the Official Plan. As Heritage Toronto is a directly funded City agency and not considered an "outside party", no undertaking is required to be signed by Heritage Toronto governing the use of the funds and financial reporting.