Wateridge Village development [Hemlock Rd, Codd's Rd] | U/C

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by SL123

I personally prefer piece meal over cookie cutter. I appreciate the variety even if it ends up a bit less cohesive.

Agreed. Imagine if one crappy developer had full control of the project, hiring one architect; RLAVillage.

This should give the area a partial sense of organic growth.

[Uhuniau]

Originally Posted by rocketphish

http://webcast.ottawa.ca/plan/All_Im...12-23-0023.PDF

Given that the city and developers laid emphasis on how great their transit plan was for this area (by adding a single terrible bus route), it's funny how the renders show lots of private cars, but not one red bus.

[YOWetal]

Originally Posted by Uhuniau

Given that the city and developers laid emphasis on how great their transit plan was for this area (by adding a single terrible bus route), it's funny how the renders show lots of private cars, but not one red bus.

This neighbourhood has future ghetto vibes. I guess there will be frequent busses if that happens.

[J.OT13]

Overview of Wateridge from Harley613.


https://ottawa.skyrisecities.com/for.../#post-2145228

[SL123]

^ They have lots of really nice park, decent density...and that's about it

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by SL123

^ They have lots of really nice park, decent density...and that's about it

Very little surface parking. Retail units (that are so far empty). Fairly narrow streets. Far from perfect, but far better than I expected.

[kwoldtimer]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Very little surface parking. Retail units (that are so far empty). Fairly narrow streets. Far from perfect, but far better than I expected.

Schools yet to come. I wonder if plans include a community centre? The incorporation of the veterans' home and the substantial amount of public housing seem positives (at least in theory).

[Uhuniau]

So many pointless stupid setbacks.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by kwoldtimer

Schools yet to come. I wonder if plans include a community centre? The incorporation of the veterans' home and the substantial amount of public housing seem positives (at least in theory).

Hope they'll get a proper community centre. But yes, happy to see a mix of incomes.

Originally Posted by Uhuniau

So many pointless stupid setbacks.

Certainly more than it should be, but walking down those streets, it's not that bad.

[YOWetal]

Originally Posted by kwoldtimer

Schools yet to come. I wonder if plans include a community centre? The incorporation of the veterans' home and the substantial amount of public housing seem positives (at least in theory).

Has future ghetto written all over it and adding the public housing of course only adds to that risk. The density is good but it's so weird we are building this kind of denisty so far from any transit or really anything.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by YOWetal

Has future ghetto written all over it and adding the public housing of course only adds to that risk. The density is good but it's so weird we are building this kind of denisty so far from any transit or really anything.

Where else would you put public housing? Seems like a good place, mixed in with medium and high income folks. "Ghettos" usually form where it's all low income housing.

Lack of transit is an issue. The Mayor's Task Force under O'Brien had a dashed line along Montreal up to the base, but otherwise I've never seen any other suggestions of decent transit in the area. If we build the Kettle Island Bridge with bus lanes to connect La Cité Rapibus and Blair O-Train, the area could have decent connectivity.

[kwoldtimer]

Originally Posted by YOWetal

Has future ghetto written all over it and adding the public housing of course only adds to that risk. The density is good but it's so weird we are building this kind of denisty so far from any transit or really anything.

Better transit on Montreal Rd (some day, perhaps), along with a supermarket on that section of Montreal Rd would make a big difference.

Why there? Because there was available.

[dougvdh]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Where else would you put public housing? Seems like a good place, mixed in with medium and high income folks. "Ghettos" usually form where it's all low income housing.

Lack of transit is an issue. The Mayor's Task Force under O'Brien had a dashed line along Montreal up to the base, but otherwise I've never seen any other suggestions of decent transit in the area. If we build the Kettle Island Bridge with bus lanes to connect La Cité Rapibus and Blair O-Train, the area could have decent connectivity.

None of the transit agencies have expressed any interest in running transit over a new east end interprovincial bridge.

[Uhuniau]

Originally Posted by dougvdh

None of the transit agencies have expressed any interest in running transit over a new east end interprovincial bridge.

That's not a good enough reason to not future-proof the bridge and leave open every possibility for future transit uses in its design.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by dougvdh

None of the transit agencies have expressed any interest in running transit over a new east end interprovincial bridge.

They wouldn't make plans for a bridge that's currently nothing but studies on a shelf so far, and doesn't have a set location. I have no doubt though that the NCC would demand transit lanes.

[OTownandDown]

Perhaps an issue with this development is a lack of a sense of place? Its just a clump of different housing. Where's the focal point? The park? Perhaps there should have been an institution centered here, something more public to 'open up' the neighbourhood.

Often times when Ottawa is planning these things, I crave someone to stand up and dictate what each block shall become (further than 'density' carving). A core of train/transit station, arts centre, schools, no through-streets, surrounded by 40 storey towers with forecourts to the station, surrounded by 15 story density and 'arrival streets', surrounded by park land bordered by low-rise and towns. Create a focal point. Maybe I played too much Sim City when I was 10

I agree, there's a risk that 40 years from now it could become an out-of-the way community with plenty of social issues.

[Uhuniau]

Originally Posted by OTownandDown

Often times when Ottawa is planning these things, I crave someone to stand up and dictate what each block shall become (further than 'density' carving). A core of train/transit station, arts centre, schools, no through-streets, surrounded by 40 storey towers with forecourts to the station, surrounded by 15 story density and 'arrival streets', surrounded by park land bordered by low-rise and towns. Create a focal point. Maybe I played too much Sim City when I was 10

What's the issue with "through-streets"?

[OttCity16]

Originally Posted by OTownandDown

Perhaps an issue with this development is a lack of a sense of place? Its just a clump of different housing. Where's the focal point? The park? Perhaps there should have been an institution centered here, something more public to 'open up' the neighbourhood.

Often times when Ottawa is planning these things, I crave someone to stand up and dictate what each block shall become (further than 'density' carving). A core of train/transit station, arts centre, schools, no through-streets, surrounded by 40 storey towers with forecourts to the station, surrounded by 15 story density and 'arrival streets', surrounded by park land bordered by low-rise and towns. Create a focal point. Maybe I played too much Sim City when I was 10

I agree, there's a risk that 40 years from now it could become an out-of-the way community with plenty of social issues.

The focal point of the community will be the commercial core focused on Hemlock Road as a future main street for the neighborhood. The first commercial spaces are only just being completed now with two pharmacies and a dentist confirmed to be opening so far. The town square (LCol William G. Barker, VC Park) was just opened last month.

Realistically it will be still be a few years before the success of this area can be judged, but given the density there's no reason to believe it won't support a significant number of businesses.

The future connection of Hemlock Road, expected to be completed in the couple years, will also go a long way to connecting the neighborhood to Manor Park and Beechwood.

[YOWetal]

Originally Posted by OTownandDown

Perhaps an issue with this development is a lack of a sense of place? Its just a clump of different housing. Where's the focal point? The park? Perhaps there should have been an institution centered here, something more public to 'open up' the neighbourhood.

Often times when Ottawa is planning these things, I crave someone to stand up and dictate what each block shall become (further than 'density' carving). A core of train/transit station, arts centre, schools, no through-streets, surrounded by 40 storey towers with forecourts to the station, surrounded by 15 story density and 'arrival streets', surrounded by park land bordered by low-rise and towns. Create a focal point. Maybe I played too much Sim City when I was 10

I agree, there's a risk that 40 years from now it could become an out-of-the way community with plenty of social issues.

I worry more about 20 years. If it can thrive for 30 I think that's a success whatever happens. The issue is all this density means original owners often move on and rent out their units and vote at condo board meetings for the cheapest option for everything and it spirals down. Right now you have a great mix of incomes and situations and it can really be a positive force but the long term desireablity of this area is questionable. It's surrounded by pretty cheap SFHs so once it's not new and shiny do people want to live there?