Item - 2024.TE12.41

The Toronto and East York Community Council:

1. Authorized the temporary full closure of Willcocks Street to all road users, between St. George Street and Huron Street, from April 30, 2024 to May 31, 2026, inclusive.

2. Rescinded the existing southbound left-turn prohibition at the intersection on Huron Street and Willcocks Street, from April 30, 2024 to March 31, 2024, inclusive.

3. Rescinded the existing northbound right-turn prohibition at the intersection on Huron Street and Willcocks Street, from April 30, 2024 to March 31, 2024, inclusive.

4. Directed 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.

5. Directed 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.

6. Directed 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. Directed the applicant to install appropriate signage and request the applicant to maintain all sightlines to ensure that pedestrians, cyclists and motorists safety is considered at all times.

8. Directed 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.

9. Directed 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.

10. Directed 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.

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

12. Directed the applicant to cooperate with and provide all necessary assistance to the City Engineers, staff and representatives carrying out operation, maintenance, and construction activities to municipal infrastructure within the vicinity of the construction staging area, and at no cost to the City to remove any staging to accommodate the necessary municipal infrastructure work.

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

14. Directed the applicant to provide monthly community meetings, to discuss any concerns raised by the community.

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

Urbacon Buildings Group Inc. is renovating an institutional building (University of Toronto Lash Miller Laboratory) at 80 St. George Street. The site is located on the southwest corner of St. George Street and Willcocks Street. It should be noted that Willcocks Street, between St. George Street and Huron Street operates as a public walkway, with no vehicular access.

Transportation Services is requesting authorization for a temporary full closure of Willcocks Street, between St. George Street and Huron Street for a period of 25 months, from April 30, 2024 to May 31, 2026 to facilitate construction staging operations. Pedestrian movements on the south side of Willcocks Street will be restricted and pedestrians will be redirected to the north side of the roadway.