Request for proposals issued for Ontario Place urban park and waterfront trail project

TORONTO, Sept. 6, 2013 /CNW/ - Infrastructure Ontario has issued a request for proposals seeking landscape architects with the expertise and capacity to design an urban park and waterfront trail along the east island of Ontario Place.

The park and trail project will transform a portion of the site most recently used for parking, providing public access to a section of Toronto's waterfront for the first time in 40 years. It will link to an expansive, 780-kilometre waterfront trail system that includes parts of the Trans Canada Trail Ontario route as well as the Martin Goodman trail. Through public consultations, green space with access to the waterfront was among the top three priorities identified for a new Ontario Place.

Interested bidders will need to provide a statement of design intent, examples of similar projects, and an overview of their firm's proposed project team. Bids will undergo rigorous evaluation to ensure the landscape architect chosen has the experience, expertise and capacity to successfully manage a project of this size and scope. The successful landscape architect is expected to be announced in fall 2013.

Once the landscape architect is selected, the public will be invited to provide input as part of the design phase. The final designs will be unveiled in spring 2014.

Infrastructure Ontario will also oversee the competitive procurement and construction of the park and trail, which will take place in three phases. Removal of the existing parking lot and site preparation are scheduled to begin in spring 2014, underground infrastructure and servicing in summer 2014, and construction of the park and its surface-level amenities in fall 2014.

Infrastructure Ontario, on behalf of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport and the Ministry of Infrastructure, is moving forward on the development of the urban park and waterfront trail to revitalize Ontario Place and improve access to the waterfront.

Infrastructure Ontario is a crown agency of the Province of Ontario that delivers large, complex infrastructure renewal projects on time and on budget. Over the last six years, the Province has applied Infrastructure Ontario's alternative financing and procurement model to 83 major projects valued at approximately $38 billion, saving taxpayers an estimated $3 billion. Infrastructure Ontario also manages one of the largest real estate portfolios in Canada, provides municipalities and eligible public sector clients with financing to renew public infrastructure, and leverages its private-sector expertise to manage major commercial transactions on behalf of the Province.

Visit www.infrastructureontario.ca or www.mtc.gov.on.ca/en/ontarioplace/ontarioplace.shtml for more information.

Quotes:

Glen Murray, Minister of Infrastructure
"I am pleased to see the park and waterfront trail project proceeding. The design and construction of this public green space will create valuable jobs and enhance Toronto for generations to come."

Michael Chan, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport
"We are taking decisive steps to revitalize Ontario Place and turn it into a place that residents and tourists alike want to explore and experience. Creating a new, vibrant urban park and trail on what was an unused and inaccessible area for over 40 years is an important first step on our path to transformation. Community feedback will continue to play an important role throughout this process and I look forward to hearing from Ontarians as we move forward together."

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SOURCE: Infrastructure Ontario

Mandy Downes
Infrastructure Ontario
[phone]

Mark Smith
Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport
[phone]