Kìwekì Point (formerly Nepean Point) Redevelopment [NCC]

[rocketphish]

NCC seeks to rejuvenate underused Nepean Point

Matthew Pearson, Ottawa Citizen
Published on: January 18, 2017 | Last Updated: January 18, 2017 3:48 PM EST



The National Capital Commission is launching an international design competition to reimagine Nepean Point.

Details will be released Thursday at the NCC’s board meeting and a winning design is expected to be unveiled by the end of the year.

Nepean Point — the 2.5-hectare site behind the National Gallery of Canada and overlooking the Ottawa River and the Rideau Canal — might be Ottawa’s most inspiring vista, but for more than two decades, it has been underused.

The Astrolabe theatre, with its spectacular views of Parliament Hill, the Ottawa River and the canal, was one of the capital’s finest sites for open-air shows, but performances ceased in 1995. The NCC announced plans for its demolition in 2014.

The structures are outdated, the open-air amphitheatre is contaminated with asbestos and mould, and the site no longer meets accessibility standards, according to the NCC. Its renewal is one of 17 major projects the NCC will undertake to transform Ottawa over the next five decades.

“We now have the opportunity to renew the space, to improve its access and to give it a unique character that will serve the capital for the next 5o years,” says a post on the NCC’s website.

Development objectives suggested during a 2014 planning workshop about Nepean Point emphasized pedestrian access to the site and its scenic views, accessibility and sustainable development.

The vision called for the park to have a “unique, world-class character” and be connected to Major’s Hill Park via a footbridge.

There is also to be minimal effect on the National Gallery’s clientele and no vibrations during construction in order to protect the art collection.

The project’s cost hasn’t been announced, but a 2014 NCC report estimated it at $4.4 million.

Nepean Point was named in 1876 in honour of colonial affairs secretary Sir Evan Nepean after the apparent purchase of a large piece of land from aboriginal Canadians by the British Department of Indian Affairs.

In 1915, the Samuel de Champlain statue, one of the capital’s most prominent monuments, was unveiled, commemorating the 300th anniversary of Champlain’s first trip on the Ottawa River.

The Champlain statue was later relocated and amphitheatre seats were added in 1967 for a sound and light show on Parliament Hill to mark the centennial of Confederation.

Nepean Point is considered the backyard of the National Gallery, which has installed several works of art, including One Hundred Foot Line in 2010.

mpearson@postmedia.com
twitter.com/mpearson78

http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-...e-nepean-point

[McC]

I'm glad restoring the connection to Major's Hill with another footbridge is part of the plan; the old one was pretty, and it's a shame we lost it.

[kdog]

Originally Posted by McC

I'm glad restoring the connection to Major's Hill with another footbridge is part of the plan; the old one was pretty, and it's a shame we lost it.

What ever happened to it anyway? Was it removed?

[lrt's friend]

Originally Posted by kdog

What ever happened to it anyway? Was it removed?

Here is a picture. It was around a long time and was demolished in the late 1950s. I will see if I can find any news stories about it.



The bridge was being demolished on July 10, 1959. The following link provides the news story from the Ottawa Journal including a picture of the half demolished bridge.

https://www.newspapers.com/clip/8458...ors_hill_park/

[acottawa]

Why was it demolished? Replacing it would be a huge improvement.

[kdog]

Thanks lrt's friend. It is too bad the bridge is no longer there. Nepean Point is kind of a dead zone right now and not having a crossing across the road until the Sussex/Mackenzie intersection does not help the situation. A crossing to Major's Hill Park, just like what was there before, would certainly make Nepean Point a more popular spot IMO.

[Aylmer]

Here's an article which covers its history:

Nepean Point Footbridge from Urbsite

As it points out, one of the big reasons the footbridge was necessary (as well as pleasant) was that the approach to the Alexandra bridge was a "tangle of rail and roadway spaghetti".

[rocketphish]

NCC launches international design competition to reimagine Nepean Point

Matthew Pearson, Ottawa Citizen
Published on: January 19, 2017 | Last Updated: January 19, 2017 7:04 PM EST

Although the international design competition to reimagine Nepean Point calls for a footbridge linking the inspiring vista to Major’s Hill Park, the National Capital Commission’s limited budget for the project means such a costly crossing might not become a reality for some time.

The competition site, as outlined at Thursday’s NCC board meeting, occupies a total area of 2.5 hectares. It includes Nepean Point, the north sidewalk of St. Patrick Street, the triangular traffic island at the junction of St. Patrick and Mackenzie Avenue, and a Sussex Avenue entrance adjacent to the National Gallery and a small portion of Major’s Hill Park.

But with a budget of $6.7 million, the focus, in the first phase, is on replacing the 50-year-old Astrolabe theatre and sprucing up the area around the iconic Samuel de Champlain statue, said Mark Kristmanson, the NCC’s chief executive.

“We can’t do the whole thing with the existing resources, but on the other hand, we don’t want to wait years and years to do it,” he said, adding the footbridge alone could cost upwards of $10 million.

Kristmanson called on designers to “give us a vision and a plan for the whole site” but said the NCC will “concentrate on the amphitheatre and statue area with the budget we have in the initial phase.”



As many as four design teams, each led by a landscape architect, will be shortlisted in the spring. The teams will each have several months to develop their concepts before presenting them to the jury and public in early October. Jury members include landscape architects Monica Bittencourt and George Dark, architect Alfred Waugh, and representatives from the nearby National Gallery and Global Centre for Pluralism.

A winning design is expected to be unveiled by the end of the year.

Several board members questioned the ambitious timeline, but Kristmanson was confident the deadlines could be met.

This is the same process the NCC used to choose the winning design for the National Holocaust Monument currently under construction, he noted.

The final design of Nepean Point could include some kind of amphitheatre and washrooms, and would conform to universal accessibility standards, Kristmanson said.

Currently, the open-air amphitheatre, which is contaminated with asbestos and mould, is fenced off and the washrooms are closed.

The site’s renewal is one of 17 major projects the NCC will undertake to transform Ottawa over the next five decades. “It’s certainly overdue for a refresh and a rethink,” Kristmanson said.

The NCC wants to retain the height of the Champlain monument and consult with Algonquins to ensure the explorer’s legacy is treated sensitively and consistently with today’s push toward indigenous reconciliation.

Construction is expected to begin in 2019.

mpearson@postmedia.com
twitter.com/mpearson78

http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-...-point-refresh

[rocketphish]

NCC launches Nepean Point rejuvenation, approves Ottawa western LRT plan

By Kate Porter, CBC News
Posted: Jan 19, 2017 5:06 PM ET Last Updated: Jan 19, 2017 5:06 PM ET



Samuel de Champlain could be getting a few more visitors if a National Capital Commission plan comes to fruition.

The NCC launched an international competition Thursday to redevelop Nepean Point on the Ottawa River, home to the prominent statue of Samuel de Champlain.

The site was first developed around 1910 and included a Victorian footbridge that was later removed. The statue was unveiled in 1915.

An outdoor amphitheatre was added for Canada's centennial in 1967, but the dressing rooms built into the hill have asbestos and Nepean Point hasn't been as accessible since the National Gallery was built, said NCC CEO Mark Kristmanson.

"It's overdue for a refresh and a rethink," he said.

So, as a project for the country's 150th birthday, the NCC has launched a competition to find design teams to turn the site back into a focal point in the city, on a construction budget of $6.7 million.

Kristmanson is keen to see what visions come out of it, but could see an amphitheatre of some kind remaining, and eventually allow people to take in the views above the river and walk from Major's Hill Park to Lady Grey Drive, behind the Royal Canadian Mint.

Once four teams make a shortlist, the NCC expects to present the proposals to the public next October, and for a jury to choose a winning concept by November 2017. Construction should be completed by 2022.

A future phase might see the Victorian pedestrian bridge rebuilt to join Nepean Point to Major's Hill Park.

<snip>

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa...nsit-1.3942853

[J.OT13]

I mentionned this before, but the NCC has had so much vision since Kristmanson came in. Before, it was all junk on Confederation Boulevard, programming and pie in the sky ideas that were never actually going to be explored further. Now we have LeBreton Flats, new monuments, Nepean Point, the SJAM linear park, more co-operation between the NCC, Ottawa and Gatineau...

[MarkR]

Originally Posted by Aylmer

Here's an article which covers its history:

Nepean Point Footbridge from Urbsite

As it points out, one of the big reasons the footbridge was necessary (as well as pleasant) was that the approach to the Alexandra bridge was a "tangle of rail and roadway spaghetti".

A few different photos of this end of the bridge have appeared in the Lost Ottawa pages on FaceBook. I've read that due to the sharp curve of the southbound lane (to get it under the rails) every now and then a bus or other lengthy vehicle would get stuck there and then have to sort itself out.

[lrt's friend]

This last picture was probably taken in 1946 or 1947, not long after Hull Electric streetcar service ended. The streetcar rails (on the right and on the left) are still there in the foreground but did not continue onto the bridge. You can see a gate across the left (west) side to prevent vehicles from entering the old streetcar right of way.

[rocketphish]

NCC names finalists for Nepean Point redesign

Matthew Pearson, Ottawa Citizen
Published on: May 25, 2017 | Last Updated: May 25, 2017 3:30 PM EDT

Four teams have been shortlisted to win the $6.7 million contract to reimagine Nepean Point, the National Capital Commission announced Thursday.

The iconic site occupies a total area of 2.5 hectares, including Nepean Point, the north sidewalk of St. Patrick Street, the triangular traffic island at the junction of St. Patrick and Mackenzie Avenue, a Sussex Drive entrance adjacent to the National Gallery and a small portion of Major Hill’s Park.

The first phase will replace the 50-year-old Astrolabe theatre and spruce up the area around the Samuel de Champlain statue.

Subsequent phases of the redevelopment include a footbridge linking Nepean Point and Major Hill’s Park.

The finalists are:

• Marc Ryan (Public Work, KPMB Architects, Blackwell)
• Janet Rosenberg (Janet Rosenberg & Studio, Patkau Architects, Blackwell, ERA Architects)
• Vincent Asselin (WAA Landscape Architecture, Tectoo Architecture, Milan Ingegneria)
• Adriaan Geuze (West 8, Barry Padolsky Ass., Fotenn)

A jury of five experts reviewed 26 submissions and selected the finalists on the basis of their qualifications and previous work, the NCC said in a media release.

Each team will now prepare an overall design concept, a detailed design for Nepean Point, a design of a pedestrian bridge linking Major’s Hill Park and Nepean Point, and a gathering place for events and programming

Final proposals are due in September. The NCC will unveil the finalists’ designs in October and name a winner in November.

The first phase of construction is expected to begin in 2019.

mpearson@postmedia.com
twitter.com/mpearson78

http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-...point-redesign

[rocketphish]

The NCC's Nepean Point Redevelopment page

[kwoldtimer]

Is it a given that the redevelopment will retain a performance venue? I have fond memories of the Astrolabe, back in the day.

[Uhuniau]

Originally Posted by Aylmer

Here's an article which covers its history:

Nepean Point Footbridge from Urbsite

As it points out, one of the big reasons the footbridge was necessary (as well as pleasant) was that the approach to the Alexandra bridge was a "tangle of rail and roadway spaghetti".

And such a beautiful tangle of rail.

Imagine crossing into Ottawa on the old Hull Electric.

[suburbia]

Originally Posted by rocketphish

The finalists are:

• Marc Ryan (Public Work, KPMB Architects, Blackwell)
• Janet Rosenberg (Janet Rosenberg & Studio, Patkau Architects, Blackwell, ERA Architects)
• Vincent Asselin (WAA Landscape Architecture, Tectoo Architecture, Milan Ingegneria)
• Adriaan Geuze (West 8, Barry Padolsky Ass., Fotenn)

Have any concepts been released, or will that not happen till the public exhibition on October 5th?

FYI - names of the concepts have been released:

Nepean Point — A Park for Our Nation in Progress
Team Ryan (PUBLIC WORK, KPMB Architects, Blackwell Structural Engineers, John Beaucage)

Big River Landscape
Team Rosenberg (Janet Rosenberg & Studio Inc., Patkau Architects, Blackwell Structural Engineers, ERA Architects Inc.)

Nogoshkodadwin Park
Team Asselin (WAA Montréal, Tectoo Architects, Milan Ingegneria)

Bluff Point
Team Geuze (West 8, Barry Padolsky Associates Inc. Architects, Fotenn)

I think the central concept of allowing pathways to connect between some of our cultural institutions is very important, so will be looking at that aspect closely. Re-establishing a connection to Major's Hill Park will be critical to that. My recollection is that KPMB had already produced a prior concept on the other side IE for the back of the National Art Gallery, Global Centre for Pluralism, and the Mint. That all involved moving the docks / parking currently there underground, so as to open up that space for pedestrians and create a large accessible Lady Grey Terrace. This is where I saw that:
https://twitter.com/ShukharMowla/sta...46552220110848

Note, I don't know how the shifting of that parking / docks underground would be funded. That would be expensive, but perhaps a long-term win if it can be done.

[rocketphish]

Originally Posted by suburbia

This is where I saw that:
https://twitter.com/ShukharMowla/sta...46552220110848

I'm not sure which proposal this is part of, but it's a pretty nice one. Good luck with relocating the museum's loading docks though. There's really no other place to put those.

[acottawa]

Originally Posted by rocketphish

I'm not sure which proposal this is part of, but it's a pretty nice one. Good luck with relocating the museum's loading docks though. There's really no other place to put those.

Or they could load from the driveway like every other building in the city. It has the most needlessly complicated loading dock in the city for a building that rarely takes large deliveries.

[zzptichka]

Leaving 500m of prime river front for driveway, parking and loading docks does sound ridiculous. Hopefully we'll find a way to fix this soon.