General Update/Rumour thread [Urban Ottawa] - Page 20

harls · #**381** Posted **May 22, 2008, 2:22 PM**

http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release.do?id=860091

Quote:

CSEC, together with Defence Construction Canada (DCC), is planning the construction of a four-storey, 6000 m2 building on land acquired from the National Research Council on Ogilvie Road in Ottawa. The estimated building costs are $62M.

The new 6000 m2 building will be located on approximately 36 hectares of land and could hold up to 250 people. A design build request for proposal for the project will be tendered late in spring 2008, with an anticipated contract to be awarded in early summer 2008. CSEC plans to occupy the building in the summer of 2011.

c_speed3108 · #**382** Posted **May 22, 2008, 3:33 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by harls

http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release.do?id=860091

Interesting...right next door to CSIS...

harls · #**383** Posted **May 22, 2008, 3:56 PM**

I wonder if they'll use the plans found in the garbage on Bank Street?

Acajack · #**384** Posted **May 22, 2008, 4:12 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by harls

http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release.do?id=860091

"Up to 250 people" on "36 hectares of land"... Sounds like they won't exactly be the neighbourly type!

Cre47 · #**385** Posted **May 23, 2008, 12:32 PM**

http://www.ottawa.ca/calendar/ottawa/citycouncil/a-rcac/2008/05-27/agendaindex10.htm

In the next Cycling Advisory Committee, there is a presentation on a (I guess proposed or rumoured) Canal footbridge linking the Glebe to Old Ottawa East. I guess this was discussed several months back as the U of O footbridge was built.

eemy · #**386** Posted **May 23, 2008, 2:28 PM**

Hopefully the success of the Corktown bridge will help sway their decision.

AuxTown · #**387** Posted **May 23, 2008, 2:29 PM**

Great idea for another pedestrian bridge! The canal area is so heavily travelled by bikes and walkers that there is no reason another bridge can't be built. The Corkstown Bridge is a HUGE success.

Quote:

New Home for Eavesdropping Agency
Josh Pringle
Friday, May 23, 2008

Canada's eavesdropping agency is moving to a new home on land acquired from the National Research Council in Ottawa.

The Communications Security Establishment is spending $62 million to build a four storey, six-thousand square-metre building to help the spy agency keep up with growth.

The agency is responsible for monitoring foreign intelligence and protecting government secrets.

The new building for 250 staff and banks of electronic monitoring and encryption devices will open in the summer of 2011.

Why do we publicly announce where and when our spy facilities are being built? So much for being secretive.

clynnog · #**388** Posted **May 23, 2008, 2:49 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by harls

http://www.marketwire.com/mw/release.do?id=860091

Design build is just another way to say 'design compromise'.

c_speed3108 · #**389** Posted **May 23, 2008, 3:48 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by O-Town Hockey

Why do we publicly announce where and when our spy facilities are being built? So much for being secretive.

The policy on that is that the agencies (and there locations) are not secret. The work they do and data they deal with is. That is where the distinction is made.

c_speed3108 · #**390** Posted **May 23, 2008, 3:52 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Acajack

"Up to 250 people" on "36 hectares of land"... Sounds like they won't exactly be the neighbourly type!

I guess after losing a lane of roadway to the us embassy, they have learned what easement is and why it is important to locate secure facilities where you can have lots.

Really I would love to see the city adapt a policy of greater easements all over the city. Many buildings have been allowed to be built far too close to the street. Back them up 5 feet or so. Then we can have wider sidewalks and the city would be more pedestrian friendly...

eemy · #**391** Posted **May 23, 2008, 4:18 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by c_speed3108

I guess after losing a lane of roadway to the us embassy, they have learned what easement is and why it is important to locate secure facilities where you can have lots.

Really I would love to see the city adapt a policy of greater easements all over the city. Many buildings have been allowed to be built far too close to the street. Back them up 5 feet or so. Then we can have wider sidewalks and the city would be more pedestrian friendly...

Until they decide that the extra ten feet is perfect for an additional lane of traffic...

m0nkyman · #**392** Posted **May 23, 2008, 4:18 PM**

^ Not really. Go to every single area in the city that feels vibrant and alive, and you will find relatively narrow sidewalks and buildings built with zero setbacks. The Market, Bank St, Elgin St, Westboro... That is what is pedestrian friendly.

c_speed3108 · #**393** Posted **May 23, 2008, 5:23 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by m0nkyman

^ Not really. Go to every single area in the city that feels vibrant and alive, and you will find relatively narrow sidewalks and buildings built with zero setbacks. The Market, Bank St, Elgin St, Westboro... That is what is pedestrian friendly.

I guess it is personal opinion...

I like the wider ones. My ideal would look like Laurier Av between Nicholas and Cumberland (going though U of O). There is more room for pedestrians plus the pedestrians don't have to walk as close to the traffic.

My least fav side walk is the north side of the Mac King Bridge walking down towards waller. There is no room to pass and you have buses literally inches away. No room to walk even in twos and still let someone by the other way.

I also prefer creating density by height rather than density by filling every square inch of ground space....again personal preferences...

m0nkyman · #**394** Posted **May 23, 2008, 9:48 PM**

Your ideal is wide sidewalks on each side of a busy four lane road running through a university where it intersects with the Transitway. With no parking. Okay then. I think we're at an impasse here.

c_speed3108 · #**395** Posted **May 24, 2008, 12:47 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by m0nkyman

Your ideal is wide sidewalks on each side of a busy four lane road running through a university where it intersects with the Transitway. With no parking. Okay then. I think we're at an impasse here.

Don't get me wrong such a busy street running through the middle of the University is far from ideal. I was more referring to the sidewalks and how the buildings are positioned in relations to it. They are set in a bit so you can look up at them and enjoy the architecture on the way by. You can see the full height of them clearly.

But I do agree that Laurier can be busy at certain times. I practically made a career out of j-walking that crosswalk during my undergrad years there.

The other times it is fairly quiet. There is parking on both sides just not a rush hour. Granted I am not a fan of street parking to be honest...parking is ugly period. Put it under ground where I don't have to look at it

I just like nice wide walkways where you have space to move and pass others and the ability to observe and look at things on the way by.

I also walk very quickly so I need my room to pass

m0nkyman · #**396** Posted **May 24, 2008, 8:24 AM**

Oh, I agree. Wide sidewalks are great for areas you want to get through quickly. They just aren't conducive to a great urban experience. They're the pedestrian equivalent to freeways...

Kitchissippi · #**397** Posted **May 24, 2008, 11:55 AM**

One thing I noticed when I went to Victoria is how much wider their sidewalks are. Two couples strolling side by side can pass each other comfortably, and on some streets, the sidewalk space equalled or exceeded the road width. I find it annoying when I'm walking and talking with someone that the conversation is often interrupted just by having to navigate through obstacles in narrow sidewalks or letting someone pass. In major pedestrian districts, four people should be able to walk abreast easily, meaning a good 8 to 10 feet clear of all lamp posts, parking meters, benches, garbage cans, etc.

c_speed3108 · #**398** Posted **May 24, 2008, 4:32 PM**

I am going to have to disagree. I think width creates a much better urban experience. Narrow sidewalks sorta say "no one will really want to walk here so we won't bother with much of sidewalk...just the minimum". On the flip side the wide ones say "hundreds of people will be walking here and hence will require lots of space"

The new city of Ottawa standard is wide enough for two wheelchairs to pass. This is I think is a reasonable size.

As for "urban experience" lets think of the avenues in Manhattan with their lovely wide sidewalks lined with stores, skyscrapers, and tons of people!

ajldub · #**399** Posted **May 25, 2008, 1:27 AM**

Here here to wide sidewalks. Laid with cut stone, too...

AuxTown · #**400** Posted **May 26, 2008, 2:52 AM**

Some interesting descriptions of Ottawa's downtown condo developments from the Citizen a couple days ago.

Quote:

Committed downtowners have plenty of condo choices

James Careless
The Ottawa Citizen

Thursday, May 22, 2008

If you're a committed downtown dweller, then you need a downtown condo to call your own. Fortunately, there are some great ones to choose from.

Just a handful of suites remain at Ashcroft Homes' OPUS, at the corner of O'Connor and McLeod. Styled for elegant living, OPUS is a single tower containing 70 exclusive condo suites; you'll find it just across from the Museum of Nature. To match the tone of the Museum's Victorian architecture and the overall heritage of this neighbourhood, OPUS has been built using limestone, granite, and red brick. OPUS' condos are available in everything from one and two bedrooms right up to two-storey penthouses. Inside, you will find granite counters, 6 stainless steel appliances, high ceilings, hardwood floors, and subtle valence lighting. Find out more by visiting The Opus' sales centre and models at 330 Gilmour Street, or log onto www.opusbyashcroft.com.

Charlesfort Developments' Hudson Park and Hudson Park II towers are located at the corner of Kent and Lisgar. Both are Art Deco-influenced paradises with large windows, rooftop terraces, and proximity to the very heart of downtown. Among their top-end features are granite countertops in the kitchen and bathroom(s), six appliances in stainless steel or black (exception: washer/dryer in white), natural maple or oak hardwood flooring, and 9' ceilings. Learn more at www.charlesfort.ca.

Claridge Homes' LeBreton Flats complex is bringing life back to this historic downtown address. The first 13-storey tower has 122 units, and will be completed this fall; more are planned with sales for the second 13-storey tower now under way. LeBreton Flats is an entirely new neighbourhood that is close to everything that is great about Ottawa's downtown core. Besides offering wonderful views and access to wide open spaces, the complex is being built using the latest 'green' technologies. Find out more at www.claridgehomes.com.

At the corner of Laurier and Lyon, Claridge Homes' Pinnacle tower is home to 105 condos with spectacular views. The features of this 23-storey luxury highrise include a stunning modern lobby equipped with intercom access and closed-circuit security system, plus elegant one and two bedroom suites that all have private balconies or terraces. Finishes include imported ceramic tiles in kitchen and bathrooms, hardwood flooring in living and dining room halls, and plush 40 oz. broadloom with quality under padding in all bedrooms and hallways. More details at www.claridgehomes.com.

Phoenix Homes' Lotus Court is a 22 unit condo low-rise at the corner of Somerset and Rochester. With suites from 621 to 1,282 sq. ft. in spacious one and two bedroom layouts, Lotus Court features a beautifully landscaped courtyard, secure underground parking, and internal access to personal service facilities such as a hair salon and dentist. It is just minutes from downtown in Ottawa's Chinatown district; learn more at www.phoenixhomes.ca.

Urban Capital's 250-suite Mondrian at Bank Street and Laurier Avenue West is a 24-storey homage to Dutch Neo-Plasticist painter Piet Mondrian. This is why the Mondrian's steel and glass frame features thin vertical lines and bold red panels that are stylistically reflective of Mondrian's visual style. Inside, the Mondrian's design features floor-to-ceiling windows, 9' ceilings, hardwood floors, airy interiors, plus executive concierge service in a hotel-style lobby. Learn more www.mondriancondominiums.ca.

"At the corner of Laurier and Lyon, Claridge Homes' Pinnacle tower is home to 105 condos with spectacular views."

I think the Pinnacle is what really jaded me when it comes to Claridge. I'm sure the units are nice inside, but I just can't get over that massive blank wall on the West side of the tower. Are they planning on building a second tower? Who owns the land directly beside it? Anyone have any insight?