General Update/Rumour thread [Urban Ottawa]

[acottawa]

Looks like a good proposal, but two things seem odd:
The Condos are in the middle of the campus, which may be interesting during the day but it means residents will have to walk through a deserted office park to get anywhere during the evenings or weekends.
Also, would be nice to see retail or restaurants or a starbucks facing the street to make the area a little less desolate.

[1overcosc]

Originally Posted by acottawa

Looks like a good proposal, but two things seem odd:
The Condos are in the middle of the campus, which may be interesting during the day but it means residents will have to walk through a deserted office park to get anywhere during the evenings or weekends.
Also, would be nice to see retail or restaurants or a starbucks facing the street to make the area a little less desolate.

The blueprints put retail frontage on basically every building on basically every street--both interal and Cyrville/Labelle--so things like restaurants and cafes will show up and significantly liven up Cyrville.

As for placing the condos in the middle, that is the one thing about this project that I'm not happy about, but I can see residential towers isolated from the major roads being a plus to renters/buyers among the Ottawa types.

[Proof Sheet]

Originally Posted by daud

These guys are having 2 different conversations.

One is saying Ottawa is a lame G7 capital. The others are responding with Ottawa is a great tier 2 city.

They're both right.

'Denley likes the Zibi development, which is opposed by ten of 11 local aboriginal bands. Its thoughtful critics include architect Douglas Cardinal and writer John Ralston Saul'

The fact that John Ralston Saul doesn't like the Zibi development would be a selling feature for me to like the Zibi development.

Bartman..on this webforum summarized perfectly my feelings on John Ralston Saul

http://marginalrevolution.com/marginalrevolution/2009/10/assorted-links-10.html

I'm sure Bartman and I would concur on our thoughts on Conrad Black and Piers Morgan.

[kevinbottawa]

Here's a little something I wrote for Apt613 about this whole greatness of Ottawa debate.

Ottawa’s potential greatness lies in its creativity

There has been a lot of debate lately about whether or not Ottawa is a great city. On one side of the coin you have Andrew Cohen with his usual Ottawa-bashing pieces, while on the other side you have Paul Wells of Maclean’s who doesn’t share Cohen’s views on the city.

After calling Toronto home for the first 29 years of my life, the past six years in Ottawa have frankly been the best years of my life. Without my familiar surroundings, I found myself, my creativity and a sense of purpose in Ottawa. I never picked up a camera until I moved here. Unlike other people, I didn’t see what Ottawa lacked as a setback; I saw it as an opportunity to create something and fill gaps.

Ottawa became my blank canvas. Those of us from big cities know how hard it is to actually make a significant contribution to the growth and identity of a large metropolitan centre. Ottawa is the perfect size in population, urbanism and economics, and is at the perfect place in its growth, for anyone willing to do the work to make a significant contribution.

That opportunity and sense of fulfillment is something you seldom get in larger cities that are further along on the growth curve. I find larger cities tend to breed a consumer mentality. Cities like Ottawa can actually breed a culture of creativity and entrepreneurship because if you want something to happen here you often have to do it yourself.

When I moved here the thing that bothered me the most was how small of a media market we were for a capital city. I’d say, “Ottawa should have a bigger media voice.” That’s why I co-founded SHIFTER Magazine. We have great cultural blogs and websites like Apartment613, Couch Assassin and Ottawa Showbox, but not many that connected Ottawa creatives to audiences outside of the city. Through our motto, “Create your world” we encourage people that if they want to see change, the solution isn’t to complain, it’s to create something.

I admit when I first moved here it felt like a sleepy small town in need of a serious wake up call. But that has changed. I once flocked to Toronto and Montreal for shopping and other more cosmopolitan experiences, but more and more I find myself not envying these cities. And with major projects like LRT, Lebreton Flats, the Zibi waterfront project, Art Courts redevelopment, the Rideau Centre expansion, and a new downtown library branch (a potential partnership with Library and Archives Canada), Ottawa is in for a drastic big city makeover.

So in this debate I side with Paul Wells in disagreeing with Cohen. A lot of the change we’ve wanted to see has either happened, is happening or will happen soon.

Now there are two areas where Ottawa is admittedly lacking; the first is cultural relevance, both nationally and internationally. There are no West Wing-like political dramas or NCIS-like federal crime dramas set in the capital like in the United States. There aren’t many, if any, significant films, TV series or novels set in Ottawa. Many celebrities who are from Ottawa don’t really care to admit they’re from here. Some even say they’re from Toronto (not naming any names).

When it comes to tech companies, while we are a great place to start a tech company and do R&D, the companies that have cultural relevance, like Facebook and Google, have chosen Waterloo over Ottawa. Bluesfest is a world-class music festival, but hasn’t seemed to capture people’s imaginations the way the much younger Osheaga has.

Cultural relevance increases your ability to attract talent, investment, and tourists. Look down Highway 401 and see how Drake alone has made Toronto more of a destination for both athletes or tourists. This makes you ask the question, “Why does Ottawa struggle to export things of major cultural relevance?” Our greatest exports right now are the Ottawa Senators, Shopify and federal politics. Justin Trudeau, in all his hotness, is making Ottawa a little bit more — south of the border.

The other area in which we need to grow is in the maturity of our creative industries, like music, film and fashion. In order to grow our creative industries we need to borrow from our approach in growing our technology sector. Invest Ottawa has identified key tech clusters, like aerospace, software and cleantech, and has given business development managers the responsibility of supporting the growth of these clusters, and, I’m sure, has growth targets affixed to these clusters.

Why not have our arts strategy be based on a similar model, where we identify key creative clusters where Ottawa either has competitive advantages, high growth potential or that are a part of our cultural identity, like music, craft brewing, festivals, visual arts, and fashion, and focus our energy and resources on growing, promoting and exporting them? Perhaps like Invest Ottawa, this cluster based strategy could go a long way in connecting the arts to investment.

I love monuments and big projects, but Ottawa’s greatness isn’t just about things created with bricks and mortar. Our greatness will depend on what we’re able to create with our minds and talents. If we can consistently create at a high level and learn to export the things we create, this creative capital will help us to shed our reputation as a ho-hum political capital.

Kevin Bourne is co-founder and editor of SHIFTER Magazine, an online magazine for creatives and aspiring cultural influencers. He is also a former blogger at Reinventing Ottawa.

http://apt613.ca/ottawas-potential-greatness-lies-in-its-creativity/

[LeadingEdgeBoomer]

Here is another rebuttal of the Cohen article by InvestOttawa's Bruce Lazebany that I kind of like. It appears in Ottawa Business Journal online.

Ottawa is an excellent G7 capital
OBJ ContributorPublished on January 15, 2016
1t
Recently Ottawa Citizen columnist Andrew Cohen espoused that “Ottawa is the Worst G7 Capital”. I and thousands of others have a different view.



by Bruce Lazenby

I love Ottawa and I am excited about our future. Here are some of the reasons why:

GLOBAL ECONOMIC PLAYER

In 2015, Ottawa was named the most business-friendly, mid-sized city in North AND South America by the Financial Times. It’s the largest regional rankings published by the magazine and is an intensively competitive field.

Our dynamic tech sector is on fire with Ottawa software companies (Halogen, Kinaxis and Shopify) raising more money in the public markets than every other city in Canada combined over the last five years. Branham Group’s latest list of the top 250 technology companies in Canada concluded that Ottawa was home to more headquartered companies than Vancouver, Montreal, Calgary and more than three times Waterloo. Our tech companies are closing in on record employment but with more diverse sectors and more diverse geography across the city. They are attracting young, exciting and dynamic new talent to our city.

The Airports Council International says Ottawa has the best airport in Canada and third in the world; the other G7 capitals are nowhere to be found in their rankings. Our Convention Centre was crowned number two in the world by the International Association of Convention Centres; again the other G7 capitals were noticeably absent.

Ottawa also shines when it comes to sustainability. Corporate Knights magazine rated Ottawa the most sustainable city in Canada and third in all of North America. None of the other G7 cities, save for Washington DC, even cracked the top twenty.

Looking forward, we will be opening a world-class Innovation Centre this year and the redevelopment of Lebreton Flats is well on its way, with more great things on the horizon as Mr Cohen acknowledges.

A SMART CITY WITH HIGH QUALITY OF LIFE

Canada has the most educated workforce in the world and Ottawa has the most educated workforce the Canada. The Martin Prosperity Institute rated Ottawa-Gatineau first in their search for the world’s top Creative Class. We beat out 61 other cities. According to Mercer, we ranked third in North America for quality of living and Today’s Parent says we are the second best place in the country to raise a family.

Compared to our G7 counterparts, commuting to work is a pleasure. Driving in Paris or Rome can be a full-time job in itself. You can get across our great city by car in just twenty minutes. Hop on a train in London or Tokyo and be prepared for a nose to nose two-hour ride. Contrast that to Ottawa, where an express bus can get you from the quiet suburbs to a bustling core in nearly forty minutes and this is before the LRT is finished.

And when it comes to the cost of living, Ottawa is not only the least expensive G7 capital by leaps and bounds but it’s also the most affordable major city in Canada.

FUN FOUND AT EVERY CORNER

Culture is everywhere in the capital. Start by touring one of our 44 museums or art galleries, or take in a festival that celebrates music, theatre, sports or different ethnic backgrounds. Ottawa hosts over ninety events a year, so you’ll be sure to find one you like.

Our bike paths are an incredible way to see the city. Clocking in at 600 km, we are on par with Paris and Berlin. Tokyo has less than nine kilometers. Our green assets don’t stop there. The area is home to seven ski resorts and over 430 km of cross-country ski trails. If the water calls your name, the Ottawa River is home to seven sailing clubs and is one of the top white-water rafting spots in the world. And for the daring, rent a built-to-race eight-cylinder Mustang and take a spin on Canada’s longest private race track topping out at well over 200 km/hr. I did and I’ll never forget it.

Mr. Cohen clearly doesn’t get invited to the foodie hangouts where some of the newest thirty something tech millionaires in Ottawa are hanging out, sharing tips of their successes with new startups and some of the 120,000 post-secondary students that are excited about their role in the city’s future.

And finally 2017 is around the corner and Ottawa is taking the lead in celebrating our country’s 150th birthday.

WORLD CLASS POTENTIAL

Add everything up and I believe you have the makings of a world-class city. Ottawa may lack a history of culture and municipal development that span over thousands of years, compared to its G7 counterparts; Yet, the nation’s capital has its own distinct assets and we are just scratching the surface of our potential. Don’t forget that the new Ottawa is barely fifteen years old (since amalgamation). Prior to this, our municipalities were more competitive than collaborative, so I think we are doing pretty well for a teenager.

Mr. Cohen and I seem to be looking at Ottawa through completely different lenses. Neither he nor I were born here, however, we both chose to live here. And we both want the same outcome: to make Ottawa the best place to work, play and grow.

At Invest Ottawa, we have the bold vision he’s asking for, so I invite him to roll up his sleeves and work with us to achieve it. In my experience, city building is way more fun and rewarding than city bashing

[waterloowarrior]

Apple coming to 411 Legget in Kanata Research Park
http://www.obj.ca/Technology/2016-01-20/...open-facility-in-Kanata%2C-sources-say/1

[Acajack]

Originally Posted by LeadingEdgeBoomer

Here is another rebuttal of the Cohen article by InvestOttawa's Bruce Lazebany that I kind of like. It appears in Ottawa Business Journal online.

I really though Mr. Lazenby was a better James Bond than people gave him credit for.

[Norman Bates]

Originally Posted by Acajack

I really though Mr. Lazenby was a better James Bond than people gave him credit for.

Wel he was the first gay bond. And the first Australian bond. We have a blonde bond now. Wonder what the future will bring us?

[FFX-ME]

Originally Posted by MountainView

This image really puts into perspective how awful of a choice the LRT station locations are. There is nothing around the station.

...I know it was convenient and cheap to run it on the transitway but it really should have gone further north.

[J.OT13]

Nice enough proposal for the area, but wasn't the City envisioning 30+ storey towers around the old east end stations? Not that I care. I think that buildings that tall only belong at Lees and Hurdman. I would limit Tremblay to 15 floors, St-Laurent to 12 (maybe 18-24 on the Federal Land south of the Queensway), 8 at Cyrville and maybe 14 at Blair.

[Cre47]

The buildings at Cyrville and Cummings are occupied by DND which assuming will move with the rest of the others (25 Nicholas, 400 Cumberland, 66 Slater, 222 Nepean, 285/295 Conventry, Alta Vista/Smyth Campus, Star Top, etc.) to the new DND Carling Campus.

The warehouse is occupied by Canex which is the retail store of DND

[YOWflier]

If true, another boon for the Ottawa high tech. sector, which has been experiencing a quiet but significant resurgence.

http://www.obj.ca/Technology/2016-01-20/...open-facility-in-Kanata%2C-sources-say/1

Apple to open facility in Kanata, sources say

Apple has leased space at a Kanata office complex in preparation for setting up a facility in the National Capital Region, several sources have confirmed to OBJ.

Although the California-based tech giant has yet to publicly announce it is establishing a presence in Ottawa, sources say they believe the 22,100-square-foot suite at 411 Legget Dr. in the Kanata Research Park will be devoted to research and development.

The space is located in the G. Best Building, which is owned by KRP Properties. The building’s main tenant is now DragonWave, but KRP’s website lists a 22,099.74-square-foot space at suite 300 as “currently vacant.”

KRP describes the property as a “full-floor office suite with executive boardroom, meeting rooms, several offices, server room, lunchroom, showers, private balconies and lab space.” The building’s director of leasing did not respond to a request for comment.

The world’s largest technology company by total assets and its second-largest mobile phone manufacturer, Apple generated revenues of more than $233 billion US in 2015.

The company has been boosting its R&D spending in recent years, investing more than $8 billion in research and development in fiscal 2015 alone – a 34 per cent increase over the previous year. In the past 12 months, Apple has opened or planned new research facilities in Cambridge, England, and Yokohama, Japan.

Business analysts have been speculating for some time that the tech colossus known for its personal computers, smartphones, tablets and devices such as the Apple Watch is branching out into the automotive sector.

Last fall, appleinsider.com reported rumours that the company was developing an electric vehicle, noting it had begun poaching high-profile automotive engineers. Sources told the website Apple was also considering construction of a new development centre in San Jose that could be used to assemble vehicles.

Ottawa already has a major presence in the automotive software sector. Kanata is home to BlackBerry’s automotive division, QNX Software Systems, which recently unveiled a slate of new software for the rapidly evolving driverless car market.

[nortey35]

It is definitely true. This has been in the works since the summer. I am surprised it took this long for something to appear in the media. I believe it should be around 70 engineers with plans to grow up to 100 (source: Apple hiring manager).
I am mostly excited about the role Ottawa will be playing in the automated/driver-less cars industry. Maybe Google might try to come next ?

Originally Posted by ac888yow

If true, another boon for the Ottawa high tech. sector, which has been experiencing a quiet but significant resurgence.

http://www.obj.ca/Technology/2016-01-20/...open-facility-in-Kanata%2C-sources-say/1

[YOWflier]

#BREAKING: Ottawa gets Red Bull Crashed Ice final in March, 2017. Ice cross downhill, the fastest sport on skates, near Chateau Laurier.

Check out @CFRAOttawa's Tweet: https://twitter.com/CFRAOttawa/status/690201362638991361?s=09

[YOWflier]

Originally Posted by nortey35

It is definitely true. This has been in the works since the summer. I am surprised it took this long for something to appear in the media. I believe it should be around 70 engineers with plans to grow up to 100 (source: Apple hiring manager).
I am mostly excited about the role Ottawa will be playing in the automated/driver-less cars industry. Maybe Google might try to come next ?

Thanks for the info. These types of developments tend to catalyze others, so I wouldn't be surprised to see the competition (Google, whoever) eventually make a similar move.

[rocketphish]

Preparations underway for new Westboro festival

by Craig Lord, OBJ
Published on January 20, 2016

It’s official: a new festival is coming to the streets of Westboro this spring.

The Westboro Village BIA has selected a festival proposal to replace Westfest, one that they hope will reflect the priorities that customers and members highlighted during their rebranding over the past year.

Aboriginal Experiences, Arts & Culture, the non-profit group behind the annual Summer Solstice festival, was chosen from a shortlist of three proposals submitted when the BIA put out its request in September.

Though the group has a decade of experience, working on the new project in Westboro represents a departure from previous events aimed at promoting Aboriginal artists and cultural education.

“I love thinking of new ways to engage people and learn more about our culture and a sense of community,” says Trina Mather-Simard, president and general manager of Aboriginal Experiences. “We’ve always enjoyed that festival aspect, being able to do and try new things to have people interact and engage. That’s what was really enticing to me about the RFP.”

The name and branding for the festival will come from the BIA’s first partner for the new endeavour, 50 Strategy and Creative – the same company that helped the WBIA with its recent rebrand.

“The relationship just makes sense for us to continue,” says Mary Thorne, executive director of the Westboro Village BIA. “They understand us. They will understand what the festival image should look like.”

Though plans are far from finalized, Ms. Thorne says she is excited about the possibilities. A main stage with headliners and a community stage for local talent are on the list, live culinary demonstrations, shows promoting active living, fashion, and maybe even a gospel choir.

“What our festival will reflect is what our customers told us. They have told us that we are dynamic, exciting, we are healthy, we are outdoor living, we are active, we are hip,” says Ms. Thorne.

The festival will take place June 10-12, one week after Westfest runs at its new location in Laroche Park. It is estimated the new festival will cost $100K; a savings of $25K from last year’s Westfest.

“We’re very anxious to see this event happen. We promised it to our community, and we’re going to deliver it,” says Ms. Thorne.

http://www.obj.ca/Local/2016-01-20/artic...ons-underway-for-new-Westboro-festival/1

[rocketphish]

Vanier BIA reveals design contest finalists for tiny streetside parks

by Haley Ritchie, OBJ
Published on January 21, 2016

Tiny funky parks and patios the size of parking spaces could soon be appearing in Ottawa streets – and the Quartier Vanier BIA wants them first.

“It’s a public space that contains elements of seating, shading, bike parking, games tables – it’s a reimagined parking space,” said Jamie Kwong, executive director of the BIA.

“Rather than one car being there, multiple people can use that space,” she said.

Residents in Vanier can vote for their preferred parklet design on Thursday at 135 Barrette St. and the BIA will then submit the application to the city.

City council approved the idea in September after looking at successful models in Seattle, San Francisco and Toronto.

The city is accepting applications until Feb. 15. If all goes well Ms. Kwong is hoping construction on a Vanier parklet would begin in April.

The five concept designs came from a partnership with Carleton University’s Azrieli architecture school.

The mock-ups show people relaxing and talking on colourful structures that incorporate seating. Ms. Kwong said the public spaces could also host artists and events.

“Each of the designs have their own strength and uniqueness,” said Ms. Kwong. “The community is asked to vote on which one they’d like to see.”

The application process is complex and has many strict requirements. Parklets cannot be placed in a lane that carries moving traffic – they can only be put in dedicated parking lanes.

Parklets also can’t be located too close to existing restaurant patios but require proximity to walking traffic and businesses. They also need to be able to be removed and stored during winter months.

The BIA is dedicating upwards of $20,000 towards the project, which will allow one parklet to be built on Beechwood Avenue in front of Arturo’s Italian restaurant.

Ms. Kwong said people shouldn’t be surprised something so trendy is coming to Vanier first.

“We’ve been the underdog of the city,” she said. “People subscribe to those easy misconceptions, but tomorrow we’re be blasting that away. We have so many great attributes in Vanier.”











http://www.obj.ca/Local/2016-01-21/artic...st-finalists-for-tiny-streetside-parks/1

[rocketphish]

Interesting focus on Vanier and the residents in Vanier in this article, given that the proposed location of the "parklet" isn't in Vanier (though it is within the boundaries of the Vanier BIA). Do they not think that the residents of New Edinburgh, Lindenlea and Rockcliffe might want a say in this?

[rocketphish]

Hintonburg study envisions a neighbourhood utopia on Armstrong
An Armstrong Street of the future could have it all: space for bikes and pedestrians, boutiques and cafes and affordable living, according to a new study.

By: Emma Jackson
Metro, Published on Wed Jan 20 2016

Picture Armstrong Street in Hintonburg: its narrow sidewalks, empty lots, crumbling buildings and sporadic infill.

Now imagine, instead, Armstrong remade into a bustling avenue, where cyclists, pedestrians and drivers vie for room amid planters and benches, and small businesses thrive in an affordable residential community.

Four McGill University students have done just that.

The urban planning graduate students worked with the Wellington West BIA and Kitchissippi Coun. Jeff Leiper last fall to assess Armstrong’s strengths and weaknesses and host an open house for residents.

The study comes on the heels of zoning changes the city implemented last year, which rezoned a handful of properties on and around Armstrong to make way for small businesses like pizza joints, cafes and boutiques.

But Leiper convinced the planning committee at the time to hold off on the changes until the community could develop a greater vision for the street.

The new student report is a “conversation starter” in that process, Leiper said.

He still wants to host more public consultations starting in April, and plans to bring a complete community vision to planning committee by September.

This early work makes three recommendations.

First, that the city should turn Armstrong into a “shared street” that would bury hydro lines, prioritize sustainable transportation and reduce speeds to 10 km/h for everyone. The European concept nixes sidewalks and cycle tracks in favour of a transit free-for-all among benches, trees and planters.

“You would have to go slowly because there are so many things on the road,” said study co-author Joshua Adams.

That would create foot traffic to support the study’s other recommendations, which suggest expanding small-scale commercial allowances if the initial rezoning goes well, and offering a rent subsidy for start-ups through the BIA.

The study also encourages developing on the many empty lots along the strip. If developers agreed to bury parking, they could get an extra storey above ground, the authors suggested.

BIA director Zach Dayler said his group is “pursuing that idea of incubator space” but it remains to be seen if the study’s recommendations jive with community sentiment.

“Obviously they need to be consulted way more widely,” Dayler said.

http://www.metronews.ca/news/ottawa/2016/01/20/hintonburg-study-sees-transformed-street.html

[Boxster]

The NCC staff look likes — holes on this one!

http://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news...uglas-cardinal-designed-embassy-addition

Work will begin this spring on a Douglas Cardinal-designed Grand Hall that will add some “sparkle” to the controversial Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Sussex Drive.

The National Capital Commission gave its approval this week to the glass-and-stone structure with its ‘Arabasque geometries.’ The addition will be built on the north side of the embassy, atop an existing parking ramp, and will be entirely contained within the embassy’s security wall.

The imposing, bunker-like embassy at the corner of Sussex Drive and Boteler Street has been a lightning rod for controversy since the NCC first sold the land to the Saudis in 1978 for $900,000. Work on the $25-million structure didn’t begin until 1998 and it wasn’t until 2005 — after a two-year halt on construction caused by strained diplomatic relations between Canada and Saudi Arabia — that the embassy officially opened.

The NCC’s approval this week for the Grand Hall came despite a dispute in which the Saudis began construction for security upgrades without bothering to get the required OK from the NCC, which has the final say on changes to the building’s external appearance. In May 2014, the NCC retroactively approved the upgrades figuring the work was already so far along and a stop-work order would have left the site in a mess.

Although the Grand Hall addition will project beyond the 15-metre setback set out in the 1998 design guidelines, NCC consultants concluded the design “would provide a welcome animation or ‘sparkle’ along Sussex Drive.”

The Grand Hall gives the embassy a public meeting space, which it lacks, and will include a kitchen, lobby, washrooms and extra office and storage space.