Item - 2021.TE29.36

The Toronto and East York Community Council:  

1. Authorized the continuation of the full closure of Markham Street, between Bloor Street West and Lennox Street, from January 1, 2022 to May 31, 2022.

2. Directed the applicant to continue posting a 24-hour monitored construction hotline number on the hoarding board, which must be prominently placed and legible from 10 metres and on all elevations from the construction site.

3. Directed the applicant to continue providing and installing public art, including mural artwork, onto every elevation of the hoarding board with adequate spotlighting for night-time illumination, and to remove graffiti and keep the hoarding well maintained, at their sole cost, to the satisfaction of the Ward Councillor.

4. Directed the applicant to pressure wash the construction site and adjacent sidewalks and roadways daily, or more frequently as needed, to be cleared of any construction debris and made safe.

5. Directed that Markham Street be returned to its pre-construction traffic and parking regulations when the project is complete.

This staff report is about a matter that Community Council has delegated authority from City Council to make a final decision.

Westbank Projects Corp. is currently redeveloping a number of properties located in the south-west quadrant of Bloor Street West and Bathurst Street and Bloor Street West and Markham Street. A temporary full closure of Markham Street, between Bloor Street West and Lennox Street is in effect to accommodate construction staging operations for the development. Toronto and East York Community Council, at its meeting on October 17, 2017, approved the subject construction staging area on Markham Street, from October 24, 2017 to October 31, 2019. Toronto and East York Community Council, at its meeting on October 10, 2019, approved a time extension of the construction staging area on Markham Street for an additional 26 months (i.e. November 1, 2019 to December 31, 2021). The developer has requested an additional extension of the duration of the construction staging area on Markham Street due to delays caused by COVID-19, which extended fabrication timelines for construction activities.

Transportation Services is requesting authorization to extend the duration of the construction staging area on Markham Street for an additional five months (i.e. from January 1, 2022 to May 31, 2022), to allow for Phases 2 and 3 of the development to be completed.