General Update/Rumour thread

[J.OT13]

Apt613 just tweeted about this website with rooftop 360 shots of downtown Ottawa. It's pretty amazing. The photographer calls it "Project Rooftop - aka the Batman Tour of Ottawa". http://danneutel.com http://danneutel.com/?page_id=1457

THAT IS AWESOME!!!! Shows you which property owners who are the real sports in this city. Top of Place de Ville C and the Marriott are pretty darn scary; no railing, barely even an edge.

Excellent find!

[J.OT13]

BTW, on that Batman Tour from the top of Place de Ville C, you can see some sort of double red piping on PdV A and B, anyone know what that is? Too bad they don't put lights on there; skyline needs some colour.

[McC]

It's a track. I think it's for running a maintenance platform around the perimeter of the roof (e.g. for lowering window washing crews).


Update: Admiral Ackbar pun-joke not intended, but noted.

[waterloowarrior]

Ottawa Construction Association has received a $4.6 million offer for its HQ building and land at 193 Bronson.. developer unknown at this point
http://www.ottawaconstructionnews.com/Archives/2013/ocnmarch2013/

[waterloowarrior]

searching through the lobbyist registry... there are couple meetings between top UofO officials and top city officials regarding future developments

Real Estate/Property
Discussion with respect to future developments on the University campus.
Kirkpatrick, Kent - City Manager
Fleury, Mathieu - Councillor, Ward 12
Arpin, Serge - Chief of Staff
Watson, Jim - Mayor 01-Oct-2012
11-Dec-2012
Planning and Development
A third party may consider development possibly adjacent to the University.

[J.OT13]

Stanley Cup memorial to be built at Sparks and Elgin, near the site of the old Russel Hotel, where the cup was originally donated by Lord Stanley in 1882.

http://www.ottawasun.com/2013/03/18/lord-stanley-memorial-to-be-created-in-ottawa

[kwoldtimer]

I wonder if that means they will get rid of that bear/fish sculpture? Never liked that thing....

[c_speed3108]

I wonder if that means they will get rid of that bear/fish sculpture? Never liked that thing....

That will be relocated, although they have not yet said to where exactly.

[McC]

If they keep it on Sparks, there's lots of room on the two blocks of the Mall west of Bank St.

[Skipper]

Stanley Cup memorial to be built at Sparks and Elgin, near the site of the old Russel Hotel, where the cup was originally donated by Lord Stanley in 1882.

http://www.ottawasun.com/2013/03/18/lord-stanley-memorial-to-be-created-in-ottawa

Some have to wonder if the federal government, in its austerity measures will manage to find gazebo 2 (G8 Summit) for Harper to have a legacy project right outside his office. Sure hope not!!!!!!! Hope it won't be his office by the time this monument is completed.

[c_speed3108]

Some have to wonder if the federal government, in its austerity measures will manage to find gazebo 2 (G8 Summit) for Harper to have a legacy project right outside his office. Sure hope not!!!!!!! Hope it won't be his office by the time this monument is completed.

The monument was first supposed to go at Rideau and Sussex but the LRT created problems there so they went location hunting.

This thing won't be done until 2017. I guess time will tell if Harper is still in by then. That will be 9 years in office, but I suspect with the Canada 150 stuff that year he would sure like to be if he can hang on that long. (Every government in modern history regardless of party has a bit of shelf life)

[McC]

This thing won't be done until 2017. I guess time will tell if Harper is still in by then. That will be 9 years in office,

11 years, actually; but only one more election, and one that he's unlikely to lose given the state of the opposition parties and the 30 new seats being added mostly to growing suburbs across the country (where CPC support has also been growing steadily).

[kwoldtimer]

Some have to wonder if the federal government, in its austerity measures will manage to find gazebo 2 (G8 Summit) for Harper to have a legacy project right outside his office. Sure hope not!!!!!!! Hope it won't be his office by the time this monument is completed.

Not much of a legacy. Now, a National Portrait Gallery would be a legacy project......

[McC]

Now, a National Portrait Gallery would be a legacy project......

www.sadtrombone.com

[J.OT13]

I'm out of Citizen online articles so I can't post the following, but in today's Citizen, the widow of the artist who created the bear eating salmon was ready to fight to keep it where it is, but a new article from 2 hours ago says that she is willing to consider its relocation.

[McC]

Did you know that you can still select all of the text (Ctrl+A) in a Citizen article after the "Subscribe Now" box covers it? I just dump it into notepad or "paste special / unformatted text" into Word to read the article, or share it here (you just have to trim a page or two of garbage from the beginning and end of the article).

[amanfromnowhere]

Did you know that you can still select all of the text (Ctrl+A) in a Citizen article after the "Subscribe Now" box covers it? I just dump it into notepad or "paste special / unformatted text" into Word to read the article, or share it here (you just have to trim a page or two of garbage from the beginning and end of the article).

there is another simpler way... close that Subscribe Now window and then hit back (or Backspace) and when the page starts showing up hit stop (or Esc button) immediately several times...
sorry for off topic

[McC]

HA! I can't decide whose approach is funnier, you'd probably have to film them, and show them side by side (sped up, of course) and set the video to a recording of Yakety Sax to make a proper comparison.
(I hear you can also work around it by jimmying with your browser settings)
anyway: worst.paywall.ever.

(also sorry for carrying on further off topic)

[kevinbottawa]

there is another simpler way... close that Subscribe Now window and then hit back (or Backspace) and when the page starts showing up hit stop (or Esc button) immediately several times...
sorry for off topic

Just tried it. Works beautifully! An even easier way is to read the Citizen on your cell phone. The block doesn't apply to the mobile site. A lot of Citizen articles are also available on http://o.canada.com.

[J.OT13]

Thanks guys!

[J.OT13]

I have an idea; the bear statue was originally intended for Met Life's lobby next to a wall of water and pool (not sure which building, but not the Wellington getting gutted, I think maybe the what is now the Sun Life Centre).

So what I was thinking is maybe place the statue in the lobby of Place de Ville tower D's lobby, next to the escalators down to the concourse/subway.

[harls]

Close up of the DT projects under construction

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8104/8575553855_3bac98d71c_b.jpg

Pretty grainy, but I was pretty far away as well, plus it was dreary outside.

[Ottawan]

Close up of the DT projects under construction

http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8104/8575553855_3bac98d71c_b.jpg

Pretty grainy, but I was pretty far away as well, plus it was dreary outside.

That's a really awesome angle. With Parliament in the foreground, someone from the construction industry in Ottawa should go and take that shot for promotional material.

[waterloowarrior]

dow honda preliminary proposal - 2x 48 fl...edit: made a separate thread, figure this could generate a lot of discussion http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?p=6067867

[bartlebooth]

dow honda preliminary proposal - 2x 48 fl...

I had heard a rumour not too long ago that Richcraft would be pushing for two towers at 55 fl for this site. Not far off.

[rocketphish]

Belisle Chevrolet at 444 Montreal Rd. is now just an empty building, and the lot is completely devoid of vehicles. This is a big site!

[kevinbottawa]

Here's a line from a Citizen article:

...land-development company Brigil is working with La Cité Collégiale to expand its Orléans trades-training centre, for instance, as part of a mixed-use development north of the Queensway near Petrie Island.

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Ottawa+official+plan+clears+first+hurdle/8158921/story.html

While I've never seen a Brigil development I actually like, a developer and college is an interesting partnership.

[Capital Shaun]

Belisle Chevrolet at 444 Montreal Rd. is now just an empty building, and the lot is completely devoid of vehicles. This is a big site!

I bike by there everyday. There's lots of space to do something.

Unless another car dealership or something similar moves in there I don't see that lot remaining retail. The stretch of Montreal road between St-Laurent & Aviation is already full of neighbourhood type retail (grocery, gas, pharmacy, banks, fast food...) and I can't see what the area is missing.

I predict it'll be redeveloped into residential units similar to what is happening around 800 Montreal road.

[NOWINYOW]

I bike by there everyday. There's lots of space to do something.

Unless another car dealership or something similar moves in there I don't see that lot remaining retail. The stretch of Montreal road between St-Laurent & Aviation is already full of neighbourhood type retail (grocery, gas, pharmacy, banks, fast food...) and I can't see what the area is missing.

I predict it'll be redeveloped into residential units similar to what is happening around 800 Montreal road.

That's a perfect spot for 2 or 3 level housing. Good use without a huge influx of residents. The area has enough local and thru traffic. With the current transit plans there's not much else that can be added from that perspective, save for additional bus frequency.

[Ottawan]

That's a perfect spot for 2 or 3 level housing. Good use without a huge influx of residents. The area has enough local and thru traffic. With the current transit plans there's not much else that can be added from that perspective, save for additional bus frequency.

I strongly disagree. It would be an unconscionable waste and encouragement of sprawl for that land to be used for such low-density housing. I would rather it become a box mall (which says alot, because I hate box malls) - at least then it would retain the potential of being redeveloped.

[JM1]

I bike by there everyday. There's lots of space to do something.

Unless another car dealership or something similar moves in there I don't see that lot remaining retail. The stretch of Montreal road between St-Laurent & Aviation is already full of neighbourhood type retail (grocery, gas, pharmacy, banks, fast food...) and I can't see what the area is missing.

I predict it'll be redeveloped into residential units similar to what is happening around 800 Montreal road.

Montreal Road between Vanier and Blair needs densification. This area on Montrael Road should be multi-story mixed used (retail/office/residential).

We also need an LRT under Montreal Road.

[Capital Shaun]

I strongly disagree. It would be an unconscionable waste and encouragement of sprawl for that land to be used for such low-density housing. I would rather it become a box mall (which says alot, because I hate box malls) - at least then it would retain the potential of being redeveloped.

I lived in that area for years. There's already plenty of box retail along that stretch of Montreal rd.

They could easily build a couple ~15 story towers there (office or res.). The shadows wouldn't bother anyone.

But I'm still betting we'll end up with low rise residential.

[Capital Shaun]

Montreal Road between Vanier and Blair needs densification. This area on Montrael Road should be multi-story mixed used (retail/office/residential).

We also need an LRT under Montreal Road.

I'm all for densification there but I'm realistically not expecting it any time soon.

I agree, It would help a lot if there was a subway under Montreal rd.

[J.OT13]

Hydro Ottawa planning $80M consolidation
The city’s public utility is spending $80 million to construct two new suburban facilities so it can consolidate the locations it has scattered throughout Ottawa by 2016

Hydro Ottawa has acquired properties close to Hunt Club Road and Highway 417, southeast of downtown, as well as in the Fallowfield Road and Highway 416 area near Barrhaven, said Bryce Conrad, the organization’s president and CEO.

It plans to close down three of its other locations and just use the two new locations in combination with two existing sites in Kanata as well as one in the Carling Avenue and Highway 417 area.

The consolidation will ultimately be a good deal for ratepayers, said Mr. Conrad, despite the amount of money that it will have to spend up front.

That’s because it would have to put between $20 and $25 million to maintain the existing facilities over the next few years. The new sites will generate $3 million a year in savings when they are up and running, he said.

“We believe this is the best long-term value for the ratepayers, to pursue this strategy,” said Mr. Conrad.

The land cost $20 million to buy, he said, while the facilities are expected to cost another $60 million.

However he said that will be offset by selling the existing land for about $20 million.

The utility acquired many of the facilities it currently uses from the various utilities that operated in Ottawa before a number of municipalities were amalgamated to form the City of Ottawa in 2000, he said.

The new facilities will be used for a variety of purposes, said Mr. Conrad, including maintenance trucks at the Highway 416 facility.

The close proximity to the highway will also make it easier for crews to get to where they need to go, he said.


http://www.obj.ca/Real-Estate/Non-residential/2013-03-28/article-3209934/Hydro-Ottawa-planning-%2480M-consolidation/1

I was hoping they would do that, but expecting something a little more like what Manitoba Hydro did in Winnipeg;

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manitoba_Hydro_Place

But on a smaller scale, like a slick 20 storey office tower in downtown Ottawa. Maybe PdV D would have been a good fit; across from the former site of the Ottawa Electric Railway garage and right on a major subway station powered by Hydro Ottawa.

[Kitchissippi]

http://www.obj.ca/Real-Estate/Non-residential/2013-03-28/article-3209934/Hydro-Ottawa-planning-%2480M-consolidation/1

I was hoping they would do that, but expecting something a little more like what Manitoba Hydro did in Winnipeg;

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manitoba_Hydro_Place

But on a smaller scale, like a slick 20 storey office tower in downtown Ottawa. Maybe PdV D would have been a good fit; across from the former site of the Ottawa Electric Railway garage and right on a major subway station powered by Hydro Ottawa.

I don't think they're talking about office buildings. They have something like this in mind: http://goo.gl/maps/bQu8D

[J.OT13]

I don't think they're talking about office buildings. They have something like this in mind: http://goo.gl/maps/bQu8D

In that case, I'm glad it's not downtown.:tup:

[Kitchissippi]

The good thing is that we might see something interesting on Carling at Merivale in the future. Or not, maybe it will end up being a McDonalds or Shoppers Drug Mart just across from another one.

[waterloowarrior]

maybe they crunched the numbers since then


Meeting for a Proposed Development at Richmond Road and Tweedsmuir – Update
Posted: January 31st, 2013 |http://blog.westwellington.ca/events/meeting-for-a-proposed-development-at-richmond-road-and-tweedsmuir-update/

Further to the earlier notice for the meeting on Wednesday February 6 at 7:00 pm at Hilson Public school with respect to the proposed development at Richmond Road and Tweedsmuir, please note that the meeting has been changed to Thursday, February 7 at 7:00 pm at Hilson Public School.

The Hampton Iona Community Group was also advised by the developer’s architect that the owner has decided to modify their plans and will now be seeking approval to build a 9 storey building rather than the earlier indicated 6 storey building (as shown in the photo attached to the earlier notice). As such, with their plans to build a higher building, approval for this proposed development will now be through the Planning Committee rather than the Committee of Adjustment. Given the proposed changes to this development, it is more critical that the community come out to this meeting to hear what the developer has to say and for the developer to receive input from the community.

http://www.juteaujohnsoncomba.com/newsletters/2013/March_201_Newsletter_January_Sales.pdf

The market for vacant land in the Westboro neighbourhood continues
to be strong. 236 Richmond Road (AKA Nick’s Garage) was sold by a
private individual to Tweedsmuir and Main Urban Properties Inc. for
$2,575,000 or $177/sf. The purchaser is attempting to get
approval for a nine storey apartment building with ground floor commercial uses on this site.

[brentgaulois]

Has anyone heard of this project before? It's news to me that there could be a 48-storey building in West Wellington, although where specifically it would be located I can't tell.

I feel like it's satirical.

http://thewellboron.com/thewellboron.com/HOME.html

[drawarc]

Don't know if already posted, but a smallish proposal for 1110 Fisher Avenue:

http://app01.ottawa.ca/postingplans/appDetails.jsf?lang=en&appId=__9ILW9X

http://webcast.ottawa.ca/plan/All_Image%20Referencing_Zoning%20Bylaw%20Amendment%20Application_Image%20Reference_D02-02-13-0008%20Elevations.PDF

To permit a medium-rise building which is not a permitted use in the R2 zone. Special exceptions will be required for the 6-storey condo/apartment building with 42 residential units. Height of 26m.

[kwoldtimer]

Has anyone heard of this project before? It's news to me that there could be a 48-storey building in West Wellington, although where specifically it would be located I can't tell.

I feel like it's satirical.

http://thewellboron.com/thewellboron.com/HOME.html

It's not a real project.

[brentgaulois]

It's not a real project.

That's what I was thinking. But who would do this? Is this a group of people who are opposed to development in Ottawa who are just doing this to be petty? They had a little ad box in the Kitchissippi times today.

[ThaLoveDocta]

It's not a real project.

Well... technically someones High School Urban Design assignment is a 'project' of sorts

[Proof Sheet]

Has anyone heard of this project before? It's news to me that there could be a 48-storey building in West Wellington, although where specifically it would be located I can't tell.

I feel like it's satirical.

http://thewellboron.com/thewellboron.com/HOME.html

The amenities section of that webpage is pretty funny...I think that the Odot guy had some input.

[citizen4829]

Just wondering if a new thread should be started for this? Not sure if it is a joke or for real.

http://www.thewellboron.com/

[harls]

The amenities section of that webpage is pretty funny...I think that the Odot guy had some input.

I like the toddler time-out room. Why can't all new developments have this?

[Proof Sheet]

Just wondering if a new thread should be started for this? Not sure if it is a joke or for real.

http://www.thewellboron.com/

Well it is certainly slicker looking and more professional than the classic Saade Developments tower. However, one look at the amenities section tells the true story.

[Dado]

A search of their Twitter feed reveals that Councillor Hobbs' assistant gjhall was asking in late March where it was proposed...

Whoever has done this has gone to a lot of trouble to lend it an air of plausibility. They've even put up posters on Wellington for it, and, apparently, a possible sales office on Wellington near the Herb and Spice shop, supposedly to open on the 19th (according to their Twitter feed).


If I had to speculate, I see two possibilities of the sort of person who is behind this:

(1) Someone spoofing the way developers promote their projects, especially before getting approval, to make a point about the development industry and the type of person who buys condos.
(2) Someone, quite possibly from this forum or of similar mindset, trying to get a "rise" out of the community at large.

[agl]

a quick glance and I thought it was called the "Wellborn"; perhaps that would have given the game away too quickly. But still thinking there may be truth to it with "valet stroller parking" and aforementioned toddler time-out room under amenities?! wow.

[Harley613]

too bad...it looks frickin awesome. this would go well on lebreton!

[Fraser]

I can't help but feel like the 'W' in the Wellborn logo is giving me the finger.

[teej1984]

I can't help but feel like the 'W' in the Wellborn logo is giving me the finger.

haha i was thinking the exact same thing!

[monkeybongo]

The W looks like a bum to me. The amenities list are awesome, sounds like something that would come out of the show "Portlandia".

[Kitchissippi]

That's what I was thinking. But who would do this? Is this a group of people who are opposed to development in Ottawa who are just doing this to be petty? They had a little ad box in the Kitchissippi times today.

If you look at that ad closely, you'll see that it's next to an ad for Andrew King's art exhibit, separated by a black line. It has the same opening date as the "sales centre".

[rocketphish]

Here’s a twist: Developers ask residents what stores they want

BRENDA BOUW
Special to The Globe and Mail
Published Monday, Apr. 15 2013, 5:00 AM EDT

Developers are increasingly using social media and online surveys to ask area residents what businesses they want in their neighbourhood, turning away from traditional market research that determines what types of stores might draw customers.

When real-estate developer Robert Fung started to look at how best to fill 8,000 square feet of retail space in New Westminster, B.C., he decided to approach it like a retailer and ask potential customers what they thought might be a good fit. He turned to Facebook, Twitter and community blogs to solicit feedback from people who live in the area.

Mr. Fung says the response to the two-week campaign was “overwhelming, immediate and highly informative,” and it led the developer to refine his target retail mix and modify the storefront configurations to dovetail with what respondents envisioned.

“I didn’t have anyone say, ‘Put a London Drugs in it or a Shoppers Drug Mart’ – not that that’s a bad thing, but it’s not the character we hope to provide,” says Mr. Fung, president of Salient Group, which is behind the Trapp + Holbrook project in downtown New Westminster.

“For us, it was fantastic because it supported the notion that the area should have a vibrant, human-oriented scale and one that had great texture.”

For some developers, the feedback will help define how new projects will be built, others can use the findings to figure out how to fill existing vacant space. Either way, getting direct community input is beneficial for small businesses that are increasingly in demand, says James Smerdon, director of retail consulting at Colliers International in Vancouver.

“Developers are starting to get more proactive in the face of mounting resistance to the ‘Wal-Mart effect’ ...,” Mr. Smerdon says.

In the past, developers have used traditional market analysis to back their visions. The process has shifted toward interactive, online forums that Mr. Smerdon says are as much about project marketing as they are about market research. “It’s a fascinating approach…,” he says. “There will be a tipping point at which it becomes market research” replacement, he adds.

The online community feedback – which usually offers some sort of incentives to those who respond – can also help narrow down the list of businesses vying for space in a development, as is the case with the Willoughby Town Centre in Langley, B.C.

Qualico Group of Cos., the developer behind the mixed-use project, just launched a social media campaign using Facebook, Twitter and blogging to help decide how to fill out the 120,000 square feet of retail space currently being built in phases, anchored by a Your Independent Grocer store, as well as a Royal Bank of Canada outlet and dentists’ offices. So far, the campaign has received dozens of responses from local residents.

“We have more retailers wanting to be in the town centre than we have space for,” says Hugh Carter, vice-president of communities and commercial development at Qualico. “We want it to be successful as the developer, but we also want to ensure that the community is fully behind us.”

Area residents are also being asked what they want to see in vacant spaces in existing developments. Cranberry Mews in Collingwood, Ont., recently launched an online survey to help determine who will fill three remaining spaces in the 24-store retail complex. More than 175 surveys have been filled out.

“This isn’t just about looking for potential businesses; we're also looking to complement the existing businesses that are there in order for them to thrive together,” says Andres Paara, a broker with Royal LePage Locations North, which is helping to find tenants for the spaces.

Mr. Paara says he expects more developers to turn to surveys and social media to solicit community input for projects to complement traditional market research.

“All too often, we get a little too smart for our own good in thinking what the community wants or needs,” Mr. Paara says. “In our efforts to find businesses for locations, the first thing that potential candidate tenants ask is, ‘Is there a market for us?’ With this method, we feel we are going to have some pretty interesting information and data to fall back on.”

The community outreach will help Salient Group build more of a “homegrown” neighbourhood development, Mr. Fung says, adding he plans to go back to the community for a second round of feedback that looks at more specific businesses.

“I feel strongly that projects are more successful if there’s community buy-in, and we sincerely wanted the feedback,” he says. “If my assumptions were completely wrong, and the neighbourhood had a strong need for something else, well, then I think we would really seriously be looking at the things the neighbourhood needs, because they will then support it.”

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/small-business/starting-out/heres-a-twist-developers-ask-residents-what-stores-they-want/article11165548/

[rakerman]

You can see historical aerial maps of Ottawa, including a strip from 1958 and a more detailed survey from 1965, at the beta maps site

http://maps.ottawa.ca/

Select "I want to..." and then "historical air photos".

[Kibb]

You can see historical aerial maps of Ottawa, including a strip from 1958 and a more detailed survey from 1965, at the beta maps site

http://maps.ottawa.ca/

Select "I want to..." and then "historical air photos".

Ah Cool.. my property is in that 1958 strip.

In a woodstand in the 1958 strip, then it's my house by the 1965 one.

[drawarc]

You can see historical aerial maps of Ottawa, including a strip from 1958 and a more detailed survey from 1965, at the beta maps site

http://maps.ottawa.ca/

Select "I want to..." and then "historical air photos".

Awesome photos, thanks for link.

[teej1984]

Such a disaster in urban planning in Lowertown between 1965 and 1976. Imagine what that neighbourhood would be like if they hadn't razed it for horrible/ugly-as-sin low-income housing townhouses.

[rocketphish]

Mayor stands firm on vacant buildings crackdown

Critics call council’s proposed bylaw upgrades ‘draconian’

By DEREK SPALDING, OTTAWA CITIZEN April 18, 2013 12:26 PM

OTTAWA — Several groups representing homeowners challenged city council’s crackdown on derelict vacant buildings Thursday, but the politicians remain firm in their plan to strengthen bylaws and force owners to maintain their properties.

The protective services committee moved forward with a plan to update their laws by September. Changes could include forcing owners to pay annual fees for vacancy permits and a host of other conditions to keep buildings in good repair while they sit empty.

More than a handful of neighbourhood associations spoke in favour of the city’s crackdown, saying derelict buildings create safety hazards and decrease the value of nearby properties. However, Shirley Dolan, president of the Carleton Landowners Association, went as far as calling the proposed new regulations “draconian,” a claim scoffed at by the politicians, including committee chairman Coun. Mark Taylor.

“We don’t roll out the tanks when someone has a broken window,” he said. Council is targeting “ongoing and flagrant disrespect” for city bylaws and repeated requests to improve the sites.

The chairman of the Eastern Ontario Landlord Organization, John Dickie, opposes council’s plan. He urged committee members to extend September’s deadline for the bylaw changes, suggesting that the politicians slightly tweak the bylaw and then hold a lengthier discussion about how to address vacant buildings.

“We are very concerned about what seems to be a somewhat hurried approach to establish these new mechanisms,” Dickie said. Mayor Jim Watson, who does not normally attend the protective services committee meetings, had no interest in postponing the proposed changes and suggested six months is more than enough time to have a proper conversation and to come up with solutions.

“The biggest complaint we hear is that this place runs like molasses and now you’re telling us to slow down,” Watson said. Representatives from more than a handful of neighbourhood associations urged the city to continue with its changes and to not postpone the September deadline despite pressure from some groups.

A staff report released last week outlined general areas to target in the review of current bylaws over the next five months. Changes could include measures that require property owners to keep real windows maintained instead of plywood covering and keeping active fire escape plans.

Read more: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Mayor+stands+firm+vacant+buildings+crackdown/8261019/story.html#ixzz2QpxRAJLz

[Boxster]

Mayor stands firm on vacant buildings crackdown

Critics call council’s proposed bylaw upgrades ‘draconian’

By DEREK SPALDING, OTTAWA CITIZEN April 18, 2013 12:26 PM

Read more: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Mayor+stands+firm+vacant+buildings+crackdown/8261019/story.html#ixzz2QpxRAJLz

I totally agree with the city. Some buildings are in so bad shape that the owners should be forced to live next door to them. They would soon realize that the situation is not so funny anymore. Just don't understand some of the owners. What goes through their minds...maybe nothing which is the source of the problem.

Have a look at the row of old appartments north east on King Edward.....WOW just incredible.

[ars]

Mayor stands firm on vacant buildings crackdown

Critics call council’s proposed bylaw upgrades ‘draconian’

By DEREK SPALDING, OTTAWA CITIZEN April 18, 2013 12:26 PM

OTTAWA — Several groups representing homeowners challenged city council’s crackdown on derelict vacant buildings Thursday, but the politicians remain firm in their plan to strengthen bylaws and force owners to maintain their properties.

The protective services committee moved forward with a plan to update their laws by September. Changes could include forcing owners to pay annual fees for vacancy permits and a host of other conditions to keep buildings in good repair while they sit empty.

More than a handful of neighbourhood associations spoke in favour of the city’s crackdown, saying derelict buildings create safety hazards and decrease the value of nearby properties. However, Shirley Dolan, president of the Carleton Landowners Association, went as far as calling the proposed new regulations “draconian,” a claim scoffed at by the politicians, including committee chairman Coun. Mark Taylor.

“We don’t roll out the tanks when someone has a broken window,” he said. Council is targeting “ongoing and flagrant disrespect” for city bylaws and repeated requests to improve the sites.

The chairman of the Eastern Ontario Landlord Organization, John Dickie, opposes council’s plan. He urged committee members to extend September’s deadline for the bylaw changes, suggesting that the politicians slightly tweak the bylaw and then hold a lengthier discussion about how to address vacant buildings.

“We are very concerned about what seems to be a somewhat hurried approach to establish these new mechanisms,” Dickie said. Mayor Jim Watson, who does not normally attend the protective services committee meetings, had no interest in postponing the proposed changes and suggested six months is more than enough time to have a proper conversation and to come up with solutions.

“The biggest complaint we hear is that this place runs like molasses and now you’re telling us to slow down,” Watson said. Representatives from more than a handful of neighbourhood associations urged the city to continue with its changes and to not postpone the September deadline despite pressure from some groups.

A staff report released last week outlined general areas to target in the review of current bylaws over the next five months. Changes could include measures that require property owners to keep real windows maintained instead of plywood covering and keeping active fire escape plans.

Read more: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Mayor+stands+firm+vacant+buildings+crackdown/8261019/story.html#ixzz2QpxRAJLz

Could this help mark the end of that eyesore of an abandoned hotel/motel on Prince of Wales?

Does anyone even own that place?

[harls]

haha i was thinking the exact same thing!

I want to find this guy and shake his (her?) hand for a job well done. I'll spring for the drinks, even. Hi! I know you're watching! ;)

[waterloowarrior]

the story behind The Wellboron
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Artist+stands+guard+Ottawa+West/8271968/story.html

[Marcus CLS]

Subject: N.W. corner Rochester Street at Pamilla Street- Domicile

The sign for the Official Plan and Zoning by law amendment went up on site this week. Ground floor retail, 18 stories, 59 sq m pedestrian plaza at main corner (roughly 7.5 by 7.5 m.), in other words a small patio. Plans should be posted on Ottawa city web site soon. Could not find them today.

[rocketphish]

Laneway along O-Train tracks in Little Italy runs into wall at city council

By David Reevely, OTTAWA CITIZEN April 24, 2013

OTTAWA — City council killed the notion of a laneway along the O-Train track in Little Italy Wednesday, on a 12-11 vote — one that saw the area’s councillor, Diane Holmes, voting to preserve an idea she doesn’t like.

The laneway, or “mews,” is part of a plan for the neighbourhood near Preston Street and Carling Avenue worked up by urban-design guru George Dark on a contract with the city. Among other things, the plan suggests the city allow nine-storey buildings along the O-Train tracks, but because they’d mostly be on dead-end east-west streets that end at the tracks, Dark says a north-south lane connecting those dead-ends would be a way to handle the extra traffic from residents in the new buildings.

Holmes, like most nearby residents, opposes the nine-storey buildings and opposes building a new road to serve them. The city’s staff planners aren’t crazy about the idea, either, and asked to spend the summer studying it and exactly how it might work before opining either way on Dark’s thinking.

Instead, the idea ran into a motion from Coun. Rainer Bloess to kill the road — but preserve the plan’s notion of nine-storey buildings the road would serve. Enough suburban and rural councillors voted for it that it passed over the objections of Holmes, planning committee chairman Peter Hume and Mayor Jim Watson.

They and Bloess have very different ideas about the consequences of the decision.

“I haven’t seen anybody in favour of the mews, for starters,” Bloess explained. “It really doesn’t seem to be the element that was going to bring the neighbourhood forward.” Instead of spending six months fooling around with it, city council should just do away with the idea now, he said. If nine-storey buildings along the tracks don’t work without a mews, they won’t get built, he said.

Holmes said the move is just doing the bidding of developers who’ve bought land close to the O-Train track (and a parallel bike path the city is just finishing), who’d have to surrender some of it for the mews and pay to build the thing. Developer Taggart has an active proposal for a building on Norman Street, one of the dead ends, that forces the issue. It’s officially a request for an 18-storey building, though negotiations may end up making it shorter.

“We now have an 18-storey building right on the bicycle lane,” Holmes snapped. “I guess the developer did a good job on that one.”

The city’s planners themselves told councillors they wanted to hold off a decision on the mews until they’ve taken a big-picture look at transportation in the neighbourhood and worked out how to fit together roads, sidewalks, bike paths and other public spaces. John Smit, a manager in charge of downtown planning approvals, said the mews is “an opportunity we strongly feel we should have a closer look at” before deciding anything.

Hume said he’s concerned the city will end up with an incoherent position to argue before the Ontario Municipal Board. When that happens, the city usually ends up with the worst of it from the board, a provincial body that can overrule city planning decisions. “We’ll get rid of the mews. But we’ll leave the nine storeys in the plan. Our staff don’t support that and they don’t recommend it,” Hume said. Maybe the neighbourhood will end up with a full-blown road and 18-storey buildings at the OMB’s command.

Regardless, the issue isn’t settled. A move by Coun. Peter Clark, who voted against Bloess’s motion, to reconsider the decision at council’s next meeting on May 8 attracted eight votes, just barely enough to put it on the agenda again. But to fully reopen debate will take 13 votes, meaning councillors who backed Bloess will have to switch sides.

“There’s going to be a lot of arm-twisting between now and then, I’m sure of it,” Bloess said.

The Dark plan for the neighbourhood otherwise passed council largely as he presented it, with very tall buildings — 40 storeys or more — restricted to property facing Carling Avenue. It’s to form the basis of a full-blown community design plan for the area, including parks and transportation corridors and other elements, to be approved by the end of the year.

dreevely@ottawacitizen.com

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Laneway+along+Train+tracks+Little+Italy+runs+into+wall+city+council/8289130/story.html#ixzz2RQj7KAug

[eemy]

Has the city given any consideration to auctioning off air rights to the transitway trench? With increased development pressure in that area, it seems like a logical progression.

[rocketphish]

Last-minute changes neuter notion of ‘landmark buildings’ in Centretown

Landowners incensed after city planners nix redevelopment plan

By David Reevely, OTTAWA CITIZEN May 1, 2013 10:57 AM

OTTAWA — Days before a critical council vote, the city is backing off a plan to allow extremely tall buildings in Centretown if they have major public amenities at ground level, bowing to demands from residents who want more certainty about what’ll be allowed in their neighbourhoods but enraging property owners.

Instead of allowing developers to erect buildings of theoretically infinite height along Lyon, Kent, O’Connor and Metcalfe streets, the city’s planning department proposes to cap those buildings at 27 storeys, the same height as the tallest ones permitted elsewhere in Centretown.

After three years’ work, the so-called Centretown Community Design Plan is to be voted on by city council on May 8. Instead of being signed and sealed and tied up with a bow as the vote approaches, it’s still being amended, with the latest changes revealed by the city’s planning department in a special meeting Tuesday afternoon at City Hall.

The “landmark buildings” clause in the plan is just a tiny part of a thick document that’s supposed to guide the redevelopment of the downtown core for a generation. But it’s the most contentious.

“I’m certainly not looking through any rose-coloured glasses in terms that we’re going to make everybody happy today,” said the manager in charge of the city’s planning policy, Lee Ann Snedden.

“This is nothing, in my opinion. Nothing,” said a disgusted Russell Kronick, who owns a large chunk of land along O’Connor, upon hearing the revisions. His holdings include a medical office building at 267 O’Connor, next to a big parking lot. It’s a perfect place for a landmark building, one of just a couple of suitable spots for one, but if he can only construct a 27-storey building on the site he doesn’t have much economic incentive to do it. Maybe his grandchildren will, he said.

The kind of Centretown the plan envisions is “just utterly mediocre,” Kronick said, discouraging things like the Mountain Equipment Co-op that kick-started redevelopment in Westboro.

Kronick was among a group of developers and landowners who came up with a set of changes to the city’s plan in concert with the Centretown Citizens’ Community Association, many of them technical and specific to particular streets. In general, the city agreed to the developers’ and community association’s recommendations on fixing language in the plan that’s unclear or imprecise, but rejected ones that made bigger changes to the plan’s direction.

New language that would have replaced the landmark-buildings clause with language meant to promote little parks and sitting areas on the edges of development lots (called “small moments” in the planning lingo) was ditched, along with a proposal to come up with a Centretown-wide list of community improvements developers of new towers could be expected to pay for.

City council gets its say next week, but appeals to the Ontario Municipal Board, which can overrule cities’ urban-planning decisions, are virtually certain.

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/life/Last+minute+changes+neuter+notion+landmark+buildings+Centretown/8317430/story.html#ixzz2S3rpGZ7p

[J.OT13]

Last-minute changes neuter notion of ‘landmark buildings’ in Centretown

Landowners incensed after city planners nix redevelopment plan

By David Reevely, OTTAWA CITIZEN May 1, 2013 10:57 AM

OTTAWA — Days before a critical council vote, the city is backing off a plan to allow extremely tall buildings in Centretown if they have major public amenities at ground level, bowing to demands from residents who want more certainty about what’ll be allowed in their neighbourhoods but enraging property owners.

Instead of allowing developers to erect buildings of theoretically infinite height along Lyon, Kent, O’Connor and Metcalfe streets, the city’s planning department proposes to cap those buildings at 27 storeys, the same height as the tallest ones permitted elsewhere in Centretown.

After three years’ work, the so-called Centretown Community Design Plan is to be voted on by city council on May 8. Instead of being signed and sealed and tied up with a bow as the vote approaches, it’s still being amended, with the latest changes revealed by the city’s planning department in a special meeting Tuesday afternoon at City Hall.

The “landmark buildings” clause in the plan is just a tiny part of a thick document that’s supposed to guide the redevelopment of the downtown core for a generation. But it’s the most contentious.

“I’m certainly not looking through any rose-coloured glasses in terms that we’re going to make everybody happy today,” said the manager in charge of the city’s planning policy, Lee Ann Snedden.

“This is nothing, in my opinion. Nothing,” said a disgusted Russell Kronick, who owns a large chunk of land along O’Connor, upon hearing the revisions. His holdings include a medical office building at 267 O’Connor, next to a big parking lot. It’s a perfect place for a landmark building, one of just a couple of suitable spots for one, but if he can only construct a 27-storey building on the site he doesn’t have much economic incentive to do it. Maybe his grandchildren will, he said.

The kind of Centretown the plan envisions is “just utterly mediocre,” Kronick said, discouraging things like the Mountain Equipment Co-op that kick-started redevelopment in Westboro.

Kronick was among a group of developers and landowners who came up with a set of changes to the city’s plan in concert with the Centretown Citizens’ Community Association, many of them technical and specific to particular streets. In general, the city agreed to the developers’ and community association’s recommendations on fixing language in the plan that’s unclear or imprecise, but rejected ones that made bigger changes to the plan’s direction.

New language that would have replaced the landmark-buildings clause with language meant to promote little parks and sitting areas on the edges of development lots (called “small moments” in the planning lingo) was ditched, along with a proposal to come up with a Centretown-wide list of community improvements developers of new towers could be expected to pay for.

City council gets its say next week, but appeals to the Ontario Municipal Board, which can overrule cities’ urban-planning decisions, are virtually certain.

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/life/Last+minute+changes+neuter+notion+landmark+buildings+Centretown/8317430/story.html#ixzz2S3rpGZ7p

We are talking about 27 floors vs. probably around 35 floors. It makes no difference at street level, so why allow a bunch of mediocre, lot line to lot line 27 storey buildings when we could get well designed 35 storey buildings with proper open space at the base or some sort of community usage. Once and a while, we need to reject the opinions of NIMBY militia in favor of logic.

[Cre47]

Not sure if we talked even once about this one (6-7 storeys) - on Carling at the 417 - was looking at Street View (as I was sick and tired of hearing/reading about people in favor of the nonsensical idea of putting the commuter from the suburbs light rail on Carling and looking at how it would be done at the 417 junction) and stomp to this project under construction last year

https://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&ll=45.381459,-75.743142&spn=0.001268,0.00284&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=45.381658,-75.743105&panoid=iAVVvJurdQrrcDpotZo5QQ&cbp=12,230.13,,0,-2.2

[rocketphish]

Not sure if we talked even once about this one (6-7 storeys) - on Carling at the 417 - was looking at Street View (as I was sick and tired of hearing/reading about people in favor of the nonsensical idea of putting the commuter from the suburbs light rail on Carling and looking at how it would be done at the 417 junction) and stomp to this project under construction last year

https://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&ll=45.381459,-75.743142&spn=0.001268,0.00284&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=45.381658,-75.743105&panoid=iAVVvJurdQrrcDpotZo5QQ&cbp=12,230.13,,0,-2.2

Dymon Self Storage. I think it got a brief mention a while back. And though it's not a condo building, I think it's got a more pleasing design than One3One ;)

[J.OT13]

Dymon Self Storage. I think it got a brief mention a while back. And though it's not a condo building, I think it's got a more pleasing design than One3One ;)

:haha:

Bit of a stretch there buddy!!!

As for LRT on Carling, I agree that it would be a total disaster, or at least when it comes to the current line for reasons mentioned by Cre47 as well as cutting off the south and the Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport form Downtown and a ridiculous Carling station layout.

I would prefer an extension of a future Bank-Rideau-Montreal line (although exorbitantly expensive and maybe not necessary) or, the most doable option, a tram like supplementary line as planned.

[Capital Shaun]

We are talking about 27 floors vs. probably around 35 floors. It makes no difference at street level, so why allow a bunch of mediocre, lot line to lot line 27 storey buildings when we could get well designed 35 storey buildings with proper open space at the base or some sort of community usage. Once and a while, we need to reject the opinions of NIMBY militia in favor of logic.

I agree that a few extra storeys won't make much difference in most cases at those heights.

[J.OT13]

I agree that a few extra storeys won't make much difference in most cases at those heights.

Sort of like the city handing out a few thousand Presto cards for free; fairly large negative financial impact for the city, but not much of an impact for people saving 5$ on a new card.

35 floors; better design and community benefits.

27 floors; bad design, no community benefit and same, if not bigger (wider), negative impact as 35 storeys.

[brentgaulois]

Sort of like the city handing out a few thousand Presto cards for free; fairly large negative financial impact for the city, but not much of an impact for people saving 5$ on a new card.

35 floors; better design and community benefits.

27 floors; bad design, no community benefit and same, if not bigger (wider), negative impact as 35 storeys.


Geez... Is there a way to reverse this decision?

[citizen j]

Geez... Is there a way to reverse this decision?

Yes, it's called an OMB hearing.

[McC]

(Dupe post)

[brentgaulois]

Yes, it's called an OMB hearing.

What are the chances that someone will take this to the OMB and win? I hope we can get a group of people together who care to do this.

[Norman Bates]

Not sure if we talked even once about this one (6-7 storeys) - on Carling at the 417 - was looking at Street View (as I was sick and tired of hearing/reading about people in favor of the nonsensical idea of putting the commuter from the suburbs light rail on Carling and looking at how it would be done at the 417 junction) and stomp to this project under construction last year

https://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&ll=45.381459,-75.743142&spn=0.001268,0.00284&t=h&z=19&layer=c&cbll=45.381658,-75.743105&panoid=iAVVvJurdQrrcDpotZo5QQ&cbp=12,230.13,,0,-2.2

Yeah that's the Dymon storage building. I suspect that it's a holding pattern for something else in 20 years or so. It's on the site of the former Capital Dodge - so I also suspect that 'Diamond' Jim Durrell has a piece of the action.

[Kitchissippi]

Storage is a huge growth industry that goes along with downsized condo living. A lot of people are using it for seasonal storage — who's got enough storage for golf clubs, christmas decor, camping gear, skis, etc in a condo?

[umbria27]

Storage is a huge growth industry that goes along with downsized condo living. A lot of people are using it for seasonal storage — who's got enough storage for golf clubs, christmas decor, camping gear, skis, etc in a condo?

Very true, strange that nobody is building and marketing storage and condos together. Even if they aren't co-located, you can see that there would be an advantage to having your self storage within walking distance. As a developer it might allow you to sell condo + storage and devote more of your prime real estate to living space with storage off site.

[harls]

Saw a demand for demolition for the building at 250 Parkdale (across from the Quick-E-Mart or whatever it's called) at Scott St. Probably another condo developer, for sure.

[McC]

It's a Richcraft property; but for now, it's just for their sales centre for 159 Parkdale.

[kevinbottawa]

Senate to take over Government Conference Centre till 2028

By David Reevely, OTTAWA CITIZEN May 16, 2013 1:00 PM

OTTAWA — The Senate expects to move in to the Government Conference Centre by the Rideau Canal in 2018 and stay there for 10 years while the Red Chamber’s part of Centre Block is renovated, say documents posted to the federal government’s online bulletin board for contractors.

Ottawans who want the former train station turned into a public space can forget it till at least 2028, and probably longer.

The Senate’s administrators are seeking a security firm to conduct a “threat assessment” of the century-old building and recommend what needs to be done it keep it safe for the upper house, whose facilities are to be fixed up as part of a billion-dollar overhaul of Parliament Hill. The temporary tenants include the Senate chamber itself, plus offices, meeting rooms and facilities for security and food services.

“In the longer term, it can be assumed that the building would revert to its use as a government conference facility, such that compatibility with this use and or reversibility of proposed interventions is an important criterion to consider in option development and selection,” the documents say.

The conference centre is one of the dead zones along Wellington Street Mayor Jim Watson points out when he talks about how the federal government has turned the district near Parliament into a dead zone — along with the empty former National Capital Commission information centre, the former U.S. embassy, and federal office buildings that have workers inside but don’t do anything for the streetscape. The federal government took the former train station over in the 1970s and uses it for big gatherings of public servants and occasional semi-public events like news conferences and open NCC board meetings.

Former prime minister Jean Chrétien wanted to turn it into a museum of Canadian political history but his successor Paul Martin kiboshed the idea. More recently, the city proposed at least linking the conference centre directly to the planned light-rail lane that’ll run practically underneath the building; the federal government said no.

At last report, in December, the Senate was due to move into the East Block on Parliament Hill in about 2017 as part of an emptying of Centre Block, where it and the House of Commons usually meet. With the middle building cleared out, a major renovation can take place. The Parliament Buildings are in terrible shape and experts who’ve worked on them say Centre Block could practically start falling apart in 2019 without the planned repairs.

Public Works is in charge of the massive project — work on buildings excluding Centre Block is expected to cost $1.6 billion, with estimates for repairs to the crown jewel yet to come. The department didn’t immediately respond to the Citizen’s inquiry about what changed in the plans for the Senate and why. This story will be updated with any answer.

© Copyright (c) The Ottawa Citizen

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/ottawa/Senate+take+over+Government+Conference+Centre+till+2028/8394750/story.html

[RyeJay]

Greetings :)

After some searching of my own through Ottawa's forum threads, I decided to ask for help, as the forumers who frequent this section would likely be able to give me an answer:

Have there been any aerial renderings of Ottawa posted recently?

I'm not necessarily looking for high-quality building renderings. It could be roughly done and very basic -- just as long as it's an aerial perspective of Ottawa's downtown, in order to see all the developments that are underway.

Here is an example, which is of downtown Halifax:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/RyJ/DowntownHalifaxDensityRendering.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/RyJ/media/DowntownHalifaxDensityRendering.jpg.html)

Thank you!

[McC]

there are some in the Centretown CDP, e.g.: http://ottawa.ca/sites/ottawa.ca/files/migrated/files/cap083220.pdf

[harls]

there are some in the Centretown CDP, e.g.: http://ottawa.ca/sites/ottawa.ca/files/migrated/files/cap083220.pdf

Hm the last picture of that pdf is mine! At least they credited me. :haha:

[McC]

Urban Strategies is shameless/unapologetic about "crowdsourcing" the photos that they use for context/illustration in their planning documents. But, I think using one of your shots (with pride of place, at that) is a compliment, they have pretty good taste!

:)

[brentgaulois]

I went to visit the Bank Street BIA offices and they mentioned something about a Farm Boy on Bank street? Anyone know of that? There's a Sobeys moving into Tribeca, but there may or may no longer be talk of a Farm Boy in Centretown, as well.

[JackBauer24]

I went to visit the Bank Street BIA offices and they mentioned something about a Farm Boy on Bank street? Anyone know of that? There's a Sobeys moving into Tribeca, but there may or may no longer be talk of a Farm Boy in Centretown, as well.

Funny, I've heard the same thing about Farm Boy, but going into Little Italy (that's certainly a neighbourhood that needs it more than the Glebe) - I guess they're just looking for a central location to compete with Whole Foods at Lansdowne.

[JackBauer24]

Greetings :)

After some searching of my own through Ottawa's forum threads, I decided to ask for help, as the forumers who frequent this section would likely be able to give me an answer:

Have there been any aerial renderings of Ottawa posted recently?

I'm not necessarily looking for high-quality building renderings. It could be roughly done and very basic -- just as long as it's an aerial perspective of Ottawa's downtown, in order to see all the developments that are underway.

Here is an example, which is of downtown Halifax:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v508/RyJ/DowntownHalifaxDensityRendering.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/RyJ/media/DowntownHalifaxDensityRendering.jpg.html)

Thank you!

This isn't exactly what you're looking for, but the following link is sort of apropos. This was posted in another thread on this forum, thought I'd share again.

http://danneutel.com/?page_id=1457

[JackBauer24]

Sort of like the city handing out a few thousand Presto cards for free; fairly large negative financial impact for the city, but not much of an impact for people saving 5$ on a new card.

35 floors; better design and community benefits.

27 floors; bad design, no community benefit and same, if not bigger (wider), negative impact as 35 storeys.

It's similar to the 30 v 35 levels at Soho Italia - the 35 storey rendering is infinitely better than the 30 storey, and yet the city is still debating it even though they approved 45 levels literally across the street. At least the city is consistent at being inconsistent in their decisions.

[NOWINYOW]

Funny, I've heard the same thing about Farm Boy, but going into Little Italy (that's certainly a neighbourhood that needs it more than the Glebe) - I guess they're just looking for a central location to compete with Whole Foods at Lansdowne.

Little Italy would be a great site for a Farm Boy. The neighbourhood is large now, in a few years there will be a quite a few more condo complexes. LI is also close to China Town and not too far from the Bronson / Laurier condo complexes. Plus, Bronson avenue construction should be wrapping up in a year or so.

[Harley613]

farm boy in little italy would be aces! that's exactly what they need there, perfect size and type of grocery store. appeals very well to the condo crowd and doesn't destroy a city block. i'm going to contact some people i've done business with @ farm boy and poke around, i'll let you people know what i find out!

[Jamaican-Phoenix]

Hey, Ottawa Urbanism members...

Maybe grocery stores that add to urban living and the urban dynamic can give you guys an excuse to enter the media-sphere again? ;)

[brentgaulois]

Hey, Ottawa Urbanism members...

Maybe grocery stores that add to urban living and the urban dynamic can give you guys an excuse to enter the media-sphere again? ;)

Speaking of Ottawa Urbanism, what's happening with it?

[J.OT13]

Not sure where the thread for this one is (or even if we had one), but the new Place Victoria Federal building in Hull has a 10ish storey green vertical stripe of light on its left side when looking at it driving down Maisoneuve towards Ottawa. I usually like night time coloured lighting on buildings, but this looks kind of odd.

[rocketphish]

Lowertown schoolhouse salvageable, engineer’s report says

By David Reevely, OTTAWA CITIZEN May 30, 2013

OTTAWA — An engineer’s report that the owner of a former school in Lowertown wanted to keep private found that the Cumberland Street building is at least partially salvageable, the city says.

Claude Lauzon, who wants to tear the building down, was ordered by a judge to hand the report over to the city, which wants the century-old structure saved.

Although the main fight over the future of the Our Lady schoolhouse is still before the courts, the city’s chief lawyer Rick O’Connor told councillors in a Thursday evening memo that the report, by renowned structural engineer John Cooke, buttresses the city’s case. The city’s chief building official Arlene Gregoire has read it, he wrote, and “she is satisfied that the information in the report clearly presents an alternative course of action to the complete demolition of the building, as sought by the property owner.”

Another engineer’s report Lauzon has presented as evidence says the building might theoretically be saved, but its caved-in roof and floors that have separated from walls make it too dangerous for anyone to enter and the only practical option is to tear it down. Citing the ongoing legal case, O’Connor wrote that the Cooke report can’t be released publicly.

Lauzon owns numerous properties, mostly in Lowertown, that the city considers eyesores. The school has been slowly falling apart for decades, but the city has refused to let Lauzon demolish it because of its heritage value; the court case is essentially over whether a patient-enough landlord can get around heritage rules by letting a building go until it becomes a safety hazard.

The city is chasing Lauzon to clean up half a dozen other buildings he owns. He has responded by serving several city politicians with notices that they’ve libelled him.

dreevely@ottawacitizen.com">dreevely@ottawacitizen.com

ottawacitizen.com/greaterottawa
© Copyright (c) The Ottawa Citizen

Read more: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Lowertown+schoolhouse+salvageable+engineer+report+says/8458375/story.html#ixzz2UtMo4OUZ


http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/cms/binary/8458376.jpg

Owner Claude Lauzon wants to demolish the former Our Lady schoolhouse in Lowertown, but the city wants it preserved as a heritage structure.
Photograph by: Rod MacIvor , The Ottawa Citizen

[Boxster]

Lowertown schoolhouse salvageable, engineer’s report says

By David Reevely, OTTAWA CITIZEN May 30, 2013

OTTAWA — An engineer’s report that the owner of a former school in Lowertown wanted to keep private found that the Cumberland Street building is at least partially salvageable, the city says.

Claude Lauzon, who wants to tear the building down, was ordered by a judge to hand the report over to the city, which wants the century-old structure saved.

Although the main fight over the future of the Our Lady schoolhouse is still before the courts, the city’s chief lawyer Rick O’Connor told councillors in a Thursday evening memo that the report, by renowned structural engineer John Cooke, buttresses the city’s case. The city’s chief building official Arlene Gregoire has read it, he wrote, and “she is satisfied that the information in the report clearly presents an alternative course of action to the complete demolition of the building, as sought by the property owner.”

Another engineer’s report Lauzon has presented as evidence says the building might theoretically be saved, but its caved-in roof and floors that have separated from walls make it too dangerous for anyone to enter and the only practical option is to tear it down. Citing the ongoing legal case, O’Connor wrote that the Cooke report can’t be released publicly.

Lauzon owns numerous properties, mostly in Lowertown, that the city considers eyesores. The school has been slowly falling apart for decades, but the city has refused to let Lauzon demolish it because of its heritage value; the court case is essentially over whether a patient-enough landlord can get around heritage rules by letting a building go until it becomes a safety hazard.

The city is chasing Lauzon to clean up half a dozen other buildings he owns. He has responded by serving several city politicians with notices that they’ve libelled him.

dreevely@ottawacitizen.com">dreevely@ottawacitizen.com

ottawacitizen.com/greaterottawa
© Copyright (c) The Ottawa Citizen

Read more: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Lowertown+schoolhouse+salvageable+engineer+report+says/8458375/story.html#ixzz2UtMo4OUZ


http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/cms/binary/8458376.jpg

Owner Claude Lauzon wants to demolish the former Our Lady schoolhouse in Lowertown, but the city wants it preserved as a heritage structure.
Photograph by: Rod MacIvor , The Ottawa Citizen

Claude Lauzon should be forced to clean his slums. What an embarassment!! Shame on him.

[NOWINYOW]

Here's how its going to play out. The developer will concede and make plans to incorporate the existing building into the "redevelopment". Plans will be made and eventually approved after a few changes are made to comply with the wishes of the city. Reconstruction will require "minor" indoor modifications. Facade will crumble onto the street. Contractor says "oops!". Building deemed unsafe and torn down. A few token bricks will be salvaged and incorporated into the new build. A new building will rise up.

Why not skip all this and just raze the building now and save all the years of traffic disruption.