Item - 2018.GM26.2

The Government Management Committee recommends that:

1.  City Council authorize the Deputy City Manager, Internal Corporate Services to commence necessary work with Brookfield Financial to develop and undertake a call process to seek and secure a Head Lessee for a long-term lease of the Wellington Destructor.

2.  City Council direct the Deputy City Manager, Internal Corporate Services to report back to City Council in 2019 on the results of the call process and with final recommendations for the selected Head Lessee of the Wellington Destructor.

This report recommends initiating a call to the market in order to search for a Head Lessee to participate with the City in the adaptive reuse and redevelopment of the Wellington Destructor, located at 677 Wellington Street West. Real Estate Services, with Economic Development and Culture and City Planning, are working with Brookfield Financial (BFIN) and EVOQ Architecture (EVOQ) to assess the structure and determine a range of adaptive reuse options that would be appropriate for the building and site. This is a heritage listed building that will require structural and environmental work in order for it to be adaptively reused.

The Wellington Destructor site presents an important opportunity for adaptive reuse of an existing City-owned building as a cultural space, community hub or employment uses that could generate new income, as well as complement and support the existing and proposed employment uses of the surrounding area.