Item - 2023.TE8.23

The Toronto and East York Community Council recommends that:  

1. City Council continue to authorize the closure of the first laneway north of Bloor Street West, east of Riverview Gardens, between Riverview Gardens and the east limit of the laneway from November 30, 2023 to September 30, 2026.

2. City Council authorize the closure of the north sidewalk, and the westbound bike lane on Bloor Street West, between Riverview Gardens and a point 92 metres east and provision of a temporary 1.9 metre wide pedestrian walkway within the closed portion of the sidewalk and the westbound curb side bike lane, from November 30, 2023 to September 30, 2026.

3. City Council authorize the closure of the east sidewalk on Riverview Gardens, between Bloor Street West and a point 48 metres north and provision of a temporary 1.8 metre wide pedestrian walkway within the closed portion of the sidewalk, from November 30, 2023 to September 30, 2026..

4. City Council prohibit stopping at all times on the north side of Bloor Street West between Riverview Gardens and a point 92 metres east.

5. City Council continue to prohibit stopping at all times on the east side of Riverview Garden, between Bloor Street West and a point 46.5 metres northwest.

6. City Council continue to rescind the existing maximum one-hour parking regulation in effect from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday to Saturday, on the east side of Riverview Gardens, between Bloor Street West and a point 46.5 metres northwest.

7. City Council continue to direct the applicant to sweep the construction site and adjacent sidewalks and roadways daily, or more frequently as needed to be cleared of any construction debris and made safe.

8. City Council continue to direct the applicant to construct and maintain a fully covered, protected and unobstructed walkway for all pedestrians, including for those with mobility devices, for the entire duration of the construction staging area permit to the satisfaction of the Chief Engineer and Executive Director, Engineering and Construction Services and ensure it is compliant with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act.

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

12. City Council continue to direct the applicant to provide a sufficient number of traffic control persons as determined by the Work Zone 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.

13. City Council continue to direct the applicant to provide a sufficient number of pay-duty Police Officers as determined by the Work Zone 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.

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

15. City Council continue to 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 continue to 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 the applicant, in consultation with Transportation Services, to maintain any bike lanes, and install appropriate signage to inform drivers and cyclists of any changes to the cycling lanes.

18. City Council direct that Bloor Street West and Riverview Gardens be returned to its pre-construction traffic and parking regulations when the project is complete.

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

Bloor Riverview Residences Corp is constructing a 12-storey residential condominium building at 2442-2454 Bloor Street West and 1-9 Riverview Gardens. The site is located on the north-east corner of Bloor Street West at Riverview Gardens.

At its meeting on December 2, 2020, Toronto and East York Community Council approved the construction staging areas at 2442-2454 Bloor Street West and 1-9 Riverview Gardens (Phase 1 and 2), from January 4, 2021 to December 31, 2022. The first laneway north of Bloor Street West, east of Riverview Gardens, between Riverview Gardens and the east limit of the laneway was closed to accommodate a construction staging area. Pedestrian operations on the north side of Bloor Street West and east side of Riverview Gardens were maintained in a 2.1-metre-wide covered and protected walkway within the existing sidewalk during Phase 1 (demolition).  During Phase 2, excavation and shoring, the covered walkways was removed and pedestrians were accommodated, within the existing sidewalks.

The developer is now ready to proceed with Phase 3 of the project and will require a larger space to proceed with the construction. Consequently, the recently installed westbound curb side bike lane on Bloor Street West will need to be closed to provide the additional space needed to accommodate the construction staging area.

Transportation Services is requesting approval to close the north sidewalk, and the westbound curb side bike lane on Bloor Street West for a period of 34 months, from November 30, 2023 to September 30, 2026 to facilitate construction staging operations. Pedestrian movements on the north side of Bloor Street West, abutting the site, will be maintained in a 1.9 metre-wide covered and protected walkway. The westbound bike lane will be closed and advance signage will be posted informing approaching cyclists the bike lane ends and shared lane pavement markings will be installed advising cyclists and motorists to merge in to a single traffic lane in the vicinity of the work zone.

Additionally, approval is being requested to close portion of the east sidewalk on Riverview Gardens for a period of 34 months, from November 30, 2023 to September 30, 2026 to facilitate construction staging operations. Pedestrian movements on the east side of Riverview Gardens, abutting the site, will be maintained in a 1.8 metre-wide covered and protected walkway.

Transportation Services is also requesting authorization to continue the closure of the first laneway north of Bloor Street West, east of Riverview Gardens, between Riverview Gardens and the east limit of the laneway, for a period of 34 months, from November 30, 2023 to September 30, 2026 to allow for the construction of the development to be completed.