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Form Revised: September 1999

 
 
 TORONTO TRANSIT COMMISSION

 

 

TO   Commissioners

 

FROM   Gary M. Webster

 

MEETING DATE March 21, 2007

 

SUBJECT  Staff Response to Commission Inquiry –

   Beautifying Subway Entrances

 

 

 

 

RECOMMENDATION

 

It is recommended that the Commission:

 

(a)                receive this report for information;

 

(b)                endorse the proposed plan to invite concept designs at a total cost of $40,000 for eight downtown stations as an honourarium of $5,000 per station;

 

(c)                authorize funds of $10,000 for internal staff time;

 

(d)                approve an increase in the scope of the Station Modernization Project for the concept designs of subway station sidewalk entrances; and

 

(e)                endorse the review of the design standard for station entrance signs by staff in consultation with external designers.

 

 

FUNDING

 

No funds are budgeted for station entrance improvements.  The funds of $50,000 required for the invited design concepts and staff time will be accommodated within the current budget for the Station Modernization Project (as set out on pages 563-566 of the Improvements Category) of the TTC’s 2007-2011 Capital Program which was approved by the Commission on January 31, 2007.

 

Funds for design standard development for the subway entrance signs are included in the 2007 TTC Operating Budget.

 

 

BACKGROUND

 

At its meeting on February 27, 2007, the Commission received correspondence from the Chair.  The Commission referred this communication to staff for a report on opportunities for beautifying the concrete above-ground subway entrances and improving the design of station entrance signs.  This report responds to that request.

 

 

DISCUSSION

 

The design of the original stations on the Yonge and University lines incorporated sidewalk entrances which provide station access and egress routes and a source of makeup air for ventilation purposes.  Over time, many of these entrances have been incorporated into adjacent developments.  Staff concur that the original concrete design of the remaining sidewalk entrances could be improved, particularly in the downtown core.

 

Staff recommend that the sidewalk entrances at the following stations be considered for an urban design upgrade:  Museum, Queen’s Park, St. Patrick, Osgoode, St. Andrew, King, Dundas and College.  In addition, staff view this as an opportunity to invite design concepts from the design community.  Staff believe that the addition of canopies and enhanced finishes to these sidewalk entrances will improve the appearance, safety and cleanliness of these open stairways.  Also, staff recommend that site specific designs be developed for the entrances that are compatible with architectural surroundings.

 

It is proposed that these designs be undertaken this year to permit costing and inclusion of the entrances in the 2008-2012 Capital Program.  If the conceptual design is approved, the detailed designs will be awarded through a competitive procurement.

 

With respect to the station entrance signs, staff concur that the current design should be reviewed.  As this element represents the subway system at street level, it is the service identity landmark and as such, requires consistency of design.  It is recommended that the standard for station entrance signs be reviewed by staff in consultation with external designers, possibly through the Design Exchange, with a report to the Commission by July of 2007.  This proposed process will include a design charette modeled on the recent design process employed by the City for street furniture.

 

 

JUSTIFICATION

 

Providing improved subway station sidewalk entrances and entrance signs will enhance the urban design environment of the City.

 

 

 

 

Interim Chief General Manager

 

80-86-1/62

1103650