Parliament Street Library Relocation & Expansion
About the Project
Exciting news for Regent Park and Cabbagetown! The Toronto Public Library is planning on relocating and expanding the Parliament Street branch into Regent Park as part of Phases 4 and 5 of the Regent Park Revitalization Project.
The relocated branch will be expanded to 23,000 square feet and will include expanded services. This project is part of the Library’s 10-year Capital Plan. The specific start date of the project is to be determined in conjunction with the larger redevelopment project being undertaken by TCHC.
The 2025 10-year capital plan includes a Parliament Street Relocation and Expansion project for $27.2 million. This budget will cover the architectural fees and the cost of building the 23,000 square foot shell for the library and the subsequent fit-out including fixtures, furniture, equipment and shelving.
Background
The Parliament Street branch opened in 1969 at its current site and was renovated in 1992. It is no longer meeting TPL standards for library service, accessibility, washroom count and type and energy efficiency. The entrance configuration is problematic from a health and safety perspective with limited sight-lines from the entrance into the branch and un-integrated access to the second floor. The program room on the second floor is remote from the main part of the branch and the heritage structure needs a lot of remedial work.
The branch has had a number of small scale interior renovations over the years most recently to re-configure / enlarge computer workstations and make other changes such as removing walls to improve circulation and eliminate blind corners, lowering shelving to improve sightlines to make improvements to staff’s ability to create a more welcoming environment. Many of these interior improvements like the new shelving and computer furniture can be re-used in the new facility.
The new construction gives the library the opportunity to build a fully accessible library that meets current library standards and introduce new services that would be challenging and costly in the existing building. Relocating the branch also allows us to maintain full service to the community while building a branch that will deliver more services to the community.
When the library vacates the current location, the next use of the building is determined by City Real Estate Management and becomes available for other City division use.
Project ID: CREM-TPL-246
Who to Contact
Leesa Tossios, Area Manager
Susan Martin, Manager, Capital Project Planning and Implementation
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