HomeMy WebLinkAboutDTS-10-115 - Lot 19 Surface Parking Extension
REPORT
REPORT TO:
Development & Technical Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING:
June 7, 2010
SUBMITTED BY:
John McBride, Director Transportation Planning
PREPARED BY:
John McBride (741-2374)
WARD(S) INVOLVED:
Bridgeport - Centre
DATE OF REPORT: May 28, 2010
REPORT NO.:
DTS-10-115
SUBJECT:
Lot 19 Surface Parking Extension
RECOMMENDATIONS:
“That the extension of surface parking in Lot 19 be approved; and further,
That The Walter Fedy Partnership be retained to complete the design as part of the
Library expansion and parking garage site plan approval process at an estimated cost of
$9,000.”
BACKGROUND:
As part of the development of a three level underground parking garage at the Library,
numerous options were considered to accommodate entrance and exit ramps, define future
building sites, better define pedestrian pathways and help to minimize the loss of parking during
the construction phase. An expansion of surface parking in Lot 19 has been previously
proposed in the area towards the Centre in the Square adjacent to McKenzie King Park. In
order to have the extra surface parking spaces built and available in time for the
commencement of construction later this year, they will have to be constructed in advance of
the main Library and Garage construction.
REPORT:
The expansion of the Kitchener Public Library Main Branch and the development of a 412 space
three level underground parking structure will result in major disruptions to parking, vehicular,
pedestrian and loading access during construction as well as impacts to adjacent properties. At
various stages of the construction these impacts will include:
The loss of 45 surface parking spaces behind the Library
The loss of a portion of the Police parking lot
The loss of approximately 75 surface parking spaces in Lot 19
The relocation of some monthly parkers to other City facilities
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The temporary closure of Ahrens St
Alternate loading access for Regional headquarters
The removal of select trees adjacent to McKenzie King Park, the rear of the Regional
Headquarters, Ahrens St and Queen St
The removal of the turning circles adjacent to the Centre in the Square
Realigned pedestrian paths between Frederick St and Queen St
The phasing of construction for both the parking structure and Library expansion
One of the immediate requirements is the development of the surface parking extension in Lot
19 to accommodate entrance and exit ramps, define future building sites, better define
pedestrian pathways and help to minimize the loss of parking during the construction phase.
This parking area needs to be in place before other surface parking areas are lost due to
construction in order to help minimize the impact on surrounding properties.
The parking lot expansion and the development of the garage itself adjacent to McKenzie King
Park will require the removal of approximately 55 smaller calibre trees that have grown over
time at the edge of the existing parking area. The majority of these trees are relatively small
and some are in declining health. The City’s Forestry staff have reviewed these trees and
determined that they are of little significance. As part of their removal, a landscape plan will be
developed to redefine the edge of McKenzie King Park with plant material more suitable than
what has inadvertently grown over the years. Two significant trees have been identified and will
be protected from all construction activity.
Another 26 trees in the area that will require removal include some on Regional Headquarters
property, Ahrens St and some along Queen St in front of the Library. Only those trees directly
impacted by construction or identified by Forestry Staff as being in declining health will be
removed.
The attached site plan indicates the areas that will have trees removed.
The design of the urban square above the parking structure will incorporate an enhanced
surface treatment to offset the loss of these marginal trees. Conceptual designs have been
developed that will incorporate McKenzie King Park, the rear of the Regional Headquarters and
the area above the parking structure into one integrated open space.
The other major change to the surface parking area will be the removal of the turning circles
towards the Centre in the Square. A final design is not being proposed at this time and will be
incorporated into the reconstruction of Otto St in 2011/2012. Initial modifications are being
proposed now in order to better accommodate basic turning movements into an expanded
surface parking area.
It is recommended that the Walter Fedy Partnership, which is also doing the structural
engineering and site servicing design for the larger project also undertake the final design for
the surface parking area and the development of lighting and landscaping plans in order to
satisfy the site plan approval process. Their estimated cost to complete this additional work is
approximately $9,000 plus taxes.
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A communication plan is being developed for the public and adjacent properties to inform them
of these impacts. In addition the final designs will be presented at a third public open house on
June 29, 2010 at the main Library.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The reconstruction of the surface parking area between the underground garage and the Centre
in the Square is estimated to be $250,000 inclusive of the engineering fees and has been
included in the total project cost.
COMMUNICATIONS:
There have previously been two public meetings outlining the Library and Parking Garage
development plans as well as four reports to Council. A further public meeting is planned for
Tue June 29, 2010 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the Library to again inform the public about the
Library and Garage designs, the impacts on surrounding properties and the staging of
construction.
Notices of this public meeting will be sent to neighbouring properties, ie Library, Regional
Headquarters, Revenue Canada, Centre in the Square, 100 Queen Apartments, the Firefighters
Association and the neighbourhood association as well as the placement of notice boards in Lot
19/McKenzie King Park and the Library.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY:
Jeff Willmer, Interim General Manager
Development and Technical Services
Attachments
Site Plan
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