Item - 2020.RA14.2

The Board of Directors of CreateTO:  

1.  Directed the Chief Executive Officer, CreateTO in consultation with the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management, the City Librarian, Toronto Public Library, and the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to explore options with Wittington Properties Limited and Capital Developments, for the potential relocation of the Deer Park Library based on the principles approved by the Toronto Public Library Board at their June 22, 2020 meeting, and to report back to the Board of Directors of CreateTO and the Toronto Public Library Board on the results of the negotiations.

2.  Directed the Chief Executive Officer, CreateTO to work with the Executive Director, Corporate Real Estate Management, and the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, to explore options for the disposal of 40 St. Clair Avenue East to fully fund the relocation of the Deer Park Library Branch and any other City Building opportunities that may be achieved, including affordable housing.

3.  Directed the Chief Executive Officer, CreateTO to work with the City Librarian, Toronto Public Library to immediately engage in a Community Consultation Plan including on-going consultation and communication with the community, local Councillor and other stakeholders regarding the potential relocation of the Deer Park Library and future redevelopment of the site.

The purpose of this report is to inform the Board of Directors of CreateTO on the ongoing conversations between staff of CreateTO and the Toronto Public Library (“TPL”) with Wittington Properties Limited ("Wittington") and Capital Developments (“Capital”), on  options relating to the City owned Deer Park Library site at 40 St. Clair Avenue East (the "Subject Property")  provided a new and expanded library can be relocated within the abutting Wittington development at 1485 Yonge St ( the “Development”), currently the subject of an official plan amendment and rezoning application.

CreateTO has been working with the Toronto Public Library and the City Planning Department to understand the opportunities that exist within this proposal for the Subject Property itself, and within the broader Yonge and St. Clair public realm and neighbourhood. The potential relocation of the Deer Park Library to the Development could allow for a new expanded facility that is more visible and well connected to the broader community and is integrated within a transit oriented development.  The redevelopment of the Subject Property also presents an opportunity to help advance a “Big Move” in the recently approved Yonge St. Clair Planning Framework which has identified an opportunity for an enhanced public realm and community gateway at this location.