Report to: Development
Services Committee Date Report Authored:
December 13, 2010
SUBJECT: Markham
Centre Mobility Hub
PREPARED BY: Alan
Brown, Director of Engineering, Ext. 7507
Sepideh Majdi, P.Eng.
Development Engineer, Ext. 2414
RECOMMENDATION:
1)
That the December 13, 2010 report entitled “Markham
Centre Mobility Hub” , be received;
2)
And that staff be authorized to issue a purchase order
to VIVA, on a preferred supplier basis, for their detailed analysis of alternative
alignment options at the Markham Centre Mobility Hub, in the upset amount of
$100,000 including HST, and in accordance with Purchasing By-law 2004-341, Part
II, Section 7 (2)(b);
3)
And that the purchase order for the VIVA review be
funded by the Remington Group and be eligible for a Development Charges Credit;
4)
And that the Mayor and Clerk be authorized to execute a
development charge credit agreement with the Remington Group to the satisfaction
of the CAO and Town Solicitor, and in accordance to the Town’s Development
Charge Credit / Reimbursement Policy;
5)
And that VIVA be requested to establish a technical
working group for the Mobility Hub review;
6)
And that staff be authorized to issue if necessary a
purchase order to Ministry of Transporation, on a preferred supplier basis, for
their peer review of alternative alignment options at the Markham Centre
Mobility Hub, in the upset amount of $70,000 including HST, and in accordance
with Purchasing By-law 2004-341, Part II, Section 7 (2)(c);
7)
And that the Engineering Department create a new
project in the 2010 Capital Budget to include the VIVA/GO Transit/MTO review at
a cost of $170,000 to be funded by the Remington Group ($100,000) and Town wide
hard Development Charges ($70,000);
8)
And that staff be authorized and directed to do all
things necessary to give effect to this resolution.
The purpose of this report is to update Council on the YRTC
(VIVA) and Ministry of Transportation (MTO) response to Markham’s June 22, 2010
request to review an alternative transit mobility hub concept and transit
alignment options for the Markham Centre Mobility Hub.
In July, 2003, Council granted draft plan approval to the
Remington Group’s “Downtown Markham” project. This project with a projected 20
plus year build-out, provides for the introduction of Viva rapid transit along
a dedicated alignment within the Civic Mall (“Simcoe Promenade”), and reserves
another block for the future 407 transitway. Remington has engaged Calthorpe
Associates to review and update Remington’s Markham Centre precinct plan, which
includes consideration of the 407 and Viva transit alignments and interface
with the Unionville GO Station and Mobility Hub. In May, 2010, Calthorpe
presented their preliminary concept for potential alternative transit
alignments and Mobility Hub station location to Markham staff, MTO and Viva.
MTO and Viva representatives indicated that a Markham Council resolution would
be required in order for them to review the Calthorpe concept in the context of
their Environmental Assessment studies and approvals and seek direction from
their respective ministries and/or boards.
In June 22,
2010 staff submitted a Markham Centre Mobility Hub Station and Transit
Alignment report to Council for their consideration. Through this report Council
requested that the Ministry of Transportation and York Region Rapid Transit
Corporation review and report back on a potential alternative 407 Transitway alignment, Viva rapidway route and Mobility Hub station
location in Markham Centre (Attachment “A”). Both agencies were requested to
report back as to their Ministry and/or Board direction regarding review of the
Calthorpe alternative. Further review of
street and block patterns and possible transit alignment options, is ongoing in
the context of Markham Centre Precinct Plan studies
VIVA’S Response
VIVA at its September 16, 2010 Board Meeting authorized
the Corporation to conduct a study to determine the implications of the proposed
Calthorpe concept subject to receipt of funds to undertake such a study.
As per VIVA’s enclosed report and resolution (Attachment
“B”) VIVA staff also outlined the following issues;
a)
Any changes to the VIVA alignment due to the Calthorpe
concept will require an amendment to the approved EA which will require
consultant funding, stake holder involvement and agency approval.
b)
The Calthorpe concept has a number of technical
issues such as;
- The length of the
VIVA transitway would be increased by approximately
500m which would increase capital cost, and
have longer travel
time.
- Interface and
connection to Kennedy Road needs to be resolved.
- The need for a
crossing of a Rouge River tributary east of
Birchmount Road may
not be required and needs to be reviewed
further.
- The implication
of future conversion to Light Rail technology needs
to be reviewed.
c)
Need to review the impact on pedestrian access,
ability to service residents, business and students;
d)
Review of
local bus facilities including the bus terminal at the mobility hubs
including joint use development;
e)
Review of the interface between VIVA, GO Transit, 407
Transitway and YRT required.
VIVA has advised of a number
of financial considerations
VIVA in their report also advised of the potential
financial considerations to implement the Calthorpe concept including;
o
Cost to amend the approved Environment Assessment
study
o
Cost already incurred on preliminary design from
Sciberras Road to Kennedy Road
o
Cost expensed
for the existing underground structure at the GO Line
o
Increased
length of the VIVA rapidway of approximately 500m
o
Additional cost for a grade separated connection to
Kennedy Road
o
Additional capital costs associated with the VIVA
station at the mobility station hub
The extent of the above additional VIVA costs has not been
determined and needs to be defined as to extent and funding source.
VIVA has indicated in their report that a more detailed
review by VIVA is required at a cost of ± $100,000 which they are prepared to
undertake subject to receipt of funding from the Town of Markham or Markham
Centre Developers.
Technical Working Group
Staff recommend that VIVA establish a technical
working group consisting of VIVA staff, Town staff, other agencies (MTO, GO
Transit, Metrolinx) and Markham Centre Developers to provide a collaborative
approach to the VIVA work program.
MTO Response
“The Ministry of Transportation draft Environmental
Assessment study has included that
MTO recognizes
that there are ongoing studies within this section of the Transitway
including Richmond
Hill/ Langstaff and Markham Centres. Should significant changes to
land use plans and planned transit alignments be agreed to, in the future by all parties,
MTO will modify the 407 Transitway
Environmental Project Report as required.”
We anticipate that MTO will want to be compensated for
their consultant services to review in detail the Calthorpe concept and a $70,000
allowance is recommended.
Pan Am Pool
The Town of Markham has been selected to host the 2015
Water Polo and Badminton events as part of the Pan Am Games. The Town will be
moving into a design build process with the Pan Am Bid Committee and
Infrastructure Ontario this fall for the Town owned lands in Markham Centre, and
needs to be in a position to confirm the preferred building placement, grading
and site requirements. As noted the conceptual layout for the Pan Am Pool
overlaid in the MTO’s 407 alignment (Attachment “C”) reveals that the 407
alignment needs to be realigned to the south to facilitate construction of the Pan
Am complex in 2013/2014.
In order to ensure that the Town’s objectives and schedule
are appropriately addressed a preliminary design of the road and servicing
infrastructure of the abutting area is required for the area so Infrastructure Ontario
can proceed with the detailed site plan and design of the Pan Am facility. Staff
retained on a preferred supplier basis, McCormick Rankin Ltd to undertake the
preliminary design of the road and servicing infrastructure for the East
Precinct at an upset amount of $80,000 funded through Development Charges in
the Engineering Department’s 2010 Capital Budget.
McCormick Rankin Corporation has completed the majority of
design work in the East Precinct area for the Town and has the background
resources and expertise to assist the Town in a condensed schedule.
Financial
Staff had requested an allowance of $250,000 (D.C. Funded)
in the Engineering Department’s draft 2011 Capital Budget for the preliminary
design of the Markham Centre Mobility Hub civil engineering infrastructure
(road, bridges, sewers, watermains etc). In order to meet the Pan Am schedule,
staff is requesting Council’s approval to advance funding and create a new 2010
capital budget amount to include the VIVA/GO Transit/ MTO review so the
Mobility Hub conceptual design can proceed immediately.
Staff have met with the Remington Group
regarding funding of the VIVA study. They have agreed to finance the VIVA
review ($100,000) subject to future Town Wide Hard Development Charge Credits.
A credit agreement will be required which staff are requesting approval for. The balance of required funding for the
matters outlined in this report ($70,000) is requested from the Town wide hard
development charges.
The $80,000 for the preliminary road and servicing
requirements has been approved (McCormick Rankin) on a preferred supplier
basis, in accordance with the Towns Purchasing by-law and funded by Development
Charges in an existing Capital Budget account.
This report aligns with the Growth Management;
Transportation/Transit; Environment and Integrated Leisure Master Plan of the
strategic priorities of Council.
Planning,
Finance and Community Services have been consulted in the preparation of this report.
RECOMMENDED BY:
________________________ ________________________
Alan Brown,
C.E.T. Jim Baird, M.C.I.P.,
R.P.P.
Director,
Engineering Commissioner,
Development Services
Attachment
“A” Markham Council June 22, 2010 Resolution
Attachment
“B” YRRT – September 16, 2010 Report
Attachment
“C” layout for the Pan Am Pool overlaid in the MTO’s 407 alignment
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CENTRE MOBILITY HUB DECEMBER 13, 2010 REPORT.DOC