More money and more time is needed as city hall repairs its front entrance, which is now expected to stay closed as the work continues for several more months, officials say.
The front canopy over the doorway citizens use to enter 300 Dufferin Ave. is closed to allow for what city officials call “critical” repairs due to water leaks and other structural concerns. The work started in March and was expected to be done by late July but is now scheduled to be completed by the end of November.
In the meantime, primary access to the building has been moved to the north entrance, located off Reg Cooper Square. But despite the renovations, vehicles can still park in the limited number of spots available in the half-circle parking area outside the Dufferin Avenue entrance.
Accessible parking spaces and the accessible access ramp should remain open.
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City politicians are being asked to approve an extra $75,000, which would increase the total project cost to $413,700, per a staff report going to council’s corporate services committee next week.
The repairs began in March to address damage caused by water leaks and structural concerns, including asbestos abatement, soffit removal and replacement of old mechanical and electrical infrastructure, city officials say. But during the work, more problems were found in the 1971-built building.
The structural damage could only be detected after construction began because its overhang is a “completely enclosed area with limited access,” city officials said in a statement.
“Due to these critical repairs, additional time and funding are required to ensure the safety and longevity of the city hall front entrance,” they said in a statement.
City officials could not be reached for comment on Friday.
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