HomeMy WebLinkAboutDTS-09-156 - Civic District Garage UpdateJ
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REPORT T0: Development & Technical Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING: October 26, 2009
SUBMITTED BY: Sonia Lewis, CEO Kitchener Public Library &
John McBride, Director of Transportation Planning
PREPARED BY: John McBride (741-2374)
WARD(S) INVOLVED: Ward 1
DATE OF REPORT: October 14, 2009
REPORT NO.: DTS-09-156
SUBJECT: KITCHENER PUBLIC LIBRARY EXPANSION AND CIVIC
DISTRICT GARAGE UPDATE
RECOMMENDATIONS:
For information purposes.
BACKGROUND:
The Kitchener Public Library Board has approved the expansion and renovation of the Main
Branch of the Kitchener Public Library and City Council has approved the development of a 412
space underground parking structure within the Civic District. The intent of this report is to
update Council on the status of the design, the schedule, the budget, some basic elements of
the design that have been determined and the approach for providing public input into the
concepts.
REPORT:
The Library Board has approved the renovation and expansion of the Main Branch of the
Kitchener Public Library and City Council has approved the development of a 412 space
underground parking structure to serve the Library's needs, a portion of the those of the new
Provincial Courthouse and additional Regional parking requirements. The consortium of Levitt
Goodman Architects, The Walter Fedy Partnership and Phillip H. Carter Archictect have been
selected to develop the design and manage the construction of both projects.
Even though they are two distinct projects from different funding sources, they are being
designed, developed and constructed as one project to ensure integration of the designs and cost
savings.
The Central Library renovation and expansion project is progressing on schedule. A review of
the functional library building program has been completed and schematic design is nearing
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completion. The project is on track to complete the design development phase by the end of
this year. Detailed design will be completed during the working drawing phase which will start in
January.
The conceptual design of the parking structure is essentially complete. The optimum vehicular
access points have been determined to be between the Library and Gaol wall from Queen St with
the primary access towards the Centre in the Square to take advantage of the traffic control
signals at both Frederick & Otto Sts and Queen St & Margaret Ave.
While vehicular access to the Regional Headquarters parking structure has been considered, it
was determined that it was not necessary from an access capacity perspective and created many
operational and logistical issues. Secure pedestrian access from the Civic District Garage will be
developed directly to the Regional Headquarters Garage.
A Phase 1 Environmental Assessment has not found any unexpected levels of contamination,
however a Phase 2 EA is just commencing. Significant trees in McKenzie King Park have been
identified and we are working with our Forestry Section as well as the Landscape Architects to
determine appropriate limits of construction and mitigation measures that will provide for their
protection. Some relatively minor trees will be removed in order to maintain parking as well as
accommodate the entrance and exit ramp to the north, but these will be replaced with an
appropriate edge treatment.
A Public Open House will be held on November 3 at the Kitchener Public Library and November
7 at the Kitchener Market to allow the public to see the conceptual designs and provide their
input.
At this time, the schedule indicates, subject to Council approval, that he project will be tendered
in May 2010 with construction starting in August 2010, the garage completed by Dec 2011 and
the Library completed by Dec 2012.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
The design elements of this project are on budget. The initial cost estimates for both the Library
expansion and parking structure development have just been received and are currently being
reviewed by the architect and staff. Future update reports will be brought back to the Library
Board and Council for their consideration once they have been finalized.
COMMUNICATIONS:
A public open house to share the schematic design concepts of the Central Library and parking
structure developed to date is scheduled for November 3 at the Kitchener Public Library and for
November 7 at the Kitchener Market.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY: Jeff Willmer, Interim General Manager
Development and Technical Services
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