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Toronto City Council · 2021-12-15 · 2021.MM38.37

The filed record

Authorization to Release Section 37 Funds to the Revitalization of Massey Hall - by Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam, seconded by Mayor John Tory

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The decision

2021-12-15 · Toronto City Council · adopted

As filed

City Council on December 15, 16 and 17, 2021, adopted the following: 1. City Council direct that, in accordance with the Section 37 Agreement for 480-492 Yonge Street and 3 Grosvenor Street, which specifies a community benefit of $1,370,805 to be allocated towards community, cultural or recreational facilities capital improvements within Ward 13, indexed upward annually for inflation, $437,048.69 of this funding shall be provided for the Massey Hall Revitalization.

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2. City Council direct that, in accordance with the Section 37 Agreement for 219-231 Dundas Street East, which specifies a community benefit of $527,318.79 to be allocated towards community, cultural or recreational facilities capital improvements within Ward 13, indexed upward annually for inflation, $350,335 of this funding shall be provided for the Massey Hall Revitalization. 3. City Council direct that, in accordance with the Section 37 Agreement for 60 Shuter Street and 187 and 189 Church Street, which specifies a community benefit of $212,616.31 to be allocated towards community, cultural or recreational facilities capital improvements within Ward 13, indexed upward annually for inflation, $212,616.31 of this funding shall be provided for the Massey Hall Revitalization. 4. City Council request the Federal and Provincial governments to expand their support to ensure that Massey Hall receives the necessary financial support and assistance to complete the project in a timely manner.

On the agenda

As the city filed it

Massey Hall is an iconic pillar of Toronto's cultural scene. The performing arts theater has brought Torontonians renowned artists and musicians from Canada and across the globe since 1894. As a legendary tourist attraction in Toronto's downtown core, Massey Hall welcomes people from all over the world. In July 2018, Massey Hall began a significant renovation. The revitalization includes a full restoration of the exterior and interior of the building- including the restoration of 100 original stained-glass windows.

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The new addition of a seven-storey tower will feature a live-music stage and performance studio in addition to accessibility features. The revitalization beautifully preserves the history of the venue while simultaneously strengthening its role as a vital music hub, able to showcase established artists and support the development of emerging artists, with the creation of a new 500-person performance space. While some work on the revitalization remains, Massey Hall officially reopened to the public in November 2021 after a three year closure. The entire project costs $184 million as is funded through a combination of corporate sponsorships, Provincial and Federal contributions and philanthropic sources. A small funding gap exists for the organization, making this investment timely and important. As a major cultural attraction in the downtown and for the city, there is no doubt that Massey Hall will contribute to the City's economic growth and recovery especially as the tourism industry opens up and we seek to welcome visitors back to our city following the significant tourism impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Staff recommended

Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam, seconded by Mayor John Tory recommends that: 1. City Council direct that, in accordance with the Section 37 Agreement for 480-492 Yonge Street and 3 Grosvenor Street, which specifies a community benefit of $1,370,805 to be allocated towards community, cultural or recreational facilities capital improvements within Ward 13, indexed upward annually for inflation, $437,048.69 of this funding shall be provided for the Massey Hall Revitalization.

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2. City Council direct that, in accordance with the Section 37 Agreement for 219-231 Dundas Street East, which specifies a community benefit of $527,318.79 to be allocated towards community, cultural or recreational facilities capital improvements within Ward 13, indexed upward annually for inflation, $350,335 of this funding shall be provided for the Massey Hall Revitalization. 3. City Council direct that, in accordance with the Section 37 Agreement for 60 Shuter Street and 187 and 189 Church Street, which specifies a community benefit of $212,616.31 to be allocated towards community, cultural or recreational facilities capital improvements within Ward 13, indexed upward annually for inflation, $212,616.31 of this funding shall be provided for the Massey Hall Revitalization. 4. City Council request the Federal and Provincial governments to expand their support to ensure that Massey Hall receives the necessary financial support and assistance to complete the project in a timely manner.

    On the record

    The item as the City filed it

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