Ādisōke [Ottawa's New Central Library] | U/C

[m0nkyman]

Originally Posted by Robedav

Does the City Of Ottawa own the 2 half-block parcels of land on which the old Tech High School sits? If so, that might be an interesting site for the combined library.

Still owned by the school board I believe.

[Aylmer]

The more I think about it, the more I think that the partial reuse of Union Station for a new national library would be the best location. The way I would do it is to build a 5 or 6-storey (the height of Union Station) modern building between Union and Sussex extending south to Daly. That new building would house most of the library.
Union would be partially reused: the walls leading to the upper floors of office space could easily be knocked down and integrated into the library. The main hall could become a great reading space, though I'm still holding out hope that it could be reused as a the entrance to an underground train station at some point in the future


Some arguments for the location:

Enough space:
Even without using any of Union, the footprint of the new building (6400 sq.m) would be larger than Montreal's BANQ (6240 sq.m) and three times larger than the current library.

Easily accessible
You have the benefit of being across the street from the Rideau LRT station, all the OC and STO buses on Rideau, major bikeways and even the Rideau Centre's parking.

Central
The new library would be the bridge between the downtown core and Rideau/Byward market as well as intersecting with the canal. On any given day, the sidewalks between Rideau and Downtown are heavily trafficked; It's perhaps one of the most central points in the city.

Bridging the gap
By doing away with that awful highway flyover at Rideau/Mackenzie/Col.By and filling the space with an active building with good street presence, this new library would go a very long way in helping to close the gash separating Lowertown and Downtown, which can often seem jarringly empty. By making the south side of Rideau more attractive (less hostile?) to pedestrians, I wouldn't be surprised if Sparks St. also experienced an increase in foot traffic since people wouldn't feel forced to walk up to the north side of Wellington to get the Rideau Centre anymore.

Already owned by the city and federal government
Union is already government-owned and will have already gone through extensive renovations and refurbishments by time the Senate moves back to Centre Block. The space between Union and Sussex is owned by either the NCC or the city, I believe. So no costly expropriations or land acquisition required.


So for those reasons, I really hope that the idea gets the attention it deserves.

[acottawa]

Originally Posted by Aylmer

The more I think about it, the more I think that the partial reuse of Union Station for a new national library would be the best location. The way I would do it is to build a 5 or 6-storey (the height of Union Station) modern building between Union and Sussex extending south to Daly. That new building would house most of the library.
Union would be partially reused: the walls leading to the upper floors of office space could easily be knocked down and integrated into the library. The main hall could become a great reading space, though I'm still holding out hope that it could be reused as a the entrance to an underground train station at some point in the future

I think it is a good idea, and the great hall would make a good reading room. However, it would probably require the city to give up their 3 lane off ramp (I think they have opposed NCC efforts to normalize that intersection) and would require a new location for the Senate during the centre block construction (current government is a big fan of the senate).

[Aylmer]

The way I see it, the Senate's relocation to Union is already set in stone. That said, Centre Block is set to finish its renovations by 2028 by the absolute latest (though I've heard 2023). So the way I see it, the city could build the new building beside Union on the meantime, then take over certain parts of the existing structure once the Senate moves out. As I indicated, even without Union, the new building could have more floorspace than the BANQ, which is more than enough for our needs. Having the old train station is just a bonus.

As for the on-ramp, there have been plans to do away with it for about a decade in different forms. I don't think it would require a huge political battle.

[Mugwumper]

Originally Posted by m0nkyman

Still owned by the school board I believe.

Yes, that property is still owned by the school board, and it's still in use. It's a combination of offices, storage space, and some "continuing" adult classes, and the auditorium's still used for various functions. It's prime property and would be a great location, but the school board hasn't shown any interest in redevelopment at this time... not publicly anyway.

In an ideal world, the new main library building would go there. Or, in an ideal world: maybe some office buildings could be eliminated and replaced with a new library building.

There's a very strong case to be made for locating the branch within Lebreton's redevelopment, though. Remember, the main branch doesn't just serve downtowners... the catchment goes well west of Bronson, a bit west of Preston, in fact. That includes Chinatown, Little Italy, and potentially even Mechanicsville and Hintonburg.

I haven't seen anyone in the media discuss the schools that are within the catchment area for the central branch.

The schools include, east of Bronson: Centennial, Glashan, Elgin St., Lisgar HS, and Richard Pfaff secondary alternative. West of Bronson: there's St. Anthony's, Cambridge Street School. If we go as far west as Parkdale to include Hintonburg, then there's also Devonshire, Connaught, and Saint-Francois-d'Assise.

Those students will make much more use of the main branch programs and facilities than the downtown office workers who often just commute home to the suburbs at the end of the day.

I see more value in making the central branch more accessible to public school students. Especially inner city students who can benefit from the programs and facilities. If it takes the Glebonians a little longer to get there... oh well.

[McC]

Not sure why you're extending the catchment out to Parkdale, we have Rosemount in Hintonburg. This is not relevant to whether Lebreton is a good location (and I believe it is, both as an "anchor tenant" for the re-development, and to give architects more freedom to situate it as they like, with a plaza, light, trees, etc. oriented to max effect, whereas all of the sites inside the CBD will be much more constrained).

[Mugwumper]

Originally Posted by McC

Not sure why you're extending the catchment out to Parkdale, we have Rosemount in Hintonburg.

True, but Rosemount is a cramped, 100 year old building. They did a study that recommended against expansion on such a small parcel of land. That's a huge issue. The growing population of Hintonburg has probably outgrown that facility. The kids who live in that area and attend school there, could probably get more out of participating in programs at the new larger central branch, than from any programs that Rosemount could offer, especially given its inability to expand.

I'm not convinced that it would be worthwhile to keep Rosemount open as a mini neighbourhood library, compared to what would be available at the new central branch building. Depends upon what the demand would be. Hintonburg already has active community centres. It's a nice heritage building though, maybe the city could find another use for it.

[McC]

I love and fully support a big bold central library, but I would really hate it to be used as a rationale for consolidating branches (everything you say about the Rosemount branch would apply equally well to Rideau). Local branches, even if small, are useful because they're local. Sure browsing the shelves is unsatisfactory, but you can get anything from anywhere in the network delivered to your branch within a couple of days.

[rocketphish]

Originally Posted by Aylmer

The more I think about it, the more I think that the partial reuse of Union Station for a new national library would be the best location. The way I would do it is to build a 5 or 6-storey (the height of Union Station) modern building between Union and Sussex extending south to Daly. That new building would house most of the library.
Union would be partially reused: the walls leading to the upper floors of office space could easily be knocked down and integrated into the library. The main hall could become a great reading space, though I'm still holding out hope that it could be reused as a the entrance to an underground train station at some point in the future


Some arguments for the location:

Enough space:
Even without using any of Union, the footprint of the new building (6400 sq.m) would be larger than Montreal's BANQ (6240 sq.m) and three times larger than the current library.

Easily accessible
You have the benefit of being across the street from the Rideau LRT station, all the OC and STO buses on Rideau, major bikeways and even the Rideau Centre's parking.

Central
The new library would be the bridge between the downtown core and Rideau/Byward market as well as intersecting with the canal. On any given day, the sidewalks between Rideau and Downtown are heavily trafficked; It's perhaps one of the most central points in the city.

Bridging the gap
By doing away with that awful highway flyover at Rideau/Mackenzie/Col.By and filling the space with an active building with good street presence, this new library would go a very long way in helping to close the gash separating Lowertown and Downtown, which can often seem jarringly empty. By making the south side of Rideau more attractive (less hostile?) to pedestrians, I wouldn't be surprised if Sparks St. also experienced an increase in foot traffic since people wouldn't feel forced to walk up to the north side of Wellington to get the Rideau Centre anymore.

Already owned by the city and federal government
Union is already government-owned and will have already gone through extensive renovations and refurbishments by time the Senate moves back to Centre Block. The space between Union and Sussex is owned by either the NCC or the city, I believe. So no costly expropriations or land acquisition required.


So for those reasons, I really hope that the idea gets the attention it deserves.

I wholeheartedly support locating the combined Ottawa Public Library & LAC at Union Station. Not only is it central, and located at an LRT station, but it also provides the opportunity to open up to the public what was once Ottawa's grandest public building. It still contains some pretty stunning architectural spaces, which could be repurposed within the design make-over, returning them to the public realm. It would also allow for the permanent showcasing of the history of public transportation in Ottawa, with examples of the old and the new right there. It couldn't be more perfect.

The one aspect of this that I would not support, however, would be the takeover of the triangle of land immediately to the east of the building. I'll be the first to admit that the road linking Mackenzie Ave. to Colonel By Dr. isn't the most beautiful thing to look at, but it does provide some benefits to tourists and the residents of Ottawa alike. Most obviously is the fact that it is the most convenient way to get vehicles (including bicycles) from Mackenzie Colonel By. It also provides an outdoor public space next to it, dodgy at times yes, but it's there. It contains seating areas, public art, and a nice little grove of trees. Least obvious maybe is the fact that this triangle of land with no building on it provides a fantastic sightline from Mackenzie Ave. and a block and a half of Rideau St. down towards the Ottawa Convention Centre and the Rideau Canal. Likewise, when you're traveling northward on Colonel By, the view of the Chateau Laurier is second to none. And it is this last benefit that I would like to protect the most. I value parkettes and sightlines, and jamming a building extension onto that site would take that away from me.

[Aylmer]

I worked as one of the PCH guides last summer - we would stand around different sites downtown to give information. During the 30-some hours I spent outside, I had the privilege of getting to observe the ebbs and flows of people through town.
One of the most striking things that I noticed is the tremendous effect of the on-ramp on pedestrian flow.
There are a LOT of people who walk from the Rideau Centre and the Market to Downtown, but day in and day out, I could see how the north sidewalk was filled to the brim (people sometimes have to walk in the street because of the sheer volume of people on a nice summer day), but the south sidewalk, despite its ample plaza and directness, would be almost empty.

The reality is that people would rather take a detour to the north sidewalk than to make their way under the overpass. In fact, I think that this is a major reason why Sparks Street has basically died: with the overpass, people no longer want to walk along the south sidewalk and Sparks therefore becomes a route of second choice. As for the parkette, It's a sad little patch of poorly-maintained sculptures and two benches. I don't think it would be missed as I've only seldom seen it used.



I'm all for sightlines, but I think that we must properly balance the need to have a city which is pleasant to look at and a city which is actually pleasant to be in. I tend to favour the latter. Keep in mind, however, that this new building has the potential to produce fantastic new sightlines of its own, both from inside looking out and outside looking in: you could have a fantastic new icon of a building which could be a prominent vista termination for Mackenzie and Col.By.

So yes, sightlines would be lost. But in return, we could have even better new vistas, a reinvigorated Sparks and Rideau Streets, less pedestrian congestion AND a new library. If that isn't a winning equation, I don't know what is!

[Mugwumper]

Originally Posted by McC

I love and fully support a big bold central library, but I would really hate it to be used as a rationale for consolidating branches (everything you say about the Rosemount branch would apply equally well to Rideau). Local branches, even if small, are useful because they're local. Sure browsing the shelves is unsatisfactory, but you can get anything from anywhere in the network delivered to your branch within a couple of days.

I have no idea if they will keep Rosemount, if they'll find a way to renovate it, or what the plan will be. My opinion only: a large new central library would be worth the trip, rather than being content with Rosemount's meagre offerings. I'm just not persuaded that keeping Rosemount open to serve as a book-ordering depot is worth it. Libraries really need to have some more facilities than that nowadays, or the neighbourhood is really not well served.

The new central branch will get close to $80 million from the city, plus if the partnership with LAC goes ahead, the feds could even match that amount. A modern, state-of-the-art $200 million facility with multimedia and huge book selection, dozens of city library and LAC programs going on in the same location, auditoriums and meeting rooms, and so on, right on LRT and bus routes.... versus Rosemount. No contest which one I'd use.

The same might well be said of the Rideau branch building; maybe it's time to close that one, or find a new property where a larger branch can go to serve Sandy Hill and Vanier. Shuttering branch buildings that can't be expanded makes sense in the long run... the savings can go into expanding other locations.

I just wish they'd go ahead and put shovels in the ground and build the new central branch building. There are no vacant lots downtown that are large enough, except possibly the Union Station, which has other uses right now. I don't want them delay and delay some more, and to wait another 10 to 20 years for vacant land in the downtown to become available. That's not acceptable.

[TransitZilla]

Originally Posted by acottawa

However, it would probably require the city to give up their 3 lane off ramp (I think they have opposed NCC efforts to normalize that intersection)

What is your source for this? City documents (such as the downtown urban design strategy) support the removal of the underpass.

[rocketphish]

Showstoppers: Four recent library projects that impress

Joanne Laucius, Ottawa Citizen
Published on: January 18, 2016 | Last Updated: January 18, 2016 3:56 PM EST


A huge atrium is a central feature of Calgary's new library, scheduled to be complete in 2018.

Construction on Ottawa’s new central library isn’t slated to start until 2018, but 2016 will be the year the project starts taking shape.

Building a new library to replace the outdated Metcalfe Street branch was approved as a strategic initiative last July. Earlier this month, city council approved $3.9 million to be used for planning process expenses such as project management and public engagement.
A request for expressions of interest will likely be issued in early 2016, and the contract will be awarded in 2017. But there’s still a lot that is unknown about the project, including where it will be located, although it will have easy access to the LRT station on the Confederation Line. Ballpark cost: $86 million. Library projects are attracting international attention. Here’s a look at four new builds that have helped put their cities on the map:

---

Salt Lake City

Opened: 2003
Size: 240,000 square feet
Cost: $84 million U.S.
Architect: Moshe Safdie, whose Ottawa projects have included the old Ottawa city hall on Sussex Drive and the National Gallery of Canada
Architectural wow factor: Five storeys of a curved glass wall in the “urban room”
Nice touch: Rooftop garden with a360-degree view of the Wasatch Mountains
Fun fact: The soaring atrium is rented after hours as a venue for events ranging from weddings to school dances

---

Calgary

Will open: 2018
Size: 240,000 square feet
Cost: $245 million
Architects: Snøhetta of Norway (which designed the new library in Alexandria, Egypt) and DIALOG
Architectural wow factor: A prow-shaped exterior with textured glass surface and a “lifted” design will straddle the C-train tunnel and allow a pedestrian link between East Village and downtown
Nice touch: Wood-clad arches designed to look like “chinook” clouds
Fun fact: The new library will be the largest public facility to be built in Calgary since the 1988 Olympics

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Amsterdam

Opened: 2007
Size: 306,771 square feet
Cost: 80 million euros (about $115 million in 2007)
Architect: Jo Coenen, who designed KSNM Island, a man-made peninsula in Amsterdam that has since become an upscale neighbourhood
Architectural wow factor: Concave and convex windows that infuse the building with light
Nice touch: A rooftop restaurant with an outdoor terrace
Fun fact: The children’s section is home to the Muizenhuis or “mouse mansion” — an elaborate 100-room dollhouse almost 10 feet high

---

Halifax

Opened: 2014
Size: 129,000 square feet
Cost: $57.6 million
Architects: Schmidt Hammer Lassen of Denmark and Fowler Bauld & Mitchell of Halifax
Architectural wow factor: The cantilevered design is designed to look like a stack of books, with views of Halifax harbour and Citadel Hill
Nice touch: Visitors are encouraged to bring their instruments and make noise in the recording studio, where they can burn a CD
Fun fact: CNN listed the new library among its “10 eye-popping new buildings of 2014”

---

http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news...ere-are-four-libraries-with-a-wow-factor

[acottawa]

Originally Posted by bradnixon

What is your source for this? City documents (such as the downtown urban design strategy) support the removal of the underpass.

This forum, about 3 years ago in the context of the proposed Stanley Cup monument.

"The city is worried about increased traffic at that location. How it might impact on a planned LRT station nearby. And it reportedly just hates the idea the NCC is pushing, to close off MacKenzie Avenue at Rideau Street and create a “people friendly” square."

http://skyscraperpage.com/forum/showthread.php?t=164889&page=7

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by Aylmer

An examination of some sites I think might be possible:

1. Archives


2. Escarpment


3. Kent/Queen


4. City Hall


5. Plaza Bridge

1. I actually quite like the building. Looks great for something built in the 60s. I'm not a fan of that area because it is more of a Federal/bureaucratic feel to it with little life. Also not central enough, not close enough to the O-Train. Plus, having thousands of people people cross 6+ lane Wellington isn't an ideal situation.

2. Closer to the O-Train, more central, but a large part is already given up to the Victims of Communism monument. It would also take away from this cool natural feature in Ottawa, placing downtown on a podium.

3. I agree, too built up. The library would be overshadowed by the office district.

4. we could take up half the site and build a proper square between the library and City Hall. Not a bad choice.

5. Still holding on to the dream that Union will one day re-open as our central trains station. I would eliminate Confederation Square, which I think should stay open to preserve the views of our stately monuments. But not a bad idea, though unlikely considering the senate relocation.

Best spot within the area you showed would be Ottawa Tech IMO. Central, close to the O-Train, possibility of connecting via a pedestrian tunnel, lower density, so the library could stand out from its surroundings... We could also preserve the older part of the school (at least the auditorium).

LeBreton Flats would be my second choice.

[eltodesukane]

Some other libraries:

- Harold-Washington-Library-Center, Chicago


- Harper Library, University of Chicago


- The Long Room, Old Library, Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland

[1overcosc]

University libraries may not be a good example to follow. They serve a different purpose from what a modern central library is.

[teej1984]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

1. I actually quite like the building. Looks great for something built in the 60s. I'm not a fan of that area because it is more of a Federal/bureaucratic feel to it with little life. Also not central enough, not close enough to the O-Train. Plus, having thousands of people people cross 6+ lane Wellington isn't an ideal situation.

2. Closer to the O-Train, more central, but a large part is already given up to the Victims of Communism monument. It would also take away from this cool natural feature in Ottawa, placing downtown on a podium.

3. I agree, too built up. The library would be overshadowed by the office district.

4. we could take up half the site and build a proper square between the library and City Hall. Not a bad choice.

5. Still holding on to the dream that Union will one day re-open as our central trains station. I would eliminate Confederation Square, which I think should stay open to preserve the views of our stately monuments. But not a bad idea, though unlikely considering the senate relocation.

Best spot within the area you showed would be Ottawa Tech IMO. Central, close to the O-Train, possibility of connecting via a pedestrian tunnel, lower density, so the library could stand out from its surroundings... We could also preserve the older part of the school (at least the auditorium).

LeBreton Flats would be my second choice.

Option 5 will never happen, especially if it crosses over the canal, because that would destroy one of the BEST views of Parliament in the city. https://goo.gl/maps/3y819fCUda62

[rocketphish]

Ottawa's future tantalizing with library options

Mohammed Adam, Ottawa Citizen
Published on: January 21, 2016 | Last Updated: January 21, 2016 11:23 AM EST

The announcement of a potential partnership between the City of Ottawa and the federal government to build a new central library is perhaps the most exciting news about capital development since the city abandoned its small-town tendencies to embrace light rail two decades years ago.

Standout cities often use major projects such as museums, libraries and galleries to create a buzz and redefine themselves. Spanish regional city Bilbao stamped its mark on the world with its stunning Guggenheim museum. Canadian cities such as Halifax and Calgary have made splashes of their own, but it has never been clear whether Ottawa could do the same with its new central library.

Now we can dream.

With Library and Archives Canada looking to take a leading role in this partnership, we can envisage not just a grand central library and showcase for important historical documents, but a cultural hub of enormous appeal. What makes this partnership even more exciting is the mindset Library and Archives Canada brings to the table.

While Tim Tierney, the city councillor who heads the library board, was looking at the partnership simply in terms of saving money for taxpayers, Canada’s chief librarian and archivist Guy Berthiaume was reaching for the sky.

“I can see something like the Guggenheim in Bilbao. People will come just to see the building,” he told the Citizen. “If we create something iconic in the heart of the city, people will come.”

Nice to hear someone in Ottawa think that big. We need more like him.

Obviously Ottawa is not going to build a Guggenheim. There is only one of its kind and it may well be impossible to replicate even if the city wanted to. Berthiaume is using Guggenheim as a metaphor for architectural excellence and we should applaud his daring. It is early days yet and no agreement has been reached.

But as this potential partnership slowly becomes reality, we should not be afraid to let our imagination run free and see where it takes us. We can build our own version of the Guggenheim and we should resist the temptation to nickel and dime ourselves into something bland or mundane. That’s not a call for reckless spending.

Money obviously is scarce, especially now that the economy is stagnating, and we should not be so carried away we become wasteful. Keeping taxes low is a noble goal. Nobody likes paying taxes and it is good to have a city government that is focused on keeping them low. But we all realize that good services come at a price, and if we want to build a great capital, we have to understand that quality costs money. We just have to find the right balance.

Cities like Halifax and Calgary did just that, building sumptuous libraries that are defining their cities. Imagination is becoming something of a four-letter word in Ottawa, but it shouldn’t. Great cities have it in abundance in their planning, and we should at least be able to do what the Halifaxes of this world are doing, if not better.

Ottawa is a nice city but it could be so much better. What’s frustrating is that it is not trying hard enough. Part of the problem may well be that over the past several years we didn’t have a government that was emotionally invested in the capital. The loss of the Domtar lands and the National Portrait Gallery have often been cited as examples of federal government neglect, but that’s behind us now. From now on we have to aim a little bit higher and stop thinking small.

To that end, let’s consider the new library our first big challenge. With a large contingent of local Liberal members of Parliament led by regional minister Catherine McKenna, the capital has enough clout to challenge the government to do more. Of course there is a long way between here to there. Finding the best location, working out the finances and engaging in public consultations will take time. But this partnership has tantalizing possibilities for the capital and we should seize the moment.

Mohammed Adam is an Ottawa writer.

http://ottawacitizen.com/opinion/columnists/adam-ottawas-future-tantalizing-with-library-options

[Mugwumper]

It's about time the city acquired another iconic building. It's been quite some time since the new National Gallery building was completed, or the Museum of History (formerly the Museum of Civilization)...

Lots of capital cultural events take place at the current LAC on Wellington. They screen ongoing film festivals hosted by various international embassies, for example, as well as other film festivals. If the LAC and city library partnership pans out, then these are the types of programs that will happen at this new main library building.

Let's get the most brilliant, stunning building we can get. A gem beside the river.