Zibi Ottawa Ontario | U/C

[waterloowarrior]

Phase 1A site plan
http://ottwatch.ca/devapps/D07-12-15-0158

[J.OT13]

It looks great. I'm sure condos will be significantly more expensive, though high prices will be more justifiable.

[Marshsparrow]

Has anybody's you thought about / commented on how damp / icy the development could be in winter and spring being so close to the falls - is that a consideration or won't be sn issue?

[Radster]

Originally Posted by Marshsparrow

Has anybody's you thought about / commented on how damp / icy the development could be in winter and spring being so close to the falls - is that a consideration or won't be sn issue?

I definitely thought of that. It makes you wonder about the health effects of having all this fast moving cold water 24/7 all around you. Interesting how none of that has been discussed here, nor in the media. In essence, this area has a microclimate of its own, with its unique risks. More fast moving water also means more windy conditions and, as mentioned above, more frequent icy conditions in the winter. If they want to make this such a sustainable, pedestrian friendly community, then how will the address the ice? Using salt like elsewhere in the city is not really a sustainable practice. Oh, and what about those driverless busses, how do they handle in the ice, snow etc? Lots of questions.

[Marshsparrow]

I did ask about icy sidewalks during one of the open houses and got a "It's Ottawa and winter so there will be ice" response - but nothing more - I thought about it and glad others are as well!

[YOWetal]

Originally Posted by Radster

I definitely thought of that. It makes you wonder about the health effects of having all this fast moving cold water 24/7 all around you. Interesting how none of that has been discussed here, nor in the media. In essence, this area has a microclimate of its own, with its unique risks. More fast moving water also means more windy conditions and, as mentioned above, more frequent icy conditions in the winter. If they want to make this such a sustainable, pedestrian friendly community, then how will the address the ice? Using salt like elsewhere in the city is not really a sustainable practice. Oh, and what about those driverless busses, how do they handle in the ice, snow etc? Lots of questions.

I would think the extra humidity would be appreciated in the winter and the cooling effect nice in the summer. Worldwide it is not unusual at all to live near water. How would this be worse than living on the ocean with waves and spray etc.?

[Radster]

Originally Posted by YOWetal

I would think the extra humidity would be appreciated in the winter and the cooling effect nice in the summer. Worldwide it is not unusual at all to live near water. How would this be worse than living on the ocean with waves and spray etc.?

Its different in that you would be living on islands, completely surrounded by cold water and high currents, so its not comparable to living by the ocean, or even on the edge of river. And in the winter, humidity, wind and cold is no fun.

[alrivers]

I've spent a lot of time on-site through all seasons. Prevailing winds actually take most of the mist from the dam over the bridge. The master plan shows public space and no buildings closest to the dam. This allows great public access for a viewing spot, but also means that the rest of the development is truly unaffected by any mist. Wind studies were conducted during the master plan, and the site is actually not as windy as people might think. The master plan also was designed to ensure wind issues were minimal. Overall, living near water will have a tempering effect on climate.

[rocketphish]

Zibi condo project on former Domtar lands launches on Ottawa side

Patrick Langston, Ottawa Citizen
Published on: November 6, 2015 | Last Updated: November 6, 2015 3:00 PM EST



Waterways may be a defining feature of Ottawa, but just try finding a home next to any of them. That gets a bit easier with Saturday’s launch of Kanaal, a mix of waterside condo towns and apartments at Zibi, the ambitious 37-acre redevelopment of former Domtar property on the Ottawa River.

Pronounced ZEEbee and meaning river in Algonquin, the $1.2-billion, über-green redevelopment by Windmill Development Group and Dream Unlimited Corp. blends residential, commercial and retail with extensive public space including parks, plazas and trails. It includes Chaudière and Albert islands on the Ottawa side and a slice of the Gatineau shoreline. The project also opens up to the public, for the first time in decades, the splendid Chaudière Falls.

The first phase of Zibi, called “O,” opened this past spring on the Quebec side. Over half its 66 condos have sold, and a second phase of 75 units will launch next spring. In all, some 1,200 condos will be built at Zibi over the next dozen years or so.

Kanaal, designed by architect Barry Hobin, is located on Chaudière Island near LeBreton Flats. It comprises 26 stacked towns with 35 apartments above them. The south side will front the canal known as Buchanan Channel, the narrow strip of water separating Chaudière and Albert islands. The other side will face a European-style public square that will include restored industrial buildings with retail and commercial space.

“It’s quite a unique building,” says Windmill partner Rodney Wilts. “The main feature is the location: on the south side … you can be sitting out on your terrace and a family of ducks toodles by.”

Kanaal’s towns run 1,406 to just under 1,950 square feet and start at $760,356. About half the towns are being released on Saturday, with no set date for the balance. The apartments range from one bedroom and 524 square feet to 1,301 square feet with two bedrooms and a den. They start at $262,808.

“We’re trying to create a building that represents a real spectrum. It’s not just all million-dollar units,” says Wilts.

It’s also a building designed to maximize its waterfront location by giving as many occupants as possible a view of the canal, according to Hobin. To support that, the apartment section steps back to give the towns rooftop terraces facing the water. Rooftop apartment terraces also overlook the canal.



While the building’s form responds to the water, Hobin says that Kanaal’s exterior fabric draws on the site’s industrial context with a “tactile texture of brick and stone and metal.”

Inside, floor plans include penthouses that sweep from the building’s front to its back, opening the units to natural daylight and air circulation. “It basically allows you to have a bungalow in the air,” says Hobin.

Intriguing designs notwithstanding, Zibi doesn’t tickle everyone. Renowned First Nations architect Douglas Cardinal, who designed the Canadian Museum of History, is among those who launched an appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board over the city’s approval of Windmill’s rezoning application for Albert and Chaudière islands.

A number of First Nations leaders say the lands, which are on unceded Algonquin territory, are sacred to their people and should not be developed. Cardinal and other native protesters gathered on nearby Victoria Island earlier this week to voice their opposition to the development.

However, other First Nations leaders support the project as an opportunity for employment and meaningful collaboration with the rest of Canada.

Windmill’s plans include using the Algonquin language, along with French and English, on Zibi street signs and employing First Nations workers on the project.

The OMB held a hearing in August on the issues but had not released its decision at the time of writing. Windmill says that sales at Kanaal are conditional upon successful resolution of the OMB hearing, and that the company is confident of a favourable ruling.

“We’ve been talking to Doug Cardinal a lot. We’re always trying to extend an olive branch,” says Wilts. “I don’t have any illusions that he‘s going to stop opposing the project.”



Those who like the project are enamoured with not just its esthetics but its sustainability. The buildings are being constructed to LEED platinum standards, the highest level under the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design program, an industry-recognized rating system for green buildings. Heating, for example, will use a warm water loop system to capture heat being generated but not used in the area and direct it to buildings. Similar technology will cool units.

Zibi will also promote alternatives to cars and return the shoreline to a natural state. The project has been endorsed by One Planet Community, a growing global network of leading-edge sustainable neighbourhoods.

Green features at Kanaal include the use of reclaimed industrial doors in the lobby. The units boast formaldehyde-free materials in kitchens and elsewhere, and wood floors from responsibly managed forests.

Also in Kanaal’s package: five stainless-steel appliances, granite or quartz counters, and a gym plus amenity centre with a pool and lounge.



Wilts says that Kanaal is the Dutch spelling of canal. The name was chosen after Windmill scoured Europe for pace-setting green and waterfront sites and noted that the Dutch were in the vanguard of sustainable leadership.

Zibi’s deep green character helped lure buyer Glenn Maloney. Currently living in Kanata, he and his wife bought a 650-square-foot unit at O in the spring as an investment and hope to land a waterside unit for themselves when Kanaal launches Saturday.

“It was affordable, and the buildings are attractive in that they are environmentally sound,” he says. “I’ve been anticipating this project for years. It’s close to LeBreton Flats, the river, to paths. It’s so central, I can’t imagine a better place to enjoy (life).”

As it’s doing at O, Windmill plans to have the condos, public square and restored heritage and other structures ready for use at the same time. Wilts won’t name the commercial and retail tenants already on board, but he does say that when the site opens, “Rest assured, it’s a place where you can get a coffee and a beer.”

More condos are planned for Chaudière Island, but no release date has been set.

Windmill construction at Kanaal to start this coming spring and occupancy to begin in early 2018.

Kanaal

What: A mix of 26 stacked condo towns from 1,406 to 1,946 square feet and 35 condo apartments from 524 to 1,301 square feet. Part of Zibi, a 1,200-condo redevelopment project on the former Domtar lands.
Builder: Windmill Development Group and Dream Unlimited Corp.
Prices: Towns start at $760,356; apartments at $262,808. Condo fees are 33 cents a square foot and parking is $35,000.
Sales centre: 3 rue Eddy, Gatineau.
Hours: Monday to Thursday, noon to 6 p.m.; weekends, noon to 5 p.m. Closed Friday.
Information: 613-224-0134; zibi.ca

http://ottawacitizen.com/life/homes/cond...mer-domtar-lands-launches-on-ottawa-side

[citydwlr]

According to a blog post on the Windmill website, the OMB has made their final ruling in favour of Windmill:

Windmill Development Group welcomes the Ontario Municipal Board’s clear and unequivocal decision to dismiss the appeals that were filed following the City of Ottawa’s approval to change the zoning to accommodate the Zibi project.

> OMB Decision (PDF, via the Windmill link above)

[rocketphish]

OMB dismisses appeals against Zibi development

Elizabeth Payne, Ottawa Citizen
Published on: November 17, 2015 | Last Updated: November 17, 2015 6:45 PM EST

The Ontario Municipal Board has dismissed appeals against the development of the Zibi project on the former Domtar lands, saying both the Windmill Development Group and the City of Ottawa followed proper procedure in rezoning the land and consulted with the public and First Nations.

In a ruling released Tuesday, OMB Deputy Commissioner Richard Makuch wrote that “aboriginal history and culture will be respected and incorporated into the proposed development plans.”

Five people, including First Nations architect Douglas Cardinal who designed the nearby Canadian Museum of History, opposed rezoning to allow the development of Zibi.

Cardinal said Tuesday that the fight against the project is not over. “They didn’t consider indigenous rights. You can’t deny in this day and age the right of indigenous people to their own land.”

The project is a mixed-use development with retail, residential, office and commercial uses, including a hotel and the use of heritage buildings. In his ruling, Makuch noted that rezoning for the project “will provide public access to the Ottawa River shoreline on the islands for the first time in over 100 years.”

He also noted that, “given the significance of the lands to the Algonquin” people, proper steps were taken to engage with Algonquin communities in developing the plan. The city, as part of its zoning amendment, requires that a heritage interpretive plan be developed that would pay tribute to the Algonquin history on the site and acknowledge the significance of the islands to Algonquin culture.

Beyond the OMB appeals, the project continues to draw protests from some who oppose it and say it should not be developed but turned over to First Nations’ stewardship. It sits on unceded Algonquin territory which was long considered a cultural gathering place.

Several Algonquin communities in Ontario and a number of people from reserves in Quebec support the project and many are hoping to work there as tradespeople and in other jobs. Several Algonquin communities in Quebec continue to oppose it.

Jeff Westeinde, chair of Windmill Development Groups, said he was encouraged by the ruling and said it clears the way to continue developing what is expected to be Canada’s most sustainable community.

[email protected]

http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/omb-dismisses-zibi-appeals

[passwordisnt123]

Originally Posted by rocketphish

OMB dismisses appeals against Zibi development

Elizabeth Payne, Ottawa Citizen
Published on: November 17, 2015 | Last Updated: November 17, 2015 6:45 PM EST

The Ontario Municipal Board has dismissed appeals against the development of the Zibi project on the former Domtar lands, saying both the Windmill Development Group and the City of Ottawa followed proper procedure in rezoning the land and consulted with the public and First Nations.

In a ruling released Tuesday, OMB Deputy Commissioner Richard Makuch wrote that “aboriginal history and culture will be respected and incorporated into the proposed development plans.”

Five people, including First Nations architect Douglas Cardinal who designed the nearby Canadian Museum of History, opposed rezoning to allow the development of Zibi.

Cardinal said Tuesday that the fight against the project is not over. “They didn’t consider indigenous rights. You can’t deny in this day and age the right of indigenous people to their own land.”

The project is a mixed-use development with retail, residential, office and commercial uses, including a hotel and the use of heritage buildings. In his ruling, Makuch noted that rezoning for the project “will provide public access to the Ottawa River shoreline on the islands for the first time in over 100 years.”

He also noted that, “given the significance of the lands to the Algonquin” people, proper steps were taken to engage with Algonquin communities in developing the plan. The city, as part of its zoning amendment, requires that a heritage interpretive plan be developed that would pay tribute to the Algonquin history on the site and acknowledge the significance of the islands to Algonquin culture.

Beyond the OMB appeals, the project continues to draw protests from some who oppose it and say it should not be developed but turned over to First Nations’ stewardship. It sits on unceded Algonquin territory which was long considered a cultural gathering place.

Several Algonquin communities in Ontario and a number of people from reserves in Quebec support the project and many are hoping to work there as tradespeople and in other jobs. Several Algonquin communities in Quebec continue to oppose it.

Jeff Westeinde, chair of Windmill Development Groups, said he was encouraged by the ruling and said it clears the way to continue developing what is expected to be Canada’s most sustainable community.

[email protected]

http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/omb-dismisses-zibi-appeals

This is great news.

I'm somewhat surprised that the Ottawa Citizen is giving the impression that First Nations people are divided 50/50 on this project.

My understanding is that the overwhelming majority of First Nations people and the bands in the National Capital Region support the Zibi project and that there are only a few small dissenting voices and one First Nations group outside of the NCR that oppose it.

[rocketphish]

Development on Ottawa River draws divide in indigenous communities

Roy MacGregor
The Globe and Mail

Published Friday, Nov. 20, 2015 6:57PM EST | Last updated Friday, Nov. 20, 2015 7:01PM EST

You don’t even have to blink to miss it.

It was, however, once the area’s greatest tourist draw – a 19th-century equal to the Peace Tower or the Changing of the Guard. Samuel de Champlain wrote about it and the Prince of Wales rode a timber raft over it to the cheers of 20,000 loyal citizens standing along the banks.

There is no place for them to stand today. Fences, gates and rundown buildings block anyone walking to Chaudiere Falls, and the traffic on Ottawa’s oldest bridge funnels into single lanes as vehicles scoot from one province to the next. A visitor wouldn’t even know it is there.

Nor can you hear it through the traffic and muffling buildings, although Champlain noted in his 1613 diary that the water falls “with such impetuosity” that it could be heard “more than two leagues away.”

The magnificent falls began to be lost in 1806, when Philemon Wright built his sawmill here. Two hundred years of industry – J.R. Booth, E.B. Eddy, Domtar – put it out of sight, out of mind.

Until this past week, anyway.

On Monday, Hydro Ottawa announced a $150-million-plus plan to open up the falls. Within two years, it will bury four huge hydroelectric turbines below grade, allowing for a public viewing platform above. The project will produce enough electricity to power as many homes as the number of spectators who watched the Prince ride down the timber chute in 1860.

On Tuesday, the Ontario Municipal Board dismissed appeals against a massive, $1.2-billion residential and retail development on the 37-acre former industrial site. Called Zibi – the Algonquin word for “river” – the project has proved highly controversial, although the board found that Windmill Development Group and the City of Ottawa followed all proper procedure in the rezoning and consultation with First Nations.

In the board’s considered opinion, “aboriginal history and culture will be respected and incorporated into the proposed development plans.”

This, however, is far from the opinion of others.

On Thursday, an appeal was launched by Douglas Cardinal, the world-renowned architect responsible for the magnificent Museum of History just downstream from the Zibi project and across the river from Parliament Hill.

Less than a month since Justin Trudeau took power with such widespread support from First Nations, the new Prime Minister and his new minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs, Carolyn Bennett, have an issue on their very doorstep that, at times, swirls and boils like the falls itself.

Chaudiere Falls and the three islands formed by the river – two of which will involve Zibi – have been held “sacred” by the Anishnabe for 10,000 years, says Mr. Cardinal. The OMB, he says, did not even consider indigenous rights in announcing its ruling.

Champlain observed that natives used Chaudiere Falls to give thanks following a safe journey. Mr. Cardinal would go to the falls to give offerings in the 1980s when he was building the museum. He is himself of Anishnabe heritage, although from Western Canada.

Windmill, on the other hand, has made efforts from the beginning to consult with the Algonquins of both Quebec and Ontario as it proceeded with its project. There are areas of the development specifically designated for First Nations. Street signs will be trilingual rather than bilingual. The company is offering jobs throughout the multiyear project. And it has key Algonquin leaders onside, such as Chief Kirby Whiteduck of Pikwakanagan First Nations near Golden Lake, Ont.

“I don’t think they’re evil,” Mr. Cardinal says of Windmill, “just greedy.”

He contrasts the upper-scale residential area – a recent launch on the Ontario side found swift sales for townhouses and condominiums running from $262,808 to $999,500 – with conditions at the Kitigan Zibi reserve on the Quebec side. For the past 16 years, the reserve has been under a drinking-water advisory.

“The Algonquins are living in poverty,” Mr. Cardinal says. “It’s not Third World conditions – it’s Fourth World conditions.”

Earlier this month, Mr. Cardinal was joined by influential author John Ralston Saul and Algonquin elder Evelyn Commanda to protest the development. Ms. Commanda is the daughter of “Grandfather” William Commanda, the late Algonquin elder so widely revered by First Nations. It was William Commanda who first spoke of a vision for Akikodjiwan, the sacred falls and islands of the river that should be returned to the Algonquin. The area is also all unceded land and the subject of a current land claim.

The Zibi project is one of only 10 in the world to be named a One Planet Community for its incorporation of environmental sustainability. It intends to be a zero-carbon community with bike and walking paths and ready access to the river. And it says the Algonquin connection to the falls and islands will be respected.

“We thought it would be nice to see a great coming together of English, French and aboriginal – all right in front of Parliament Hill,” says Julie Westeinde, Zibi’s First Nations engagement facilitator. “What an opportunity to showcase these three cultures can come together.”

Zibi has its non-elected Algonquin supporters as well, most intriguing among them a group of women who first met privately but who now call themselves the Memengueshii Council and are openly supporting the project Mr. Cardinal and other Algonquins oppose.

Wanda Thusky of Kitigan Zibi runs a small construction company with her husband, Andrew Decontie, and they see this as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to get Algonquin tradespeople trained and certified, something that has always proved difficult in the tightly controlled Quebec construction industry.

“We are extremely happy with this process,” Ms Thusky said in a telephone interview from Winnipeg where, with other members of the council, she was attending the Indigenous Innovative summit. “We want to turn that page so that we leave something in place for new generations.” To her, it is “time for a new story,” and in Zibi she and the other women believe they have found “a ripple of reconciliation,” a chance for a new beginning.

It will still have to wait, however, as Mr. Cardinal and his group now say they have the support of the chiefs of Quebec and Labrador to fight on.

“I will keep appealing this,” he vows. “All agreements, by law, are between First Nations and the Crown – and I don’t see Windmill wearing a crown.”

“We continue to feel strongly that this is good,” counters Ms Thusky. “There’s no reason we should be living in poverty, in deplorable social conditions on our own territory.”

Mr. Cardinal fully agrees. They just can’t agree on how to get there.

Follow Roy MacGregor on Twitter: @RoyMacG

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/nati...-indigenous-communities/article27419438/

[rocketphish]

Billion-dollar Zibi project caught in aboriginal politics, says developer

Robert Sibley, Ottawa Citizen
Published on: December 9, 2015 | Last Updated: December 9, 2015 10:49 AM EST

A billion-dollar development project planned for Chaudière Island has become snared in a political battle among Algonquin First Nations communities in Ontario and Quebec.

On Tuesday, chiefs from some Algonquin communities in northern Quebec won approval from the Assembly of First Nations for a resolution opposing the $1.2-billion residential, commercial and retail project on Chaudière and Albert islands.

The resolution, introduced by Wolf Lake Chief Harold St. Denis, passed with only 16 member communities voting on it — 12 in favour and four opposed — while 90 abstained. Nevertheless, according to reports from APTN, St Denis interpreted the vote as providing the AFN with “a clear mandate to oppose the project.”

Attempts to contact AFN officials Tuesday evening for clarification were unsuccessful. However, Jeff Westeinde, chairman of Windmill Development Group, which is undertaking the so-called Zibi project — the Algonquin word for “river” — lamented the vote, pointing out that his company has developed “strong partnerships” with Algonquin communities in and around the nation’s capital that have signed formal letters of intent endorsing the project.

The project, Westeinde suggested, has become caught up in the “internal politics” among Algonquin communities.

Cliff Meness, a councillor for the Chaudière Algonquin band, seemed to agree, telling APTN that the resolution exposed a “little rift between the Algonquin people,” and it should have been dealt with before reaching the AFN assembly being held this week in Gatineau.

He questioned whether the resolution would have much affect on the project’s fate, saying, “The project is on the go already.”

The Ottawa-area Chaudière band has supported the Zibi project; the chiefs of those Algonquin communities apparently opposed to it are from the Timiskaming region of northern Quebec.

On the other hand, Chief Kirby Whiteduck of the Chaudière community has described the project as “a landmark opportunity for a new model of collaboration.”

The resolution is anything but collaborative. It directs AFN National Chief Perry Bellegarde to contact government, federal, provincial and municipal governments and request a meeting with the Quebec Algonquins, who, according to APTN, believe they have a “claim” over the project. Indeed, they want the land handed over to them as an “Algonquin-controlled entity to create a park and a commemoration site.”

In mid-November, the Ontario Municipal Board dismissed appeals against the Zibi project, determining that Windmill and the City of Ottawa followed all the proper rezoning procedures and had thoroughly consulted with First Nations communities.

Westeinde reiterated his company’s consultative efforts.

“We have reached out to all of the 11 Algonquin Anishinabe communities,” he said. “We have entered into partnerships with a number of Algonquin communities, businesses and individuals, all of whom are agents of positive change looking to play their part in the rebuilding of a new relationship between First Nation and non-First Nations.

It is our vision that we can achieve Zibi in the most collaborative and beneficial way possible with the Algonquin Anishinabe people.”

Westeinde noted that some of the leaders in those communities opposed to the project “never responded to our outreach efforts. When we didn’t hear back from the political leadership, we continued our proactive outreach and engaged with people at the community level.”

Among the more prominent project opponents is architect Douglas Cardinal, who insists the islands have been a sacred site for the Anishnabe for thousands of years. He and others have campaigned to restore to their natural state.

Westeinde, however, points out they might not like it if the islands were returned to nature. Geomorphological studies show that before a hydro dam was built on the river in 1908, Chaudière Island was more often that not covered by water, he said. “It was nothing like it is today.”

http://ottawacitizen.com/life/homes/cond...ht-in-aboriginal-politics-says-developer

[kwoldtimer]

When is the occupation of the site scheduled to begin?

[Radster]

Are they also planning to halt the construction of the new Ottawa Hydro dam? Afterall, its in the same piece of land. Nope, they pick and choose instead to fight only the Zibi development. If they wanted their cause to be more legit, they would oppose everything on site, not just Zibi. Just goes to show how mickey-mouse their attention seeking plight is. Its not even worth reading about anymore, waste of time for readers, waste of time for the developers and waste of time for the Indigineous communities who are supporting the Zibi development. Just get over it already.

[kevinbottawa]

Zibi development begins construction with official ground-breaking

OBJ Contributor
Published on December 10, 2015

Windmill Developments officially began construction Thursday on Zibi, welcoming environmentalists and Algonquin partners to the launch of the $1.5-billion project on the banks of the Ottawa River.

by Haley Ritchie

“The fact that we’re standing here today putting a shovel in the ground a mere two years after announcing our intent to buy the property is testament to the cities realizing the vision for their downtown waterfronts,” said Jeff Westeinde, one of the founders of Windmill.

Zibi aims to be one of the most environmentally friendly communities in North America and has been endorsed as Canada’s first “One Planet Community” for sustainability.

Thursday’s event marks the beginning of the $200-million Phase One stage of the project. It will include the construction of two new residential buildings and the renovation of two former industrial structures as well as infrastructure.

Westeinde predicts the residential units will be move-in ready in by the spring of 2017.

The development will consist of both residential and commercial space – including a local brewery.

Westeinde said that Kichesippi Brewery wants a location on the islands and Wellington Street-based Thyme and Again wants to establish a café and catering business.

He said Windmill is also talking to a second brewery, a spa and multiple restaurants.

“Those aren’t at a stage that we can formally announce them but there’s a lot of interest in the site,” he said. “It’s going to be a cool spot.”

Gatineau Mayor Maxime Pedneaud-Jobin was also on site for the ground-breaking and praised the project’s role in the revitalization of downtown Gatineau.

The project has created a division between different Algonquin bands that went to the AFN earlier this week. It has also drawn protesters to the site that want to see the sacred islands converted to parkland and given to the Algonquin people.

Only supporters attended Thursday’s event. Among them were elder Cliff Meness from Pikwàkanagàn and Andrew Decontie, president of Kitigan Zibi-based Decontie construction.

Decontie described the partnership with Windmill as “a dream come true.”

This article originally appeared on metronews.ca on Dec. 10.

http://www.obj.ca/Real-Estate/Constructi...truction-with-official-ground-breaking/1

[rocketphish]

First Nations activists ask politicians to block Zibi project in spirit of reconciliation

Evan Przesiecki, Ottawa Citizen
Published on: December 19, 2015 | Last Updated: December 20, 2015 5:37 PM EST

Members of First Nations communities gathered on Saturday to ask federal political leaders to respect the sacredness of the unceded Algonquin land and stop the controversial Zibi multi-use development at Chaudiere Falls, in the spirit of reconciliation.

“You hear this word quite a lot: Reconciliation. What does that really mean?” Peter Di Gangi, research and policy director at the Algonquin Nation Secretariat, told about 100 people at Southminster United Church.

“It’s easy for something to become a catchword, but when you really think what reconciliation means and what needs to be done at this time, the islands at Chaudiere Falls are an example of what could happen. Let’s stop, step back and think about what really needs to be done given the history of those islands and their meaning.”

Windmill Development Group has billed its $1.2-billion project of condos and retail buildings on the abandoned industrial Chaudiere and Albert islands as one of the most sustainable communities in the world.

The developer has also pledged collaboration with the Algonquin-Anishabee communities, including a quota for Algonquin workers as well as trilingual signs in English, French and Algonquin.

Nevertheless, members of some Algonquin communities believe that the development is taking away the sacredness of the land.

“It’s not fun and games. It’s a serious thing, spirituality,” said Algonquin community activist, Albert “South Wind” Dumont.

Douglas Cardinal, the architect who designed the Canadian Museum of History, believes in keeping the falls as an eco-park that respects renowned Algonquin elder William Commanda’s vision to return the falls to their natural state.

“It’s a question: a billion-dollar development or Indigenous rights?” said Cardinal. “The Windmill project is a sacrilege to our people, our ceremonies and our way of being. They have no right to be on those islands.”

Some activists proposed alternatives to the location. Singer-songwriter and member of Free the Falls Julie Comber believes that relocating “Zibi” to LeBreton Flats would create even more benefits for Windmill and would leave the islands untouched.

“We’re arguing that they could just move over there,” said Comber. “It would be right by the Pimisi light rail station and these new homeowners would be right next to public transport, so that’s great.”

A petition from Free the Falls to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has gathered 4,500 signatures from people wanting to make the islands a public rather than private space.

The event on Saturday was part of the Phil Ochs Festival, which had musical performances alongside a panel discussion on protecting the unceded Algonquin land. Ochs was a political folksinger notable for social activism through song.

http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news...tect-islands-in-spirit-of-reconciliation

[AndyMEng]

Originally Posted by rocketphish

First Nations activists ask politicians to block Zibi project in spirit of reconciliation

Evan Przesiecki, Ottawa Citizen
Published on: December 19, 2015 | Last Updated: December 20, 2015 5:37 PM EST


http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news...tect-islands-in-spirit-of-reconciliation

I find it more than a bit ironic that Douglas Cardinal's Museum of History is built literally on top of an ancient gathering space and burial site.

I believe that we need to respect our history, and provisions need to be made in the current Zibi design, however we can't simply return the island to it's natural state. Unfortunately the 'natural state' doesn't exist as it did before. The development is encompassing the areas used for factories and lumber yards over the last century, remediating the land and returning it to public function, which is a big improvement over the status quo.

Much more important, in my opinion, is discovering what was disturbed in the construction of the Museum of History and unearthing a bustling original settlement 5000 years old. I wonder how much protest Mr. Cardinal will shout from the rooftops about excavating the foundations of his own museum to discover who's graves were crushed under it's weight.

[MoreTrains]

I find it funny they recommend moving to LeBreton... Windmill doesnt own LeBreton, so they cant just move there. Kind of a stupid comment really. In addition to that Windmill bought the island, so they own it. The only way I can see it being 'returned to a disused state' is the complainants ponying up a few hundred million for compensation.

And the mention it will be a private space... to me that means that only residents would be allowed on the island, which is completely false. The only 'private' spaces will be the condos. If this was owned by the complainants, Im sure they would bar access to anyone who was not of... proper descent.

As for Dougie Cardinal, he just needs to sit down. He is clearly not the smartest book in the library, or even a decent architect, so that should be enough out of him.