Item - 2022.TE32.45

The Toronto and East York Community Council:  

1. Authorized the continued closure of the south sidewalk on Mercer Street, between a point 46.8 metres west of John Street and a point 86.2 metres further west, from June 1, 2022 to May 31, 2023.

2. Authorized the continued closure of a 3.3 metre-wide portion of the westbound lane on the south side of Mercer Street, between a point 46.8 metres west of John Street and a point 66.2 metres further west,  from June 1, 2022 to May 31, 2023.

3. Directed 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. At a minimum, the developer will be required to continue to provide traffic control persons to be stationed at the east and west ends of the construction staging area during daily work hours from June 1, 2022 to May 31, 2023, who will safely direct pedestrians across Mercer Street. 

4. Directed 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.

5. 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 20 metres and on all elevations from the construction site.

6. 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 20 metres and on all elevations from the construction site.

7. 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, at their sole cost, to the satisfaction of the Ward Councillor.

8. Directed the applicant to pressure wash (or sweep during winter weather conditions) the construction site and adjacent sidewalks and roadways daily, or more frequently as needed to be cleared of any construction debris and made safe.

9. Directed the applicant to install appropriate signage and converging mirrors to ensure that pedestrians, cyclists and motorists safety is considered at all times.

10. Directed the applicant to install cane detection within the covered and protected walkway to guide pedestrians who are visually impaired.

11. Directed that Mercer Street be returned to pre-construction traffic and parking regulations when the project is completed.

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

Madison Group is constructing a residential development (Nobu Residences) consisting of two 45-storey condominium buildings at 15-35 Mercer Street. The site is located midway on Mercer Street, between John Street and Blue Jays Way. A portion of the City's right-of-way on the south side of Mercer Street abutting the site is currently closed to accommodate a construction staging area for the development.

Toronto and East York Community Council, at its meeting on July 4, 2018, approved the temporary closure of a 3.3 metre-wide portion of the westbound lane on Mercer Street from July 20, 2018 to May 31, 2022. The temporary closure of the south sidewalk on Mercer Street was also approved for a shorter period of time from July 20, 2018 to May 31, 2020; however, continued closure has been required to accommodate two construction hoists. At the time that the initial report was prepared, Capital Work by Toronto Water was reported as being planned; however, as the exact dates were not yet available, the developer was advised that the proposed construction staging area would need to be modified to accommodate the Capital Work.

Based on the information provided by the developer, the site has experienced delays due to COVID-19. The developer was informed that the planned Capital Work by Toronto Water is scheduled to commence June 2023. The developer is requesting an extension of the duration of the construction staging area on Mercer Street, from June 1, 2022 to May 31, 2023, in order to complete the construction of the development.

Transportation Services is requesting authorization to extend the duration of the construction staging area on Mercer Street for an additional 12 months, from June 1, 2022 to May 31, 2023, to allow for the construction of the development to be completed.