A7
                                                 ADMINISTRATIVE REPORT

                                           Date: November 13, 1996
                                           Dept. File No. 2102-6


   TO:       Vancouver City Council

   FROM:     General Manager of Engineering Services

   SUBJECT:  Pacific Centre Parkade - Stairwell and Elevator Vestibule
             Upgrades


   RECOMMENDATION

        THAT Council approve funds up to $130,000 for the upgrading of
        stairwells and elevator vestibules in the Pacific Centre Parkade. 
        Source of funds to be Parking Sites Reserve.


   COUNCIL POLICY

   There is no Council policy directly applicable.


   PURPOSE

   This report requests funding approval for the City's portion of
   stairwell and elevator vestibule upgrading in the Pacific Centre
   Parkade.  Staff have negotiated a cost sharing arrangement with Cadillac
   Fairview Corporation, the owners of the facility.


   BACKGROUND

   Our current lease with Cadillac Fairview Corporation for the Pacific
   Centre Parkade expires in the year 2000, with an option for a further
   25-year term.  This facility has produced a positive cash flow for the
   past several years with net revenues transferred to the Parking Sites
   Reserve Fund.

   In 1988, Council approved funds for Phase I of a two-phased pedestrian
   access upgrading for this facility.  This pedestrian access upgrading
   consists of removing concrete block walls wherever possible between the
   Parkade and the stairwells or elevator lobbies and replacing them with
   transparent wired glass.  This provides for maximum visual supervision
   of these areas as required under the current Vancouver Building By-law
   for parkades.

   Phase I was completed in 1989 and consisted of upgrading four of the
   perimeter stairwells on both parking levels between the parkade and the
   adjacent streets.  The cost for this work was borne totally by the City
   as these stairwells provide direct access to and from the street with no
   connection to the Pacific Centre Mall levels.


   DISCUSSION

   Staff have negotiated a 50/50 cost share arrangement with Cadillac
   Fairview Corporation for the Phase II pedestrian access improvements in
   the Parkade.  Similarly to Phase I, transparent wired glass will replace
   concrete block walls surrounding all interior stairwells and elevator
   lobbies on both levels of the parkade.  Cost sharing was achievable for
   these pedestrian access routes as they connect directly to the mall
   levels and all parties will benefit from the improvements.

   Cadillac Fairview is anxious to see this second phase proceed now and
   have engaged a consultant who has provided preliminary design drawings
   and cost estimates.  The total estimated project cost including detailed
   design work, labour and materials, engineering supervision, contingency
   and G.S.T. is $260,000.  Based on the cost sharing arrangement with
   Cadillac Fairview, the City portion would be $130,000.  Although the
   scope of work for the second phase of this pedestrian access upgrading
   is substantially larger than Phase I, the City portion of the phase two
   costs ($130,000) are less than the 1989 Phase I costs ($145,000) totally
   borne by the City.

   Cadillac Fairview, in consultation with City staff, will take on the
   responsibility of having standard bid documents prepared for the
   necessary work.  Staff will also be involved in the evaluation of the
   bids and the final contract award.


   CONCLUSION

   In conclusion, it would be prudent for the City to now proceed with
   Cadillac Fairview to complete Phase II of these pedestrian access
   improvements for the Pacific Centre Parkade.  The Vancouver Parking
   Corporation has also been consulted and concurs with this project.

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