Item - 2023.TE2.29

The Toronto and East York Community Council recommends that:  

1. City Council authorize the continuation of the closure of the south sidewalk and eastbound curb lane on King Street West, between a point 61 metres east of Blue Jays Way and a point 36 metres further east, and provision of a temporary pedestrian walkway within the closed portion of the eastbound curb lane, from January 27, 2023 to September 30, 2024.

2. City Council direct the applicant to continue 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.

3. City Council direct the applicant to continue 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.

4. City Council direct the applicant to pressure wash or sweep (weather permitting) 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. City Council direct the applicant to ensure that the existing sidewalks or the proposed pedestrian walkways have proper enhanced lighting to ensure safety and visibility at all times of the day and night.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. City Council direct the applicant to provide a sufficient number of traffic control persons as determined by the Work Zone Traffic Coordinator and the 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.

9. City Council direct the applicant to provide a sufficient number of pay-duty Police Officers as determined by the Work Zone Traffic Coordinator and the 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.

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

11. City Council direct that King Street West be returned to its pre-construction traffic and parking regulations when the project is completed.

As the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) operates a transit service on King Street West, City Council approval of this report is required.

Empire Communities is constructing a 49-storey residential condominium building at 321-333 King Street West, located on the south side of King Street West between John Street and Blue Jays Way. The south sidewalk and eastbound curb lane on King Street West, between a point 61 metres east of Blue Jays Way and a point 36 metres further east, are currently closed for construction staging operations.

At its meeting on May 14, 2019, City Council approved the subject construction staging area on King Street West from June 1, 2019 to July 1, 2022. The developer has requested an extension of the duration of the construction staging area on King Street West, as the site has experienced COVID-19 related construction delays.

Transportation Services is requesting authorization to extend the duration of the construction staging area from January 27, 2023 to September 30, 2024 to allow for the construction of the development to be completed.