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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOES 12-09 REPORT TO EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Report Number: OES 12-09 Date: March 9, 2009 I" , 0 1 From: Everett Buntsma Director, Operations & Emergency Services Subject: First Nations Trail Project - Western Gateway File: A-1440 Recommendation: 1 . That Report OES 12-09 of the Director, Operations & Emergency Services regarding the First Nations Trail Project - Western Gateway be received; 2. That Council acknowledge that staff will be proceeding with the tendering of the Western Gateway project prior to 2009 budget approval; 3. That, notwithstanding the provisions of the City's Purchasing Policy, Council approve the appointment of Johnson Sustronk & Weinstein to provide consultant services for the Western Gateway project at an estimated cost of $30,000; 4. That Council provide approval to modify the 1977 agreement with the City of Toronto, to relieve them from the responsibility to maintain the eastern approaches to the Rouge River pedestrian bridge; 5. The Council provide approval to enter into an agreement with the Canadian National Railway Company, for the reconstruction of the pedestrian crossing under the CN Rail lines; and 6. That a copy of this report be forwarded to the TRCA for their information. Executive Summary: The First Nations Trail Project - Western Gateway involves the reconstruction of the waterfront trail from the Rouge River to Dyson Road and Bella Vista Drive. The design, completed and approved by Council in 2005, was not tendered at that time due to unresolved issues with the City of Toronto regarding their responsibility for maintenance of the approaches to Dyson Road as outlined in a 1977 agreement between Metropolitan Toronto and the Town of Pickering. The City of Pickering was looking for a financial contribution from the City of Toronto towards this project, in return for relieving them of their responsibility of the maintenance of this area. Recently, staff were advised that funding for the project will be available from Waterfront Toronto, in conjunction with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority's Port Union Project. As the Port Union Project site limits were defined as extending 50 Report DES 12-09 March 9, 2009 Subject: Western Gateway D2 Page 2 meters east of the Rouge River, Waterfront Toronto has agreed to fund this section of the Western Gateway project, for up to 50% of the costs, to a maximum of $500,000. Financial Implications: The construction cost for the project is estimated at $925,000 which includes $30,000 for consultant services by Johnson Sustronk & Weinstein. A request for funding for this project, in the amount of $425,000 has been included in the 2009 budget. Staff are determining whether a portion (up to 80%) of the City's share of the cost will qualify for Federal Gas tax funding with the balance to be debt financed. The Waterfront Toronto have agreed to fund up to 50%, to a maximum of $500,000, for all hard and soft project costs for works within the Designated Waterfront Area. Sustainability Implications: The construction of the Western Gateway Project will provide improved accessibility to the waterfront trail system and will encourage and promote walking and cycling activities along the Pickering waterfront. The tree, shrub and ground cover plantings proposed will provide additional stability of the east bank of the Rouge River, provide a buffer between the waterfront trail and the CN Rail lines and increase the urban forest cover in the Rosebank Neighbourhood. Background: The First Nations Trail Project - Western Gateway involves the reconstruction of the existing waterfront trail just east of the Rouge River. This section of trail currently consists of some asphalt surface, aging timber ramps and steps up the east bank of the Rouge Valley leading to Dyson Road and a dirt path to Bella Vista Drive. There is a pedestrian crossing under the CN rail lines that also needs upgrading to meet CN Rail safety requirements. Due to the current condition of the steps and lack of accessible trail in this area, the City has had to provide staff to assist in the moving of bicycles through this area for events such as the Great Waterfront Trail Adventure. The proposed construction will complete the waterfront trail as a hard surface, accessible system through the City of Pickering. It will provide an upgraded connection to Dyson Road in the Rosebank neighbourhood and will remove the hazardous steps from the main waterfront trail, improving safety and increasing access for all users. The project will be constructed in two phases so that access can be maintained along the waterfront trail at all times. Phase 1 will incorporate new poured-in-place concrete ramps and steps to Dyson Road, to be used as the detour route, while construction of the main waterfront trail to Bella Vista Drive is completed. Phase 2 includes the installation of a pre-engineered pedestrian bridge and construction of an asphalt path to Bella Vista Drive, where vehicular parking will be provided for non-resident trail users. Plantings are proposed to enhance the area and to provide a buffer to the rail lines. CORP0227-07/01 revised Report OES 12-09 March 9, 2009 Subject: Western Gateway Page 3 :' t '13 L Although not part of the project at this time, there are plans to create a gateway structure, incorporating sculptural artwork that will celebrate the cultural heritage of the First Nations, whom this section of the trail was named after. Interpretive signage will be included as part of this installation which will be included in a future year's budget. This project will be managed by the City of Pickering in partnership with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority and the co-operation of CN Rail, who are both land owners within the project area. Permits for construction have been received from the TRCA for the proposed works and an approval in principle has been obtained from CN Rail. An agreement between the City and CN Rail, to permit reconstruction of the grade separation for the pedestrian underpass is being prepared by CN Rail at this time. The design and working drawings for the project were completed by the consultant firm of Johnson Sustronk & Weinstein and approved by Council in 2005 and are ready for tender. The Purchasing Policy requires three competitive quotes, however we are recommending the use of Johnson Sustronk & Weinstein for consulting services for contract administration and field inspection for this project due to their intensive involvement so far in the detail design and approvals. This means there should be significant cost savings for their continued use. The project was not tendered at that time due to unresolved issues with the City of Toronto regarding their responsibility for maintenance of the approaches to Dyson Road as outlined in a 1977 agreement between Metropolitan Toronto and the Town of Pickering. The City of Pickering was looking for a financial contribution from the City of Toronto towards this project, to relieve them of their responsibility of the maintenance of this area and this has been obtained. . Pending Council direction, the project could be issued for tender by early March 2009. As we anticipate the construction period to be approximately 6 months, proceeding with the tender is critical so that construction can commence in early June and be completed before winter of 2009. Attachments: 1. Letter from Waterfront Toronto Re: Port Union - Western Gateway Project, dated February 12, 2009. CORP0227-07/01 revised Report OES 12-09 Subject: Western Gateway lr-4 March 9, 2009 Page 4 Prepared By: A~~~ Coordinator Landscape & Parks Development =.:> Q 044ll.t-le+ ~rrell Selsky v . . Supervisor Engineer.'ng & Capital Works c</"f Vera A. Felgemacher C.P.P., CPPO, CPPB, C.P.M., CMM III Manager, Supply & Services DS:am Copy: Chief Administrative Officer Everett unts a Director Operations & Emergency Services ~.-...-.'.-'-"-.."- -----.,.., ~/ ...~ ______ a Gillis A. Paterson Director Corporate Services & Treasurer Recommended for the consideration of Pickering City Council ~ t 0/ (ltC.I>Aa . (~4 D Thomas . Q nn, RDMR, CMM III ,- Chief Admini trative Officer CORP0227-07/01 revised :~--'..----" - AT'U\CHMENT#_jroREPoRT# uES \2-0~ -1-.. ci _._.?L 05 WATERFRONToronto 20 8AY STREET, SUITE 1310 TORONTO, ON M5J 2N8 1,1' 416.214.1344 FoX: 416.214.459\ WNw,towaterfront.ca February 12, 2009 Mr. Brian Denney Chief Administrative Officer Toronto Region and Conservation Authority 5 Shoreham Drive Toronto, Ontario M3N 1S4 Ms Elaine Baxter-Trahair Waterfront Project Director Waterfront Secretariat Urban Development Services City Hall, 12th Floor, East Tower 100 Queen Street West Toronto, Ontario M5H 2N2 Dear Brian and Elaine, Re: Port Union - Western Gateway Proiect Waterfront Toronto has reviewed the letter from the Toronto Region and Conservation Authority ("TRCA") which was also sign~d by the City of Toronto (the "City") dated November 26,2008 recommending the Port Union - Western Gateway project. Waterfront Toronto has had an opportunity to discuss the project with TRCA staff and has received confirmation from TRCA that the project will be implemented with its existing bUdget of $25,363,163. Waterfront Toronto is pleased to inform TRCA and the City that it supports the proposed Western Gateway initiative and also has the support of all government stakeholders. Based on the letter and discussions with TRCA, Waterfront Toronto understands that the project is to be developed in two phases. Phase 1 consists of creating poured in place concrete ramps and steps leading from the pedestrian bridge to Dyson Road. This Phase 1 construction work will serve as a detour while Phase 2 is being built. Phase 2 is expected to be the main waterfront trail and consists of two components: 1) installation of a pre-manufactured pedestrian walkway I viewing platform beginning at the pedestrian bridge and hugging the east bank of the Rouge River underneath the existing CN bridge, and 2) construction of an asphalt path leading from the pedestrian walkway to Bella Vista Drive, where vehicular parking will be provided. Vegetation will also be planted to enhance the area while providing a buffer from the CN railway; , Waterfront Toron1o is aware that the City of Pickering have prepared design drawings and secured all required approvals and permits with the exception of finalization of the pedestrian underpass agreement with CN Rail, which is expected imminently. As per the Certified Copy of Resolutions of the Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation dated April 24, 2003, the ea~tern-most side of the Designated Waterfront Area is 50 m east of the east bank of the Rouge River. This boundary 1 ( 11ENT#_L_, TOREPORT# OE S 1.1-01 2 01 2. 06 forms the eastern-most side of the project for which Waterfront Toronto is eligible to fund. This has been confirmed by conversations with TRCA. The estimated cost for the project, including all hard and soft costs, is $1.0 million. The City of Pickering is proposing that Waterfront Toronto fund up to 50% of the costs, to a maximum of $500,000, which is applicable only to project costs incurred within the Designated Waterfront Area, as defined in the Certified Copy of Resolutions. TRCA is recommending the amount be funded with expected cost savings from the contingencies from the ongoing Port Union Waterfront Improvements Project. TRCA has confirmed and is confident that it can complete the Western Gateway Project and the Port Union Waterfront Improvements Project within its approved budget of $25,.363,163. Waterfront Toronto would like to schedule a meeting with TRCA to discuss the amendment of the delivery agreement as well as TRCA's risk management of both the Western Gateway and Port Union as part of Waterfront Toronto's Enterprise Risk Management Program to ensure successful iinplementation and completion of the project. Waterfront Toronto recommends moving forward with the Port Union - Western Gateway project and will undertake the amendment of the delivery agreement and necessary documents to support this initiative with TRCA. Furthermore, because there is no change to the project budget, no amendment will be required to the Port Union Contribution Agreement. Waterfront Toronto feels the Western Gateway project would help to enhance the Port Union Waterfront -Improvements Project, and the entire waterfront as a whole. Waterfront Toronto appreciates TRCA's continued support and involvement in the Waterfront Initiative and looks forward to the completion of the project. Should you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Sincerely, cc John Piper, Senior Advisor, Mayor's Office, City of Toronto _ Brenda Patterson, General Manager of Parks, Forestry and Recreation, City of Toronto Thomas J Quinn, Chief Administrative Office, City of Pickering Nancy Gaffney, Waterfront Specialist, TRCA Francine Belanger, Director, Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Initiative, Environment Canada Nancy Mudrinic, Director, Municipal Infrastructure Branch, Ministry of Public Infrastructure Renewal Jane McGrath, PM - Construction, Waterfront Toronto 2