General Update/Rumour thread

[c_speed3108]

Beat me to it...

https://i.imgur.com/JowJ4G1.jpg

The "Not City" parcel of land is presently for sale.

[Acajack]

The "Not City" parcel of land is presently for sale.

Isn't that city-owned plot where the BIENVENUE À/WELCOME TO VANIER sign is or was?

[J.OT13]

Isn't that city-owned plot where the BIENVENUE À/WELCOME TO VANIER sign is or was?

Yup. Still around as far as I can remember.

[Acajack]

Yup. Still around as far as I can remember.

With flower beds of some kind at the base, IIRC.

[c_speed3108]

Isn't that city-owned plot where the BIENVENUE À/WELCOME TO VANIER sign is or was?


Various plants and benches and stuff are there, surrounded by a brick and metal decorative fence. The BIA often decorates up that space.

I read somewhere that a George Vanier statue was origionally supposed to go there.

I guess that can be filed under community projects unlikely to be completed.

[OTownandDown]

That didn't help Sir John Carling. And just like Sir John Carling, Sir Charles Tupper is often stated as being in "critical" condition. Whether its structural (which was the case for Sir John Carling) or mechanical, I don't know.

Random thought, was the fault line responsible for Sir John Carling's structural issues? And if so, would that not be a major impediment to the new Civic Hospital? Who's going to pay for the additional engineering and structural work needed?

Sir John Carling's precast was very finely detailed, and very actively disintegrating, through no fault of building heating/cooling or anything. All the hangy bits of concrete were just disintegrating with age (a little quirk of concrete). It could have been fully re-clad at a cost of a couple hundred millies, but otherwise was just a rotting building filled with asbestos.

The same fate will befall Sir Charles Tupper. It's slowly falling apart (demolition by neglect, anyone?) and then asbestos becomes friable, coating everything, and it becomes an environment that people aren't allowed to access, repair costs for replacing the interior, upgrading seismic, replacing brick cladding, (somehow) repairing fibreglass/asbestos cladding panels, replacing all the glazing, replacing the roof, mechanical/electrical replacement, ALL approaches $500 million, people shake their heads, and the place is demolished.

We need to have a conversation about keeping these quick and dirty 60's-90's buildings. It's like keeping that shirt in your closet that you loved, but no longer wear. Eventually it feels better to get rid of it. A bigger issue is current architectural standards no replacing the grand old dames of the past.

[TransitZilla]

^ Something will likely be installed there as part of the public art for the Montreal Rd project.

I think Vanier was named for General Vanier, so it makes sense.

[lrt's friend]

^ Something will likely be installed there as part of the public art for the Montreal Rd project.

I think Vanier was named for General Vanier, so it makes sense.

Yes, Vanier was named in 1969 after Governor General Georges Vanier who died in office in early 1967.

[Acajack]

Yes, Vanier was named in 1969 after Governor General Georges Vanier who died in office in early 1967.

Prior to that it was Eastview. Or Janeville?

[LeadingEdgeBoomer]

Yes, Vanier was named in 1969 after Governor General Georges Vanier who died in office in early 1967.

Georges Vanier fought in WW1 with the Royal 22nd Regiment. He was wounded in the chest and both legs and he lost one of those legs. He received the Military Cross and the French Legion of Honour medals. In the 1920's he was the Commander of the Royal 22nd for a while and then became a diplomat.
He rejoined the army in WW2 to help with recruitment and training. He rose to the rank of Major-General.

[LeadingEdgeBoomer]

Prior to that it was Eastview. Or Janeville?

When I was a child in the 1950's , it was Eastview. I do not remember ever hearing the name Janeville.

[CityTech]

When I was a child in the 1950's , it was Eastview. I do not remember ever hearing the name Janeville.

When the area was first settled (late 19th century), it consisted of 3 villages, Janeville, Clarkstowne, and Clandeboye as part of an overall wave of new communities built outside the-then city limits (Hintonburg, Westboro, Mechanicsville, Old Ottawa South, Old Ottawa East, and Rockcliffe Park were all among these communities). Ottawa had its first amalgamation in 1907 that expanded its borders to include most of these communities, but during this process, Janeville, Clarkstowne, and Clandeboye instead had their own amalgamation where they merged to become the village of Eastview, that was then renamed Vanier in 1969.

[lrt's friend]

Janeville was centred on the Montreal Road and was named after Jane McArthur and from that name we got McArthur Avenue which ran through the middle of the McArthur farm. In those days, it was an anglophone community. That is was why St. Margaret's Anglican Church is right in the middle of Vanier and there are no early Roman Catholic churches nearby.

Clarkstown was named after a son-in-law of Thomas McKay who subdivided the land south of Beechwood that was part of the McKay Estate. This became the first francophone enclave of what became Vanier and centred around St. Charles church, a bastion of francophone rights and culture.

Clandeboye was over next to Notre Dame Cemetery. It became part of Eastview, but the community may have not amounted to much at the time when Eastview was founded. Perhaps, just a subdivision on paper with few houses.

[bartlebooth]

Farm Boy is set to open tomorrow on the ground floor of Tribeca (Metcalfe, between Lisgar and Nepean).

[McKellarDweller]

Farm Boy is set to open tomorrow on the ground floor of Tribeca (Metcalfe, between Lisgar and Nepean).

Confirmed in the OBJ today.
Just curious if anyone knows whether this format one will carry paper towels/TP/small cleaning stuff. That would be handy and save some people dual trips elsewhere.

[OTSkyline]

Confirmed in the OBJ today.
Just curious if anyone knows whether this format one will carry paper towels/TP/small cleaning stuff. That would be handy and save some people dual trips elsewhere.

None of the FarmBoy's do... Focus is on groceries & prepared meals.

[danishh]

None of the FarmBoy's do... Focus is on groceries & prepared meals.

honestly, we need a giant tiger somewhere in the CBD to deal with this market gap. Closest ones are in Hull, Wellington West, and the Market.

[J.OT13]

honestly, we need a giant tiger somewhere in the CBD to deal with this market gap. Closest ones are in Hull, Wellington West, and the Market.

And the one in Hull, the closest thing the Island of Hull has to a grocery store, is closing.

[HighwayStar]

honestly, we need a giant tiger somewhere in the CBD to deal with this market gap. Closest ones are in Hull, Wellington West, and the Market.

Aren't there Shoppers and/or small convenience stores all over the place to acquire Paper Towels/TP/Small Cleaning stuff? It's not like people need Costco sized packages of the stuff...

[Acajack]

honestly, we need a giant tiger somewhere in the CBD to deal with this market gap. Closest ones are in Hull, Wellington West, and the Market.

Hull's Giant Tiger (on Eddy) is actually closing down. Which leaves the area even more "deserted" in terms of everyday retail options. The island that is the oldest part of Hull also hasn't had a grocery store in several years. There is a committee that is trying to get one to open, but still nothing to report.

Though I assume that with all the new developments, eventually one will open there. Just a question of time.

[J.OT13]

Hull's Giant Tiger (on Eddy) is actually closing down. Which leaves the area even more "deserted" in terms of everyday retail options. The island that is the oldest part of Hull also hasn't had a grocery store in several years. There is a committee that is trying to get one to open, but still nothing to report.

Though I assume that with all the new developments, eventually one will open there. Just a question of time.

A advocacy group, "Coopérative de solidarité de l'île de Hull", is looking at a park-and-ride near the Guertin arena as a possible site to build a grocery store. The City of Gatineau seems receptive so far. I would prefer a more central location on the island than this site at the north-west corner, but it's better than nothing.

https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1186422/projet-epicerie-emplacement-ile-hull-gatineau-cedric-tessier

[mykl]

The new Farm Boy is lovely! Much better layout than Sobeys had. Great to finally have a location I can walk to (as I live near the museum of nature). I can see myself switching from Massine's to Farm Boy.

[Jayday23]

reason 1001 why covid-19 sucks: Its hollowed out our update section for the foreseeable future.:shrug:

[Harley613]

reason 1001 why covid-19 sucks: Its hollowed out our update section for the foreseeable future.:shrug:

Seriously. All of our development dreams are going to either be on hold for the foreseeable future of cancelled altogether due to the economic fallout. Not the worst part of what's going on but it sure is depressing.

[J.OT13]

Not a super huge or exciting, but here's one:

Crestpoint pays $92M for 50% stake in Ottawa’s 234 Laurier Ave. W. office tower

https://obj.ca/sites/default/files/styles/article_main/public/2020-03/234-Laurier-Ave..jpg?itok=Esp-VzC5
Plaza 234 on Laurier Ave. W. Photo courtesy of Gillin Engineering.

Craig Lord, OBJ
March 25, 2020

Toronto-based Crestpoint Real Estate Investments has taken a 50 per cent stake in an office building at 234 Laurier Ave. W., a 26-storey tower occupied by Shopify’s growing Ottawa workforce.

Crestpoint paid $92 million to take over TD Asset Management’s and Slate Asset Management’s stakes in the downtown Ottawa office tower, according to CBRE senior vice-president Nico Zentil, who brokered the deal. Crestpoint now acts as a 50-50 partner with Gillin Engineering & Construction, which remains the building’s property manager.

The Plaza 234 tower was built in 1983 and renovated 30 years later, according to the 2019 BOMA Commercial Space Directory. Ottawa-based e-commerce firm Shopify has leased 18 floors in the downtown tower, around the corner from its Elgin Street headquarters, representing roughly 70 per cent of the building’s total 461,000 square feet of office space.

When Shopify announced the 10-year lease in 2017, it said it planned to house an additional 2,500 employees at the building; the Ottawa tech giant announced late last year that it had officially surpassed 1,000 employees in the capital.

The building is also home to public-sector tenants. Previously, Plaza 234 served as the headquarters of Export Development Canada and was subsequently used as swing space by the Bank of Canada during renovations of its Wellington Street headquarters.

Crestpoint has been on an acquisition spree so far in 2020, acquiring a portfolio of three properties across Montreal and Calgary in a $190-million deal last month and another Montreal office tower in January.

Crestpoint did not immediately return OBJ’s request for comment Wednesday afternoon.

https://obj.ca/article/crestpoint-pays-92m-50-stake-ottawas-234-laurier-ave-w-office-tower

[J.OT13]

Future Westboro Beach Pavillion:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EVpplCyUMAEpQu4?format=jpg&name=900x900
https://twitter.com/JonathanWilling/status/1250429040483168263

[rocketphish]

Future Westboro Beach Pavillion:

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EVpplCyUMAEpQu4?format=jpg&name=900x900
https://twitter.com/JonathanWilling/status/1250429040483168263

Good catch. I added this to the NCC Parkways thread:
http://skyscraperpage.com/forum/showpost.php?p=8894475&postcount=174

[AuxTown]

That's great! Our beaches across the city are in need of some updated services/structures.

[c_speed3108]

Reportedly all tenants in the Eastview plaza strip mall have received eviction notices.

https://twitter.com/RoughChopOttawa/status/1250528951283470348

https://mainandmain.ca/montreal-north-river

[kwoldtimer]

Reportedly all tenants in the Eastview plaza strip mall have received eviction notices.

https://twitter.com/RoughChopOttawa/status/1250528951283470348

https://mainandmain.ca/montreal-north-river

I try to imagine both this proposal and the one the block down at the Parkway actually being built (along with the proposed mid-rise building across Montreal Rd at the Parkway). That's going to be a lot of new density for Montreal Rd to cope with.

[Uhuniau]

Reportedly all tenants in the Eastview plaza strip mall have received eviction notices.

https://twitter.com/RoughChopOttawa/status/1250528951283470348

https://mainandmain.ca/montreal-north-river

That rendering is... fugly. And it's contrary to every pretty word in the City of Ottawa's official plan about the supposed importance of main streets. If this goes ahead per the render, it'll be one more wasted opportunity.

[alamgirkhan]

That rendering is... fugly. And it's contrary to every pretty word in the City of Ottawa's official plan about the supposed importance of main streets. If this goes ahead per the render, it'll be one more wasted opportunity.

I don’t think that’s an actual proposal. Seems more like a generic placeholder.

[J.OT13]

The rendering (or massing) is gone. Now it just shows an aerial view of the site.

[rocketphish]

Ottawa seeks ‘shovel-ready’ projects for post shutdown stimulus plan

Bill Curry, Ottawa
The Globe and Mail
Published April 15, 2020, Updated 18 hours ago

Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine McKenna is preparing plans to rush out billions of dollars in budgeted – but so far largely unspent – infrastructure funds as a way to stimulate the Canadian economy once current pandemic restrictions are lifted.

The immediate focus of cabinet and the Prime Minister’s Office is on containing the COVID-19 health crisis and preventing bankruptcies, but ministers and officials are also starting to consult experts on how to gradually reopen the economy.

Borrowing a phrase from the Harper government’s “Economic Action Plan” spending spree after the 2008-09 financial crisis, the term “shovel ready” is back in use as Ottawa seeks out smaller projects – such as recreation-centre repairs – that can be approved quickly and create immediate jobs.

In an interview with The Globe and Mail, Ms. McKenna said she’s been reading up on former U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal, which included major infrastructure spending as part of the U.S. response to the Great Depression in the 1930s.

She is also reaching out to people who played key roles in responding to the 2008-09 economic crisis, including former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney, former Conservative minister John Baird and former parliamentary budget officer Kevin Page.

Ms. McKenna said the scope of a future stimulus plan will depend on the scale of the economic damage created by COVID-19, which is currently unknown. But she said her current focus is on speeding up the more than $180-billion in infrastructure spending that has been approved through to 2028 but is mostly unspent.

“How do we get the money out the door this construction season? I think that’s going to be incredibly important,” she said.

A senior government official, who The Globe is not identifying because they were not authorized to speak publicly on the matter, said the government has not yet created a formal team internally to work specifically on a recovery plan. Rather, ministers such as Ms. McKenna, Industry Minister Navdeep Bains, Small Business Minister Mary Ng, Natural Resources Minister Seamus O’Regan and others have been encouraged to reach out to business leaders and other stakeholders to gather suggestions for a phased-in return to normal.

The official said there is still too much uncertainty over the length and breadth of the current shutdown to make concrete policy plans for the recovery phase.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Wednesday that it would be “terrible” if current restrictions were lifted too soon. He repeated that it will be weeks before a phased-in return can begin and that the gradual process will vary by region and by industrial sector.

“We are not there yet,” he said. “We’re still a number of weeks away from that.”

The Liberal government came to power in 2015 on a platform that promised major increases to the federal infrastructure budget. Later labelled the “Investing In Canada” plan, the more than $180-billion program includes specific allotments to provinces and lays out priority areas such as public transit, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, including affordable housing, and trade and transportation.

Current Parliamentary Budget Officer Yves Giroux has reported that infrastructure funds have not been spent on schedule. Mr. Giroux has also noted that provinces appear to have scaled back their own infrastructure spending plans in response to increased federal transfers.

Federal infrastructure transfers are usually contingent on contributions from provincial and municipal governments, which are now facing major budget shortfalls because of the pandemic.

Ms. McKenna said Ottawa is prepared to be “flexible” with its program rules in order to get money out the door.

“I know that the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister, had good conversations with premiers about infrastructure money, which everyone actually sees as very important," she said.

Former PBO Kevin Page said Ottawa will likely have to assume all or most of project construction costs, given that provinces will be especially hard hit financially by COVID-19.

“They’re pretty much going to be broke,” said Mr. Page, who now heads the University of Ottawa’s Institute of Fiscal Studies and Democracy. Mr. Page said Ottawa will also need to contribute new money to infrastructure to stimulate the economy, given that the Bank of Canada has already lowered interest rates to near zero.

“There’s going to be an important role for the federal government and infrastructure will be a big part of it,” he said.

The government is expecting the Canada Infrastructure Bank to play a significant role in stimulating the economy. The Liberal government created the bank in 2017 with a $35-billion budget and a mandate to attract large institutional investors, such as pension funds, to invest in Canadian infrastructure projects.

Ms. McKenna recently announced the departure of bank chair Janice Fukakusa and bank chief executive Pierre Lavallée, and the government has named Michael Sabia as the new chair of the bank. Mr. Sabia stepped down in February as the president and CEO of the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec. He is a former member of the federal government’s economic advisory council, which recommended the creation of a federal infrastructure bank.

Ms. McKenna said she is speaking with Mr. Sabia for advice on broader infrastructure issues in addition to how the bank will play a role in the recovery.

“Someone of his expertise and knowledge and experience is extraordinarily helpful and we’ve already had very good conversations,” she said. The minister said Mr. Sabia is considering how the bank could support short-term projects, in addition to longer-term projects that the bank is already studying, such as Via Rail’s plan for a new dedicated passenger rail line between Quebec City and Toronto.

“We need to do big projects. We need to think big," she said. “If we are going to be competitive, if we’re going to improve the quality of life for people, also, if we’re going to transition to a clean economy, projects like that are incredibly important."

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/politics/article-mckenna-seeking-shovel-ready-projects-for-post-shutdown-stimulus/

[TransitZilla]

Ottawa seeks ‘shovel-ready’ projects for post shutdown stimulus plan


Baseline BRT!!! :D

And VIA HFR.

[J.OT13]

Baseline BRT!!! :D

And VIA HFR.

I sure hope so, on both counts!

Though for the Baseline BRT, I have little faith the City will submit a request for funding, either because they don't think of it or because they claim it could "compromise" Stage 3 financing somehow.

[TransitZilla]

I sure hope so, on both counts!

Though for the Baseline BRT, I have little faith the City will submit a request for funding, either because they don't think of it or because they claim it could "compromise" Stage 3 financing somehow.

Stage 3 isn't "shovel ready"; Baseline BRT has had $12M spent on detailed design so I can't imagine how it could not be.

[J.OT13]

Stage 3 isn't "shovel ready"; Baseline BRT has had $12M spent on detailed design so I can't imagine how it could not be.

I 100% agree. I just don't have faith in the City's ability to get the Baseline BRT off the ground. I suspect they'll use every excuse in the book to sabotage the project.

[rocketphish]

Rideau Street development site sells for $3.25M

By: David Sali, OBJ
Published: Apr 17, 2020 8:20am EDT

https://www.obj.ca/sites/default/files/styles/article_main/public/2020-04/image001%20%281%29.jpg

A prime piece of downtown real estate near a spate of new residential developments on Rideau Street has changed hands in a deal worth $3.25 million.

A private buyer acquired the property at 400 Rideau St. from previous owner Jeff Zelicovitz in a transaction that closed last month. A 3,500-square-foot commercial building that’s home to a branch of TD Canada Trust currently occupies the site.

Located five blocks east of the Rideau Centre and just a few hundred metres from the ByWard Market at the intersection of Rideau and Friel streets, the property has major redevelopment potential, says Aik Aliferis, a senior managing director for Institutional Property Advisors – a division of Marcus & Millichap – who brokered the sale.

Aliferis says the neighbourhood’s close proximity to light rail, the University of Ottawa and other amenities makes any land that could potentially be used for new housing or commercial projects a hot commodity.

He points to other nearby developments ​– including Trinity Development Group’s partnership with Timbercreek on a pair of planned 25-storey mixed-use towers at the corner of Rideau and Chapel streets and the Théo Ottawa university residence near the intersection of Rideau and King Edward Avenue ​– as proof of the district’s rising cachet.

“All those attributes make this area very, very appealing to developers and to people wanting to live there,” he says. “We’re seeing great demand for that market.”

https://www.obj.ca/article/rideau-street-development-site-sells-325m

[kevinbottawa]

Rideau Street development site sells for $3.25M

By: David Sali, OBJ
Published: Apr 17, 2020 8:20am EDT

https://www.obj.ca/sites/default/files/styles/article_main/public/2020-04/image001%20%281%29.jpg

A prime piece of downtown real estate near a spate of new residential developments on Rideau Street has changed hands in a deal worth $3.25 million.

A private buyer acquired the property at 400 Rideau St. from previous owner Jeff Zelicovitz in a transaction that closed last month. A 3,500-square-foot commercial building that’s home to a branch of TD Canada Trust currently occupies the site.

Located five blocks east of the Rideau Centre and just a few hundred metres from the ByWard Market at the intersection of Rideau and Friel streets, the property has major redevelopment potential, says Aik Aliferis, a senior managing director for Institutional Property Advisors – a division of Marcus & Millichap – who brokered the sale.

Aliferis says the neighbourhood’s close proximity to light rail, the University of Ottawa and other amenities makes any land that could potentially be used for new housing or commercial projects a hot commodity.

He points to other nearby developments ​– including Trinity Development Group’s partnership with Timbercreek on a pair of planned 25-storey mixed-use towers at the corner of Rideau and Chapel streets and the Théo Ottawa university residence near the intersection of Rideau and King Edward Avenue ​– as proof of the district’s rising cachet.

“All those attributes make this area very, very appealing to developers and to people wanting to live there,” he says. “We’re seeing great demand for that market.”

https://www.obj.ca/article/rideau-street-development-site-sells-325m

I was driving down Rideau wondering where the next project would be. Really happy with how Rideau Street is coming along.

[alamgirkhan]

Colonnade Bridgeport and Fiera Real Estate have acquired a prime, five-acre urban redevelopment site just east of downtown Ottawa with a development capacity of up to 2.3 million square feet.

https://renx.ca/colonnade-bridgeport-fiera-real-estate-acquire-ottawa-redevelopment-site/

[kwoldtimer]

Noticed today that excavation is now underway for the small mixed-use building at 196 (?) Beechwood Ave.

[kevinbottawa]

Colonnade Bridgeport and Fiera Real Estate have acquired a prime, five-acre urban redevelopment site just east of downtown Ottawa with a development capacity of up to 2.3 million square feet.

https://renx.ca/colonnade-bridgeport-fiera-real-estate-acquire-ottawa-redevelopment-site/

That's a great location and an amazing opportunity. I look forward to seeing what they put together. Whatever it is, I'm sure it'll be better than the Trainyards.

[UrbOttawa]

Colonnade Bridgeport and Fiera Real Estate have acquired a prime, five-acre urban redevelopment site just east of downtown Ottawa with a development capacity of up to 2.3 million square feet.

https://renx.ca/colonnade-bridgeport-fiera-real-estate-acquire-ottawa-redevelopment-site/

This location would be great for a new regional bus station (similar to Montreal or Toronto) integrated into a mixed use development. It would create a transit hub right on the LRT while not being too far from downtown. There's definitely a stigma attached to taking regional busses and the run down Catherine St station doesn't help.

I doubt this would actually happen though unfortunately.

[J.OT13]

This location would be great for a new regional bus station (similar to Montreal or Toronto) integrated into a mixed use development. It would create a transit hub right on the LRT while not being too far from downtown. There's definitely a stigma attached to taking regional busses and the run down Catherine St station doesn't help.

I doubt this would actually happen though unfortunately.

I agree, that would be great. Build the regional bus station underground to accommodate not just inter-city, but also commuter. Have offices/residential/hotel on top. Build a triangular pedestrian tunnel network connecting the bus terminal, VIA and the O-Train.

[J.OT13]

Colonnade BridgePort to build 'mixed-use community hub' near Via Rail, LRT stations

David Sali, OBJ
April 27, 2020

https://obj.ca/sites/default/files/styles/article_main/public/2020-04/Screenshot%202020-04-27%20at%2017.54.00.png?itok=HPngx1pm
ColonnadeBridgePort has teamed up with a Toronto developer to buy a five-acre industrial site at 25 Pickering Pl. near the Via Rail terminal. Image courtesy Google Maps

One of the city’s largest real estate firms is teaming up with a Toronto-based investment partner to develop what it calls an “urban village” on a prime piece of land near Ottawa’s Via Rail station.

Colonnade BridgePort said Monday it has acquired five acres of property at 25 Pickering Pl., just east of the Via Rail terminal and the Tremblay LRT station. The developer says it aims to turn the current industrial site into a “mixed-use, high-density community hub” that will include rental apartment highrises, retail space, parkland and possibly a hotel.

The Ottawa company is partnering with investment firm Fiera Real Estate, which has worked with Colonnade BridgePort on various other local development projects, including 1960 Scott St. and 315 McRae Ave. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Colonnade director of development Stephen Martin called the east-end site, which was previously owned by cleaning product manufacturer Dustbane Products, a “compelling” location because of its close proximity to light rail and the train station.

In addition, he said, the property is already zoned for mixed-use projects of up to 30 storeys, a rarity for available land in a city that puts a premium on transit-oriented development.

“From a connectivity point of view, there isn’t anything else like it in the city,” Martin said, adding the site has potential for more than two million square feet of residential and commercial space.

Colonnade and Fiera join a growing list of developers ​– such as RioCan REIT and Killam Apartment REIT, who are constructing a block of apartment towers a few kilometres east near the Blair LRT station – that see light rail as a game-changer for an area that’s traditionally been on the short end of large-scale development projects.

Martin called the Confederation LRT line “an equalizer” for Ottawa’s east end.

“It does change the catchment area, both from a commercial and a residential perspective,” he explained.

Colonnade and Fiera have signed a leaseback agreement with Dustbane that will allow the previous owner to continue operating on the site while the new owners draft a master plan for the property.

Connor Shea, Colonnade’s director of asset and investment management, said some portions of the land could eventually be parcelled off and sold to other builders depending on how the master plan evolves.

“The site provides a lot of flexibility in terms of what we can do,” Shea said.

Site plans for all stages of the project will require city approval, so shovels probably won’t be in the ground for at least a few years, he added. The first residential towers will likely be built out over a three- to five-year span, he said.

“Pre-COVID, we were seeing lots of demand for purpose-built residential,” Shea said. “We still believe that demand is there, but with COVID-19 and the shutdown … all bets are off. We are going to have to figure out what the timeline’s going to look like to develop it.”

https://obj.ca/article/colonnade-bridgeport-build-mixed-use-community-hub-near-rail-lrt-stations

[OTSkyline]

This is a prime piece of land. You have VIA train station, LRT station, 417 Highway access, sandwiched between Trainyards and St-Laurent, only a few stops away from OttawaU and Downtown. I could see this being an attractive location for renters and offices, etc..

It's definitely "up and coming" neighborhood... like run-down houses and buildings and empty lots today, but could see this turning into a nice little node in the future.

:cheers:

[J.OT13]

Would love to see a hotel at this location. Imagine travelers arriving at VIA, dropping off their luggage next door and head downtown on the O-Train. No more lugging your baggage across the Max Keeping Bridge or on the train.

[FutureWickedCity]

Hopes & prayers that they finally build that pedestrian link to the Train Yards

[J.OT13]

Hopes & prayers that they finally build that pedestrian link to the Train Yards

Hadn't though of that, but yes it would be great to have multiple links to Train Yards (at east, west and at VIA).

[OTSkyline]

Hopes & prayers that they finally build that pedestrian link to the Train Yards

Very true. It seems like a no-brainer, to connect both the LRT and VIA stations and trainyards. It seems like such a low-hanging fruit by either tunnel or simple overpass. :koko:

[TransitZilla]

Very true. It seems like a no-brainer, to connect both the LRT and VIA stations and trainyards. It seems like such a low-hanging fruit by either tunnel or simple overpass. :koko:

I thought this development (http://skyscraperpage.com/forum/showthread.php?p=7257700) was supposed to include a connection by way of a tunnel, but it never moved forward.

Last I heard there had been examination of a bridge but it was apparently super expensive, in the range of the Flora Footbridge. I don't know why the tunnel option previously proposed was no longer viable... :shrug:

[J.OT13]

I thought this development (http://skyscraperpage.com/forum/showthread.php?p=7257700) was supposed to include a connection by way of a tunnel, but it never moved forward.

Last I heard there had been examination of a bridge but it was apparently super expensive, in the range of the Flora Footbridge. I don't know why the tunnel option previously proposed was no longer viable... :shrug:

Two of the three office towers south of the tracks were built. The developer decided to keep the one that includes the tunnel for last. No word on when it might be built. With the Feds gunning for that new development at Tremblay and St-Laurent, it won't be for a while.

[TransitZilla]

Two of the three office towers south of the tracks were built. The developer decided to keep the one that includes the tunnel for last. No word on when it might be built. With the Feds gunning for that new development at Tremblay and St-Laurent, it won't be for a while.

I don't think those other buildings are the same developer. Those buildings were built by Controlex (developer of the Trainyards); 425 Tremblay was supposed to be a partnership between VIA and Canderel.

(EDIT: The story in this post (http://skyscraperpage.com/forum/showpost.php?p=7257469&postcount=14) includes the claim by Controlex/Trainyards that they won the federal contract for these buildings due to proximity from Hurdman- Google indicates the walk is 950m, not 600m as they claim.)

[J.OT13]

I don't think those other buildings are the same developer. Those buildings were built by Controlex (developer of the Trainyards); 425 Tremblay was supposed to be a partnership between VIA and Canderel.

My bad. I just assumed.

[kevinbottawa]

Hopes & prayers that they finally build that pedestrian link to the Train Yards

They'll have to or else most of the foot traffic from the station will go to this new site (depending on what they build).

[Harley613]

I've always been confused by the downtown big box mall with no mass transit access yet three hundred feet away from mass transit.

I hope the White Horse survives the new development! Classic greasy spoon diner.

[FutureWickedCity]

I noticed the recent activity at De La Salle High School on St. Patrick. Looks like they're building a 3-floor addition to the existing building.

[rocketphish]

Rebuilding Ottawa’s construction sector, post-pandemic

By: OBJ staff
Published: May 8, 2020 12:59pm EDT

2SfjWJlRzd8

In this Coping With COVID-19 podcast episode, OBJ speaks with three leaders in the region’s multibillion-dollar construction industry: Danny Dillon, the chair of the Ottawa Construction Association and CEO of Dilfo Mechanical, Bassi Construction president Ray Licari as well as Ron Tomlinson, the CEO of Tomlinson Group of Companies.

This is an edited transcript of the panel discussion. To hear the full interview, please watch the video above.

OBJ: Ron, what short- or long-term issues does the construction industry face given the COVID-19 pandemic?

TOMLINSON: We’re a little concerned about the supply chain. How is that going to play out over the year? Many factories have been shut down. We don’t know exactly where materials are going to come from. We took a look at our whole supply chain. We looked at what materials we need for the next six months to keep our jobs on schedule. Then we tried to source those materials. Anywhere we thought there was weakness in the supply chain, we started to pre-purchase materials. So we didn’t run out and start buying toilet paper, but we did look for water mains, truck parts, tires and mixtures for ready-mix plants ​– all of the things that keep our plants and our operations running. We started to warehouse some of those materials.

OBJ: Ray, I’d like to get your perspective on upcoming challenges for the construction industry as far as Bassi Construction is concerned.

LICARI: The initial concern is the whole notion of the government opening in a phased manner. They are going to create a great deal of chaos in the market if they don’t get this right. Bassi is one of 50-odd companies out there that are pulling from the same pool of tradesmen, the same type of work. At Bassi, we pride ourselves on a good working relationship with those trades. We’re trying to work proactively with them … I can tell you that, one year ago, I was lucky if I got one or two CVs coming in. Now, there’s a plethora of them. I think there are a lot of human resources that might move from Peter to Paul to John.

OBJ: Danny, maybe you can weigh in on this issue. For the longest time, I thought there was a labour shortage in the trades.

DILLON: Before COVID-19, I think everyone’s perception was that there would be a manpower shortage in this summer in construction. So is that going to happen? Yes, I believe that is still going to happen. Is it going to be delayed a few months? I think that is a fair assumption.

I think there are also some silver linings. There is an awareness that has come out of this and the OCA is pushing this issue. An increase in standards around hygiene and sanitation on construction projects. Improved washing facilities – that’s long overdue.

I think there is another positive, too. This has created an awareness and appreciation of the construction worker. We are an essential service. I don’t think people realized the role we play out there in the world.

https://www.obj.ca/article/coping-covid-19-rebuilding-ottawas-construction-sector-post-pandemic

[rocketphish]

I moved the discussion about the new proposal at 1356 Clyde Ave over here:
https://skyscraperpage.com/forum/showthread.php?t=242608

[RideauRat]

I'm not sure if it's been posted yet, but some group on facebook is protesting what seems to be a hefty development on 3484 amd 3490 Innes Rd
https://app01.ottawa.ca/postingplans/appDetails.jsf?lang=en&appId=__BHF5A6

[rocketphish]

I'm not sure if it's been posted yet, but some group on facebook is protesting what seems to be a hefty development on 3484 amd 3490 Innes Rd
https://app01.ottawa.ca/postingplans/appDetails.jsf?lang=en&appId=__BHF5A6

That's this proposal:
https://skyscraperpage.com/forum/showthread.php?t=239718

[TransitZilla]

https://nationalpost.com/pmn/news-pmn/canada-news-pmn/feds-unveil-new-covid-19-stream-for-provincial-infrastructure-program


Feds unveil new COVID-19 stream for provincial infrastructure program
The Canadian Press
Mia Rabson
May 12, 2020

OTTAWA — The federal government is preparing to spend more than $3 billion in infrastructure money on projects to make facilities more pandemic-resistant and encourage outdoor activities in the age of COVID-19, Infrastructure Minister Catherine McKenna says.

McKenna told The Canadian Press in an interview Tuesday that while many of her cabinet colleagues have spent the last two months responding to the immediate crisis, her department has been doubling its effort to review and approve infrastructure projects submitted by provinces and territories for federal funding.

Hundreds of applications have been greenlit in recent weeks, though the specific announcements have yet to be made. But she said that in conversations with provincial and territorial leaders since March, it became clear there were needs created by the pandemic that weren’t being met under the existing programs.

“We have adapted our infrastructure program to the new reality of COVID,” said McKenna.

It will include things like retrofitting health-care facilities and schools, particularly with a view to allowing for more physical distancing and making it easier to practise good hygiene like handwashing. Projects to help people find ways to get outside safely will also be a priority, such as new or better paths, bike lanes, and nature trails.

The government is setting aside up to 10 per cent of the $33.5-billion provincial and territorial component of the Investing in Canada program as a COVID-19 fund to focus on responding to the pandemic, with Ottawa paying a bigger share of the bill.

“That stream is really recognizing some real opportunities to support the health response but also the economic response so we get projects going in the next one to two years,” said McKenna.

The Liberals have been criticized for being slow to get their massive infrastructure programs moving. Disagreements and tensions between many provincial governments and Ottawa kept some projects from going ahead. The parliamentary budget office has issued several reports outlining the sloth-like pace of project approvals and the complex nature of the arrangements.

In January, the opposition parties in the House of Commons joined forces to pass a motion asking for an official audit of the Investing in Canada program, which overall committed more than $180 billion across more than a decade to infrastructure programs.

About half the $33.5 billion coming through signed agreements with the provinces and territories has yet to be allocated, said McKenna.

Normally, Ottawa would cover one-third of the cost of municipal projects, and one-half of the cost of provincial projects. The COVID-19 program will bump Ottawa’s share up to 80 per cent, leaving provinces to determine whether and how to split the remaining 20 per cent with municipal governments when relevant.

Ottawa will foot 100 per cent of the bill for projects in the territories, up from 75 per cent. Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut are also getting an extra year to finish the work, allowing for the fact that getting supplies to the territories for building this summer will be difficult, said McKenna.

Provinces will have to get things done by the end of the 2021 construction season, though McKenna said extra effort is being put into getting many things started this summer.

McKenna said the government’s previous goals for its infrastructure programs — namely public transit, green infrastructure and high-speed Internet access — remain. The adaptations will make it easier to achieve those goals and build things quicker to meet needs and create jobs.

But she insists it will not be as easy as approving everything that gets suggested, and while approval processes will be accelerated they won’t be eliminated.

“We need to get the most value for our money, which is not just shovel-ready projects, but shovel-worthy projects,” she said.

McKenna would not say what Canadians could expect in economic stimulus programs once the crisis response to COVID-19 winds down.

“We’re trying to understand right now what is the scale and what are the needs,” she said.

“This is not a new stimulus program but an attempt to be smarter and more efficient with existing programs.”


Baseline BRT seems like a perfect candidate. Shovel ready, a transit project, and also a major pedestrian/cycling infrastructure project.

[J.OT13]

If funds are distributed proportionally, Ottawa (the City) should tap in to $840 million. Baseline-Heron is estimated at $161 million. I don't know how much it will be for the Bayshore to Baseline stretch, but if we say $400 million for the entire stretch to be ultra conservative, so $320 million to fund the entire Baseline BRT. Might as well take advantage and get it done in one shot.

We have $520 million left. What other shovel ready project do we have?

[khabibulin]

I've heard that the owner of the new Holiday Inn on King Edward is attempting to sell the building to the city for use as facility to house homeless people. Not sure how advanced the process is.

While I support the idea of using this opportunity to acquire hotels to accommodate the homeless, I question whether that is the right one for the city to purchase. Given it's location directly across from a couple of large shelters, it could have a ghettoizing effect, concentrating all of those types of services in one spot. I kind of suspect that is why the owner wants to unload the property. While the location is good on paper, it's not a block that most people would want to walk at night. Hopefully the city isn't being railroaded into making a purchase that isn't in its best interest.

Maybe all this discussion on the Holiday Inn could be moved to the actual King Edward Holiday Inn thread? Thanks mods.

http://skyscraperpage.com/forum/showthread.php?t=206680

[TransitZilla]

If funds are distributed proportionally, Ottawa (the City) should tap in to $840 million. Baseline-Heron is estimated at $161 million. I don't know how much it will be for the Bayshore to Baseline stretch, but if we say $400 million for the entire stretch to be ultra conservative, so $320 million to fund the entire Baseline BRT. Might as well take advantage and get it done in one shot.

We have $520 million left. What other shovel ready project do we have?

I'm not sure how you get $840M as a proportion of $3B... seems pretty high!

I don't know if there will be a huge construction stimulus this time given that this is a "she-cession"... most job losses affecting women in the service sector, not the construction sector.

[J.OT13]

I'm not sure how you get $840M as a proportion of $3B... seems pretty high!

I don't know if there will be a huge construction stimulus this time given that this is a "she-cession"... most job losses affecting women in the service sector, not the construction sector.

Ottawa's population is 1 million out of roughly 36 million in Canada. So that's 27.7% of the population, so proportionally, we would could get around $840 million, more or less.

That $3B is going towards shovel ready infrastructure projects. In Ottawa, I can think of the Baseline BRT, maybe the new central library (could the Feds fund more that what has already been committed?).

I've heard this idea that a gender lens might be placed on this stimulus money. I don't know if that's true. In any case, any infrastructure project will benefit more men during the construction phase than women. Once the new infrastructure opens, many of them might benefit more women, and I believe that might be the case for the Baseline BRT and library.

[TransitZilla]

Ottawa's population is 1 million out of roughly 36 million in Canada. So that's 27.7% of the population, so proportionally, we would could get around $840 million, more or less.


The decimal place is one off... 1M/36M is actually 2.7%.

$3B * 2.7% = $83M

[J.OT13]

The decimal place is one off... 1M/36M is actually 2.7%.

$3B * 2.7% = $83M

Well damn. That's a pretty major mistake on my part. :haha:

I imagine the City will request funding for road projects then. It could years before the Baseline BRT gets off the ground.

[rocketphish]

Maybe all this discussion on the Holiday Inn could be moved to the actual King Edward Holiday Inn thread? Thanks mods.

http://skyscraperpage.com/forum/showthread.php?t=206680

Done :tup:

[rocketphish]

Appeal court reinstates giant wind farm south of Ottawa

Kelly Egan, Ottawa Citizen
Publishing date: 2 hours ago • 1 minute read

An Ontario appeal court has cleared the way for the restarting of a $200-million wind farm south of Ottawa, quashing a last-minute cancellation ordered by Environment Minister Jeff Yurek in December.

EDP Renewables Canada Ltd. (EDPR) said it is eager to resume work on the 100-megawatt project, called Nation Rise Wind Farm, in the countryside around the villages of Crysler and Finch. Many of the 29 turbines were fully or partially erected when Yurek ordered the work stopped because of concern over damage to the area’s bat population.

In a ruling released Wednesday, a panel of three judges at Ontario Superior Court did not buy the explanation, saying the evidence does not support the minister’s conclusion of “serious and irreversible” harm to the three species of bats.

There had been spirited opposition to the project, with concern expressed over noise, potential health problems and damage to the water table from turbines roughly 200 metres tall.

The Township of North Stormont had twice voted against being a “willing host” for the project and the incoming government of Doug Ford had quickly cancelled the enabling Green Energy Act. But the project, after a years-long process, had already been approved.

More to come.

https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/appeal-court-reinstates-giant-wind-farm-south-of-ottawa/wcm/d4f90216-277d-44ca-8a79-2f759946d496/

[rocketphish]

Judges blow away minister's order, $200-million wind farm restarts

Kelly Egan, Ottawa Citizen
Publishing date: 13 minutes ago • 4 minute read

https://postmediaottawacitizen2.files.wordpress.com/2020/05/78402948-crysler_wind_517-w.jpg?quality=100&strip=all&w=600

There was always something suspicious about Ontario Environment Minister Jeff Yurek’s decision in December to stop a $200-million wind farm in the countryside south of Ottawa.

The Nation Rise project had been years in the planning, received its main government approval in 2018 and its 29 giant turbines were rapidly being installed in the rural area outside the villages of Crysler and Finch. Then came the giant blow-back.

Equally unexpected was Yurek’s reason for the last-minute cancellation: potential harm to bats, including some on Ontario’s Species at Risk list — a relatively minor issue only touched on in days of environmental hearings in 2018.

A high-level politician suddenly coming to the defence of Hoary, Big and Little Brown bats?

Wednesday, three Ontario Superior Court judges — in polite legal language — agreed an ill wind was blowing. They reversed Yurek’s order, saying he was being unreasonable with his intervention and had no authority to suddenly raise the issue of bat mortality when it wasn’t central to the appeal from a local opposition group.

Though the judges did not delve into possible political bias, critics have pointed out the then newly-elected government of Doug Ford was against giant wind-energy projects — it cancelled 758 early-stage renewable power schemes — and Nation Rise was approved only days before the pro-green Liberals dropped the election writ.

So the sudden standing-up for three species of bats — and, by accounts, there weren’t even many around — had the whiff of political motivation.

“It was just totally ideologically driven,” reacted Peter Tabuns, the NDP’s environment critic. “It had nothing to do with species at risk, something that is not particularly an issue or concern with this government, in any event.”

Tabuns called it a “damning” judgment that is an embarrassment to the minister and his government. The sudden cancellation, he added, had sent a bad signal to clean-energy producers and threatened to cost taxpayers millions.

The judges wrote that the minister “ignored material evidence about the level of bat activity, the low level or risk to the bat colonies in the area and the efficacy of the proposed mitigation and monitoring plans” that Nation Rise had promised.

(Yurek’s office said ministry is disappointed with the court’s ruling and is “carefully considering” its next step.)

This week’s ruling was a bitter blow for the Concerned Citizens of North Stormont, a grassroots organization that has fought the 100-megawatt project for five years, raising and spending in excess of $100,000 to oppose the project.

“Oh, such a huge disappointment,” said Margaret Benke, chair of the group. She was taken aback that even the minister himself, equipped with the full range of information in the case, could not rule on the side of environmental protection.

“The Minister and Ministry of Environment with all of their resources can’t protect our natural resources and species at risk.”

She also spoke of the huge learning curve that citizen groups need to embark on to fight large corporations in these quasi-judicial tribunals where expert testimony is key and layman mistakes can be many. The group intends to appeal.

For years, it has made the case that the large wind farm, with turbines 200 metres tall, is a threat because of the humming noise, the so-called shadow flickers, the effects on the water table from trenches and deep tower bases and even the impacts on livestock. The Township of North Stormont had twice voted not be a “willing host” of the project.

Nation Rise is being built by EDP Renewables Canada Ltd., part of a multi-national corporation. It had done a study on the effects on bats in the area. While they were not numerous, the company had pledged to create a monitoring program to ensure its turbines were not having a drastic effect on the species.

It also had the option of slowing turbine speeds during peak activity by the bat colonies. The judges also noted that it was unfair of Yurek to cancel the project outright without asking EDP what further remedies it might attempt to satisfy his concerns for the vulnerable species.

EDP Canada associate director Ken Little, who has worked on Nation Rise for about eight years, said the project is about two-thirds complete, with six turbines fully erected, 11 partially done and all 29 foundations and service roads ready.

There were as many as 250 workers on the various sites at one time. A restart date is difficult to predict, said Little, because of the logistics of getting specialized workers and contractors back and the effects of the pandemic.

Nation Rise was to be completed and producing power this spring. It was also awarded $126,500 in court costs.

To contact Kelly Egan, please call 613-291-6265 or email kegan@postmedia.com
Twitter.com/kellyegancolumn

https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/egan-judges-blow-away-ministers-order-200-million-wind-farm-restarts/wcm/fa1abc6b-58fa-4113-87fb-5d555f5c28a0/

[rocketphish]

some interesting stuff in that release

- Sun Life Building stake was sold @438/sqft - this is the first new benchmark for an LRT-attached building.
-TREBLA building, already known, will be converted to residential by InterRent
- CNIH, a dental hygenist school, has moved from lincoln fields to the market.
- Star Motors on Hunt Club bought the Wendy's and Tim Horton's property next door. Presumably to expand their lot.

More than presumably, they have a "future expansion site" sign in front of the property.

Local luxury car dealership on road to expansion

By: OBJ staff
Published: May 20, 2020 3:51pm EDT

https://www.obj.ca/sites/default/files/styles/article_main/public/2020-05/Screenshot%202020-05-20%20at%203.55.54%20PM.png

A prominent local luxury car dealership is gearing up to expand its footprint in the south end of the city.

Star Motors of Ottawa, a family-owned business that has been selling Mercedes-Benz vehicles since the late 1950s, says it’s purchased a one-acre property next door to the existing dealership at 400 West Hunt Club Rd. and plans to use the additional land to showcase its inventory on an outdoor lot. A Tim Hortons restaurant that currently occupies the site at 430 West Hunt Club Rd. will be demolished.

In an email to OBJ on Wednesday, Star Motors vice-president and general manager Yves Laberge said a planned expansion of the dealership building will be delayed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. He said the additional property will give the business the “much-needed space to allow our guests a pleasant and safe shopping experience.”

Laberge said that despite the widespread economic downturn sparked by measures to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus, the dealership has been encouraged by an uptick in sales over the past few weeks.

Although April saw a “significant decrease” in business over the first three months of the year, Laberge said vehicle sales in May have returned to last year’s levels.

“We have been pleasantly surprised with the continued support from our loyal customers,” he said.

https://www.obj.ca/article/local-luxury-car-dealership-road-expansion

[J.OT13]

LRT ‘totally changing’ Ottawa's east-end office landscape, broker says

OBJ,
May 22, 2020

https://obj.ca/sites/default/files/styles/article_main/public/2020-05/IMG_0937_HDR.jpg?itok=9rXc-SlX

The Canadian branch of a global real estate investment company has purchased a government-occupied office tower at the Ottawa Train Yards in a deal worth $97.5 million.

BentallGreekOak’s Prime Canadian Property Fund bought the 240,000-square-foot office building at 395 Terminal Ave. from 2237800 Ontario Ltd., a local company, earlier this spring. The Canada Revenue Agency occupies the entire building, which opened about seven years ago. The federal agency has eight years remaining on its lease as well as an additional five-year option.

Cushman & Wakefield Ottawa managing director Nathan Smith, who helped broker the deal, said the previous owner had received several offers for the property, which is located near the Train Yard shopping complex and a couple of hundred metres from the Tremblay LRT station.

Smith said the building was at the top of BentallGreenOak’s list of properties it was targeting in Ottawa’s suburbs due to its proximity to light rail, the Via Rail terminal and other transit-oriented development projects.

The east-end neighbourhood has recently become a hotbed of proposed new developments.

Last month, Colonnade BridgePort said it’s partnering with investment firm Fiera Real Estate to acquire five acres of land at nearby 25 Pickering Pl., just east of the Via Rail terminal, with the aim of turning the current industrial site into a “mixed-use, high-density community hub” that will include rental apartment highrises, retail space, parkland and possibly a hotel.

Meanwhile, the federal government said last month it’s seeking a private-sector partner to develop part of its 26-acre property farther east at 599 Tremblay Rd., across from the St. Laurent Shopping Centre. Current plans call for a 1.6-million-square-foot office complex and a mixed-use development with residential units, parks and shops.

“All of the stuff that’s happening in that area you could argue is a direct link to the LRT,” Smith said. “That totally changed the landscape in the east end from an office standpoint.”
https://obj.ca/article/lrt-totally-changing-ottawas-east-end-office-landscape-broker-says

[J.OT13]

"A couple of hundred metres from the Tremblay LRT station." "Due to its proximity to light rail, the Via Rail terminal and other transit-oriented development projects. "

Yeah, as the crow flies. Otherwise it's a two kilometre trek among some of the most hostile pedestrian environments. :hell:

No problem dropping nearly $100 million on an office block but unwilling to invest a cent building a crossing to reach VIA and Tremblay stations.

[MountainView]

Local luxury car dealership on road to expansion

By: OBJ staff
Published: May 20, 2020 3:51pm EDT

https://www.obj.ca/sites/default/files/styles/article_main/public/2020-05/Screenshot%202020-05-20%20at%203.55.54%20PM.png

A prominent local luxury car dealership is gearing up to expand its footprint in the south end of the city.

Star Motors of Ottawa, a family-owned business that has been selling Mercedes-Benz vehicles since the late 1950s, says it’s purchased a one-acre property next door to the existing dealership at 400 West Hunt Club Rd. and plans to use the additional land to showcase its inventory on an outdoor lot. A Tim Hortons restaurant that currently occupies the site at 430 West Hunt Club Rd. will be demolished.

In an email to OBJ on Wednesday, Star Motors vice-president and general manager Yves Laberge said a planned expansion of the dealership building will be delayed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. He said the additional property will give the business the “much-needed space to allow our guests a pleasant and safe shopping experience.”

Laberge said that despite the widespread economic downturn sparked by measures to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus, the dealership has been encouraged by an uptick in sales over the past few weeks.

Although April saw a “significant decrease” in business over the first three months of the year, Laberge said vehicle sales in May have returned to last year’s levels.

“We have been pleasantly surprised with the continued support from our loyal customers,” he said.

https://www.obj.ca/article/local-luxury-car-dealership-road-expansion

The Tim Horton's and Wendy's building is completely demolished now.
Too bad it will just be a lot for cars... a building expansion would have looked better.

[TransitZilla]

"A couple of hundred metres from the Tremblay LRT station." "Due to its proximity to light rail, the Via Rail terminal and other transit-oriented development projects. "

Yeah, as the crow flies. Otherwise it's a two kilometre trek among some of the most hostile pedestrian environments. :hell:

No problem dropping nearly $100 million on an office block but unwilling to invest a cent building a crossing to reach VIA and Tremblay stations.

Agreed.

I heard that in the last couple of years there was lobbying for the city to build an overpass structure over the VIA tracks but that such a structure would be extremely expensive.

What I don't understand is why the pedestrian tunnel that had been proposed in the past is no longer viable? I though there already was a pedestrian tunnel under at least some of the tracks? Has VIA decided that they don't want anyone other than their passengers to use it?

[J.OT13]

Agreed.

I heard that in the last couple of years there was lobbying for the city to build an overpass structure over the VIA tracks but that such a structure would be extremely expensive.

What I don't understand is why the pedestrian tunnel that had been proposed in the past is no longer viable? I though there already was a pedestrian tunnel under at least some of the tracks? Has VIA decided that they don't want anyone other than their passengers to use it?

VIA does have a tunnel under the tracks linking the station with the platforms, and maybe the boiler plant. If they were to open that tunnel as an MUP, it would mix VIA passengers and the general public, which could result in overcrowding and security concerns.

That said, Winnipeg's Union Station has the same general layout and the tunnel IS open to the general public, linking the Forks with Broadway, though the space is larger and VIA passenger loads are smaller.

There's also a tunnel linking the Canada Post distribution centre with the VIA Station, though I'm not sure if that is still used or even wide enough to use as a MUP.

[OTSkyline]

I don't see how a simple pedestrian/cycling overpass over the tracks would be that expensive... It'd be pretty simply and short... If we can build the overpass over the 417 (Max Keeping bridge) I don't see why a short over over the tracks would be out of the question...

As it stands the current train LRT station serves very little people. By having that bride it would open it up to these 2 office buildings, Ottawa trainyards, future development across the street as well as the Canada Post offices.. Why build infrastructure with little use ? :hell:

[TransitZilla]

Councillor Cloutier claimed an overpass connection was his "top priority" during the last election, so we'll see.

https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/ottawa-votes/councillor-candidates-in-alta-vista-1.4100916

[J.OT13]

Councillor Cloutier claimed an overpass connection was his "top priority" during the last election, so we'll see.

https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/ottawa-votes/councillor-candidates-in-alta-vista-1.4100916

His only priority is to suck up to the mayor. He's been a Councillor for 10 years and he's done nothing but the seldom used, half built, Alta Vista expressway.

[TransitZilla]

His only priority is to suck up to the mayor. He's been a Councillor for 10 years and he's done nothing but the seldom used, half built, Alta Vista expressway.

It is a good bus connection to the hospital with a nice MUP beside it.

[caveat.doctor]

VIA does have a tunnel under the tracks linking the station with the platforms, and maybe the boiler plant. If they were to open that tunnel as an MUP, it would mix VIA passengers and the general public, which could result in overcrowding and security concerns.

That said, Winnipeg's Union Station has the same general layout and the tunnel IS open to the general public, linking the Forks with Broadway, though the space is larger and VIA passenger loads are smaller.

Would be great, hopefully the new development will get a connection developed. Posted some images earlier for reference:

Creating a link from Tremblay through the VIA station to Terminal Av and Trainyards doesn’t require platform access, just concourse access. It's much narrower in Ottawa

https://i.imgur.com/ehUvtqKl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/TimDvRXl.jpg

than in Toronto (between the main hall and access to Scotiabank Arena):

https://i.imgur.com/aV7vN1kl.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/YuoHcHSl.jpg

or Winnipeg (between the main hall and the Museum of Human Rights):

https://i.imgur.com/pr9k8Mbl.jpg

where passage is open to the public, so security or paid access doesn't seem to be the driving factor. That said, I think the VIA station closes outside of schedule train arrivals/departures so you’d lose access in the off hours.

[Proof Sheet]

His only priority is to suck up to the mayor. He's been a Councillor for 10 years and he's done nothing but the seldom used, half built, Alta Vista expressway.

He seemed to be totally absent on the OP discussions..never saw him on screen once.

[J.OT13]

Would be great, hopefully the new development will get a connection developed. Posted some images earlier for reference:

Thanks for that. That provides some great visuals for what you and I were trying to explain.

[J.OT13]

He seemed to be totally absent on the OP discussions..never saw him on screen once.

He came close to losing his seat in 2018 but it seems he has done nothing to try and prove he belongs since. Brockington, who lost the support of the previous Councillor (McRae, who supported him when he ran in 2014, but not 2018), came in well ahead of his closest opponent but seems to be trying harder this term.

[Multi-modal]

It is a good bus connection to the hospital with a nice MUP beside it.

It will be good if someone can somehow find the political will to get it connected to Conroy/Walkley, but as it is now (even with the nice Transit and MUP pieces) it was a terrible investment from a cost/benefit perspective.

[TransitZilla]

It will be good if someone can somehow find the political will to get it connected to Conroy/Walkley, but as it is now (even with the nice Transit and MUP pieces) it was a terrible investment from a cost/benefit perspective.

I agree it was a terrible investment but I disagree that it should extend to Walkley any time in the near future. And that's from someone who lives not far from Hunt Club & Conroy.

[Multi-modal]

I agree it was a terrible investment but I disagree that it should extend to Walkley any time in the near future. And that's from someone who lives not far from Hunt Club & Conroy.

O ya? Why not? I can see the 'ol induced demand argument-against. But, if I were in charge I would take a look at how traffic from Conroy distributes northwards (Heron, Bank, St. Laurent, others?), and simultaneously reduce traffic lanes on those roads while implementing the new Alta Vista route. This would open up road space for other modes on those more-urban corridors, keep vehicle capacity the same, and add a more efficient route through Alta Vista.

[OTSkyline]

O ya? Why not? I can see the 'ol induced demand argument-against. But, if I were in charge I would take a look at how traffic from Conroy distributes northwards (Heron, Bank, St. Laurent, others?), and simultaneously reduce traffic lanes on those roads while implementing the new Alta Vista route. This would open up road space for other modes on those more-urban corridors, keep vehicle capacity the same, and add a more efficient route through Alta Vista.

This would be useful to better spread the north-south traffic in that part of town. North of billings Bank St is always stop-and-go due to buses, short blocks and many street lights, so traffic always ends up on Riverside and St-Laurent (both of which are typically clogged during days). Would would make it even more useful is if this Alta Vista connector would connect through Hurdman to Nicholas... wasn't that the plan at one point? :shrug:

[alamgirkhan]

https://renx.ca/ottawa-hintonburg-property-sold-redevelopment/

[TransitZilla]

O ya? Why not? I can see the 'ol induced demand argument-against. But, if I were in charge I would take a look at how traffic from Conroy distributes northwards (Heron, Bank, St. Laurent, others?), and simultaneously reduce traffic lanes on those roads while implementing the new Alta Vista route. This would open up road space for other modes on those more-urban corridors, keep vehicle capacity the same, and add a more efficient route through Alta Vista.

I'm very skeptical that any other road would be narrowed if the Alta Vista corridor was built. Building this road will cause a significant amount of disruption including forcing the relocation of the community gardens in Alta Vista.

I'd like to see investment to complete the cycling infrastructure along Heron, Bank and St-Laurent before adding more vehicle capacity.

[Multi-modal]

I'm very skeptical that any other road would be narrowed if the Alta Vista corridor was built. Building this road will cause a significant amount of disruption including forcing the relocation of the community gardens in Alta Vista.

I'd like to see investment to complete the cycling infrastructure along Heron, Bank and St-Laurent before adding more vehicle capacity.

I get your distrust that such a vehicle capacity "trade-off" would really be implemented by the City. That's why I said "if I was in charge". I'm pretty sure the City as-a-whole isn't progressive enough to proposed a packaged project where a new road is added only on the condition of removing equivalent capacity elsewhere.

I wish they were though... because completing the cycling infrastructure (and transit infrastructure) along Heron, Bank, and St-Laurent is going to be very expensive (expropriation, reconstruction of retaining walls, etc...) if we can't repurpose vehicle lanes.

[lrt's friend]

I was surprised by the hundreds marching on Earl Armstrong Road this afternoon in Riverside South. It started at the Riverview Park n Ride and was heading east. This was just before 3 p.m.

[Harley613]

I'm very skeptical that any other road would be narrowed if the Alta Vista corridor was built. Building this road will cause a significant amount of disruption including forcing the relocation of the community gardens in Alta Vista.

I'd like to see investment to complete the cycling infrastructure along Heron, Bank and St-Laurent before adding more vehicle capacity.

Ahhh yes, the age old 'forcing relocation of the community gardens' ploy. Building a parkway through that space would be cause for a slight realignment of the gardens, but there is AMPLE space for them and a parkway to co-exist, heck there's even enough space left over to grow them significantly. What 'significant' disruption can you think of aside from having to move a few garden plots a few metres?

[Acajack]

I was surprised by the hundreds marching on Earl Armstrong Road this afternoon in Riverside South. It started at the Riverview Park n Ride and was heading east. This was just before 3 p.m.

This was a BLM march?

[J.OT13]

Jon Willing
@JonathanWilling

The end to another piece of Nepean history. The big, green-and-white Sportsplex entry sign, with the iconic Nepean bell, is at the end of its life, to be replaced by a City of Ottawa electronic message sign that will retain the wedgy-looking frame.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EaHCg3EXQAMhi7r?format=jpg&name=small

8:18 PM · Jun 9, 2020·TweetDeck

Grumpy In General
@GrumpyInGeneral·12h

You mean the "Bell Nepean stole from Westboro", I believe...

johnefrancisFlag of Canada
@johnefrancis·12h

you mean the bell Barrhaven stole from Nepean, I believe...

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EaHIwPDWsAEvPs4?format=jpg&name=medium


Scott Moffatt
@ScottMoffatt21·12h

You mean the Nepean that Ottawa stole from Nepean in 1950 and then, for good measure, stole the rest in 2001?

I think I’m doing this wrong.
https://twitter.com/JonathanWilling/status/1270510559419674625

[J.OT13]

Update from Egli:

Keith Egli
@KeithEgli

The sign is being replaced for lifecycle reasons as it is at risk of structural failure.
There will be no 3rd party ads but for events related to the Splex such as craft fairs.
The bell portion of the sign will be going to the Nepean Museum.

8:36 AM · Jun 10, 2020·Twitter for iPhone

[TransitZilla]

I might be in the minority, but I won't be sad to see it go. That thing is fugly.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EaHCg3EXQAMhi7r?format=jpg&name=small

[Abe Simpson]

I might be in the minority, but I won't be sad to see it go. That thing is fugly.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EaHCg3EXQAMhi7r?format=jpg&name=small

I'm with you, not sad to see it go! That sign was indeed fugly.