Item - 2020.TE16.36

The Toronto and East York Community Council recommends that:

1. City Council authorize the closure of the south sidewalk on Richmond Street West, between Portland Street and a point 93 metres west, from July 17, 2020 to May 31, 2023.

2. City Council authorize the closure of a 3.5 metre wide portion of the most southerly westbound curb lane on Richmond Street West, between Portland Street and a point 93 metres west, from July 17, 2020 to May 31, 2023.

3. City Council rescind the existing parking prohibition in effect at all times, on the west side of Portland Street, between Richmond Street West and a point 65 metres south.

4. City Council prohibit stopping at all times on the west side of Portland Street, between Richmond Street West and a point 65 metres south.

5. City Council rescind the existing standing prohibition in effect from 2 a.m. to 4 a.m., on the south side of Richmond Street West between Portland Street and a point 125 metres west.

6. City Council rescind the existing parking machine regulation in effect from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Monday to Saturday and 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Sunday, at a rate of $3.00 per hour and for a maximum period of 3 hours, on the south side of Richmond Street West, from a point 30.5 metres west of Portland Street to a point 94.5 metres further west.

7. City Council prohibit stopping at all times on the south side of Richmond Street West, between a point 28 metres west of Portland Street and a point 97 metres further west.

8. City Council direct the applicant to pressure wash the construction site and adjacent sidewalks and roadways weekly, or more frequently as needed to be cleared of any construction debris and made safe.

9. City Council direct the applicant to ensure that the existing sidewalks or the proposed pedestrian walkway have proper enhanced lighting to ensure safety and visibility at all times of the day and night.

10. City Council direct the applicant to clearly consult and communicate all construction, parking and road occupancy impacts with local business improvement areas and resident associations in advance of any physical road modifications.

11. City Council direct the applicant to install appropriate signage and converging mirrors to ensure that pedestrians, cyclists and motorists safety is considered at all times.

12. City Council direct the applicant to provide a sufficient number of traffic control persons as determined by the Work Zone Traffic Coordinator and Toronto Police Construction Liaison Officer, on a daily basis to control construction vehicle access and egress to and from the site and maintain a safe environment for the public.

13. City Council direct the applicant to provide a sufficient number of pay-duty Police Officers as determined by the Work Zone Traffic Coordinator and Toronto Police Construction Liaison Officer, during large scale concrete pours and large scale material deliveries to control vehicle access and egress to and from the site and maintain a safe environment for the public.

14. City Council direct the applicant to install cane detection within the covered and protected walkway to guide pedestrians who are visually impaired.

15. City Council direct the applicant to post a 24-hour monitored construction hotline number on the hoarding board, which must be prominently placed and legible from 20 metres and on all elevations from the construction site.

16. City Council direct the applicant to provide and install public art, including mural artwork, onto every elevation of the hoarding board with adequate spotlighting for night-time illumination, at their sole cost, to the satisfaction of the Ward Councillor.

17. City Council direct that Richmond Street West and Portland Street be returned to pre-construction traffic and parking regulations when the project is complete.

As Richmond Street West between Portland Street and Bathurst Street is classified as a major arterial road, this matter is non-delegated and requires final approval by City Council.

543 Richmond Street West Holdings is constructing a 15-storey condominium building with ground floor retail at 543 Richmond Street West. The site is located on the southwest corner of Richmond Street West and Portland Street.

Transportation Services is requesting authorization to close the south sidewalk and a

portion of the most southerly westbound curb lane on Richmond Street West for a period of 35 months (i.e. July 17, 2020 to May 31, 2023) to accommodate a construction staging area.

Traffic lanes abutting the site will be realigned to maintain two 3.25m lanes for westbound traffic. Pedestrian operations on the south side of Richmond Street West will be maintained in a covered and protected walkway within the closed portion of the existing lane. Bike operations on the north side of Richmond Street West will be maintained it is current form. Pedestrian operations on the north sidewalk will be maintained. 

Pedestrian operations on the west side of Portland Street abutting the site will be maintained on the existing sidewalk, in a covered and protected walkway.

This closure will result in loss of approximately 15 parking machine spaces on the south side of Richmond Street West abutting the site.