Authorization to Release Section 37 Funds from the Development at 517 Wellington Street West for Capital Upgrades to the Waterfront Neighbourhood Centre - by Councillor Joe Cressy, seconded by Councillor Mike Layton

The Bathurst Quay Neighbourhood Plan is the product of more than two years of community consultation including over fifty meetings with dozens of local groups, and was adopted by City Council in July 2017 (Item TE25.55) and June 2018 (Item TE33.9). Near-term implementation of the Neighbourhood Plan is already underway: the Ireland Park Foundation has moved into an underutilized heritage building by the water; and the derelict open space beside the Canada Malting Silos will be transformed into a brand new public space in 2019 and 2020. At the same time, Eireann Quay will be improved to provide greater safety and comfort for pedestrians. Subsequent to the adoption of the Bathurst Quay Neighbourhood Plan, the Waterfront Neighbourhood Centre worked with the City of Toronto to undertake a Facility Needs Assessment which provides a description and costing for various sought capital improvements that will jointly improve the community centre, while additionally helping to support implementation of the Neighbourhood Plan. The funds are needed in order to proceed with the implementation of priority improvements contained in the Facility Needs Assessment. For example, the south entrance to the building can accommodate a new, safe vehicle drop off to better serve the Neighbourhood Centre's clients who use Wheel-Trans, including seniors. This location can have better sight-lines for safety, improved weather protection, and would avoid vehicular and pedestrian congestion around the existing Wheel-Trans lay-by. In turn, the improved entrance would provide a seamless connection from the interior of the facility to the new outdoor public space beside the Malting Silos. Section 37 funds in the amount of $400,000 have been secured and received by the City from the development at 495-517 Wellington Street West for the purposes of implementing the Bathurst Quay Neighbourhood Plan.