Community Space for Bangladeshi-Canadian Community Services - by Councillor Gary Crawford, seconded by Councillor Brad Bradford

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The decision

2022-07-19 · Toronto City Council · amended

As filed

City Council on July 19, 20, 21 and 22, 2022, adopted the following: 1. City Council request the Chief Executive Officer, CreateTO, in collaboration with the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management, the Executive Director, Social Development Finance Administration, and the General Manager, Parks Forestry and Recreation to undertake a review of 6 Thora Avenue for the purpose of social and community use in Beaches East York (Ward 19) and Scarborough Southwest (Ward 20) including an update of the state-of-good repair requirements and costs.

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2. City Council request the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management in consultation with the Executive Director, Social Development Finance Administration, to work with Bangladeshi Canadian Community Services and their potential partners to develop a proposed capital and operating plan, identify potential funding partners, establish a below market tenancy arrangement, and investigate the use of the proceeds from the sales of recent City-owned lands in the community and other capital funding sources to support the necessary repairs and retrofit of the facility.

On the agenda

As the city filed it

Bangladeshi-Canadian Community Services is a non-profit charitable multi-service organization that has been providing services in the Crescent Town, Oakridge communities in the Taylor-Massey neighbourhood since 2000. Bangladeshi-Canadian Community Services services are targeted primarily for South-Asian seniors, youth and newcomers with a mission of "helping people help themselves." Currently Bangladeshi-Canadian Community Services offers in-person and virtual recreational and wellness programs for seniors, soccer and other programs for children and youth.

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Bangladeshi-Canadian Community Services delivers many other projects such as Anti-Islamophobia programs for women and girls, intergenerational educational and cultural initiatives, and community celebrations. Bangladeshi-Canadian Community Services regularly partners with other organizations such as Woodgreen Community Services, West Scarborough Neighbourhood Community Centre, Access Alliances and Neighbourhood Link. Bangladeshi-Canadian Community Services currently receives funding from the governments of Ontario, Canada and Toronto, and raises additional funds through a variety of fundraising activities. The organization is located, and delivers its programs in a shared, commercial space on Danforth Avenue. The current lease will expire in 2023, and Bangladeshi-Canadian Community Services will need to find a new location at that time. Bangladeshi-Canadian Community Services has identified 6 Thora Avenue, a vacant, surplus City building, as an ideal space for both office and program space. If state-of-good-repair and renovations are completed on the building, and it is made available through a Below Market Lease, the building could make much needed space available for recreational, social and cultural activities for the community. Bangladeshi-Canadian Community Services is willing to work with other potential partners, foundations and government agencies to raise additional capital funds to assist in renovating the building.

Staff recommended

Councillor Gary Crawford, seconded by Councillor Brad Bradford, recommends that: 1. City Council request the Chief Executive Office, CreateTO, in collaboration with Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management, Executive Director, Social Development Finance Administration, and General Manager, Parks Forestry and Recreation undertake a review of 6 Thora Avenue or other city owned spaces, for the purpose of social and community use in Beaches East York (Ward 19) and Scarborough South-west (Ward 20) including an update of the state-of-good repair requirements and costs.

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2. City Council request the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management in consultation with Executive Director, Social Development Finance Administration, work with Bangladeshi Canadian Community Services and their potential partners to develop a proposed capital and operating plan, identify potential funding partners, establish a below market tenancy arrangement, and investigate the use of the proceeds from the sales of recent City-owned lands in the community and other capital funding sources to support the necessary repairs and retrofit of the facility.

On the record

The item as the City filed it

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