Authorization to Release Section 37 Funds from the Development at 333 Bloor Street East to Fund the Production and Installation of a Heritage Plaque at or near Maple Leaf Gardens to Commemorate Toronto's Basketball History - by Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam, seconded by Councillor Shelley Carroll

The Basketball Association of America was a new league which was designed to take advantage of ice hockey arenas that often sat empty between matches. The Toronto Huskies twice overcame large New York leads to pull ahead within the final four minutes. However, baskets in the dying moments of the match gave New York a 68-66 victory. The Toronto Huskies were short lived - the team finished last in the Eastern Conference and folded at the end of the first Basketball Association of America season. The Basketball Association of America merged with the National Basketball League in 1949 to form the modern National Basketball Association. 73 years after the Toronto Huskies played, the Toronto Raptors have made history by becoming the 2019 National Basketball Association champions and the first in what will hopefully be many more National Basketball Association championships for the City. It is therefore, appropriate that the City recognize the historic role that Maple Leaf Gardens played in the formation of the modern National Basketball Association. The City of Toronto has secured funds under Section 37 of the Planning Act with the owners of the development at 333 Bloor Street East, 1 Mount Pleasant Road and 575-577 Jarvis Street, authorized by site-specific Zoning By-law 991-2001(OMB). The By-law and Section 37 Agreement with the landowner provide that the funds shall be used to achieve heritage objectives in the area. Sufficient funds remain available in the Planning Act Reserve Account for the production and installation of the heritage plaque at this location. The use of these funds for this purpose complies with the By-law and Section 37 Agreement. There are existing heritage plaques at Maple Leaf Gardens. Heritage Toronto staff have not yet consulted with the owner of Maple Leaf Gardens, Ryerson University, on a location for the new plaque. This work will be done following Council approval. 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. This Motion is urgent because Toronto is a basketball City now.

installation of a heritage plaque at or near the Maple Leaf Gardens property at 50 Carlton Street to commemorate the history of basketball in Toronto (Cost Centre HG 0001).