Item - 2019.EP2.10

The Board of Governors of Exhibition Place:

1.  Engaged NORR Architects & Engineers Limited as its consultant for the construction stage of the pedestrian connection under the terms of the contract detailed on page 3 of the report (March 27, 2019) from the Chief Executive Officer, Exhibition Place at a cost of $285,450.00.

2.  Directed the Chief Executive Officer to include additional funding in the 2020 Capital Program for the landscaping work and road work required by the City to be undertaken as part of the pedestrian connection project.

3.  Directed the Chief Executive Officer to meet with the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning about the requirement to meet the timelines set out on page 4 of the report (March 27, 2019) from the Chief Executive Officer, Exhibition Place in order to fulfill the Board's obligation to the City of Toronto regarding expending its 2018 / 19 Capital program funding obligations.

This report provides information on the actions taken with respect to the proposed elevated pedestrian connection from between Beanfield Conference Centre and Hotel X to provide an enclosed pathway for attendees meeting in the Conference Centre and staying in the on-site hotel.  It also proposes a further agreement with NORR Architects & Engineers Limited ("NORR Limited") to provide consultancy services to Exhibition Place for the construction of the pedestrian connection.

Since the last report to the Board on this matter on November 15, 2018, NORR Limited have been working to resolve all issues raised by City of Toronto Planning and submitted the Site Plan Application ("SPA") to the City on March 1, 2019 in accordance with the concept design presented to the Board and attached as Appendix A to this report.  Because of the advance discussions between Exhibition Place staff, NORR Limited and City Planning and the level of detail provided in the SPA, we are optimistic that this matter in the form of a recommendation of a Notice of Approval Conditions (NOAC) will be before City Council in July 2019.

With this timing estimate in mind, this report is proposing directions to ensure that this project proceeds to construction in a timely manner following Council approval.