Item - 2021.PA22.8

The Board of Directors of Toronto Parking Authority:

1.  Authorized the President, Toronto Parking Authority, to increase the contract value of Purchase Order Number 38191 to address changes in the scope of work to be carried out by Our Cool Blue Architects Inc., for the planned improvements to Car Park 26, 36, and 125 from $70,000 to $92,838, excluding Harmonized Sales Tax.

Toronto Parking Authority retained Our Cool Blue Architects Inc. to provide engineering design and contract administration services needed to make modifications to operations at Car Park 26 (Queen/Victoria Garage), Car Park 36 (Nathan Phillips Square Garage) and Car Park 125 (Richmond/Sherbourne Garage). Planned improvements include the replacement of in-lane attendant booths with customer service booths, traffic flow adjustments, installation of pay on foot machines and relocating payment equipment. The total contract amount approved in 2019 for these modifications was $70,000, excluding Harmonized Sales Tax.

Following the award of the contract, the scope of work for the design was updated to reflect new information technology and operational requirements. Our Cool Blue Architects Inc. also identified additional time and effort to complete the design work during the COVID-19 pandemic, which has imposed restrictions on the work place and efficiency of work carried out.

The construction contract for the modifications to Car Parks 26, 36, and 125 was awarded on August 25, 2020 to Canada Construction Limited in the amount of $1,286,110, excluding Harmonized Sales Tax. Work at these car parks commenced on January 4, 2021.

As part of the scope of work at Car Park 36, a designated substance survey was carried out within the work zone in March of 2021. Investigations and testing have confirmed that asbestos and lead paint are present in multiple rooms within the car park. In addition, mercury was discovered in several overhead fluorescent lighting fixtures.

Although the asbestos and mercury are undisturbed and presently in a safe condition, the materials will have to be removed as part of the modifications being undertaken at Car Park 36. The condition of the lead paint will be reviewed in more detail and is subject to further recommendations from Our Cool Blue Architects Inc.

To address the change in scope and schedule, Toronto Parking Authority staff are recommending that Toronto Parking Authority Board of Directors authorize an increase in value of the original contract (Purchase Order Number 38191) with Our Cool Blue Architects Inc. A future report to Toronto Parking Authority Board of Directors will address the change in scope for the Canada Construction Limited contract.