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Toronto City Council · 2022-05-11 · 2022.MM43.15

The filed record

Waiving Development Charges and Other Fees to Support the Construction of the Blackhurst Cultural Centre - by Councillor Mike Layton, seconded by Councillor Gord Perks

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The decision

2022-05-11 · Toronto City Council · adopted

As filed

City Council on May 11 and 12, 2022, adopted the following: 1. City Council waive site plan fees in connection with the development and construction of the new cultural centre at 756 Bathurst Street, and authorize the waiver of any other City fees and charges set out in the tariff of fees in the Municipal Code Chapter 441 that may be waived by authority of City Council, and that would otherwise be payable by Blackhurst Cultural Centre to the City.

On the agenda

As the city filed it

Blackhurst Cultural Centre will be a purpose-built cultural centre led by A Different Booklist Cultural Centre, in partnership with the City of Toronto. Blackhurst Cultural Centre will provide permanent, affordable, accessible space for Black artistic and cultural production in Toronto. Blackhurst Cultural Centre will provide opportunities to experience the rich culture and history of Canadians of African and Caribbean ancestry, as a bookstore, non-profit hub and destination.

Show the rest of As the city filed it, 1,172 more characters as filed

The City is committed to supporting the future of this important Black cultural centre. Economic Development and Culture is leading an inter-divisional team to assist A Different Booklist Cultural Centre with navigating City planning, heritage, building, funding and legal processes. In December 2021, City Council authorized the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management to negotiate and enter into a 49-year below-market rent lease agreement between the City and Blackhurst Cultural Centre, in respect of 756 Bathurst Street. The scope of capital improvements has been substantially adjusted since the inception of the project. The project scope will now include the complete demolition of the existing building, and removal of the heritage facade through panelization, preservation and reincorporation into the final building design as part of an entirely new building. Providing additional fee relief for the Blackhurst Cultural Centre supports goals of the Toronto Action Plan to Confront Anti-Black Racism, including supporting Black arts and culture, and leveraging City spaces to create a Black community hub in partnership with Black service providers.

Staff recommended

Councillor Mike Layton, seconded by Councillor Gord Perks, recommends that: 1. City Council waive site plan fees in connection with the development and construction of the new cultural centre at 756 Bathurst Street, and authorize the waiver of any other City fees and charges set out in the tariff of fees in the Municipal Code Chapter 441 that may be waived by authority of City Council, and that would otherwise be payable by Blackhurst Cultural Centre to the City.

    On the record

    The item as the City filed it

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