College Promenade BIA

Capital Design Strategy

May, 2013

College Street between Roxton Road and Shaw Street looking east 1915

 Contents
This report was prepared for the College Promenade Business Improvement Area by: PlaceScape consultants www.PlaceScape.ca

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18.

Study Objectives 1 City of Toronto Policies and Guidelines 2 Vision 4 Visualization Before/After 6 Visual Assets/Challenges 8 Existing Conditions 10 Proposed Plan 12 Typical Section 14 Streetscape Elements (City of Toronto) 16 Streetscape Elements (CPBIA) 17 Gateways 18 Murals 20 Street Trees 21 Pedestrian Lights 22 Seating 23 Litter Receptacles 24 Bicycle Posts 25 Paving 26

College Promenade Capital Design Strategy

May 2013

iii

w Sha

e Stre

in Oss

gton

nue Ave

ho Rus

lme

d Roa

e Colleg

Street

Study Area

iv

PlaceScape

1. Study Objectives
1.1. A Capital Design Strategy 1.2. Consultation/Study Process 1.3. College Promenade 1.4. Study Area
This Capital Design Strategy describes the vision for the future streetscape of College Promenade. The Strategy was developed for the College Promenade Business Improvement Area (CPBIA) to provide guidance regarding future improvements to the public realm. These improvements will be implemented by the Business Improvement Area (BIA), in partnership with the City of Toronto BIA Office, over a multi-year period. The objectives of the strategy is to promote a consistent aesthetic vision for the identity of College Promenade and enhance the retail business area, making it a more attractive location for new businesses to locate. College Promenade BIA recognizes that the quality of our streetscapes not only represent our civic pride but help attract people, draw new business to the area and help make safer places to work, shop, live and visit. The intent of this project is to create quality in urban realm that reflects the unique character of College Promenade by differentiating it from nearby BIAs. The Capital Design Strategy contributes to the discussion on how revitalization should occur. A comprehensive engagement strategy identified opportunities for revitalization while fostering the areas character. The BIA vision is to create a public realm that supports the public and commercial life of College Street street. The analysis and recommendations that follow are a result of a number of consultations with the BIA Streetscape Committee and Board, its members, and City of Toronto staff. These meetings discussed the future of the main street and the quality of the public realm. A site walk with the Streetscape Committee highlighted strengths and weaknesses and identified operational challenges as well as urban quality. Following the site walk the consultant completed a comprehensive audit of the existing BIA streetscape identifying existing deficiencies and opportunities for improvements. The larger BIA membership was encouraged to participate through an online engagement process and at the Annual General Meeting. The Capital Design Strategy proposes a new paving pattern for sidewalks within College Promenade and identifies opportunities for City of Toronto Coordinated Street Furniture as well as new street furnishings that reinforce the College Promenade brand. Gateways and mural sites are identified as well. The Capital Design Strategy is meant to be a living document. It is intended to guide change in College Promenade over time. Using streetscape design principles developed with the BIA, these guidelines were developed. This study should be read in conjunction with the Urban Design Strategy, which describes the BIA vision for the private realm: built form, retail frontage and future development. Both documents form part of an interrelated strategy, articulated through a single set of guiding principles informed by the engagement process.
May 2013

College Promenade is an upandcoming neighbourhood located on College Street between Shaw Street and Havelock Street, just west of Little Italy. College Promenade was established as a BIA in 2005. The area features over 100 businesses, including a wide assortment of restaurants, hair and beauty services, and other personal and household services. College Promenade is a neighbourhood main street that supports residents in the surrounding area as well as attracting people from around the city. It is easily accessible by transit with frequent service supplied by the 506 College Streetcar, which connects the area with downtown. The area is also accessible by TTC buses that run north-south along Ossington Avenue and Dufferin Street. The closest highway is the Gardiner Expressway, which can be accessed via Jameson Avenue.

This study examines the College Promenade BIA area, which stretches along College Street from Shaw Street to Rusholme Road. It includes all properties that front onto College Street in addition to a few adjacent properties that are included in the area.

College Promenade Capital Design Strategy

2. City of Toronto Policies and Guidelines

2.1. Vibrant Streets Main streets face competing demands to Guidelines Zones accommodate a range of uses within the public right-of-way. These include sidewalks, street Edge Zone: is immediately behind the trees, vending areas, vehicular lanes, transit lanes, Edge Zone curb and provides clearance between the bike lanes, on-street parking and utilities. Located next to curb portion of the road or parked The City of Toronto Official Plan identifies Providestravelled buffer between vehicles and boulevard vehicles and the other sidewalk/boulevard Avenues such as College Street as important Accommodates car door swings, mirrors, functions. This area provides a safety buffer corridors along major streets where garbage set out and snow windrow storage against door swings, mirrors, etc., and can reurbanization is anticipated and encouraged to accommodate sign and utility posts, garbage create new housing and job opportunities while Furnishing and Planting Zone pick up and snow windrow storage. improving the pedestrian environment, the look May contain street furniture, street trees and of the street, shopping opportunities and transit other fixed objects Furnishing and Planting Zone: service for community residents. (Official Plan Elements should be aligned in a manner that This zone, is normally of the edge zone, p. 2-15). does notwhich obstruct Pedestrianback Clearway
may contain street furniture, trees and other Pedestrian fixedClearway objects, and may be characterized The Official Plan has a clear agenda for Accommodates pedestrian movement by decorative paving features. This zone improving the public realm. In Section 3.1.1, A clear, straight, unobstructed path with a buffer provides an important comfort The Public Realm it states that sidewalks and reasonable width to serve pedestrian flow traffic. between pedestrian and vehicular boulevards will be designed to provide safe,
Parking

Furnishing and Planting Zone

Pedestrian Clearway

Edge Zone

Frontage and Marketing Zone

attractive, interesting and comfortable spaces Provision of the clearway is a priority Pedestrian Clearway: This zone for pedestrians by providing well designed and Frontage and Marketing Zone accommodates pedestrian movement; a coordinated tree planting and landscaping, to building/property line straight, unobstructed continuous pedestrian-scale lighting and quality street Adjacentclear, May consist of marketing, boulevard cafes width to furnishings and decorative paving as part of street path of sidewalk with a reasonable and or landscaping serve pedestrian flow. Provision of this zone improvements. The Citys Vibrant Streets Manual, outlines the requirements for Typical Main Streets such asNotes: Frontage and Marketing Zone: The area 1. If Furnishing and Planting Zone is less than 1.0 metre, adjacent to the building/property line College Street and suggests a 4.8 metre minimum consider placing furniture in alternate location; see that buffers pedestrians from windows, boulevard dimension (curb to property line) Main Street Alternate Location drawing for details. doorways, other building appurtenances. is necessary to meet those requirements. The 2. For treeThis planting the Furnishing and Planting areawithin may consist of marketing, Manual divides the sidewalk into performance Zone, refer to Urban Forestry for minimum tree planting boulevard cafes and/or landscaping and in zones that include an Edge Zone, Furnishings width requirements (1.8 metre minimum typical). and Planting Zone, and the Pedestrian Clearway. some cases may support street furniture, 3. The recommended width for the Pedestrian dependingminimum on space available. The 4.8 metre width does not take into account Clearway is 2.1 metres. Where this cannot be achieved, the Frontage and Marketing Zone that is at least 1.7 metres should be secured. In rare and additional space for cafs or outdoor retail extreme cases, the minimum width may be reduced to displays. not less than 1.525 metres.
u i d e l i n e s o l i c y G

PL

Building

r e e t F u r n i t u r e D e s i g n & P

Typical Main Street

0.46m MIN 1.0 m MIN

(note 1 & 2)

(note 3)

2.1 m

VARIES
(note 4)

2.2.

Official Plan

2.3.

In some cases may support street furniture, is a high priority. depending on the space available

In 2002, the City of Toronto approved a new Official Plan, which contains objectives for many things, including making Torontos built environment our buildings, streets and public spaces more beautiful. The Official Plan has a clear agenda for improving the public realm.

Avenues and MidRise Buildings Study

The main objective of this City-wide Study is to encourage future intensification along Torontos Avenues that is compatible with the adjacent neighbourhoods through appropriately scaled and designed mid-rise buildings. College Street along the length of Collage Promenade is identified as an Avenue in the Citys Official Plan.

2
28

4. Frontage and Marketing Zone width varies, but must be 1.0 metres minimum if street furniture is placed here.

PlaceScape

2.4.

Vibrant Streets Guidelines

2.5.

Streetscape Manual

2.6.

As part of the Coordinated Street Furniture Program, the City has developed the Vibrant Streets Guidelines. These guidelines include a number of criteria that were developed for a program that puts the needs of pedestrians first.

The Streetscape Manual is an urban design reference tool for the improvement of the Citys arterial street network - the Main Streets and Green Streets that define and connect neighbourhoods. The Manual focuses on design quality in the public right-of-way, with an emphasis on coherence, beauty, durability, accessibility, pedestrian amenity and tree canopy.

Tree Planting Solutions in Hard Boulevard Surfaces (draft)

2.7.

Coordinated Street Furniture Program

2.8.

Accessibility Design Guidelines

2.9.

This draft Best Practices Manual supports the City of Torontos goal to increase both the number and size of its street trees and proposes different options to achieve the various targets that will allow a tree to thrive and reach maturity within a hard surface boulevard in the city of Toronto. The goal is to grow trees in hard landscapes that have a 40+ year life span.
May 2013

In 2007 the City of Toronto entered into a 20 year Agreement with Astral Media Outdoor LP for the supply, manufacture, installation and maintenance of over 25,000 street furniture elements. The coordinated street furniture comprises a range of transit shelters, litter/recycling receptacles, tourist/area information pillars, public notice structures, benches, bicycle parking stands, multi-publication boxes and automated public washrooms.

Torontos Accessibility Design Guidelines are intended to address the needs of people with disabilities. This includes people with a wide range of impediments such as mobility, sight, hearing or cognitive disabilities. The Guidelines are meant to be used to conduct accessibility audits and to plan developments that will create barrier free communities.

Construction Standards for Road Works

These construction standards were produced for City staff and consultants working on capital improvement projects and private developments in the city of Toronto. The standards provide the technical information necessary for designing and constructing all roads and other surface related linear infrastructure.

College Promenade Capital Design Strategy

3. Vision
The vision for College Promenades public realm builds on the strengths of the neighbourhood to create a unique urban design strategy for the College Promenade Business Improvement Area. College Promenade will reflect its heritage scale and neighbourhood main street qualities while building a contemporary place where businesses and residents can thrive. College Promenade will attract local residents by supplying their daily needs while serving as a gathering place a place to meet your friends. College Promenade will increasingly become a destination for those from outside the area by fostering unique independent businesses with attractive store fronts and a quality public realm. The following principles describe components of the vision for the College Promenade Capital Design Strategy. They were developed by the BIA Streetscape Committee with the PlaceScape the design consultant.
Ossington Ave.
City of T

College

Promenade

Shaw St.

COLLEGE ST. RUSHOLME RD. BILL CAMERON LN. DOVERCOURT RD. DELAWARE AVE. CONCORDE AVE. OSSINGTON AVE. ROXTON RD. SHAW ST.

residential mixed-use commercial institutional park space

nto oro

City of T

Bike Post

A visualization of the proposed streetscape is illustrated on the page spread following (pages 6-7).

nto oro

Newspaper Box Corral

Public Bench

Litter Receptacle

Public Message Centre

Transit Shelter

Street Light

CPBIA Stools

CPBIA Decorative Fence

CPBIA Tree Guard

CPBIA Wayfinding

CPBIA Banner Pole

CPBIA Pedestrian Light

CPBIA Gateway

3.1.

College Promenade Identity

3.2.

Intimate Sidewalks

3.3.

Social Gathering Spaces

An authentic identity that builds on the uniqueness of the neighbourhood and sets College Promenade apart from neighbouring main streets. An identity that embraces the intimate character of the street, the heritage buildings, the streetcar line, hydro-poles and wide side-street boulevards. An identity that creates social spaces that build on the culture of the neighbourhood.

Unique paving pattern and colour that reflects the heritage scale and character of College Promenade. Uncluttered sidewalks with consistent paving material from building face to curb. Flush tree grates that provide additional pedestrian space on already narrow sidewalks. An improved interface between cars, pedestrians, bicycles, and buses.

Small public gathering places on side-street flankages that encourage people to spend time and linger in the area. These spaces could be used for cafe areas attached to restaurants or informal seating areas with tree canopy for shading. The gathering spaces will encourage informal socializing and performances. As the sidewalks along College Street are narrow future streetscape improvements can take advantage of the wider public boulevards on the side streets.

PlaceScape

3.4.

Healthy Street Trees

3.5.

Arrival Gateways

3.6.

Helpful Wayfinding

3.7.

Inspiring Public Art

Healthy street trees contribute to an attractive main street, provide shade and attract people to a neighbourhood. College Promenade will encourage healthy tree growth by providing more soil capacity, protecting tree trunks, and allow for natural irrigation using a combination of permeable brick pavers and tree grates. Side streets that connect to College Street have significantly wider boulevards that can accommodate larger tree pits and even double rows of trees.

Arrival in College Promenade will be demarcated by a series of gateways at either end and Ossington Avenue the major transit connection in the middle of the BIA. These gateways will be defined by entrance poles, banner poles and surface paving as well as local wayfinding posts.

At the gateway locations College Promenade will have unique wayfinding posts that have a map of the BIA with a legend of businesses and services by category. The maps will indicate you are here and include walking distances and times. Although the Citys Coordinated Streetscape Furniture program includes wayfinding posts - their maps are generic maps of the general area and do not focus on local businesses and services. Furthermore, these posts are dominated by advertising that does not promote local businesses.

College Promenade already has a series of public art murals that enliven the area. Given the limited width of the sidewalk and public realm within the BIA, the vision is that this mural strategy will continue to provide more opportunities to animate blank facades of private buildings along the street. Mural programs should encourage local artists and meaningful subjects to encourage a unique identity. Lighting should be considered as an essential component for public art.

College Promenade Capital Design Strategy

May 2013

4. Visualization Before/After

Before

PlaceScape

After
College Promenade Capital Design Strategy May 2013

5. Visual Assets/Challenges
5.1. Visual Assets
College Promenade can be characterized as a typical Toronto early 20th century main street. Defined by a narrow right-of-way (20m) and tight sidewalks lined by 2-3 storey buildings. The eastern end has a more consistent set of street wall related buildings, while the west end is more eclectic. Some effort has gone into providing informal landscaping and planters to provide some green amenity along the street. There are a few side street cafes along the stretch leaving potential for many more. A good collection of public art in the form of murals has been invested in the area. Some of the newer works signal a desire for a more contemporary image for the main street.

5.1.1 Attractive Facades There are a number of attractive facades along the length of College Street.

5.1.2 Heritage Buildings A substantial collection of heritage buildings has been preserved in the neighbourhood.

5.1.3 Intimate Sidewalks Although narrow, many of the sidewalk stretches are comfortable and human-scaled.

5.2.

Visual Challenges

Many of the visual challenges in the College Promenade area are a result of a long decline in retail potential since the 1960s. Recent investment has brought new residents and businesses demonstrating that the neighbourhood is in the midst of change and revitalization. Lingering undesirable effects include unattractive building facades sometimes with blank walls or parking lots fronting the main street. Sidewalk conditions have deteriorated and paving has been cut, patched but not replaced. There are long stretches without street trees and many street trees that are unhealthy due to growing conditions. Many of the wide side-yard boulevards are used only for parking or simply paved for unexplainable reasons. 8

5.2.1 Unattractive Facades Many building facades have not been renovated for decades.

5.2.2 Blank Walls and Parking Lots A few stretches within the BIA are defined by blank walls or parking lots.

5.2.3 Challenging Sidewalks Most of the BIA sidewalks have been patched and some present accessibility challenges.
PlaceScape

5.1.4 Healthy Street Trees There are a few street trees within the BIA that have a healthy tree canopy.

5.1.5 Informal Planters There are many examples of informal planters that have been installed to beautify the BIA.

5.1.6 Attractive Side Street Boulevards Cafes are an attractive use for wide side street boulevards as they bring life to the street.

5.1.7 Unique Public Art There are a number of murals along College Street that contribute to its unique character.

5.2.4 Unhealthy Street Trees Most of the trees within the BIA suffer due to obsolete planting infrastructure.

5.2.5 No Street Trees Many lengths of the BIA are without any street trees.
May 2013

5.2.6 Under-utilized Side-Street Boulevards Many of the side-street boulevards are underutilized and give little back to the street.

5.2.7 Graffiti and Billboards There is considerable evidence of detracting graffiti and visually dominating billboards.

College Promenade Capital Design Strategy

6. Existing Conditions
A detailed inventory of the study area was conducted to determine the key characteristics and conditions of the existing public realm. These observations are summarized below:

Rusholme to Dovercourt North: no trees or benches along length Empty lot and residential define gateway to BIA South: has trees, no benches along length Rushholme corner could be improved

Dovercourt to Delaware North: few trees, one bench along length Flankage potential at Delaware South: some trees, no benches along length YMCA good improvements and bike racks

Delaware to Concord North: some trees, no benches along length Flankage potential at Concord South: few trees, no benches along length set back front yards and surface parking

DOVERCOURT RD.

There is no clear sense of entry to the BIA Side street corner sites often offer no landscape or animated commercial frontage There are few murals, some are dated and they are spread out CPBIA banners are effective

BILL CAMERON LN.

449

447 445 443 441 1006 1004 1002 1000 998 976 974 972 970 968 966 962 960 958 956 954 952 950 948 946 944 942 940 938 936 934 932 930 928 926 924 898 896 894 892 890 888 886 884

6.2.

Sidewalks & Paving

City Standard of sidewalks edged with red pavers has been applied in only a few places Most of the sidewalks have been patched

COLLEGE ST.
T

6.3.

Street Furnishing

1007 1013 1011 1009

1005 1003 1001 999 997 995 101

989

985 983

981

979

977

975

973

971

969

967

965

961

959

955

945

941

DELAWARE AVE.

RUSHOLME RD.

6.1.

Character and Structure

931

923

921

919

907

905

903

901

899 897

895 8

There are few seating opportunities Excess litter indicates that there are not enough litter receptacles There are few if no empty bike posts The pedestrian lights help define the area

West End YMCA

6.4.

Landscaping
Existing Elements
BIA buildings Neighbourhood buildings Roadway Laneway Parking Lot Sidewalk Decorative Pavers Private Walk Private Deck Concrete Crosswalk Deciduous Tree Coniferous Tree Bus Shelter Litter Receptacle Bench Bike Post Pole Mural Property Line BIA Boundary
PlaceScape

There are extensive lengths without trees Most tree pits are in poor condition and need replacing Informal planters provide an appealing enhancement provided by local businesses

10

oncord

enches along length al at Concord

ches along length ds and surface parking

Concord to Ossington North: no trees, no benches along length some flankage potential at Ossington South: no trees, no benches along length narrow sidewalk pinched at transit shelter

Ossington to Roxton North: ample trees, no benches along length good flankage potential at Roxton South: few trees, no benches along length flankage potential but residential at Roxton

Roxton to Shaw North: ample trees, no benches along length existing patio at Shaw South: no trees, no benches along length residential flankage at Roxton and Shaw

CONCORDE AVE.

DELAWARE AVE.

ROXTON RD.

OSSINGTON AVE.

T T

458A 458 456 454 452 450 856 926 924 898 896 894 892 890 888 886 884 882 880 874 872 870 868 866 864 862 860 858 850 848 846 842 840 838 836 448 834 832 830 828 826 824 822 818 816 814 812 810 808 806 804 802 796 794 792 790 788 786 784 782 778 776 774 772 770 766 224 227

SHAW ST.

764 762

T T

923

921

919

907

905

903

901

899 897

895 893

877

871

869

867

865

863

861

859

855 853 851 849

847 845

841-3

839

833

831

829

827

825

823

815

807

805

221

801

799B

799

797

795

440 783 747

435

877A

Line

dary
College Promenade Capital Design Strategy May 2013

11

7. Proposed Plan
The adjacent plan is an illustrative plan that shows a fully built future. The location of elements is approximate and will be determined through consultation in the detailed design phase. Proposed elements are described fully in the proceeding section.

Rusholme Gateway Gateway Posts Corner Fence NE & SE corners Info Posts NW & SE corners Seating NW corner New Street Trees

Dovercourt Seating NW corner New Street Trees Newspaper Stands Wall Art NW corner

Delaware Seating NW corner Wall Art NE corner New Street Trees

DOVERCOURT RD.

7.1.

Character and Structure

Gateways define the entry to the BIA Side street corner sites are animated by landscaping or active use such as cafes Blank walls are enhanced with murals Wayfinding posts help orient people within the BIA

BILL CAMERON LN.

449

447 445 443 441 1006 1004 1002 1000 998 976 974 972 970 968 966 962 960 958 956 954 952 950 948 946 944 942 940 938 936 934 932 930 928 926 924 898 896 894 892 890 888 886 884

7.2.

Sidewalks & Paving

COLLEGE ST.
T

The new CPBIA paving standard is applied throughout The standard is a curb-to-buliding-face mottled red brick paver

1007 1013 1011 1009

1005 1003 1001 999 997 995 101

989

985 983

981

979

977

975

973

971

969

967

965

961

959

955

945

941

DELAWARE AVE.

RUSHOLME RD.

931

923

921

919

907

905

903

901

899 897

895 8

7.3.

Street Furnishing
T T

West End YMCA

More CofT benches and new CPBIA seating More CofT litter receptacles More CofT bike posts Final phase of pedestrian lights

7.4.

Landscaping

Existing Elements
BIA buildings Neighbourhood buildings Roadway Laneway Parking Lot Sidewalk Decorative Pavers Private Walk Private Deck Concrete Crosswalk Deciduous Tree Coniferous Tree Bus Shelter Litter Receptacle Bench Bike Post Pole Mural Property Line BIA Boundary
PlaceScape

Many more street trees Existing tree pits are replaced with continuous trenches and tree guards and grates

12

corner corner Trees

Concord Seating NE corner Wall Art NE corner New Street Trees

Ossington Gateway Gateway Banners Info Posts all corners Seating SW corner Wall Art NE corner New Street Trees Newspaper Stands

Roxton Seating NW corner Wall Art NE & NW corner New Street Trees

Shaw Gateway Gateway Posts Info Posts NW & SW corners New Street Trees Newspaper Stands Corner fence NW & SW corners
T T

CONCORDE AVE.

DELAWARE AVE.

ROXTON RD.

OSSINGTON AVE.

T T

458A 458 456 454 452 450 856 926 924 898 896 894 892 890 888 886 884 882 880 874 872 870 868 866 864 862 860 858 850 848 846 842 840 838 836 448 834 832 830 828 826 824 822 818 816 814 812 810 808 806 804 802 796 794 792 790 788 786 784 782 778 776 774 772 770 766 224 227

SHAW ST.

764 762

T T

923

921

919

907

905

903

901

899 897

895 893

877

871

869

867

865

863

861

859

855 853 851 849

847 845

841-3

839

833

831

829

827

825

823

815

807

805

221

801

799B

799

797

795

440 783 747

435

877A

Proposed Elements
City of Toronto Standard Deciduous Tree Litter Receptacle Bench Bike Post
College Promenade Capital Design Strategy

CPBIA Standard Paving Boulevard Gateway Curb Pedestrian Light

May 2013

CPBIA Optional Wall Art Seating InfoPost Corner Fence Planter Cafe Gateway Area
0 25 50 m North

Line

dary

13

8. Typical Section
This page spread illustrates the application of the Capital Design Strategy to a typical section of College Promenade. The top row of images depicts the typical existing conditions while the bottom row of images shows the proposed improvements. Precise locations of elements is approximate and is provided for illustrative purposes only.

8.1.

Existing Conditions

The images along this row show a typical existing condition for the College Promenade streetscape. College Street can be seen along the bottom lined with the current City of Toronto Street Manual detail for the area. A double-row of red brick pavers edges the curb. Trees are planted in underground concrete planters covered by brick pavers. Street furnishings are distributed along the furnishing zone and concrete sidewalks define the pedestrian zone between the furnishing zone and the building face. Many of the side streets have widened boulevards and curb bulbs to encourage pedestrian safety. These boulevards are public property although they are often used as permit parking. The dominant vertical element in the neighbourhood is the hydro poles.

Existing Plan

8.2.

Proposed Design

The proposed illustrative design demonstrates the strategy on the typical corner. The surface of the sidewalk is defined by a mottled-red brick paver that runs from the curb to the building face emphasizing the width of the sidewalk. Trees are installed in continuous trenches that are covered with decorative tree grates - flush with the sidewalk to increase pedestrian space. A public seating area is shown on a widened boulevard. The corner is defined with a double-row of street trees and private uses are screened with a CPBIA decorative fence. The blank wall has been adorned with public art.

Proposed Plan

14

PlaceScape

Existing Axonometric

Existing View

Proposed Axonometric
College Promenade Capital Design Strategy May 2013

Proposed View

15

9. Streetscape Elements (City of Toronto)

Below are illustrated the Streetscape Elements from the City of Toronto Coordinated Street Furniture Program that can be found within the BIA. As these elements are funded the program they come at no cost to the BIA. However, as they are applied city-wide they do not contribute to the unique character of College Promenade. In fact, their ubiquitousness detracts from a strong place brand for the area given the lack of other CPBIA defining elements. Details on the application of these elements can be found on subsequent pages of the document.

Ossington Ave.

City of T

nto oro

City of T

Bike Post

nto oro

Newspaper Box Corral

Public Bench

Litter Receptacle

Public Message Centre

Transit Shelter

Street Light

CPB Stoo

16

PlaceScape

10. Streetscape Elements (CPBIA)

The streetscape elements below are proposed College Promenade Business Improvement unique streetscape elements. They are designed to compliment the City of Toronto City of Toronto Coordinated Street Furniture Program in use while defining a unique brand for College Promenade in style. Elements include new public stool seating, a decorative fence, tree grates and guards, a wayfinding post, a gateway banner pole, a new tall gateway post and the existing CPBIA pedestrian light. Details on the application of these elements can be found on subsequent pages of the document.

College

College

Promenade

Shaw S

COLLEGE ST. RUSHOLME RD. BILL CAMERON LN. DOVERCOURT RD. DELAWARE AVE. CONCORDE AVE. OSSINGTON AVE. ROXTON RD. SHAW ST.

COLLEGE ST. RUSHOLME RD. BILL CAMERON LN. DOVERCOURT RD. DELAWARE AVE. CONCORDE AVE. OSSINGTON AVE. ROXTON RD.

residential mixed-use commercial institutional park space

SHAW ST.

residential mixed-use commercial institutional park space

Street CPBIA Light Decorative Fence

CPBIA Stools

CPBIA CPBIA CPBIA Tree Guard Decorative Fence Wayfinding

CPBIA CPBIA CPBIA CPBIA Banner Pole Tree Guard Pedestrian Wayfinding Light

CPBIA Banner Pole

CPBIA Pedestrian Light

CPBIA Gateway

CPBIA Gateway

College Promenade Capital Design Strategy

May 2013

17

11. Gateways
11.1. Purpose
Gateways will help define the entry into College Promenade.

11.2. Strategy
There are two kinds of gateways within College Promenade. Major Gateways can be found at Rusholme Road and Shaw Street, the two ends of the BIA. A Minor Gateway is located at Ossington Avenue and College Street a major transit connection in the middle of the BIA. Major Gateways are defined by tall gateway posts on either side of the road with signage stating College Promenade. Minor gateways are defined by a row of three banner posts signalling entry into the BIA. All of the gateway locations feature wayfinding info posts and optional corner fences. The CPBIA fences should be specifically designed for the BIA through an RFP or competition process to ensure that they are unique to the BIA. The fences illustrated on this page are for illustration only and are not the proposed design.

Decorative Corner Fences - Marianne Lovink

Banner Rows

Decorative Fence, Tanner Springs Park, Portland

1/0/1

1/1/0

0/0/0

0/0/0

1/0/1

1/0/1

1/1/1

1/1/1

1/0/1

1/0/1

1/1/1

Gateways

Tall Gateway Posts 4 Gateway Banners 12 4 Corner Fence Info Post 8

PlaceScape

18

Legible London Wayfinding Post

College

College

Promenade Promenade

Shaw St.

COLLEGE ST. RUSHOLME RD. BILL CAMERON LN. DOVERCOURT RD. DELAWARE AVE. CONCORDE AVE. OSSINGTON AVE. ROXTON RD. SHAW ST.

COLLEGE ST. RUSHOLME RD. BILL CAMERON LN. DOVERCOURT RD. DELAWARE AVE. CONCORDE AVE. OSSINGTON AVE. ROXTON RD.

residential mixed-use commercial institutional park space

SHAW ST.

residential mixed-use commercial institutional park space

CPBIA CPBIA Stools Decorative Fence

CPBIA CPBIA Decorative FenceHollywood Tree Guard Media

Wayfinding TreeGateway Guard District

CPBIA CPBIA

CPBIA CPBIA Banner Wayfinding Pole

CPBIA CPBIA Pedestrian Banner Pole Light

CPBIA Pedestrian Light

CPBIA Gateway

CPBIA Gateway

College Promenade Capital Design Strategy

May 2013

19

12. Murals
12.1. Purpose
Murals brighten up dull blank facades and provide cultural interest to urban environments. Murals can surprise and inspire.

12.2. Strategy
Business Improvement Areas can receive one-time funding for street banners or wall mural projects that help promote a local theme and facilitate commercial neighbourhood identity. College Promenade already takes advantage of this program and has developed a series of murals throughout the BIA. Future murals should continue to pursue a contemporary aesthetic and promote the use of light as a medium. The new StreetARToronto program helps promote emerging artists.
Dos Bruxas mural College Promenade by Fiya Bruxa Nicolai Kulturcenter in Kolding, Denmark, by Kristine Jensen

0/0

2/4

0/0

0/3

1/2

0/1

0/1

1/1

0/4

1/1

0/0

Wall Art

Existing Murals Proposed Wall Art

5 17

20

PlaceScape

13. Street Trees

13.1. Purpose
Street trees provide green and shade to create an attractive main street.

13.2. Strategy
To protect and sustain healthy street trees new infrastructure is proposed. Continuous tree pits with structural support allow for larger soil volumes which promote root growth. Unit pavers allow water to percolate into the soil. Tree grates encourage passive irrigation and protect the roots of trees. Tree guards protect young trees from bike locks and older trees from other physical impact. Tree guards should be tapered to increase the visual width of the sidewalk. CPBIA tree grates and guards should be of a contemporary style as illustrated on this page and page 17.
Tapered Tree Guard Tapered Tree Guard

3/18

0/20

3/19

8/18

1/18

8/26

11/16

10/17

7/44

3/12

0/11

Street Trees

Existing Trees 54 Proposed Trees 219

College Promenade Capital Design Strategy

May 2013

21

14. Pedestrian Lights

14.1. Purpose
To provide pedestrian scaled lighting along the street and help establish an identity for College Promenade.

14.2. Strategy
Two of three phases of pedestrian street lights have already been installed along College Street.

College Promenade Pedestrian Light Standard

College Promenade Pedestrian Light Standard

0/0/0

2/4/4

1/3/3

0/5/5

1/3/3

1/4/4

1/4/4

2/2/4

2/2/11

1/1/4

1/1/4

Pedestrian Lights
Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3

12 29 46
PlaceScape

22

15. Seating
15.1. Purpose
To provide comfort, accessibility and create social spaces where people can linger and stay longer on College Promenade.

15.2. Strategy
Two types of seating are proposed along College Promenade. The standard City of Toronto street bench will be located along College Street in the Street Furnishing Zone. Feature CPBIA stools will be arranged in groups on the side-street boulevards where appropriate. The CPBIA stools should be specifically designed for the BIA through an RFP or competition process to ensure that they are unique to the BIA. The stools illustrated on this page are for illustration only and are not the proposed design. The stools should be contemporary and constructed of durable materials such as the ones illustrated on this page or on page 17.
Standard City of Toronto Bench Sculptural Seating, Bermondsey Square, London

0/1/5

1/2/5

0/1/5

0/1

0/1/5

0/1/5

0/1

0/2/5

5/3/5

0/1

0/1

Seating

Existing Benches Proposed Benches Proposed Seats

1 15 35
May 2013

College Promenade Capital Design Strategy

23

16. Litter Receptacles

16.1. Purpose
To keep the streets clean by encouraging proper disposal.

16.2. Strategy
Litter receptacles can be requested through the City of Toronto Coordinated Street Furniture Program. Litter Receptacles for College Promenades streetscape will be selected from this series. The BIAs logo should be incorporated. Ideally there should be one receptacle per block.

Standard City of Toronto Litter Receptacle

0/0

2/2

1/1

1/1

1/1

1/1

0/1

1/1

1/2

0/1

0/1

Litter Receptacle

Existing Litter Receptacle Proposed Litter Receptacle

8 12

24

PlaceScape

17. Bicycle Posts

17.1. Purpose
To provide secure bicycle parking and deter improper bicycle parking on private property and street trees.

17.2. Strategy
Bicycle Posts for College Promenade will be the traditional design developed by the Old City of Toronto and are supplied, through request, by the City of Toronto. Some interest was expressed by the BIA Streetscape Committee to investigate artistic designs for bicycle posts. The conclusion at the time of this report is that such an initiative is welcome in the future but will be treated as a separate project for the BIA in the future.

Standard City of Toronto Bicycle Post

Artist Bicycle Posts by Marianne Lovink

2/7

12/17

11/18

10/19

9/15

9/16

12/13

6/18

88/101

12/21

4/15

Bike Posts

Existing Bike Posts 175 Proposed Bike Posts 261

College Promenade Capital Design Strategy

May 2013

25

emergency situation where a two stage repair is absolutely necessary (i.e. crew capable of replacing unit paving not available). Filter fabric is peeled back, precast concrete panel is lifted out of place and set aside. Utility is accessed via excavation of planting

Filter fabric is peeled back, and soil cells are removed and set aside. Note: in frozen conditions, the soil cells may be removed forcibly with an excavator, requiring them to be replaced with new soil cells prior to repairing surface paving. Once soil cells are removed, utility is accessed via excavation of planting soil / granular below.

18. Paving
Type 2 - Precast structural slab

soil / granular below.

utility access step two

18.1. Purpose
To provide a consistent surface treatment to identify the BIA and provide as much pedestrian width as possible given the narrow sidewalks of the area.

18.2. Strategy
Mottled-red brick pavers that match the predominant brick colour of the neighbourhood. The mottled pattern will allow for replacement bricks to be installed without having to match the colour exactly. Brick pavers should be long and thin with a 1-3 or 1-4 ratio to mimic the pavers in the former streetcar tracks. Pavers should be installed to City of Toronto standards on precast structural slab or on-grade pavement over soil cells. Detailed design will determine the best solution in conjunction with City Staff. The design should allow for passive irrigation through water percolating through the bricks and tree grates.
utility access step three

Type 2 - On-grade pavement over soil cells

Detail from Tree Planting Solutions in Hard Boulevard Surfaces (draft)

Detail from Tree Planting Solutions in Hard Boulevard Surfaces (draft)

18.2.1 Option 1: Pavement bridge Precast Structural Slab Construction A precast structural slab is used as a sub-base for a finish surface of unit pavers. The slab will span between the back saddle of the curb at the street to a grade beam at the back of the sidewalk. Filter fabric is laid down over the precast panels in order to prevent fines migration. The setting bed and unit pavers are installed on top of the filter fabric.

18.2.2 Option 2: On-grade pavement over soil cells A traditional pavement on grade system is installed on top of a soil cell assembly. This method has been used on a number of pilot projects in the City of Toronto, and in other North American municipalities.

26

PlaceScape

18.3. Existing Paving Standard

PAVING
200mm VARIES (400mm TYPICAL) 200mm 1800mm 200mm

18.4. Proposed Paving Standard

PAVING

200mm CONCRETE CURB

100mm x 300mm GRANITE UNIT PAVERS (BRICK RED MOTTLED) WITH ACCESSIBLE CURB RAMP 200mm CONCRETE CURB

POURED IN PLACE CONCRETE SIDEWALK (BROOM FINISH) WITH ACCESSIBLE CURB RAMP 200mm CONCRETE RETAINER STRIP

CONCRETE BASE WITH PEDESTRIAN LIGHT POLE

200mm x 200mm CONCRETE UNIT PAVERS (60% YORKTOWN 40% RUSSET OR EQUIVALENT) SEE NOTE 2

100mm x 300mm GRANITE UNIT PAVERS (BRICK RED MOTTLED) BICYCLE RING

STREET LIGHT OR UTILITY POLE CAST IRON TREET GRATE

BICYCLE RING

STREET LIGHT OR UTILITY POLE

NOTES: 1. THE DESIRED WIDTH OF THE PEDESTRIAN CLEARWAY IS A MINIMUM OF 2100mm. WHERE THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE, A REDUCTION TO NO LESS THAN 1530mm CAN BE CONSIDERED. 2. SIZE AND/OR COLOUR OF CONCRETE PAVERS MAY VARY IN SITE-SPECIFIC CASES

SEE NOTE 1

VARIES (800mm TYPICAL)

NOTES: 1. THE DESIRED WIDTH OF THE PEDESTRIAN CLEARWAY IS A MINIMUM OF 2100mm. WHERE THIS IS NOT POSSIBLE, A REDUCTION TO NO LESS THAN 1530mm CAN BE CONSIDERED.

SEE NOTE 1

VARIES (2400mm TYPICAL)

College Promenade Capital Design Strategy

Concrete Paver Band (2 Rows)

May 2013
Paving College Street

27
NTS

NTS