Cambridge's Main Street Facelift

[Spokes]

-As far as I know, final approval for a commercial zoning area is decided upon by the Region of Waterloo. The Region is dominated by votes in Kitchener & Waterloo and the Regional planning department is headquartered in Kitchener so it is valid to say that they are also accountable for Hespeler Road and the other continuous shortcomings of Cambridge. IMO this is something many people fail to recognize. Food for thought.

Im pretty sure this is done at the municipal level, but someone correct me if Im wrong. Im pretty sure cities, in their official plans, determine what zoning a given property has, not done at the Regional level. That applies to both the Galt core and Hespeler Rd.

And Regional council isn't dominated by votes by Waterloo over Cambridge, they have the same number of votes

I don't think you can really put the blame on Kitchener and Waterloo.

[DHLawrence]

Nope, as much fun as it would be to pin the blame on Regional Council, the blame for Hespeler Road's state falls squarely on Dickson Street.

Could something be done to raise the river levels? It always seems so far away from the life on the streets.

Demolishing Parkhill Dam would probably raise it a few feet. Considering that dam's history, I expect there would be few complaints. It would have to be watched VERY carefully, however; the once-in-a-lifetime water levels that the levee was designed to protect against seem to be happening more often lately.

Earlier in the thread it was mentioned that a second university campus was headed to Cambridge; is there a source for that? I heard talk of an expanded School of Architecture, but not a second campus entirely. On a related note, dare I dream that there has been any news about the Cambridge Biennale proposal that I haven't heard about?

[Galtonian]

When did Galt ever have white collar employment? Seems to me it went from blue collar to skid row in one jump.

Bad idea. A downtown with housing prices too far in either direction is a recipe for disaster; there has to be room for everybody in a healthy downtown regardless of economic situation.

Where are they planning to build it? I don't think I've heard about that.

-Galt used to have twice as many banks, one office that recently left was RBC Dominion Securities which was housed in the Arthur White Building (The Courthouse). Gore Mutual Insurance headquarters was at the site of the current Scotiabank and Trust @ Main and Ainslie Streets. There were many more government offices and various firms but they have closed or left the core to go to the suburbs. One firm worth noting in recent times to leave the core is Stantec which used to be housed in the former Dominion store @ "The Mall". They moved to Market Square. This has since been purchased by the Region of Waterloo.

-There needs to be balance in the types of housing available in the core but as of late, there has been a saturation of affordable housing units built and there has been the conversion of single family homes to rooming houses and apartments. This cannot continue. This is affecting the balance in the core. You said it yourself, blue collar to skid row. This will affect sales for phase two of Waterscape and the other condo developments that are occurring and could potentially. I don't want Downtown to inherit the problems that Brantford or Thunder Bay have.

-The parking garage is listed in the city's official plan. I believe it would be built behind the Galt Armory but I would check the plan to confirm that. Last I checked it I vaguely remembered it would be in about 5-10 years.

[mpd618]

-As far as I know, final approval for a commercial zoning area is decided upon by the Region of Waterloo. The Region is dominated by votes in Kitchener & Waterloo and the Regional planning department is headquartered in Kitchener so it is valid to say that they are also accountable for Hespeler Road and the other continuous shortcomings of Cambridge. IMO this is something many people fail to recognize. Food for thought.

City official plans have to conform to the Region's official plan. I've never heard of this Region overruling a city planning approval.

I just don't see how re-doing Hespeler Rd changes Cambridge from a 3 core town. All three cores still exist. If anything, you now have a four core town.

An urbanized Hespeler Road would glue together Galt and Hespeler. Right now there is no there there - it's just a way to get from one place to another, but there is no place in Hespeler Road. If that became part of the urban fabric of the city, then that would necessarily blur the boundaries between the old towns. Same thing goes for connecting Galt and Preston.

When you travel between separate town, you go through the no man's land in between. When you travel between neighbourhoods of a city, you pass through other neighbourhoods. What we are talking about here is turning the towns of Cambridge into neighbourhoods of Cambridge, and adding new ones.

[Galtonian]

Im pretty sure this is done at the municipal level, but someone correct me if Im wrong. Im pretty sure cities, in their official plans, determine what zoning a given property has, not done at the Regional level. That applies to both the Galt core and Hespeler Rd.

And Regional council isn't dominated by votes by Waterloo over Cambridge, they have the same number of votes

I don't think you can really put the blame on Kitchener and Waterloo.

The Region of Waterloo Planning department through the community planning division does have an influence on the review and approval services to comply with Regional and Provincial policies, regulation and legislation.

I'm aware of Cambridge and Waterloo having equal representation at Regional Council however if we relate that to transportation planning that could warrant a lively debate ;-) Certainly not in this thread though.

Back to the focus on Main Street's Facelift :-)

[BuildingScout]

-There may be a huge wall lining the Grand River but I believe the GRCA acted in the best interests of the community. I certainly don't want to see the remaining half of the surviving buildings destroyed if there was a repeat of the flood of 1974.

Movable gates was the way to go. Keep open access a eye level and then close the gates when the river levels go up.

[Spokes]

Demolishing Parkhill Dam would probably raise it a few feet. Considering that dam's history, I expect there would be few complaints. It would have to be watched VERY carefully, however; the once-in-a-lifetime water levels that the levee was designed to protect against seem to be happening more often lately.

Earlier in the thread it was mentioned that a second university campus was headed to Cambridge; is there a source for that? I heard talk of an expanded School of Architecture, but not a second campus entirely. On a related note, dare I dream that there has been any news about the Cambridge Biennale proposal that I haven't heard about?

Couldn't you put a dam down at the end of it that would only allow water levels to get so high? The water would overflow once it got to the top of the dam keeping the level the same.

Im no expert on this, just thinking of how things work in Ottawa with the Canal

[Spokes]

-Galt used to have twice as many banks, one office that recently left was RBC Dominion Securities which was housed in the Arthur White Building (The Courthouse). Gore Mutual Insurance headquarters was at the site of the current Scotiabank and Trust @ Main and Ainslie Streets. There were many more government offices and various firms but they have closed or left the core to go to the suburbs. One firm worth noting in recent times to leave the core is Stantec which used to be housed in the former Dominion store @ "The Mall". They moved to Market Square. This has since been purchased by the Region of Waterloo.

And welcome to Waterloo Region. We're slowly seeing a shift back, the same will happen in Cambridge.

-There needs to be balance in the types of housing available in the core but as of late, there has been a saturation of affordable housing units built and there has been the conversion of single family homes to rooming houses and apartments. This cannot continue. This is affecting the balance in the core. You said it yourself, blue collar to skid row. This will affect sales for phase two of Waterscape and the other condo developments that are occurring and could potentially. I don't want Downtown to inherit the problems that Brantford or Thunder Bay have.

You said it perfectly, ballance. There needs to be more high quality developments to establish a base of residents before more affordable housing should be built. Same deal in Kitchener.

-The parking garage is listed in the city's official plan. I believe it would be built behind the Galt Armory but I would check the plan to confirm that. Last I checked it I vaguely remembered it would be in about 5-10 years.

Thanks for the info!

An urbanized Hespeler Road would glue together Galt and Hespeler. Right now there is no there there - it's just a way to get from one place to another, but there is no place in Hespeler Road. If that became part of the urban fabric of the city, then that would necessarily blur the boundaries between the old towns. Same thing goes for connecting Galt and Preston.

When you travel between separate town, you go through the no man's land in between. When you travel between neighbourhoods of a city, you pass through other neighbourhoods. What we are talking about here is turning the towns of Cambridge into neighbourhoods of Cambridge, and adding new ones.

Yup, that's true. You'd still have the die hard allegiances to Galt or Preston or Hespeler, but not as many now with infil along Hespeler rd.

The problem is, if you built mixed use projects there right now, who the hell would want to live there?

[Galtonian]

More news on the Main Street Facelift...

http://www.cambridgetimes.ca/news/lo...on-set-for-may

[UrbanWaterloo]

Cambridge Special Council Meeting
April 26, 2011 | Agenda

Memorandum To Council Re: Main Street Streetscaping Project

This memorandum is provided as additional information for Council’s consideration relating to the Streetscaping Project Tender Report presented at the Special Council Meeting of April 26, 2011.

The Main Street Streetscaping initiative is a Council approved project intended to improve the aesthetics and to enhance the pedestrian experience on Main Street between Water Street and Ainslie Street.

The architectural firm of Brook - McIlroy was retained to facilitate the planning process, to develop detailed design drawings and to oversee the implementation of the project.

After extensive public and stakeholder consultation, the design was completed and a Tender Call was issued.

In order to achieve maximum efficiency while minimizing disruption in the area, the Tender Call also included the replacement of the streetlights and the water and sanitary services. These items are to be funded from separate accounts through the Transportation and Public Works Department. For the sake of simplicity, this memorandum will focus primarily on the Streetscaping elements of the project.

The budget established for the implementation of the streetscaping design (not including the streetlight replacements or the water/sewer services) was $361,060. The tenders were opened on April 11, 2011 and the fees associated with the streetscaping elements of the project came in approximately $130,000 over the budgeted amount. Since staff anticipated that the tender price for the streetscaping project was likely to exceed the budgeted amount, provisional pricing on a number of items was requested through the tendering process. Through the elimination of some of these provisional elements, staff has reduced the budget shortfall to $65,925. Therefore, a scaled-down version of the streetscape design could be achieved in 2011 for an additional $65,925 if approved by Council as identified in the Tender Report.

Staff wanted to ensure that Council was fully informed regarding the scope of the project and that it was aware of the options available for consideration. The table that follows provides an overview of which elements are included and which are excluded from the design if Council was to decide to approve the additional $42,500 as outlined in the Tender Report.

ITEMS TO BE INCLUDED IN THE STREETSCAPE DESIGN (With additional $65,925 in funding)	INCLUDED (YES OR NO)	Additional Cost to Include
Realignment of Main Street	YES
Enhanced Pedestrian Spaces and Flow	YES
New Benches (6)	YES
New Trash Receptacles (4)	YES
New Concrete Curbs	YES
New Decorative Granite Curbs	NO	$45,650
New Street Trees (16)	YES
New Tree Grates (16)	YES
Silva Cell Street Tree Planting Technology (Maximizes opportunity for successful tree growth and sustained health)	YES
Structural soil for tree plantings (provides adequate soil volume for tree roots under sidewalks, etc.)	YES
Tree Guards (16)	NO	$24,000
New Interlocking Pavers within bump-out areas	YES
Building Construction Date Plaques imbedded in Sidewalks	YES
Bicycle racks (3)	YES
New Concrete Sidewalks (broom finish)	YES

Option 1
In selecting Option 1, Council would authorize the completion of the project in 2011, with the reductions in scope as described in the table above. Option 1 requires that the project budget be increased by $65,925 and that it be funded through the Capital Contingency reserve fund as described in the Tender Award Report.

Option 2
The second option for Council to consider is the complete deferral of the project until such time as the appropriate source of funds is identified (expected to be 2012). This option would result in the project not being completed in 2011 but very likely completed in early spring of 2012 thus avoiding a summer construction period. The deferral would allow the project to incorporate the elements that have been deleted under Option 1. The financial investment in the design process would not be affected. It should also be noted that the water and sewer work that has been proposed is not urgently required and could be postponed with no impact. It should also be noted that this option would require the issuance of a new tender.


REPORT: FUNDING FOR REPLACEMENT OF WATER SERVICES, SEWER REPAIRS AND RESURFACING OF MAIN STREET BETWEEN WATER AND AINSLIE STREETS

THAT Report TPW-36/11, regarding funding for replacement of water services, sewer repairs and road resurfacing of Main Street between Water and Ainslie Streets in coordination with Downtown Streetscaping Works, is received;

AND THAT, the approved budget for Capital Project 11-C-006 (Main Street Streetlight Replacement) allocates funds in the sum of $162,500 from the project’s total costs to the Capital Project 11-E-003 (Main Street Design Guidelines and Streetscape)

AND THAT, the approved budget for Capital Project 08-C-500 (Rose, Homuth and Cherry Hill Reconstructions) allocates surplus funds in the sum of $130,000 from the
project’s total costs to Capital Project 11-E-003 (Main Street Design Guidelines and Streetscape) for roadway resurfacing

AND THAT, funds in the sum of $188,000.00 be transferred from the Water Reserve Fund to the Capital Project 11-E-003 (Main Street Design Guidelines and Streetscape) for water services replacement.

AND THAT, funds in the sum of $22,500.00 be transferred from the Sewer Reserve Fund to the Capital Project 11-E-003 (Main Street Design Guidelines and Streetscape) for sanitary services repair work.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The City is undertaking streetscaping improvements on Main Street between Water and Ainslie Streets. The project will transform the existing landscape to reflect the historical significance of the street within a pedestrian-friendly and aesthetically pleasing street environment. The proposed improvements will include new concrete curbs and sidewalks with unit paver bump outs, new trees and light retrofit to LED lighting with new light standards.

The Public Works Department undertook an assessment of the below-ground municipal infrastructure within the project limits to determine the long term soundness of the infrastructure assets in order to minimize the necessity of maintenance work after the streetscaping improvements are completed. The assessment identified needs for water services replacement, sewer repairs and the associated road resurfacing.

The additional funds required for the underground work will be financed from a surplus from other approved road reconstruction projects and the Water and Sewer Reserve Funds. These infrastructure works have been tendered with the streetscaping works and will be considered for award as a single combined project. These infrastructure works will not proceed without the streetscaping component

REPORT

Background

In July 2010 City Council approved the Main Street Streetscaping Program that outlined funding for streetscaping improvements.
In November 2010 Council approved a recommendation to hire professional consulting services for the preparation of Urban Design Guidelines and Streetscaping Plan for Main Street that included, Urban Design Guidelines from Shade Street southward to the Grand River and a Streetscape Plan to focus on recommended improvements to the City owned lands on Main Street between Water and Ainslie Streets (e.g. sidewalks, street lighting, trees, parking layout, etc.)

Discussion

The Transportation and Public Works Department undertook assessment of the infrastructure within the project limits to determine the long term soundness of the underground water and sewer mains in order to minimize the necessity of future maintenance work after the streetscaping improvements are completed.

Main Street was last reconstructed in 1998 by the Region of Waterloo. The reconstruction included new storm and sanitary mains, new sanitary services as well as
a new water main. No new water services were installed. The existing service connections were reconnected to the new water main. Since that time the city has
experienced an increasing rate of service failures throughout the city and these services represent an increased potential for failure. If the street is to be streetscaped it is an opportune time for us to eliminate these risks.

Water services replacement needs

There are twenty four properties on the Main Street Block between Water and Ainslie Streets. Transportation and Public Works Department (TPW) conducted a survey of the buildings to ascertain water service conditions and connectivity of the domestic water supply within the buildings. TPW personnel could gain access to most of the buildings, and based on the condition survey the TPW Department has determined that nineteen services require replacement - replacing the existing copper and/or lead pipes with new plastic material pipes. Public Works has already replaced two existing water services due to water leaks at #49 Mi Casa Es Tu Casa and #61 Red Basil Restaurant. The failure in the copper water services was attributed to erosion due to the age of the installed services. Records indicate that the original water services were installed/replaced in 1973.

Main Street Light Replacement

Capital project 11-C-006 was approved by Council for the design and replacement of all Varco or Traditional Pericline light standards on Main St. from Shade Street southward to the Grand River with new standards using energy efficient Light Emitting Diode (LED) bulbs. Due to the high profile of the streetscaping project of Main Street between Water and Ainslie Streets and the employment of this new street lighting standard, it is recommended that funds in the amount of $162,500 from the total budget of $200,000 be allocated to the Main Street streetscaping project.

CCTV examination of sewer and storm pipes

A Close Circuit TV examination of all sewer and storm piping within the Block was performed to determine sewer replace/repair needs. The CCTV examination revealed that the underground sanitary and storm mains and service connections to be in good condition. Only two repairs and one replacement of existing sewer services are required.

Road resurfacing

Due to the numerous trench cuts and excavation required to replace the water services and complete the sewer repairs the asphalt pavement would need to be replaced.

Financial

Additional funds are required to finance the replacement of nineteen water service connections, three sewer service connections and the associated roadway reconstruction. It is recommended that the funds for the underground work be financed from the Water and Sewer Reserve Funds. Surplus from another preapproved road reconstruction project is recommended to be used for the roadway resurfacing works. The project will not proceed without the Main Street Streetscaping project. The Finance Department has been consulted and is in agreement with therecommendations.

Tender Report: Main Street Streetscaping Improvements

Recommendations:

THAT Council approves the additional source of funding for Capital Project 11E003 - Main Street Design/Streetscape, in the amount of $65,925.00 from Capital Contingency

AND THAT Tender 2011-30 Main Street Streetscape Improvements (Between Water Street and Ainslie Street) be awarded to 410754 Ontario Limited o/a Sousa Concrete of Branchton for the tendered price (less some of the provisional items) of $965,190.46 as contained in Corpserv/11-73.

OR

THAT Tender 2011-30 Main Street Streetscape Improvements (Between Water Street and Ainslie Street) not be awarded and the project deferred until such time as the appropriate source of funds can be identified through the 2012 Capital Budget process.

BACKGROUND

1. Advertising
(a) Date and number of papers in which advertising was placed: March 25, 2011, in the local and area newspapers and on the City of Cambridge and
ETN internet sites.
(b) Closing Date: April, 11, 2011
(c) Notices Sent: The Purchasing Section also sent notices to ten (10) contractors.
(d) Final Date for Acceptance of Tender: June, 10, 2011

2. Purchasing Section Comments
(a) The tender for the work has been called in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Purchasing By-Law. The vendor has complied with these same terms. The Purchasing Section agrees with the Engineering Department’s recommendation to award the tender.
(b) Name of successful vendor in prior year (or period): N/A
(c) Further Information:

3. Finance Section-Comments
The Finance Section has reviewed the financing for the work and concurs that funding is available.

4. Comments on Recommending Awards less than Three Bids
Financial Services Approval: Jonathan Lautenbach, Director of Financial Services
Purchasing Services Approval: Pam Kent, Buyer

DEPARTMENTAL RECOMMENDATION TO AWARD TENDER

1. NUMBER AND DESCRIPTION: Tender 2011-30, MAIN STREET STREETSCAPE IMPROVEMENTS (Between Water Street and Ainslie Street)

2. DEPARTMENTS: Transportation and Public Works Department, Planning Department, and Community Services Department

3. DEPT. FILE: D18-04 21104

4. DATE TO COUNCIL: April 26, 2011

5. PURPOSE/DESCRIPTION OF TENDER: Streetscape improvements involving the replacement of lateral water lines, sanitary lines, storm sewers, lighting, curbing,
sidewalks, asphalt road and other site amenities along Main Street between Water Street and Ainslie Street in Cambridge (Galt).

6. SUBMISSIONS:

Submission of Expressions of Interest (Final Scope of Work):

Contractor Name	CITY	BID AMOUNT (Full Bid)	BID AMOUNT (Base Bid with selected items only)
Sousa Concrete	Branchton, ON	$1,139,317.98	$ 965,190.46
Four Seasons Site Development Ltd.	Mississauga, ON	$1,184,202.71	$1,024,952.21
Network Site Services Ltd.	Cambridge, ON	$1,328,157.16	$1,098,765.97
Steed and Evans Limited	St. Clements, ON	$1,375,567.19	$1,160,753.41

7. PRICE COMPARISON: Price comparison includes the Base Bid Items and selected Items. Items not included are: Item 1.16, 1.230, 1.400, 2.040, 2.050, 2.060, 2.070, 2.080, 2.090.

8. RECOMMENDATION TO AWARD: It is recommended that the tender for the Main Street streetscaping improvements be awarded to 410754 Ontario Limited
o/a Sousa Concrete for the price of $965,190.46. Construction to be completed by July 15, 2011.

9. JUSTIFICATION FOR AWARD: Lowest Bidder.

10. REASONS FOR NON-QUALIFICATION: N/A

11. CONSULTANT’S COMMENTS: Both consultant’s (Aecom, Brook/McIlroy) recommend award of the Main Street Streetscaping project contract to Sousa Concrete (410754 Ontario Limited) .

12. EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES: N/A

13. EXPENDITURES:

	EXPENDITURES	ACCOUNT #	AMOUNT
a)	This Tender:
	Road Work	11E003 60 625	$125,364.46
	Sanitary Work	11E003 60 625	$24,521.00
	Water Work	11E003 60 625	$173,839.20
	Lighting	11C006 60 625	$167,576.74
	Streetscaping	11E003 60 625	$473,889.06
		Bid Amount	$965,190.46
		Less HST Rebate	$96,004.85
		Subtotal	$869,185.61
b)	Other Items:
	Road Work Inspections	11E003 60 625	$17,105.42
	Sanitary Inspections	11E003 60 625	$418.08
	Water Inspections	11E003 60 625	$31,452.42
	Lighting Inspections	11C006 60 625	$11,591.96
	Landscape Inspections	11E003 60 625	$233.22
		Subtotal	$60,801.10
c)	Committed / Spent:
	Consulting	11E003 60 600	$125,000.00
		Subtotal	$125,000.00
		Total Expenditures	$1,054,986.71

14.FINANCING FROM CAPITAL/OPERATING/EQUIPMENT BUDGET AND/OR RESERVE FUND:

ACCOUNT #	DESCRIPTION	AMOUNT
11E003 60 641	Sewer Reserve Fund	$22,500.00
11E003 60 642	Water Reserve Fund	$188,000.00
11E003 60 770	Contribution from Revenue	$11,060.00
11E003 60 787	Hespeler Projects Reserve Fund	$100,000.00
11E003 60 790	Capital Works Reserve Fund	$375,000.00
11E003 60 790	Capital Works Reserve Fund	$130,000.00
11C006 60 790	Capital Works Reserve Fund	$162,500.00
	Total Financing	$989,060.00

15.SUBMISSION IS OVER BUDGET APPROVAL:

(If “Over”, see # 15 below. If “(Under)”, see # 16.)

Streetscaping (Landscaping)	$65,925.00
Over Budget Approval	$65,925.00

16. SUBMISSION IS OVER BUDGET. SOURCE OF ADDITIONAL FUNDING:

ACCOUNT #	DESCRIPTION	AMOUNT
11E003 60 790	Capital Works Reserve Fund Contingency	$65,925.00
	Total Additional Sources of Funding	$65,925.00

17. SUBMISSION IS UNDER BUDGET: N.A.

18. COMMENTS ON RECOMMENDING AWARDS WHERE LESS THAN THREE SUBMISSIONS HAVE BEEN RECEIVED: N.A.

19. OTHER COMMENTS: See attached memo

[natcordev]

Granite curbs back in the plan for Main Street
Kevin Swayze | Record | Thu May 19 2011| LINK



CAMBRIDGE — Granite curbs are coming to the historic heart of old Galt, thanks to an anonymous donor.

The embellishment was cut at the last minute from the $1 million streetscaping project for Main Street, between Water and Ainslie streets.

To control costs, standard concrete curbs were ordered in a contract with Sousa Concrete. After work started, a $20,000 donation to the project from an individual allowed custom-cut granite curbs back in, said Susan Reise, the city landscape architect overseeing the project.

“We wanted to tie in the granite with the granite buildings downtown,” Reise said.

She wouldn’t say who the donor is, because she doesn’t have permission to release the name.

“Not very often” people do offer up money toward road projects, she said.

Work started May 4 and is on schedule to finish July 15.

The project started last year with a request from Toronto developer David Gibson, who purchased seven buildings in the block for $3.5 million. He’s planning renovations for them all before leasing them. He asked that the city spruce up Main Street with new lighting, wider sidewalks and new “street furniture” including trees and benches.

[SP!RE]

That's very intriguing. It's rare for someone to donate money to a revitalization project like this one. That will be nice though-- I look forward to seeing what it looks like when it's done. It's a shame that it was also done just a few years ago but not extensively enough to make a true difference. You really can't cheapen these redevelopment projects-- you have to do it right the first time, which means it costs more money, unfortunately.

It's really exciting to see the redevelopment-focused energy of Uptown Waterloo and Downtown Kitchener spreading to Cambridge. Soon the whole city will be on fire!

[UrbanWaterloo]

July 13, 2011





New Trees




Heading Back




Rough Curb Edge


Interlocking Stone

[SP!RE]

Wonderful update! I appreciate it a lot because I don't get to Cambridge that often these days.

It looks very pleasant... and will look even better once more property owners and developers start to spruce up their properties in the area.

The rough curb edge is something I've never seen in my life that I can recall. It's interesting! I hope the trees are able to thrive and grow.

[diego]

That's very intriguing. It's rare for someone to donate money to a revitalization project like this one.

I have a feeling the person responsible for this has something to do with the School of Architecture... possibly Rick Haldenby, the school's director, was the anonymous donor...

[Newgrad]

! I hope the trees are able to thrive and grow.

It is nice to see that the trees have more than a foot-by-foot hole of open ground around them. You can't expect a tree to survive when there's brick or concrete right up to the trunk! I notice that a lot in Toronto. Hopefully, these trees will be able to get a healthy amount of rain water to allow them to thrive.