Centre Slush Puppie [500 de la Cité, Gatineau] | 4000 seat arena | Completed

[J.OT13]

I kind of like it. Nice, clean and simple.

Drove though the area yesterday. The place really feels like a small downtown with a two low-rise office buildings anchoring one end and the mid-rise Federal office tower on the other end, about two dozen condo buildings between roughly 3 to 12 floors, including retail space fronting the main street, the French language Cinema 9, Cégep Félix-Leclaire campus, a large sports complex, the library and performance hall (set to be expanded).

Add to that a Market-esque area proposed to the north and a hotel/convention complex (this proposal has interesting architecture) proposed closer to the Federal offices and Archives Building. I believe the Feds are also planning on building another archives building next door to the current.

The main street was beautifully done by the City with nice paving stones, colourful cross walks, lush, healthy trees all along. And all of this is served by a very large and impressive Rapibus Station.

Honestly, I wish Ottawa could do something like this, and/or Agora in Le Plateau, near O-Train Stations in Orleans, Riverside South (eventually Kanata and Barrhaven). The Centrums are a good start, but build on them.