General Update/Rumour thread [Urban Ottawa]

[rakerman]

I couldn't find a thread for the Somerset Beer Store (across from Dundonald Park). Anyway here it is on April 22, 2015.

IMG_2233-12233-20150422 by rakerman, on Flickr

[Catenary]

Originally Posted by Kitchissippi

Ottawa's Pay-and-display system is really labour intensive. The city should have adopted the same system as Montreal where the spots are numbered and you enter that number into the machine; You don't even have to display the ticket. Since the payment is specific to a spot, the expired spots are just wirelessly relayed to the enforcers who don't have to look into windshields and only get out of their vehicle to slap the ticket on. Super efficient, one guy in a micro-vehicle can cover an exponentially larger area in a shorter time.

Carleton University is installing this system, but with license plates instead of stall numbers. You enter your number in the machine, or text the system, and then a car drives around with cameras to find violators.

[rocketphish]

Originally Posted by rocketphish

There's a tower crane on the grounds of the Chinese embassy on St. Patrick St. in Lowertown right now. Has anybody heard about what's going on?

So far, I've only come up with this:
http://www.ellisdon.com/bidlist/-/asset_...ssionid=73A45434AE34BA5C1987D115E1E3C62E

Photo by southfacing
May 3, 2015

What on earth are they up to??

[Urbanarchit]

Originally Posted by rocketphish

Photo by southfacing
May 3, 2015

What on earth are they up to??

Looks like they were inspired by the Bowery's lake that they wanted their own.

[passwordisnt123]

Originally Posted by rocketphish

[B]Little Italy's big parking problem

All of this intensification, the report says, means Little Italy’s population could grow by 63 per cent by 2031, and yet, between 2011 and 2014, a number of developments were given the green light even though the builders requested parking space reductions through zoning bylaw amendments.

I don't get it. Isn't that precisely the point of intensifying a neighbourhood and making it more walkable, pedestrian friendly and less car-centric? That's a bit like saying "we need complete streets!" and then in the same breath screaming about "why are they wasting all this space on bicycle lanes and wide sidewalks on these new complete streets?"

Originally Posted by rocketphish

[B]Little Italy's big parking problem

She said city council and the planning department approve so-called transit-oriented developments — greater intensification near major rapid transit stops — even though the neighbourhood lacks amenities such as a grocery store, so many residents are still forced to own cars.

“Luxury condo dwellers are not taking the bus,” Mellor said.

http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/little-italys-big-parking-problem

The lack of grocery stores is a problem, I agree there. But it's simply not true that Luxury condo dwellers don't take the bus. That may be true in the United States where public transit is looked down upon as something for 'lowly plebeians', but in Ottawa at least, I don't detect any real stigma attached with public transit, especially if it's more convenient than driving.

Heck, just the other day I saw an air force general on an OC transpo bus in his uniform. The guy probably makes six figures and commands thousands upon thousands of men and women and could likely afford a very luxurious car and yet he obviously didn't seem to think public transit was beneath him.

[Southpaw78]

Does anyone know what they are clearing the huge swath of land for north of the 417 at Moodie?

[HighwayStar]

Probably the prep work for the Shania Twain concert in June...

http://ottawacitizen.com/entertainment/music/shania-twain-concert-confirmed

[acottawa]

Originally Posted by passwordisnt123

The lack of grocery stores is a problem, I agree there. But it's simply not true that Luxury condo dwellers don't take the bus. That may be true in the United States where public transit is looked down upon as something for 'lowly plebeians', but in Ottawa at least, I don't detect any real stigma attached with public transit, especially if it's more convenient than driving.

Heck, just the other day I saw an air force general on an OC transpo bus in his uniform. The guy probably makes six figures and commands thousands upon thousands of men and women and could likely afford a very luxurious car and yet he obviously didn't seem to think public transit was beneath him.

The thing is, even if luxury condo owners are willing to take the bus, most little Italy businesses cater to car owners, most out of town visitors to those condos will arrive by car and most of the condo owners will own cars even if they don't use them all the time.

[waterloowarrior]

Sorry all, had to delete a bunch of posts arguing about janitor salaries... please stay on topic...

[1overcosc]

Originally Posted by acottawa

The thing is, even if luxury condo owners are willing to take the bus, most little Italy businesses cater to car owners, most out of town visitors to those condos will arrive by car and most of the condo owners will own cars even if they don't use them all the time.

It's very common in Ottawa for people to take transit to work but drive everywhere else. The Little Italy condos will have a lot of those people. More so than downtown or Rideau Street condos because of its fringe-ish location within the urban core.

[McC]

CMHC did a follow-up study looking at The Metropole's results as a "transit-oriented development," which were pretty middling:
http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/inpr/su/sucopl/upload/65516-W.pdf

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by McC

CMHC did a follow-up study looking at The Metropole's results as a "transit-oriented development," which were pretty middling:
http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/inpr/su/sucopl/upload/65516-W.pdf

Underground parking garage with one space per unit for tower residents; one- and
two-car garages for townhouse residents; 24 surface spaces for tower visitors

Don't know if that should be called "TOD"...

[J.OT13]

Three new projects for Hull around the Museum of Civilization. Articles in French only:

Two towers proposed by Brigil across the Museum of Civilization replacing a service station and integrating the historic building housing Green's Papaya. Towers will be 35 and 55 floors and house condos and two 4 to 5 star hotels. Top floor will have an observation deck. So the battle for the tallest has crossed the river!

Designed by Douglas Cardinal (or maybe just a consultant), renderings will be revealed May 19 at public consultation.

Publié le 05 mai 2015 à 05h02 | Mis à jour à 05h02
Mégacomplexe hôtelier en vue à Gatineau

Mathieu Bélanger

Un mégacomplexe hôtelier comprenant une tour de 55 étages pourrait bientôt voir le jour juste en face du Musée canadien de l'histoire, sur la rue Laurier, dans le centre-ville de Gatineau, a appris LeDroit.


L'homme d'affaires Gilles Desjardins caresse ce projet depuis plus de deux ans. À l'époque, le maire Marc Bureau disait souhaiter un hôtel de luxe de quatre ou cinq étages à cet endroit. Beaucoup d'eau a coulé sous les ponts depuis, et le président de Brigil Platine voyait beaucoup plus grand. Il tentera très bientôt de faire approuver son projet par l'administration municipale.

En entrevue avec LeDroit, M. Desjardins a confirmé que la première phase du projet reposerait sur une tour de 55 étages comprenant quelque 200 chambres d'hôtel, des condominiums et de l'espace commercial pour accueillir des boutiques et des restaurants. Le dernier étage serait réservé pour un centre d'observation ouvert au public et aux millions de touristes qui visitent la région de la capitale nationale chaque année. Une deuxième phase devrait permettre la construction d'une seconde tour, de 35 étages cette fois, comprenant 120 chambres d'hôtel. Le restaurant la Papaye verte, qui occupe l'édifice patrimonial de l'ancien Henry Burger, serait intégré dans l'architecture du projet.

«Ce n'est pas seulement un hôtel, mais un outil touristique payé à 100 % par le secteur privé, lance l'influent homme d'affaires. Ce sera un véritable moteur de développement économique. L'architecture sera spectaculaire, suffisamment pour mettre Gatineau sur la carte. Nous avons consulté l'architecte du Musée canadien de l'histoire, Douglas Cardinal et il est emballé par notre projet.»


Le complexe hôtelier serait bardé de quatre ou cinq étoiles. «Avec le site qu'on a, la vue spectaculaire sur Ottawa, le parlement, le parc de la Gatineau et les collines de l'Outaouais, avec l'architecture de notre immeuble et la qualité des chambres, nous aurons tout ce qu'il faut pour choisir notre bannière hôtelière une fois que ce sera construit», explique M. Desjardins.

Consultations publiques
Les plans du site et les esquisses du complexe hôtelier seront dévoilés le 19 mai prochain lors d'une consultation publique organisée par le promoteur et la Chambre de commerce de Gatineau (CCG) au Musée canadien de l'histoire. Gilles Desjardins a retenu les services de l'ancien maire de Gatineau, Yves Ducharme, afin de faire du lobbying pour ce projet. Ce dernier a rencontré des représentants de l'Association des résidents de l'île de Hull (ARIH), lundi dernier. La présidente de l'ARIH, Marie-Êve Gratton, précise qu'il est trop tôt pour avoir une position officielle, mais elle admet qu'à première vue, le projet apparaît comme quelque chose de «très positif».

«Ce qui me faisait peur, c'est l'ombre que les tours pourraient faire sur le quartier, mais les structures, bien que très hautes, sont minces, donc l'impact sur l'ensoleillement n'est pas très important, explique-t-elle. Le projet comprend aussi une place publique. Les plans sont prêts, les structures sont très belles, il n'y a aucune maison à exproprier, le projet est bien présenté, ça peut être quelque chose de très positif.»

Le directeur général de Vision centre-ville, Stefan Psenak, a aussi été rencontré par M. Ducharme. «C'est un grand projet, très ambitieux, c'est spectaculaire, et ça prend en considération l'importance de créer des liens avec le reste du centre-ville, dit-il. Ça pourrait avoir un impact considérable sur notre centre-ville. C'est bien reçu chez nous.»

http://www.lapresse.ca/le-droit/actualit...13b_ville-de-gatineau_86608_section_POS2


An outdoor amphitheatre behind the Museum of Civilization facing the river for events such as "Les feux du Casino". Across the street, the Four Points hotel will add a 15 storey tower n what is currently a parking lot.

Publié le 05 mai 2015 à 09h42 | Mis à jour à 09h42
Publié le 05 mai 2015 à 09h42 | Mis à jour à 09h42

Le complexe hôtelier que souhaite construire l'homme d'affaires Gilles Desjardins n'est pas le seul de l'industrie à retenir l'attention dans les bureaux de l'hôtel de Ville de Gatineau par les temps qui courent.


Mathieu Bélanger

Le Four Points Sheraton, aussi situé sur la rue Laurier, dans le centre-ville, projette construire un édifice de 15 étages, adjacent à l'hôtel actuel. L'établissement souhaite ainsi augmenter son offre.

La Ville de Gatineau précise que rien n'a encore été approuvé, mais que les deux promoteurs ont présenté leur projet au Service d'urbanisme. La Ville prépare toutefois, elle aussi, des consultations publiques sur ces deux projets qui doivent avoir lieu vers le 15 juin, a fait savoir Nancy Villeneuve, porte-parole à la Ville de Gatineau.

Amphithéâtre au musée
De son côté, le Musée canadien de l'histoire (MCH) planche depuis un an sur une importante transformation de sa cour arrière. Selon nos informations, le Musée souhaiterait y construire un amphithéâtre extérieur lui permettant d'accueillir des spectacles. «On veut animer notre site, affirme Chantal Schryer, vice-présidente aux affaires de la société du MCH, sans toutefois confirmer l'information du Droit. On veut y accueillir des festivals comme les Grands Feux du Casino, mais aussi beaucoup d'autres événements. Nous travaillions sur notre plan directeur en collaboration avec la Commission de la capitale nationale.»

http://www.lapresse.ca/le-droit/actualit...13b_ville-de-gatineau_86608_section_POS1

[waterloowarrior]

Thanks J.OT13! I created a separate thread for the Brigil towers as I think we are going to get quite a few posts
http://forum.skyscraperpage.com/showthread.php?t=216969

[rocketphish]

Little Italy parking demand should be pushed back onto condos, councillor says

Michael Woods, Ottawa Citizen
Published on: May 6, 2015, Last Updated: May 6, 2015 7:12 PM EDT

The city should enforce rules for visitor parking at proposed condo developments before it considers a standalone garage to deal with growing demand for parking in Little Italy, the area’s councillor says.

The city’s transportation committee on Wednesday considered a parking study for Little Italy, including recommendations to deal with high parking demand in the area.

The study noted there is a lack of available on-street parking south of the Queensway and west of Rochester street. There is excessive demand for parking in that area at middays and evenings during the week, as well as on weekends, it said.

East of Rochester Street, however, is under-used. Some of the 11 staff recommendations in the report aim to establish more balance, such as reducing on-street rates in the area of the Booth Street Complex and the city’s lot at 301 Preston Street to encourage people to park there.

It also recommended the city consider, as part of a pending zoning bylaw review, introducing a requirement for car-sharing spaces and making the “unbundling” of parking requirements more accessible for developers.

But with so much intensification occuring in the area, there’s potential for a growing problem. Fifteen proposed condominium projects are expected in the area covered by the study (bordered by Albert Street to the north, Carling Avenue to the south, Booth and Bell streets to the east and the O-Train corridor to the west).

Little Italy’s population could grow by 63 per cent by 2031.

In recent years, developments were approved in which builders requested parking space reductions; 265 required visitor or commercial spaces weren’t included in new developments approved on Carling Avenue and Norman, Preston and Rochester streets.

That means city staff may have to put a high priority on increasing the parking supply within this area, which could involve the “construction of a new facility or a partnership with a developer,” the report says.

That doesn’t sit well with Somerset ward Coun. Catherine McKenney.

“It seems to me that as we start to eliminate the amount of required visitor parking by the hundreds, we’re going to end up building parking garages for what should have been visitor parking,” McKenney told the committee.

“I would rather make sure that (visitor parking) is in place in new developments before we move to build a new structure.”

McKenney said if there isn’t enough visitor parking, it encroaches on businesses and surrounding neighbourhoods.

She also stressed the need for more bike parking for visitors.

The city is planning to install additional Post & Ring bike racks along Preston, Beech and Rochester and replace damaged racks.

With files from Matthew Pearson

[email protected]
twitter.com/michaelrwoods

http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news...-pushed-back-onto-condos-councillor-says

[rocketphish]

‘CloudLab’ looks to spark conversation in Vanier

Mobile design studio to open in July

By Alex Robinson
Ottawa East News, May 04, 2015



A new mobile collaborative design studio is set to make its first pit stop in Vanier this summer.

Ottawa-based design firm PrototypeD Team is teaming up with the Quartier Vanier BIA to open what it calls a CloudLab in July.

Decked out with innovative technology such as 3D printers and scanners, the firm hopes the pop up studio will serve as a place where local stakeholders come to talk about urban change.

Janak Alford, the CEO and founder of PrototypeD Team, said Vanier was an obvious choice for the studios’ first stop as the neighbourhood is on the cusp of revitalization.

“For us Vanier was a no brainer,” he said. “It’s on the verge of a big transformation. There is also a strong sentiment in the area they don’t want the community to be condo-dominated and they want to preserve the character of the neighbourhood and their history. We hope to assist in that conversation.”

Alford said another thing that drew him to the neighbourhood was its many artists and creative residents, which give it a “Greenwich Village affect.”

Jamie Kwong, the executive director of Quartier Vanier, said while the CloudLab’s presence in the neighbourhood will only be temporary, she expects the discussion sparked from it will be long-lasting.

“This is going to start the conversation of what we can envision for our community,” she said.

“It gives us something to work towards, as we are in a state of transformation.”

One of the first things Alford would like to do once the CloudLab is up and running is create a 3D model of Vanier to help guide that discussion on urban renewal.

The CloudLab will be made up of two solar-powered, 37-square-metre containers, connected by a public patio.

Half of the space will be used by Alford and his staff in their design work. The other half will be a collaborative area where public engagement and workshops will happen, Alford said.

The studio will offer workshops about urban transformation, as well as architectural, graphic and industrial design.

PrototypeD Team and the BIA have a few locations in mind for the studio, but they have not finalized where it will be parked yet.

Alford’s firm has been working out of a basement studio in the Glebe over the last four years, working on projects such as an innovation centre at the Bayview Yards.

The firm is set to leave the Glebe and take its work on the road with the new CloudLab.

PrototypeD Team has also leased some space in the Gallipeau Centre in Smith’s Falls, where it expects to do the majority of its manufacturing going forward.

The CloudLab will stay in Vanier until October, at which point, Alford hopes to take it across Ontario to other communities to help support rural economic development.

Alford said if Vanier residents see the CloudLab as something they could see themselves using in the long term, he would be open to the possibility of having a permanent hub in the neighbourhood at some point in the future.

http://www.ottawacommunitynews.com/news-...b-looks-to-spark-conversation-in-vanier/

[rocketphish]

Originally Posted by Southpaw78

Does anyone know what they are clearing the huge swath of land for north of the 417 at Moodie?

Artifical turf soccer field completes vision for former Nepean Equestrian Park facility

Richard Starnes, Ottawa Citizen
Published on: May 7, 2015, Last Updated: May 7, 2015 7:05 PM EDT

Ottawa has become the beneficiary of a state-of-the-art artificial turf soccer field thanks to the Canadian hosted FIFA Women’s World Cup, which opens in 29 days.

Three months ago it was no more than a dream.

FIFA requires each host city to provide three or four top quality turf fields on which competing countries can practice.

FIFA’s Ottawa venue general manager Valerie Hughes said Thursday there are a good many quality fields in Ottawa but meeting FIFA’s stringent requirements proved a challenge. That was why they needed to come up with a new solution.

Three local soccer clubs and the city made applications to be selected for any new field. FIFA picked West Ottawa Soccer’s proposal.

The estimated $1.5 million field is being paid for through the world governing body which will have exclusive use from the time countries competing in Ottawa arrive until the final Ottawa game is concluded on June 26.

That is when West Ottawa Soccer, which made the pitch for the field in partnership with Wesley Clover Parks, will then assume operation of the facility.

“This is like winning a lottery,” said West Ottawa president Brian Mason. “It is a gift through FIFA and the Canadian Soccer Association.”

While West Ottawa will manage the facility in conjunction with Wesley Clover Parks on the former site of the Nepean Equestrian Park, Mason is quick to point out it is not exclusively for his club. It is open to all.

“It is wonderful for all soccer players,” he said. “Just think, it can be used from the beginning of April until the snow flies in November. It is a wonderful legacy for the whole city.”

And it is not confined to soccer. “It is for everyone for every sport suitable for turf,” he said. “The field may only be marked with soccer lines but it can be used for ultimate Frisbee, the other sort of football, anything that will not damage the turf.

“What about it being suitable for turf parties?”

This year Mason says the new turf can be rented for $90 an hour.

Karen Sparks, Executive Director of the Parks, was thrilled with the decision.

The east end of the Parks close to the Queensway and Moodie Drive has been an area that has been under-utilized by the equestrian activities that are the major function of the facility.

“It has always been part of our vision to have soccer fields there,” she said. “With small fields for kids to use, a real complex. Now we have this field as its centrepiece.”

Sparks said this fits the philosophy of championing any connection to the outdoors, including trail networks and skating and cross-country skiing in the winter.

“We want to bring outdoor recreation to Ottawa,” she said.

FIFA will also be taking exclusive charge of the two other practice fields – a resurfaced Algonquin College field and the Richcraft Recreation Complex in Kanata. Equestrian Centre in Nepean– starting at the end of this month. It will keep control until the final Ottawa game June 26 and then move out, leaving the field as its Women’s World Cup legacy.

http://ottawacitizen.com/sports/soccer/i...sites-across-canada-for-womens-world-cup

[waterloowarrior]

from a recent Colliers report

During Q2-2015, PWGSC will announce the result of its tender for
130,000 square feet. Four properties are currently short listed: 219
Laurier Avenue West, 160 Elgin Street, 50 O’Connor Street and 412
Sparks Street -- although a recent lease renewal at 160 Elgin Street
essentially removes the building as a contender. Of the three remaining
buildings, the choice of PWGSC will impact the office market in a variety
of different ways. If PWGSC chooses to go ahead with 50 O’Connor
Street (Sun Life Centre), it will provide positive absorption for the Class
A market. This would then solidify the market’s existing positive
recovery. If 219 Laurier Avenue wins the bid, the 130,000 square feet
will be absorption of the vacancy left by the federal government when it
vacates the space in 2016. The proposed space at 412 Sparks Street
has not yet been constructed, so if this is chosen by PWGSC, there will
be minimal impact on the market as it will be a new building that is
added to the inventory fully leased.

412 Sparks is Cathedral Hill office tower

[J.OT13]

Weren't those "condo" office space aimed at the private sector?

[J.OT13]

New rendering of 41 Victoria Street in Hull. The structure is pretty much done at this time.

Vue from Maisonneuve, 6 floors and 125,000 sqft.


http://jpl.dev-rouge.com/en/portfolio/brookfield-renewable-energy-headquarters/