Item - 2019.IE2.8

The Infrastructure and Environment Committee recommends that:

1. City Council direct the Deputy City Manager, Infrastructure and Environment, to consult with the Toronto Hydro Corporation, the Toronto Transit Commission, Massey Hall, St. Michael's Hospital, the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre, and the Downtown Yonge BIA and report to the Infrastructure and Environment Committee on May 23, 2019 with a plan coordinating the Toronto Hydro rebuilds, the TTC track-removal and the City of Toronto streetscape improvements on Victoria Street and Shuter Street such that the work be completed by August 2020.

In November 2018, a planned Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) track-removal project - affecting Victoria Street and Shuter Street – along with planned City of Toronto streetscape improvement work, was deferred indefinitely, due to concerns regarding aging, below-grade Toronto Hydro Corporation (THC) infrastructure.  Engineering and Construction Services staff identified that upgrades to the THC infrastructure would be necessary, before the TTC and streetscape work could proceed.

The City of Toronto streetscape project, which proposed the installation of a bump-out on the south side of Victoria Street, fronting Massey Hall, as well as installation of new traffic signals at the intersection of Shuter Street and Victoria Street, had been coordinated in conjunction with the TTC track removal project, in order to minimize disruption to area stakeholders.  Funds had been set aside in the 2018 budget, and City staff were close to issuing tender. 

The streetscape improvements have been championed for many years, by the local community, including Massey Hall, and the Downtown Yonge BIA.  Although initiated in 2014, this work now has no definite timeline.  The deferment, while unavoidable, has the potential to negatively impact local stakeholders.  A coordination plan must, therefore, be established and implemented quickly. 

The Downtown Yonge BIA has identified that the THC rebuilds, TTC track replacement, and City of Toronto streetscape improvements must be completed by end of August 2020.  Otherwise, subsequent construction will interfere with venue loading and theatre operations at Massey Hall, and the Winter Garden and Elgin Theatre.  Further to this, St. Michael's Hospital has a planned construction project affecting Victoria Street.  Uncertainty, on the City's part has the potential to negatively affect the Hospital's construction timeline and, ultimately, their project funding.

The Major Capital Infrastructure Coordination Office is tasked with ensuring that work between the City of Toronto, TTC and Toronto Hydro is well coordinated and delivered on time, with consideration to local stakeholders, institutions, and commercial operations.