Nathan Phillips Square overhaul costs soar by $20M, project still unfinished

TORONTO — Three years after the slated completion date, the Nathan Phillips Square revitalization project is still not finished and its costs have ballooned to $60.5 million.

A report released Monday from the Government Management Committee says the project will be completed by Dec. 31 2015 and recommendations are seeking an additional purchase order of $250,000 for Plant Architect Inc. and Perkins + Will Canada Inc.

The total project will remain within its revised approved budget of $60.5 million.

It was originally estimated to cost $40 million and was expected to be completed by Dec. 31, 2012, but harsh winters caused delays and unanticipated structural fixes increased costs.

Councillor Janet Davis said the city had planned to have private sector partners help fund the revitalization project.

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“We did outreach… we simply didn’t have any takers,” Davis said. “Over time what the city did in an attempt to finance all of the elements of it, was we did it in a staged way.”

Share this on X Click to share quote on X: "We did outreach… we simply didn't have any takers," Davis said. "Over time what the city did in an attempt to finance all of the elements of it, was we did it in a staged way."

Davis said the majority of costs were for much-needed for structural repairs of the square.

“The majority of the costs associated with Nathan Phillips Square are structural, that were maintenance projects or state-of-good-repair projects that need to be done… The ramps for instance, and the elevated walkways, these were structurally unsound and needed to be repair,” the Ward 31 councillor said.

“I think the good news is that it’s finally going to be completed… what we know is if we are going to invest in infrastructure that there are often unanticipated costs and secondly, government has to pay for it and that’s what we’ve learned with Nathan Phillips Square.”

Share this on X Click to share quote on X: "I think the good news is that it's finally going to be completed… what we know is if we are going to invest in infrastructure that there are often unanticipated costs and secondly, government has to pay for it and that's what we've learned with Nathan Phillips Square."

The revitalization project saw additions to the city square that included a new skate pavilion and concession stand, seasonal water fountain and theatre.

The Government Management Committee will discuss recommendations for Nathan Phillips Square revitalization on Nov. 9.

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