70 Richmond Rd | 36m | 10f | U/C

[Urbanarchit]

Originally Posted by Kitchissippi

I wonder what the community association would say if they were to turn it back into a gas station. If I were the owners, I would threaten to do just that

I love it. Restore it to it's original form, charge extra for the "historical gas station" experience.

[Kitchissippi]

Originally Posted by defishel

I love it. Restore it to it's original form, charge extra for the "historical gas station" experience.

They already do that at the ESSO across the street. Cougars love that place — they don't mind paying for full service where a young guy pumps their gas and checks their oil

[jleiper]

Good grief.

All, this was an effort to preserve the building, full-stop. The proposal made by the developer last year was for a one-storey retail box. The community breathed a sigh of relief that it wouldn't be another tall condo. The only disappointment (legitimate) was that it wouldn't take advantage of the four storeys they're allowed according to the secondary plan. But few were voicing that opinion in light of the area's recent development history. One storey is better than 20 in the community's mind, and they would have been happy to take the bird in hand. I wouldn't have opposed the one-storey box, no one in the community would have opposed it, and I suspect that staff wouldn't have opposed it - though they might have wanted to see something more substantive at this intersection.

On the other hand, there is a North American movement to preserve these stations. I'm certain the more thoughtful of you have already googled "converted gas station". I'm excited by the potential here. I've received notes, phone calls, people stop me on the street, and submissions have been made by dozens of people excited by what might happen here. The ratio of people supporting it on the basis that they're genuinely interested in preserving this bit of heritage, to people who don't believe it is heritage, is, spitballing it, 10:1 or better.

You may disagree that it's heritage, and I've gotten a handful of notes from disbelieving residents who have expressed in no uncertain terms that they consider this a garbage building. Fair enough. But I, staff, and the vast majority of residents I've spoken with and heard from love this little cottage gas station, and want to see it preserved. I'm very pleased to have had the chance to champion that, working with King who can be credited for keeping the designation momentum going after it was poo-pooed last term. It's a piece of our history, attractive, and in the hands of a creative developer, a chance to bring some energy and vitality to this corner.

The notion that this is an anti-development play is hogwash.

Originally Posted by defishel

This decision wasn't ever really about the heritage of this property (conspiracy theory alert!). This decision was meant to designate an unimportant building as heritage simply due to aesthetics to stop development of this site. I could understand if this were the first gas station to ever be built in Ottawa, but as this is simply a gas station from 80 years ago, and was a part of a chain, it's not as important historically as something like Laurier House or Booth House.

This area could really use development because it's a desert for shoppers and pedestrians (and you can include cyclists, as this section isn't very safe). For around 6 blocks from Western to Tweedsmuir there are few businesses worth visiting (other than the Superstore). It was mostly large lawns or gas stations, vacant lots, concrete walls. Development in this area would mean more people residing in the neighbourhood and more businesses that would connect Westboro to West Wellington's commercial main street.

However, if they are trying to prevent development of this site, then they could consider a density transfer to the other corners. Allow 12 stories instead of the 9 this gateway intersection is supposed to have according to the CDP certain councillors and community associations want developers to strictly adhere to. Of course, this means the city would have to change their position on Mizrahi's building to allow this.

Another option I've thought about is whether the city would consider moving this gas station and some others that are a bit more interesting to a location along the Ottawa River. People want restaurants and washrooms to stop at while they use the MUP. Some locations have parking already that allow others to come by car. The city could take these buildings and move them to the river. This gas station could be moved down Island Park Drive to beside the Champlain Bridge even.

[1overcosc]

A condo tower would be great here, actually. LRT right nearby, on a commercial strip... more people always a great thing for a community.

[Urbanarchit]

Originally Posted by jleiper

Good grief.

All, this was an effort to preserve the building, full-stop. The proposal made by the developer last year was for a one-storey retail box. The community breathed a sigh of relief that it wouldn't be another tall condo. The only disappointment (legitimate) was that it wouldn't take advantage of the four storeys they're allowed according to the secondary plan. But few were voicing that opinion in light of the area's recent development history. One storey is better than 20 in the community's mind, and they would have been happy to take the bird in hand. I wouldn't have opposed the one-storey box, no one in the community would have opposed it, and I suspect that staff wouldn't have opposed it - though they might have wanted to see something more substantive at this intersection.

On the other hand, there is a North American movement to preserve these stations. I'm certain the more thoughtful of you have already googled "converted gas station". I'm excited by the potential here. I've received notes, phone calls, people stop me on the street, and submissions have been made by dozens of people excited by what might happen here. The ratio of people supporting it on the basis that they're genuinely interested in preserving this bit of heritage, to people who don't believe it is heritage, is, spitballing it, 10:1 or better.

You may disagree that it's heritage, and I've gotten a handful of notes from disbelieving residents who have expressed in no uncertain terms that they consider this a garbage building. Fair enough. But I, staff, and the vast majority of residents I've spoken with and heard from love this little cottage gas station, and want to see it preserved. I'm very pleased to have had the chance to champion that, working with King who can be credited for keeping the designation momentum going after it was poo-pooed last term. It's a piece of our history, attractive, and in the hands of a creative developer, a chance to bring some energy and vitality to this corner.

The notion that this is an anti-development play is hogwash.

Why would this corner only be zoned for 4 stories when the other one is zoned for 9 for being a gateway intersection? Secondly, why would the developer not be taking advantage of whatever maximum is allowed, especially considering they successfully got this upzoned to 9 from 6 nowhere near an important intersection? I don't doubt they proposed a one-storey building for the site, but I don't believe they had no intention of building up eventually.

I wouldn't be surprised that most people think of it as heritage or a worthwhile building to keep. I'm sure it's not necessary for me to repeat myself but this building was not worth heritage designation anymore than any house in Hintonburg is worthy of heritage designation, other than it being more aesthetically pleasing. Of course people would be excited to see something done with this building: people are excited about a giant concrete warehouse being turned into businesses because the yuppies can pretend they're hip without having to see anymore condos which for whatever reason they deplore. It doesn't make it anymore worthwhile, though. Virtually any building anywhere could be repurposed and people would be just as excited. Brick warehouses being turned into lofts or tech offices is all the rage now, and cities like Toronto are taking advantage of their substantial building stock. But this isn't a substantial building, and just because a majority of people seem to think so doesn't make it so. Unless the building can be moved up to the street or elsewhere, this site is being wasted for nostalgic aesthetics.

The neighbourhood is full of wealthy people who bought into an upscale suburban lifestyle. They complain about any condo that goes up because it represents everything they were trying to get away from: the busy city! They want small town culture, like the image the name Westboro Village invokes, where everyone knows everyone but it's not too busy. Yet, every condo building any person has been opposed to has replaced something that is actually an eyesore: automechanics, car dealerships, parking/ vacant lots or in some cases gas stations. Save for the convent site, everything has been an improvement (except for Q West aesthetically). Barry J. Hobins' buildings on Richmond and Golden have made that part of Westboro far livelier 5 years after than it has ever been. Condos bring so many more people and more businesses to any area, and people opposing them are only being selfish. I can't imagine how any intelligent person cannot see how much better the neighbourhood is with development. Now if we could just get some bike lanes here...

However, if you see this site as being worthwhile, I hope that you have plans to include the Esso Station as well as being worthy of heritage designation. Art Moderne was popular in the 1930s as well, and while I don't know that gas station's exact age, it would not be surprising if it were of a similar age. If 70 Richmond is considered, so should this one. If anything, it would also make a great converted gas station restaurant.

However, I will apologize for my accusations. It is wrong of me accuse you of trying to stop development if the initial proposal was only one storey. Hopefully you would not oppose it if this site was proposed as 4-9 stories like other gateway intersections are supposed to be.

[waterloowarrior]

Does anyone else get the McDonalds vibe?



As much as I love the restaurants, coffee shops etc of Westboro, it needs a McDee's - Make it happen Jeff

[jleiper]

Ha! I ate McDo's yesterday - it was awesome. I get that craving at least every couple of months. But first I'd want to see a Dirty Bird go in. I must be coming up on my triennial Dirty Bird run. When that hankering sets in, it's powerful, if self-hating.

Originally Posted by waterloowarrior

Does anyone else get the McDonalds vibe?



As much as I love the restaurants, coffee shops etc of Westboro, it needs a McDee's - Make it happen Jeff

[jleiper]

"The neighbourhood is full of wealthy people who bought into an upscale suburban lifestyle."

I read this board from time to time because there are a number of very expert commentators who clearly have an in-depth understanding of the area's development history and legal/planning frameworks. I often disagree with them, but respect them and the legitimacy of their views.

Some posts, though, I just skip over.

[Norman Bates]

Originally Posted by jleiper

"The neighbourhood is full of wealthy people who bought into an upscale suburban lifestyle."

I read this board from time to time because there are a number of very expert commentators who clearly have an in-depth understanding of the area's development history and legal/planning frameworks. I often disagree with them, but respect them and the legitimacy of their views.

Some posts, though, I just skip over.

Welcome to the Internet: combining outright brilliance with Lowell Greene levels of insight since 1995.

[1overcosc]

Originally Posted by jleiper

"The neighbourhood is full of wealthy people who bought into an upscale suburban lifestyle."

I read this board from time to time because there are a number of very expert commentators who clearly have an in-depth understanding of the area's development history and legal/planning frameworks. I often disagree with them, but respect them and the legitimacy of their views.

Some posts, though, I just skip over.

It's not a crazy post.

The number of people in the Westboro area who seem to psychologically think of their community as suburban is big, with the insistence on things like quiet streets, green space, no towers, etc.

We even get this in Sandy Hill to a lesser extent with the Action Sandy Hill wackos constantly going on and on as if Sandy Hill is some family-oriented neighbourhood to raise kids in...which is absolutely ludicrous as Sandy Hill is urban core, where 75% of the housing is multiunit and half the population is in their 20s.

[Arcologist]

I have to say I was stunned when I first read this thread about applying a Heritage designation to a gas station! Who would have thought!?!

But the more I think about it, the more I like the idea of preserving something from our past, something that without the designation, would most certainly disappear forever. I'm not sure there are any other such gas stations left in the city? Or if so, very few? I'm not certain if the station across the street is an oldy that's been preserved, or an immitation?

Anyhow, I think the site has lots of potential with or without the gas station, though I'd certainly be in favour of any proposal that aims to keep it (especially over a one-storey box development!)

[Arcologist]

Anybody been to the Bacon Factory Burger Emporium, located inside an old Shell Gas Station, on O'Connor downtown?

Neat place, awesome burgers (and good reviews too!)

[Norman Bates]

Yeah, I ate there in February. It was okay for lunch.

[J.OT13]

Just a quick fact; the much slicker, better looking, more in tune with its surroundings Esso Station was built in 1938, 4 years after the 70 Richmond.


http://urbsite.blogspot.ca/2015/09/mystery-gas.html

[Proof Sheet]

Originally Posted by Norman Bates

Yeah, I ate there in February. It was okay for lunch.

I was there last week. The burger was OK, the fries not so much. I've been once won't make a special trip again.

[Urbanarchit]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Just a quick fact; the much slicker, better looking, more in tune with its surroundings Esso Station was built in 1938, 4 years after the 70 Richmond.


http://urbsite.blogspot.ca/2015/09/mystery-gas.html

So why not designated both heritage then? The Esso had an addition, but I think it works well with the building and gives it greater capacity if it were to become a restaurant or something. The only problem is that these corners should see development.

[Urbanarchit]

Drive-Through Proposal for 70 Richmond



Sounds appropriate. Architecturally the addition attempts to use similar materials and style as the existing building - something that should be favourable to neighbours who want new builds to take cue from their surroundings. As well, considering the reason given for why this building was designated a heritage structure (it serviced cars and marked the route they used in Ottawa's westward suburbanization and development - destruction - of small towns) the drive-through truly pays homage to everything the building stands for. It celebrates car-culture and suburbanization, and the addition continues to promote them by giving the building a new function that everyone - motorists and pedestrians alike - can enjoy.

I dislike it, but think it's funny. I can't help but feel this is the developer sticking up their middle finger. People fantasized about a quaint, independent mom-and-pop shop or restaurant in an older "cottage-style" building with a large patio, and instead they were given a drive-through Tim Horton's with parking in front.

[rocketphish]

Proposed siteplan for 70 Richmond Rd:

[Kitchissippi]

This is terrible. I don't mind having a Tim Horton's in the neighbourhood, but a drive-thru should not be allowed on a traditional main street. If Starbucks and Bridgehead can thrive without a drive-thru on the same stretch of road, why can't Tim Horton's?

[HighwayStar]

It's impossible to describe what a bad idea this is. I drive through that intersection (on both Richmond and Island Park) constantly.

There will now be a never ending line of cars turning left into the property from both Richmond and Island Park... and it's not like Island Park gets congested enough already.

If you've ever driven by the Timmies further down Richmond (just past Woodroffe), you know the hassles that location creates with all the "left turners".