756 Bathurst Street - Request for Staff to Initiate Long-Term Lease Negotiations with A Different Booklist Cultural Centre - by Councillor Mike Layton, seconded by Councillor Joe Cressy

Therefore, A Different Booklist Cultural Centre does not qualify under the City's Community Space Tenancy Policy. Providing assistance to A Different Booklist Cultural Centre in securing a new location is an important objective for the City, as part of a broader recognition of the need to commit to long term cultural infrastructure for the Black community in Toronto. City staff are working in partnership with A Different Booklist Cultural Centre to secure funding from Canadian Heritage, which generally supports long-term capital projects. A Different Booklist Cultural Centre was housed in the Mirvish Village neighbourhood, but was forced to relocate by the re-development of the former Honest Ed's site. Economic Development and Culture Division staff are working with Councillor Layton's Office to secure a future long-term location for the organization at 756 Bathurst Street. The City entered into an agreement of purchase and sale for 756 Bathurst Street, authorized by City Council on July 4, 2017 through adoption of Item 2017.MM31.69. Although the transaction may not close until 2022, A Different Booklist Cultural Centre requires some certainty regarding a potential lease with the City, to raise funds from the private sector and other levels of government. There is a long history of African Canadian and Caribbean Canadian community and heritage on Bathurst Street that has held strong over the many decades. This cultural centre will help make sure that legacy will live on, on a changing Bathurst street for many more decades to come.