Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-13-052 - Designation of Rockway Gardens and Rockway Centre REPORT TO: Community & Infrastructure Services Committee DATE OF MEETING: May27, 2013 SUBMITTED BY: Alain Pinard, Director of Planning PREPARED BY: Leon Bensason, Coordinator, Cultural Heritage Planning (519-741-2200 ext. 7306) WARD(S) INVOLVED: Ward 9 DATE OF REPORT: May 7, 2013 REPORT NO.: CSD-13-052 SUBJECT: DESIGNATION OF THE ROCKWAY GARDENS AND ROCKWAY CENTRE PROPERTIES UNDER PART IV OF THE ONTARIO HERITAGE ACT RECOMMENDATION: For information BACKGROUND: In 2012 Council authorized the preparation of the Rockway Centre Feasibility Study and Business Case. As part of that process a cultural heritage assessment was completed and concluded that both the Rockway Centre and Rockway Gardens are of cultural heritage value and satisfy a number of the criteria for designation. In response, Heritage Kitchener made the following two recommendations to Council: That pursuant to Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, the Clerk be directed to publish a Notice of Intention to designate the property known as 7 Floral Crescent (Rockway Gardens), as being of cultural heritage value and interest, with specific recognition given to Rockway Gardens being identified as a cultural heritage landscape (Clause 3 of the October 2, 2012 Heritage Kitchener Report); and, That pursuant to Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, the Clerk be directed to publish a Notice of Intention to designate the property known as 1405 King Street East (Rockway Centre), and 736 Charles Street East (ancillary buildings), as being of cultural heritage value and interest (Clause 4 of the October 2, 2012 Heritage Kitchener Report). Council deferred consideration of the recommendations for designation until May 27, 2013 to allow time for the completion of the Rockway Feasibility Study. The following report provides information regarding the merits for designating the Rockway Gardens and Rockway Centre properties. 13c - 1 Rockway Centre & Ancillary Buildings Rockway Gardens Rockway Gardens Location of Rockway Gardens and Rockway Centre Properties REPORT: A property may be designated under section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act if it meets one or more of the following criteria for determining whether it is of cultural heritage value or interest: design value or physical value The property has because it, i. is a rare, unique, representative or early example of a style, type, expression, material or construction method; ii. displays a high degree of craftsmanship or artistic merit, or iii. demonstrates a high degree of technical or scientific achievement. historical value or associative value The property has because it, i. has direct associations with a theme, event, belief, person, activity, organization or institution that is significant to a community, ii. yields, or has the potential to yield, information that contributes to an understanding of a community or culture, or iii. demonstrates or reflects the work or ideas of an architect, artist, builder, designer or theorist who is significant to a community. contextual value The property has because it, i. is important in defining, maintaining or supporting the character of an area, ii. is physically, functionally, visually or historically linked to its surroundings, or iii. is a landmark. 13c - 2 Cultural Heritage Value of the Rockway Gardens The Rockway Gardens located on property bounded by King Street East, Preston Street, Charles Street, Dixon Street, Floral Crescent and residential property lines have operated in the same location since their opening in 1932.The Phase I report prepared by MHBC identifies the following design/physical, historical/associative and contextual values for the Rockway Gardens property. design or physical value The property has because it is a representative example of both a formal designed garden and a rock garden. historical or associative values The of Rockway Gardens pertains to its historical role in civic beautification efforts; and its long-time and ongoing association with the Kitchener Horticultural Society. The garden is associated with a number of individuals significant to the community, including garden founder J. Albert Smith who served as alderman and mayor of the City from 1935 to 1937. The rockery was designed by a noted landscape architect and Fellow of the Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain, W. J. Jarman. contextual value The Rockway Gardens has in that it is important in demarking and beautifying a historical gateway into the City and defining the character of the Rockway area. The garden is also physically linked to its surroundings and can be considered a landmark. The Kitchener Horticultural Society (KHS) has been a key partner in the maintenance, operation and evolution of the Rockway Gardens since its opening in the early 1930s. Heritage Planning staff met with representatives of the KHS to discuss the recommendation for designation and its potential implications. Some members of the KHS expressed concern that the designation may specific natural and built features. At the same time, other members expressed an interest in making certain that structures of heritage value are properly conserved. the primary intent of the recommendation to designate is to acknowledge the importance of the gardens to the community and to promote greater knowledge and understanding of its significance, rather than control alterations to specific features. Staff advised that in not identifying specific natural and built features and keeping the description of heritage attributes in the designating by-law to the broad characteristics of location, accessibility, use of natural and built features and the rockery; the Society would continue to maintain its ability to make alterations without requiring constant heritage approvals. Further, staff advised that in recognizing the gardens as a cultural heritage landscape, recommendations regarding the conservation of specific features contributing to its significance will likely be addressed as part As a result, andin consultation with the Kitchener Horticultural Society, the description of heritage attributes has been worded in a way that is supported by the Horticultural Society. Additional information on the cultural heritage value of the Rockway Gardens property can be found 13c - 3 Cultural Heritage Value of the Rockway Centre The Rockway Centre and two ancillary buildings (Rectifier building and a building formerly used as office space) are located on property bounded by King Street East, Preston Street and Charles Street. The Phase I report prepared by MHBC identifies the following design/physical, historical/associative and contextual values for the Rockway Centre property. design or physical value The property has because it is a unique example of a type of structure, namely a transit terminal; and is a representative example of a style, namely the mid- century modern style and/or 1950s contempo style of architecture as used in a public building. historical or associative value The property has because it has direct associations with several themes that are significant to a community, namely transportation, urban growth and development, and recreation; and has direct associations with a person that is significant to a community, Jonas Bingeman. contextual value The property has because it is physically, historically and visually linked to its surroundings. In accordance with the heritage assessment report prepared by MHBC, the heritage attributes of the Rockway Centre include exterior and interior features of the former transit terminal building, as well as the exterior of the two ancillary buildings. Additional information on the cultural heritage value of the Rockway Centre property can be found in the Statement of ALIGNMENT WITH CITY OF KITCHENER STRATEGIC PLAN: The City has its own unique culture and heritage. The City has places, spaces and stories that enrich, enlighten, and guide growth and development. These cultural heritage resources are integral to the identity of the City.,They also play a significant role in economic development by helping to enhance quality of life, strengthen distinctiveness, stimulate revitalization and attract tourism. The designation of properties under the Ontario Heritage Act supports the Development Strategic Plan Community Priority and the strategic direction of honouring and protecting our heritage. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: N/A COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: In accordance with the Ontario Heritage Act, the Municipal Advisory Committee (Heritage Kitchener) was consulted in relation to the Notice of Intention to designate. Further, collaborative discussions were held with members of the Kitchener Horticultural Society as outlined in the report above. Should Council choose to give notice of its intention to designate, such notice will be served on the property owner and the Ontario Heritage Trust, and as a means of informing and engaging the broader community, will published in the local newspaper having general circulation in the municipality. 13c - 4 REVIEWED BY: Brandon Sloan, Manager of Long Range & Policy Planning ACKNOWLEDGED BY:: Michael May, DCAO Community Services Department Attachments: Appendix A: Statement of Significance of the Rockway Gardens property 13c - 5 Statement of Significance Rockway Gardens (7Floral Crescent & 1405 King St. E.) Municipal Addresses: 7Floral Crescent; Floral 1405 King St.E. Crescent; 1405 King Street East, Kitchener D Legal Description: 7 Floral Crescent Plan 251 Lot 31 Part Lot B 30 and 64, Part Lane A GCT Part Lot 1;Plan 404 Part Lot 25, Plan 762 Part Lot 2, Streets and Lanes Part Lot 179; GCT Part Lot 1; Plan 347 Part Block C A Year Built: 1928 (Formal Gardens); 1933 (Rockery) Architectural Style: Original Owner :City of Kitchener Original Use :Vacant land, Sewage treatment plant Condition :Good Description of Historic Place Rockway Gardens is apublic garden situated on approximately 1.78 ha (4.40 acres) and spanning four separate properties in the Rockway Planning Community of the City of Kitchener within the Region of Waterloo. Site Ais a 0.12 ha (0.30 acres) property located on the north side of Floral Crescent. Site B is a 0.86 ha (2.12 acres) property also located on the north side of Floral Crescent, municipally addressed as 7 Floral Crescent.Site C is a 0.75 ha (1.84 acres) portion of a 0.86 ha (2.11 acres) property located on the south side of Floral Crescent between Rockway Drive and Doon Road. Site D is a0.045 ha (0.11 acres) portion located on a 0.57 ha (1.41 acres) property municipally addressed as 1405 King Street East. The principal resource that contributes to the heritage value is the gardens. Heritage Value Rockway Gardens is recognized for its design, historical, associative and contextual values. The design value of the Rockway Gardens pertains to its role as a representative example of formal,perennial and rock garden types. The formal gardens feature annuals planted in orderly patterns within well-defined planting beds and separated by 13c - 6 manicured lawns and specimen trees. The perennial beds are characterized by perennials planted in a more naturalist arrangement. The rock garden, designed by noted landscape architect and Fellow of the Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain, W. J. Jarman,comprises 600 linear feet of a dramatic embankment which reaches 17 feet high at its western edge and drops to 5 feet high at its eastern edge (Landplan Collaborative, 1995). Designed to represent the Canadian Shield from coast to coast, the rock garden features an extensive limestone rock works, two waterfalls and two ponds which represent the Great Lakes and the Great Slave and Great Bear Lakes. Built features, including commemorative fountains, shade structures, benches and a stone arch are dispersed throughout the gardens. The historical and associative values of Rockway Gardens pertain to its relationship to the theme of civic beautification. In 1925, the Kitchener Horticultural Society adopted Beauty A mandate to improve and beautify the City as a service to the community. As part of this mandate, the Rockway Gardens were developed to beautify a key entryway into the City. The location selected for the Garden was a site originally selected by City Council for the installation of billboards and aservice station. The Gardens were later expanded to include lands formerly used for sewage treatment. The historical value of Rockway Gardens also relates to its role in providing relief work during the Depression in the 1930s. Local residents requiring financial assistance worked at the rockery each week to obtain tax relief which helped to offset their living costs during the difficult financial times (Ritz, 1983, MHBC, 2012). direct and long standing relationship with the Kitchener Horticultural Society.The Kitchener Horticultural Society was initially formed in 1882, reorganized in 1910 opportunity for professional and amateur members (of different socioeconomic status) to exchange seeds, plantings and horticultural advice that may not have been accessible without the existence of their organization (MHBC, 2012). In 1928, the Kitchener Horticultural Society negotiated with City Council to lease lands for the development of a public garden. The Society continues to manage the Rockway Gardens for public use and enjoyment. The garden is associated with a number of individuals significant to theCity and the early horticultural community, including garden founders, Charles H. Janzen and J. Albert Smith. Janzen was a son of Henry Janzen (former Mayor of Berlin in 1910 and founder of the Berlin (Kitchener) Horticultural Society) and served as Superintendent of the Gardens.The Janzen family donated two fountains in memory of Henry Janzen and his wife, Elizabeth. Smith served as alderman and mayor for the City from 1935 to 1937. The contextual value of the Rockway Gardens relates to its function in demarking and beautifying a historical gateway into the City and defining the character of the Rockway area. The garden is also physically linked to the adjacent golf course and Rockway Centre and is considered a landmark. 13c - 7 A Cultural Heritage Landscapeis defined in the Provincial Policy Statement (2005) as a geographical area of heritage significance which has been modified by human activities and is valued by a community. It involves a grouping of individual heritage features such as structures, spaces, archaeological sites and natural elements, which together form a significant type of heritage form, distinctive from that of its constituent elements or parts. The Rockway Gardens is considered to be a Cultural Heritage Landscape of Municipal and possibly Regional heritage significance. Heritage Attributes The character defining elements of the Rockway Gardens that contribute to its value include: Its location at a historical gateway into the City of Kitchener; its accessibility to the public, including its function as a public garden and the existence of pathways and steps to permit visitors to explore the garden; The use of trees, shrubs and herbaceous plantings in combination with lawns and commemorative built structures such as fountains and pools, to create an aesthetically pleasing designed landscape; The rockery, including its dramatic topography, limestone rockworks, water features, and variety in annual and perennial plantings. Photos 13c - 8 13c - 9 References Ritz, Orval. (1983). RocWaterloo Historical Society 1983 Volume. The Landplan Collaborative Ltd. (Landplan). (1995). Rockway Gardens Master Plan. Prepared for the Kitchener Horticultural Society Kitchener, Ontario. MHBC. (2012). Rockway Centre and Surrounding Lands:Cultural Heritage Resource Study and Assessment,Kitchener, Ontario 13c - 10 B Statement of Significance Rockway Centre (1405 King Street East) & Ancillary Buildings (736 Charles Street East) Municipal Addresses: 1405 King Street East (Rockway Centre Ancillary Buildings 736 Charles St. E. building); 736 Charles Street East (ancillary buildings) Legal Description: Rockway Centre Plan 251 Lot 31 Part 1405 King St. E. Lot 30 and 64 Part; Ln GCT Part Lot 1 Year Built: 1950 Architectural Style: Mid-century modern (Rockway Centre building) Original Owner : Public Utilities Commission Original Use :Transit terminal Condition :Good Description of Historic Place th Rockway Centre (1405 King Street East) is a mid 20 century red brick building located ona1.41 acre parcel of land within the Eastwood Planning Community of the City of Kitchener. The property is located on the south side of King Street East and is bounded by King Street East to the north,736 Charles Street East to the west, and Charles Street East to the south. The principal resource that contributes to the heritage value is the building. Two ancillary buildings which support the heritage value of the Rockway Centre property are located immediately to the west on land municipally addressed 736 Charles Street East. Heritage Value 1405 King Street East is recognized for its design, physical, historical,associative and contextual values. The design and physical values relate to the design features of the building that reflect its original use as a transit terminal building and the architectural styles of the time. The property is located at a historic gateway into the City, and the building is oriented to King Street East for convenient passenger access to trolley buses followed later by diesel buses. The prominent, curved canopy that extends around the building was once used to shelter transit users. 13c - 11 B is representative of a mid-century modern style, characterized by long horizontal lines, aflat roof, the absence of detail, and the use of modern materials such as glass block, metal and terrazzo (MHBC 2012). Details such as its low curved profile and slight slope on the east (parking lot side) elevation help to give portions of the building a slightly streamlined appearance. The streamlined appearance, along with curving features such as the rounded canopy and curved entrance are representative of the Art Moderne style. The historic and associative values relate to the association with historical and current transportation networks. Throughout the 1800s and early 1900s, King Street served informally as the primary transportation route into the town of Berlin (Kitchener), and was later designated as a Provincial Highway in 1918 linking the Hamilton area with Goderich (MHBC, 2012). Because of its location at the edge of the city along the chief transportation route, the property at 1405 King Street East served an important role for public transportation system both in terms of linking city rail lines to inter- city lines and for turning infrastructure for streetcars.In the early 1920s, Kitchener Public Utilities Commission (PUC) constructed a streetcar terminal (Kitchener Junction Station) on the property for the convenience of passengers making connections between theWaterloo-Berlin Railway lines and the Grand River Railway lines (formerly the Preston-Berlin Railway)(MHBC, 2012). The station marked the end of the line for the Waterloo-Berlin Railway, and a turn-around loop was built on the property to replace an (Hett, 1988).The wedge shape of the property reflects the original location of the railway tracks on present day Charles Street East where it merges with King Street East.A carhouse was built on a property across King Street East for storage and maintenance of street cars. The current building was designed and constructed by the PUC in 1950 on the location of the former streetcar loop to serve as a new transit station for the electric trolley bus service which replaced the streetcar system in the late 1940s (Hett, 1988).A rectifier was constructed in the same year on property municipally addressed 736 Charles Street East for the conversion of AC to DC power for the new trolley buses (Hett, 1988). The City of Kitchener was the first municipality in Canada to provide electric trolley bus service (Hett, 1988).Kitchener Junction Station was demolished in the early 1950s. The Rockway Transit Station operated until 1974 at which time it was repurposed as the present day Rockway Community Centre. In an assessment of the cultural heritage resources located at 1405 King East and surrounding properties,a report prepared by the consulting firm MHBC states: Although the centre no longer functions as a transit terminal, its physical location faces King Street where the electric trolleys and later diesel busses ran. Bus lines still stop directly in front of the Rockway Center. Thus the Rockway Centre remains physically linked to its surroundings. Since the earliest days of settlement in Berlin/Kitchener, King Street has been one of the major transportation routes in and out of the city, and the ship to its surroundings maintains the character of the area. The small ancillary building identified as the former rectifier for the station, though modified for late use, still contains the cable conduits for the former electric trolley line. Its physical relationship to the building remains. 13c - 12 B locally prominent Bingeman family and their hospitality business. In 1959, space in the terminal was leased by Jonas Bingeman, the son of veterinarian and restaurant and catering entrepreneur, Marshall Bingeman. Jonas Bingeman operated the Berkley Restaurant and Tavern, a successful smorgasbord and banquet hall, until the terminal closed in 1974 (MHBC, 2012). The terminal became locally known as Berkley Square (MHBC, 2012). Jonas Bingeman was a founding director of the Kitchener Octoberfest,and along with family members, established a family recreation facility in 1959 now called Bingeman Park on Victoria Street in Kitchener (City of Kitchener, n.d.). The contextual value relates to the functional and historical relationship between the building and the adjacent Rockway Gardens and land forms.The building is linked functionally to the Rockway Gardens by virtue of their shared historical purpose to serve travelers entering or leaving the City of Kitchener.In 1928, the Kitchener Horticultural Society leased from the City of Kitchener the property immediately east of 1405 King Street East to serve as a public garden. This garden was designed to meet the (Ritz, 1983; Landplan Collaborative, 1995; MHBC 2012). The Kitchener Horticultural Society leased two additional sites in 1933, and the gardens were expanded. The Rockway Gardens now bound 1405 King Street East from both the south and east and continue to operate as the only public garden in the City. The contextual value of the property also relates to its functional and visual connection to the public transportation network. Although the terminal was closed in 1974, the property continues to serve as a bus stop, and its historical role as a terminal can still be tation to King Street East and presence of the small rectifier building on an adjoining property (MHBC, 2012). Heritage Attributes The heritage value of 1405 King Street East includes in the following heritage attributes: Former Transit Terminal Building: Linear plan and orientation All exterior facades including: Red-rug brick cladding o Flat roof o Window sizing and placement o Glass brick o Metal detailing at north door entranceway o Terrazzo floor at north entrance o Concrete entrance ceiling and light fixture o Curved linear canopy o Brick chimneys with cast stone covers o Interior features including: Terrazzo flooring o Wood wainscoting o Rough plaster ceiling o Stairways and metal railings o 13c - 13 B Window sills o Ventilation grates beneath the windows o Wall tiles o Porthole kitchen doors o The heritage value of 736 Charles Street East includes the following heritage attributes: The Rectifier Station: Rectangular Plan All exterior facades including: Red-rug brick cladding o Hipped roof o Window sizing and placement o Front (south) entrance portico o Ancillary building formerly used as office space for the terminal building: Irregular rectangular plan All exterior facades including: Red-rug brick cladding o flat roof o Window sizing and placement o Photos 1405 King Street E (ca. 1950), Source: Rockway Centre 13c - 14 B 1405 King Street E 1405 King Street E 13c - 15 B 1405 King Street E 1405 King Street E 13c - 16 B 1405 King Street E 736 Charles Street East Ancillary buildings (former rectifier and office building) 13c - 17 B References Hett, L. (1988). Kitchener Transit The First Hundred Years 1889-1989. Waterloo Historical Society, 76, p.6-28. Master Report of Rockway Gardens Landplan Collaborative Ltd. (1995)., MHBC. (2012). Rockway Centre and Surrounding Lands:Cultural Heritage Resource Study and Assessment,Final Report. Miller, W. E. (2010). Kitchener-Waterloo Street Railway Electric Lines in Southern Ontario. http://www.trainweb.org/elso/kw_st_ry.htm. Accessed Feb 08, 2013. City of Kitchener, 100 years of Cityhood. Website: http://kitchener100.ca/your_memories/the- history-of-bingemans. Accessed Feb 8, 2013. , Waterloo Historical Society Ritz, O. (1983). Rockway Gardens First 50 Years 19331983. 1983 Volume. 13c - 18