Albert/Slater juncture as a gateway to downtown
 

Hello,

There was an article in today's Citizen about how the city is planning to dramatically redesign the Albert/Slater juncture (on the west end of the downtown core) in order to make it more ascetically pleasing after the LRT opens.

The idea is to have it serve as a 'gateway' to the downtown core. A bookend to what the Mackenzie King bridge/the canal do for the eastern approach to the core.

The article mentions that designers have been brought in to consult from other municipalities (like Markham and Brampton). I was wondering if anyone here has ideas for what they think the new juncture should look like. Specifically if there is a design idea currently in use in another municipality that you think we should draw from.


Source:

Title: City pushed to make new Albert-Slater juncture a landmark
Author: Jon Willing
Publication: Ottawa Citizen
Published on: February 6, 2018 | Last Updated: February 6, 2018 3:58 PM EST
URL: http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-...ure-a-landmark

I recall other posts talking about this triangle confluence of Bronson, Albert and Slater, in the nanny goat hill location.

This is a really good idea... let's hope the City doesn't f*ck it up.

The west side of downtown is a such a road mess with Albert/Lebreton and the awkward Wellington St zig zagging across patches of grass. This really creates confusion and these random roads take all the space on the west side - it's really created a hard divide between downtown (the CBD) and anything west of it. Re-configuring the roads and such will hopefully make it more urban and a seamless transition to Lebreton.

Let's see what they come up with...

Also agreed on the Mackenzie King Bridge update. Right now the sidewalks are pretty tight and it really is only used as a bus "highway". Like the article mentioned, it's a shame since some of the best views of Ottawa (the parliament, NAC, canal and Chateau Laurier) are seen when crossing that bridge. Today, people walk by and might say "wow, that's nice" while 38 buses zoom past by them but it's no place to linger. If the buses are (mostly) gone, the sidewalks are widened, benches, garbage bins and such are installed on it, I could see some people walking by there more often and stopping by for a sit and to enjoy the view. :tup:

Don't want to rain on the parade, but will Mackenzie King really be that free of buses? A number of STO routes will be running there later this year, although it's hard to imagine the number of buses will be anywhere what OC Transpo runs there right now.

They've released redesign plans half a year ago or so and there has been a discussion in Roads Projects thread.

http://www.metronews.ca/content/dam/....letterbox.jpg

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DPwb_TbW0AY6Ac6.jpg

I guess this study is about trees/arts/beautification or something.

With the buses gone, cars will take up the freed space. Will that be any better of a lingering environment?

Maybe consider shifting Albert street to the north and redeveloping the south side to have dense development and an active street front. It's not much of a "gateway" when all you see are the backs of those row houses.

https://c1.staticflickr.com/5/4651/4...6232cb1b_b.jpg

Although I like the idea, this would mess up RVL's plans for LeBreton.

In any case, I wouldn't be surprised to see those row houses redeveloped sometime in the next 20 years.

I’m actually surprised we haven’t seen redevelopment of those townhomes at least start already. Confederation line is opening in less than 11 months and there’s a station within spitting distance.

These are people's houses, they can't just be redeveloped unless somebody expropriates them.

I believe those houses are on 50-100 year leases from the federal government. Maybe they will be redeveloped once the leases expire.

I was told (by a lawyer currently facing discipline by the law society, so take with a grain of salt as appropriate) that original purchases were given the option of buying or leasing the land (as a means to make the housing more affordable). I am not sure if owners have the right to buy the land subsequently (or if the story is true at all).

The current Scott-Albert entrance into downtown is far from attractive. With big plans at Zibi, Lebreton and Bayview, it is time to spruce up this corridor.

My interpretation was the "gateway" would be further east, where Albert and Slater diverge, not at Bayview, where Scott St turns into Albert. I've often thought the bi-directional stretch of Albert (between Bayview and Empress Ave) should be re-named Scott St, but renaming streets is always messy.

One of the studied options should be a roundabout.

Not sure how well a roundabout would work on a steep hill.

I'm not saying this what I want to see in that triangle lot, but I wonder if that will end up being suggested as home to the Afghan War memorial.

Some kind of landmark would fit well in that triangle and if the design can be one that stirs imagery of citizenship, truth, duty, valour, and Canada- then it could actually prove to be a good compromise to this issue.

The Richmond Landing- imo is ideal- and War Museum spot is a good one too.

And neither do I think a monument to war is the best use of the spot. But I think it is worth considering in some people's mind.
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I have long also wanted a piece of public artwork or monument to First Nations in Canada. Yes, we have the First Nations war memorial but I truly would like to see a public space that has some work of art/landscaping that incorporates First Nation cultural imagery into the streetscape of Ottawa.

It could be a public plaza for the reconciliation movement Canada is undergoing right now. Many cities have triumphal arches or an example in my eyes is Nelson's Column. I'd love to see something like Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square but a National totem pole. I think it would make a very cool and Canadian public space and would fit well in a roundabout or plot like this traffic triangle.

Of course, totem poles are only a cultural element of the indigenous people of the Pacific Northwest so something that incorporates elements of many First Nations across Canada would be a good fit for here.


To counter the claim that Ottawa has "too much green space" and to many monuments- well, this *is Ottawa*. If it were not for it being the physical embodiment of the Federation, it would be a lot like Sudbury or Timmins.

So embracing the opportunity for having public works of art here I think is key and Ottawa as the physical embodiment of the Federation could use public art in the spirit of reconciliation. As Canada is made up of a founding cultural fabric of English, French and Indigenous people.


Example of what I'm thinking are the two works of Bill Reid:

"The Raven and the First Men"

"The Spirit of Haida Gwaii"

This 100%!!

Though probably too late for bold action like this.

Although I'd also like to see some public space that stirs to mind Booth, the lumber barons and Canadian's history of being an industrial and enterprising nation.

Probably wouldn't work but a giant Inukshuk spanning the street acting like a gate?