Staff report for action – 38 Bastion Street and 35 Grand Magazine Street – Public Art Plan 1

STAFF REPORT ACTION REQUIRED

38 Bastion Street and 35 Grand Magazine Street - Public Art Plan

Date: March 26, 2012

To: Toronto and East York Community Council

From: Robert Freedman, Director, Urban Design

Wards:

Ward 19 – Trinity Spadina

Reference Number:

te12022

SUMMARY

The purpose of this staff report is to seek City Council approval of the 38 Bastion Street and 35 Grand Magazine Street Public Art Plan. The plan, which is included as Attachment 1 of this report, outlines the method by which the owner will commission public art in the publicly-accessible, privately-owned area of the development site.

This public art plan provides a framework for a public art commission including the introduction and background; the site context and public art site; the artist selection process; a preliminary budget; and schedule. The attached plan meets the objectives of City Planning’s Percent for Public Art Guidelines and is supported by the Toronto Public Art Commission.

RECOMMENDATIONS

The City Planning Division recommends that:

City Council approve the 38 Bastion Street and 35 Grand Magazine Street - Public Art Plan as attached to the report dated March 26, 2012, from the Director, Urban Design.

FINANCIAL IMPACT There are no financial implications resulting from the adoption of this report.

Staff report for action – 38 Bastion Street and 35 Grand Magazine Street – Public Art Plan 2

DECISION HISTORY

In accordance with By-law 897-2007 Ontario Municipal Board decision, and in compliance with the Section 37 provisions, the owner has opted to commission one percent of the GCC towards public art, on the publicly-accessible areas of the site. On February 22, 2012, the Committee of Adjustment approved a requested variance to the By-law 897-2007 and the attached 38 Bastion Street and 35 Grand Magazine Street Public Art Plan reflects those changes. These new municipal addresses at 38 B and 35 Grand, were previously known as Blocks 3 and 3A, in the Fort York Neighbourhood Public Realm Plan, approved by City Council in 2004.

In 2005, the Fort York District Public Art Plan: Blocks West of Bathurst was approved by City Council. The 38 Bastion Street and 35 Grand Magazine Street - Public Art Plan builds on the priorities of this previously-approved district public art plan. The owner is required to produce a Public Art Plan for review by City Planning Staff and its advisory panel, the Toronto Public Art Commission. Initial meetings were held between the owner and City Planning Staff who met to discuss the public art process and to identify the site potentials. On October 12, 2011, the owner representatives made a presentation to the Toronto Public Art Commission, at which time the Toronto Public Art Commission recommended approval of the 38 Bastion Street and 35 Grand Magazine Street - Public Art Plan.

ISSUE BACKGROUND

As outlined in Attachment 1, within the Fort York Neighbourhood, the owner has three development parcels. Phase One (628 Fleet Street) and Phase Two (21 Grand Magazine Street) have been completed with very successful public art commissions, in the publicly-accessible areas. Phase Three consists of a proposed public art approach on site, and also, a cash donation of $200,000 to the City towards the upcoming, city-owned June Callwood Park.

COMMENTS

For Phase Three, the owner is proposing a direct commission for a collaboration between two local artists. These artists will be invited to address two prominent sites within the development. An art advisory committee will be convened to select the art proposals. This committee will include owner representatives, and two independent art experts, one of which lives or works in the ward.

The 38 Bastion Street and 35 Grand Magazine Street - Public Art Plan is in compliance with the City’s objectives for the provision of public art in private development. This on-site program is in accordance with the City Planning Percent for the Public Art Program, and is supported by the Toronto Public Art Commission. Upon City Council’s approval, the owner will commence work with the artists as scheduled in the attached plan.

Staff report for action – 38 Bastion Street and 35 Grand Magazine Street – Public Art Plan 3

We look forward to the results of the public art competition.

CONTACT

Jane Perdue Public Art Coordinator Tel. No. 416 392-1304 Fax No. 416 392-1744 E-mail: jperdue@toronto.ca

SIGNATURE

______________________________ Robert Freedman Director, Urban Design City Planning Division

ATTACHMENTS Attachment 1: 38 Bastion Street and 35 Grand Magazine - Public Art Plan

Staff report for action – 38 Bastion Street and 35 Grand Magazine Street – Public Art Plan 4

Attachment 1

Fort York Neighbourhood Public Art Plan: The York Harbour Club

at 38 Bastion Street and 35 Grand Magazine Street Toronto, Ontario

Presented to the Toronto Public Art Commission October 12, 2011 by Rina Greer and Catherine Williams -- co-consultants for the project

Also in attendance: Leslie Klein and Isabelle Kazanczuk, Quadrangle Architects

1. Introduction: The Fort York Neighbourhood

The Fort York Neighbourhood (FYN) has emerged as a new neighbourhood within the City of Toronto. It is a high-density, primarily residential community bounded to the north by Fort York Boulevard, to the south by Lake Shore Boulevard West, to the west by Strachan Avenue and to the east by Dan Leckie Way (Portland Street). It is a gateway to Toronto for those approaching the city from Lakeshore Boulevard West.

The York Harbour Club is located within the FYN Area, which is rich in historical, industrial and waterfront references, and was formerly the site of the Molson Brewery operations, amongst other uses.

A comprehensive, co-coordinated approach was undertaken by all the landowners in the FYN Area to create a pedestrian-oriented public realm plan and to enhance links to existing development. A detailed study, lasting some 15 years, was undertaken at both the official plan and zoning by-law levels. In December 2004, there was a public realm study process which culminated in the adoption by City Council of the Fort York Neighbourhood Public Realm Plan (the “Realm Plan”), and later implemented by By-law No. 708-2005, among other by-laws. The Fort York Neighbourhood Public Realm Plan was adopted by City Council in 2004. It received an award from the City of Toronto and from the Ontario Professional Planners Institute.

Staff report for action – 38 Bastion Street and 35 Grand Magazine Street – Public Art Plan 5

1.1 Context Plan

2. Background: Public Art for Three Plazacorp Projects in the Fort York Neighbourhood

Within the Fort York Neighborhood, Plazacorp owns three development parcels. Their approach to public art for these lands is identified in the Block Public Art Plan and Public Art Plan for Phase I, which was presented to and approved by the Public Art Commission on September 27, 2005, and subsequently adopted by City Council. The properties are: 628 Fleet Street located at the corner of Fleet and Bastion Streets (Phase One) and now known as West Harbour City I; 21 Grand Magazine fronting onto Fleet Street between Grand Magazine and Ianuzzi Streets (Phase Two) and now known as West Harbour City II; and Block 3A fronting onto Bastion Street and Sloping Sky Mews (Phase Three) to be known as The York Harbour Club.

In accordance with the Block Plan and the Public Art Plans for Phase I and for Phase II (which included an amendment for Phase 1) and which was presented to the Public Art Commission on October 24, 2007 and approved at the subsequent City Council, the public art components for the three phases as follows:

Phase 1, 628 Fleet Street: POND, by artist Nestor Kruger - a frieze wrapping the entire building above the second floor, completed in 2009.

Staff report for action – 38 Bastion Street and 35 Grand Magazine Street – Public Art Plan 6

Phase II, 21 Grand Magazine: WAVESIDE by artists Jennifer Marman and Daniel Borins, a sculpture in the plaza just east of the main entrance on Fleet Street, completed June 2011; and MARAIS, by artist Carlo Cesta, a series of decorative handrails and balcony railings on the 19 townhouses in Phases I and II on Sloping Sky Mews, completed April 2011.

Phase III, 38 Bastion Street and 35 Grand Magazine Street: Approximately $200,000 to be donated towards the City's public art program, to be sited in June Callwood Park as well as additional public art components identified subsequently in this report.

Both 628 Fleet Street and the proposed York Harbour Club have frontage on June Callwood Park, a new 1.2 acre park planned for the Fort York Neighborhood. As identified in the Block Plan, Plazacorp is playing a significant financial role in the creation of this park. They have donated close to 50% of the land for the park, contributed approximately $500,000 in levies for the actual construction of the new park and, additionally, will allocate $200,000 in funds from Phase III, as above.

3.0 38 Bastion Street and 35 Grand Magazine Street

The Proposed Development consists of the following:

(a) One 17-storey building of 47.5 metres in height, plus a mechanical penthouse of 5.86 metres in height, for a total height of 53.4 metres above average grade.

(b) One 16-storey building of 45.2 metres in height, plus a mechanical penthouse of 5.56 metres in height, for a total height of 50.8 metres above average grade.

(c) Six three-storey townhouses of 9.98 metres above average grade.

The architectural motif of the project expands the vocabulary of West Harbour City Phases I and II, which are contemporary interpretations of classical Art Deco apartment buildings of the early 20th century, and reflects the designs of the significant historic buildings in the immediate vicinity, including the Tip Top Tailor Building on the south side of Lake Shore Boulevard and the warehouse structure at the northeast corner of Bathurst Street and Lake Shore Boulevard.

The York Harbour Club buildings are clad with decorative precast concrete panels and an aluminum and glass window wall system.

The two tower buildings consist of a five-storey podium structure at east tower and six-storey podium structure at the west tower plus a tower component set back from the facades of the podiums on all sides. The two tower buildings are linked by a six-storey structure facing Fort York Boulevard. The majority of the interior of the property is covered by a raised landscaped courtyard facing south.

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Southeast corner site fronting on Sloping Sky Mews and Grand Magazine Street

4.0 Art Sites

After consultation with the developer, the architect and City planning staff, two art sites have been identified as locations for this project.

4.1 Site A

The primary art Site A is the large plaza at the northeast corner of the site at the junction of Fort York Boulevard and Grand Magazine Street. The site measures 495 sq. feet (approximately 45’ on the north, 29’ on the east and 53’ on the south). Artwork at this prominent corner will provide a focal point as the terminus looking north on Grand Magazine and south from the historic Fort York lands. As importantly, artwork at this location will be the visual landmark for east/west traffic on Fort York Boulevard.

As background, this corner site was identified in The Fort York Neighbourhood District Public Art Plan: Blocks West of Bathurst Street, which was presented to TPAC on September 27, 2005 and approved at the subsequent City Council. The report identified Location C: Neighbourhood Plazas, as follows: “priority locations for art are adjacent to major roadways as they present opportunities to capture long views along the street. Bathurst Street and Fort York Boulevard present such opportunities.”

Staff report for action – 38 Bastion Street and 35 Grand Magazine Street – Public Art Plan 8

Therefore, Site A, the northeast plaza south of Fort York Boulevard on the west side of Grand Magazine Street is identified in the report as a highly desirable public art site. The plaza is free and clear of any vents at grade.

Northeast corner of site, at the corner of Fort York Boulevard and Grand Magazine Street

(Detailed site plan follows.)

Staff report for action – 38 Bastion Street and 35 Grand Magazine Street – Public Art Plan 9

Art Site A - site plan showing northeast corner of development at intersection of Fort York Boulevard and Grand Magazine Street.

4.2 Site B

Art Site B will be the decorative railings and handrails for six townhouses on Sloping Sky Mews. They will continue in the spirit of the railings immediately opposite on the south side of the street but will be different, thereby reflecting the more modern architectural vocabulary of these particular townhouses. This artwork will continue to reinforce the pedestrian realm and the sense of neighbourhood established by the railing treatments on the south side.

As background, the Plazacorp Block Plan had identified the condition that small gestures in the public realm were desirable in the interior street, Sloping Sky Mews. This inclusion of these small scale elements on Sloping Sky Mews were introduced as a result of discussions with city staff, including the Urban Design Division of the Planning Department. Therefore, Phases I and II undertook to provide artwork on this street in the form of artist designed decorative railings and handrails fronting 19 townhouses. The rationale has been extended to include the same treatment for the proposed York Harbour Club, identified as Site B.

Staff report for action – 38 Bastion Street and 35 Grand Magazine Street – Public Art Plan 10

View from Sloping Sky Mews looking north

4.3 Landscape design at art sites

The currently approved landscape plan for both sites will be re-developed in response to the art and with the winning artist’s collaboration/approval/input. The artist(s) will work with Matthew Bernstein of Terraplan Landscape Architects to ensure that the artwork and the landscape design for the plaza are cohesive. The plan will be resubmitted to the City for review and approval if the plan is revised to include the art.

5.0 Art Site Requirements

The following requirements will be listed in the Terms of Reference for the artists. The art should:

Be mindful of the context: Site A experienced primarily from a moving vehicle or from a distance and Site B experienced mainly by pedestrians or from nearby residential units

Be appropriately large scaled for visibility from a distance, as well as for appreciation close up

Be composed of one or more elements

Take into account the aesthetic of the architecture

Be resistant to environmental conditions

Be mindful of public safety

Staff report for action – 38 Bastion Street and 35 Grand Magazine Street – Public Art Plan 11

Be easy to maintain, with no moving parts, interactivity or electrical components other than lighting.

6.0 The Art Selection Process

In consultation with City staff, the developers propose a direct commission with Carlo Cesta and Nestor Kruger, two highly acclaimed artists who have already contributed to the quality of life in this neighbourhood through their artworks on West Harbour City Phases I and II.

Both artists were part of a rigorous invitational competition jury selection process during Phase I; although there was only one art site at the time and therefore only one winner (Nestor Kruger), the clear runner-up was Carlo Cesta. Cesta was identified by the jury as the artist whose vision would be most appropriate for future artworks related to this project. As a result, when the Public Art Plan for Phase II identified a railing treatment for the townhouses on Sloping Sky Mews, Cesta was awarded this small contract (for design only); Phase I townhouses were included as an amendment to the PAP Phase II so that all townhouses in the complex would be addressed.

The artists will work collaboratively for the artwork at Site A. The artists will develop a minimum of two ideas for Site A to be adjudicated by an Art Advisory Committee. Each idea will be supported by a brief conceptual approach, design of art components and preliminary budget. Should the Art Advisory Committee deem no ideas to be appropriate, they will instruct the artists to repeat the process and will reconvene as required until a winning design is declared.

Carlo Cesta will be the sole artist for Site B.

Cesta will bring forward to the Art Advisory Committee a minimum of two ideas for Site B, supported by concept, designs and preliminary budget, as above in Site A. Should the Art Advisory Committee deem no ideas to be appropriate, they will instruct the artist to repeat the process and will reconvene as required until a winning design is declared.

Art Advisory Committee members may offer recommendations to be addressed in the design development of the winning proposal.

The public art consultants will continue to be involved in the process through to completed installation of the artwork.

7. 0 The Art Advisory Committee

The Art Advisory Committee will decide the winning artwork by majority vote and will consist of the following two representatives of the developer and three art experts:

Leslie Yager Plazacorp Investments Limited

Leslie M. Klein Quadrangle Architects Limited

Staff report for action – 38 Bastion Street and 35 Grand Magazine Street – Public Art Plan 12

Dan Adler Art critic who teaches modern and contemporary art history at

York University

Peter Bowyer Artist and resident of Ward 19

Jennifer Marman Artist (and co-creator of Waveside, a public artwork at WHC II)

8. Preliminary Budget

A budget of $740,000 has been estimated as the 1% for public art at and will be apportioned at 38 Bastion Street and 35 Grand Magazine.* After the contribution to June Callwood Park of $200,000, the project art budget of $540,000

(exclusive of taxes) will be apportioned as follows:

Administration of competition and expenses, artist fees, jury fees, art consultants’ fees. 10%

Contingency: landscape and architectural liaison, administration, artwork material price fluctuation, change orders, unforeseen issues. 5%

Maintenance: funds held in trust for and on behalf of the condominium corporation. Percentage to be reviewed after concept is selected. minimum 5%

Art: including all materials, fabrication, design fee, 80%** installation, footings, insurance, legal fee, design development, testing, consulting / engineering fees, contingency.

Site A - 90% Site B - 10%

Total Art Budget: 100%

* Amount subject to approval of variance by Committee of Adjustment, anticipated in February 2012.

** Amount to be calculated based on final maintenance budget

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9. Preliminary Timeline*

Presentation to TPAC October 12, 2011 Committee of Adjustment Approval February 2012 Toronto East York Community Council TBD City Council approval TBD Brief Sent to Artists April 2012 Briefing Meeting April 2012 Artists’ Presentations to Jury June 2012 Contract July 2012 Design Development August - October. 2012 Fabrication Site A: November 2012 – August 2013

Site B: March 2014 – July 2014 Installation Site A: Fall 2013

Site B: August 2014 Occupancy August 2014

* All dates in this timetable are subject to approval of a variance by Committee of Adjustment, anticipated in February 2012, and will be adjusted accordingly in the sequence of steps indicated.

Note that the variance requested will affect only the density of the podium element and will not affect the footprint of the development; the art sites are unaffected by the disposition of the variance requested. The only thing that will change is the quantity of money available for public art; the percentages of the budget allocations (Section 8.0) remain the same.