Building LeBreton Flats - Master Planning

[Uhuniau]

Originally Posted by Richard Eade

Yes, I thought that the 'beach' around the clock tower in Montreal was a great idea. Montreal seems to have picked up some of the European thinking of providing public facilities for its population, even in smaller, unexpected, places.

The City of Ottawa seems to think that the NCC is responsible for public spaces, so the City tries to maximize property tax revenue from every inch of land that it can.

Unfortunately, it is also an article of faith amongst the Ottawa population that grass is "vibrant" and that human activity and commerce other than genteel cycling and jogging are Bad Things that should not be allowed in our precious vibrant grass places.

Things ARE changing... but slowly.

[Uhuniau]

Originally Posted by originalmuffins

Glad many of us agree that Lebreton has huge potential for waterfront. Zibi started to show that, I am just hoping the new Lebreton potential plan can prove Ottawa is more of a waterfront city than it seems now. A boardwalk would be excellent, even during the non-summer months.

It has a huge potential, sure, but the NCC's vision is still far too suburban and prettyist.

[rocketphish]

Ottawa Senators could be a step closer to a LeBreton Flats arena on Thursday

Bruce Garrioch, Ottawa Citizen
Jun 21, 2022 • 1 hour ago • 4 minute read

The dream of a downtown arena for the Ottawa Senators could become closer to reality on Thursday.

The National Capital Commission’s board of directors will gather Wednesday for a private session. Then, 30 minutes is to set aside for an update on the LeBreton Flats project which is on the public agenda Thursday. At that time, a deal with a preferred bidder for a major events centre is expected to be announced.

NCC staff stated at its last meeting April 7 it was close to beginning negotiations with a preferred bidder and hoped to get a deal in place by this meeting. It appears the NCC is ready to make the next step in what’s been a long process.

It wouldn’t be a shocker if the Senators have been selected for the preferred bidder status because a bid by the club would make the most sense.

If all goes well then the NCC would like to have a finalized lease for the land in place by January, 2023.

The public portion of the meeting is scheduled to take place 9 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. at the NCC’s head office located on Elgin Street. The LeBreton Flats update is set to begin at 11:15 a.m. and is available to watch online.

If you’re wondering why nobody has confirmed or leaked this news, that would have been dangerous. None of the bidders at LeBreton can say anything publicly because they face expulsion, so the Senators need to tread carefully.

“Proponents are not permitted to make any public announcements, comments or media releases, including creating content on social media, pertaining to the details of their submissions as part of the REI process,” the NCC said in the fine print of its “Building LeBreton” document. “Contravention of this provision is grounds for disqualification, at the sole discretion of the NCC.”

It’s believed one of Senators owner Eugene Melnyk’s final acts before he passed away March 28 was to sign off on a proposal for a downtown rink at the Feb. 28 deadline for an expression of interest.

While the NCC stated in April it had “multiple” expressions of interest for a major events centre on the land located on the edge of downtown Ottawa, a bid from the Senators is the only one that makes sense, with the NHL team to be the main tenant.

Though the Senators have been told not to say anything publicly, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman all but confirmed Ottawa’s bid while meeting with reporters before Game 1 of the Stanley Cup final between the Colorado Avalanche and Tampa Bay Lightning last week in Denver.

Bettman said the Senators have investigated a downtown rink, and that’s the closest anyone has come to saying anything publicly.

“I know that the Senators are involved in a process, and an attempt, to see what the opportunity might be for a new arena at LeBreton Flats,” Bettman added.

After Melnyk’s partnership with Trinity’s John Ruddy fell apart and ended up with the two parties suing each other, the Senators aren’t likely to go down that road again.

Yes, the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group and the Senators teamed up on a bid for the 2022 IIHF world junior championship, but this is a completely different set of circumstances.

Possibly, this time Melnyk aligned himself with more powerful partners who are used to making these kinds of deals. If the Senators hadn’t at least made “an expression of interest” in February, then the door would have closed completely.

We believe Melnyk and his new group of backers dipped their toes into the water to see what the NCC’s thought process is on this. If they didn’t, then the door would be slammed shut and Melnyk noted to Postmedia in December he was “always interested” in an opportunity at LeBreton.

It was made clear during the public consultations by the NCC in 2019 that people wanted a downtown arena at LeBreton Flats.

“The most frequently cited examples of a potential major attraction were a new hockey arena or major event centre,” the NCC said in its LeBreton Flats Master concept plan in 2019. “While there is not unanimous support for such a facility, it was the most frequently discussed topic.”

It will be up to Melnyk’s daughters, Anna and Olivia, to decide whether they want to keep the franchise in the family or sell it. They’ve made no decision on what route they plan to take, but having a lease in place would only strengthen the value of the franchise.

There’s been no indication that Anna and Olivia plan to sell the franchise and it’s been business as usual at the Canadian Tire Centre with Anthony LeBlanc, the clubs president of business operations, chief financial officer Erin Crowe and general manager Pierre Dorion reporting to a three-person board of directors put in place by Melnyk.

Of course, that’s the case because we feel like we’ve been talking about a downtown arena since the Senators returned to the ice in 1992.

And, the NCC has a chance to give the people what they want: an opportunity to take Mayor Jim Watson’s Light Rail Transit line (if it’s working that night) to a downtown arena so they can see the Senators take on the Toronto Maple Leafs in the Battle of Ontario.

[email protected]
Twitter: @sungarrioch

https://ottawacitizen.com/sports/hoc...e-0993d25dbcbe

[DTcrawler]

Originally Posted by rocketphish

Ottawa Senators could be a step closer to a LeBreton Flats arena on Thursday

Bruce Garrioch, Ottawa Citizen
Jun 21, 2022 • 1 hour ago • 4 minute read

The dream of a downtown arena for the Ottawa Senators could become closer to reality on Thursday.

The National Capital Commission’s board of directors will gather Wednesday for a private session. Then, 30 minutes is to set aside for an update on the LeBreton Flats project which is on the public agenda Thursday. At that time, a deal with a preferred bidder for a major events centre is expected to be announced.

NCC staff stated at its last meeting April 7 it was close to beginning negotiations with a preferred bidder and hoped to get a deal in place by this meeting. It appears the NCC is ready to make the next step in what’s been a long process.

It wouldn’t be a shocker if the Senators have been selected for the preferred bidder status because a bid by the club would make the most sense.

If all goes well then the NCC would like to have a finalized lease for the land in place by January, 2023.

The public portion of the meeting is scheduled to take place 9 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. at the NCC’s head office located on Elgin Street. The LeBreton Flats update is set to begin at 11:15 a.m. and is available to watch online.

If you’re wondering why nobody has confirmed or leaked this news, that would have been dangerous. None of the bidders at LeBreton can say anything publicly because they face expulsion, so the Senators need to tread carefully.

“Proponents are not permitted to make any public announcements, comments or media releases, including creating content on social media, pertaining to the details of their submissions as part of the REI process,” the NCC said in the fine print of its “Building LeBreton” document. “Contravention of this provision is grounds for disqualification, at the sole discretion of the NCC.”

It’s believed one of Senators owner Eugene Melnyk’s final acts before he passed away March 28 was to sign off on a proposal for a downtown rink at the Feb. 28 deadline for an expression of interest.

While the NCC stated in April it had “multiple” expressions of interest for a major events centre on the land located on the edge of downtown Ottawa, a bid from the Senators is the only one that makes sense, with the NHL team to be the main tenant.

Though the Senators have been told not to say anything publicly, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman all but confirmed Ottawa’s bid while meeting with reporters before Game 1 of the Stanley Cup final between the Colorado Avalanche and Tampa Bay Lightning last week in Denver.

Bettman said the Senators have investigated a downtown rink, and that’s the closest anyone has come to saying anything publicly.

“I know that the Senators are involved in a process, and an attempt, to see what the opportunity might be for a new arena at LeBreton Flats,” Bettman added.

After Melnyk’s partnership with Trinity’s John Ruddy fell apart and ended up with the two parties suing each other, the Senators aren’t likely to go down that road again.

Yes, the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group and the Senators teamed up on a bid for the 2022 IIHF world junior championship, but this is a completely different set of circumstances.

Possibly, this time Melnyk aligned himself with more powerful partners who are used to making these kinds of deals. If the Senators hadn’t at least made “an expression of interest” in February, then the door would have closed completely.

We believe Melnyk and his new group of backers dipped their toes into the water to see what the NCC’s thought process is on this. If they didn’t, then the door would be slammed shut and Melnyk noted to Postmedia in December he was “always interested” in an opportunity at LeBreton.

It was made clear during the public consultations by the NCC in 2019 that people wanted a downtown arena at LeBreton Flats.

“The most frequently cited examples of a potential major attraction were a new hockey arena or major event centre,” the NCC said in its LeBreton Flats Master concept plan in 2019. “While there is not unanimous support for such a facility, it was the most frequently discussed topic.”

It will be up to Melnyk’s daughters, Anna and Olivia, to decide whether they want to keep the franchise in the family or sell it. They’ve made no decision on what route they plan to take, but having a lease in place would only strengthen the value of the franchise.

There’s been no indication that Anna and Olivia plan to sell the franchise and it’s been business as usual at the Canadian Tire Centre with Anthony LeBlanc, the clubs president of business operations, chief financial officer Erin Crowe and general manager Pierre Dorion reporting to a three-person board of directors put in place by Melnyk.

Of course, that’s the case because we feel like we’ve been talking about a downtown arena since the Senators returned to the ice in 1992.

And, the NCC has a chance to give the people what they want: an opportunity to take Mayor Jim Watson’s Light Rail Transit line (if it’s working that night) to a downtown arena so they can see the Senators take on the Toronto Maple Leafs in the Battle of Ontario.

[email protected]
Twitter: @sungarrioch

https://ottawacitizen.com/sports/hoc...e-0993d25dbcbe

So nervous for Thursday’s announcement that I feel physically ill…

I am confident, though, because it almost seems like a no-brainer. Going through this whole REI process only to choose something like an aquarium would be a huge letdown, even by NCC standards.

As long as the Sens did their part by submitting a bid, I am hopeful (desperate?) that the NCC does the right thing.

[originalmuffins]

Originally Posted by DTcrawler

So nervous for Thursday’s announcement that I feel physically ill…

I am confident, though, because it almost seems like a no-brainer. Going through this whole REI process only to choose something like an aquarium would be a huge letdown, even by NCC standards.

As long as the Sens did their part by submitting a bid, I am hopeful (desperate?) that the NCC does the right thing.

I think most of us agree that the priority is the Sens arena but the inclusion of an aquarium at LeBreton flats in addition to the Arena would definitely be a very good thing to have. It's the perfect location for one.

[bartlebooth]

Originally Posted by DTcrawler

So nervous for Thursday’s announcement that I feel physically ill…

I am confident, though, because it almost seems like a no-brainer. Going through this whole REI process only to choose something like an aquarium would be a huge letdown, even by NCC standards.

As long as the Sens did their part by submitting a bid, I am hopeful (desperate?) that the NCC does the right thing.

I think we should expect the Sens to get the bid. The only way they don't is if they didn't submit as you say. I'm pretty sure the NCC wants the Sens at LeBreton.

[daud]

Originally Posted by bartlebooth

I think we should expect the Sens to get the bid. The only way they don't is if they didn't submit as you say. I'm pretty sure the NCC wants the Sens at LeBreton.

I was at a business event talking about this subject with a group of people, one of whom has some knowledge through his line of work. He did not tip his hat but laughed quite heartily and knowingly. Asked whether he knew something or not he simply replied "I'm not saying anything" asked again, and there was the same response and same confident chuckle. My read of him says he knows the sens got it and may also know the partner bidding. Thursday we'll find out and I'll find out if I can read the room or not!

[DTcrawler]

Originally Posted by originalmuffins

I think most of us agree that the priority is the Sens arena but the inclusion of an aquarium at LeBreton flats in addition to the Arena would definitely be a very good thing to have. It's the perfect location for one.

Agreed, I think that the arena should be the focal point of the parcel but for it to be a “world class” entertainment district like the NCC sought when they launched the REI process, you need more than either an arena or an aquarium alone. Space is obviously a factor, but an arena, an aquarium, and a Rec Room would be a game changer for Ottawa, even if that’d hardly be considered “world class” in most cities.

[AuxTown]

I'm super excited for Thursday. Secretly I hope this is the reason that Trinity has backed off their Bayview project. I hope there is plans for an "Ice District" type development right adjacent to the LRT station. It only makes sense for it to be as close as possible to the intersection of our two rapid transit lines. Does anyone know if we are going to see renderings or proposals on Thursday?

[Harley613]

Be careful getting excited. This is Ottawa. They might be announcing 5 Roderick Lahey 27 story towers with a Monument to the Victims of Narcissism monument in the middle of them and slap 'World Class' on it all and be done with it.

[originalmuffins]

Originally Posted by DTcrawler

Agreed, I think that the arena should be the focal point of the parcel but for it to be a “world class” entertainment district like the NCC sought when they launched the REI process, you need more than either an arena or an aquarium alone. Space is obviously a factor, but an arena, an aquarium, and a Rec Room would be a game changer for Ottawa, even if that’d hardly be considered “world class” in most cities.

Absolutely! I wholeheartedly agree. If they can reclassify some of that giant parkland to include an aquarium and a Rec Room on the western portion of Lebreton then we would actually create a "world class" entertainment district. Yeah sure, it's not going to be amazing compared to NYC, Toronto, or such but that's exactly what this area needs.

I am really hoping they reconsider that park area and try to make a deal with Ripley's Aquarium to come in. I know it seems like some of us are hung up on an aquarium or Rec Room idea - but Lebreton cannot just be a district for the arena, there is so much that we can incorporate and ensure it keeps our downtown area fresh and lively. Besides, the location is perfect for patrons coming from the Gatineau side too especially with TWO LRT stations smack dab in the area.

[originalmuffins]

Originally Posted by AuxTown

I'm super excited for Thursday. Secretly I hope this is the reason that Trinity has backed off their Bayview project. I hope there is plans for an "Ice District" type development right adjacent to the LRT station. It only makes sense for it to be as close as possible to the intersection of our two rapid transit lines. Does anyone know if we are going to see renderings or proposals on Thursday?

I would prefer Trinity doesn't get any district here because they've been shown to be way over in their head. I would even say I hope they sell their remaining equity in 900 Albert to a large Canadian developer who will put shovels into the ground tomorrow to get that proposal built. They already sold their Gladstone project too lol.

[SL123]

For anyone interested in watching the Board Meeting. The part about LeBreton is slated for 11am ish...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEVx-hn013g

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by originalmuffins

Absolutely! I wholeheartedly agree. If they can reclassify some of that giant parkland to include an aquarium and a Rec Room on the western portion of Lebreton then we would actually create a "world class" entertainment district. Yeah sure, it's not going to be amazing compared to NYC, Toronto, or such but that's exactly what this area needs.

I am really hoping they reconsider that park area and try to make a deal with Ripley's Aquarium to come in. I know it seems like some of us are hung up on an aquarium or Rec Room idea - but Lebreton cannot just be a district for the arena, there is so much that we can incorporate and ensure it keeps our downtown area fresh and lively. Besides, the location is perfect for patrons coming from the Gatineau side too especially with TWO LRT stations smack dab in the area.

Yup, not sure what the excitement is around an aquarium. A Rec Room, sure. An aquarium, meh. I feel like locals have been calling for an aquarium for 20+ years, ever since it was proposed for the Daly Building site.

[J.OT13]

Quite a exaggerated take on the O-Train's issues, but otherwise a decent article. B

GARRIOCH: We're about to find out if Senators' future will likely be at LeBreton Flats
"The National Capital Commission's board of directors

"The National Capital Commission's board of directors will meet Thursday and the group is expected to announce an agreement in principle with the preferred bidder."

Bruce Garrioch, Ottawa Citizen/Sun
Jun 22, 2022

We’ll find out Thursday if the Ottawa Senators will get their own Field of Dreams to build a new arena at LeBreton Flats.

As reported by Postmedia Wednesday, the National Capital Commission’s board of directors will meet Thursday and the group is expected to announce an agreement in principle with the preferred bidder for a major events centre at LeBreton.

Though the groups involved are sworn to secrecy, it’s believed one of Eugene Melnyk’s final acts before he passed away March 28 was to sign off on a proposal for a new rink at LeBreton Flats, and we’re expecting to hear Thursday if the selected bidder has reached an agreement in principle.

It only makes sense that the Senators are considered the front-runner.

The NCC invited parties to make an expression of interest for two pieces of land on the site with a deadline of Feb. 28. The first site was for six acres near Albert Street that’s been set aside for a “major events centre” and the other was 1.2 acres near the Ottawa River.

The NCC told its board during a meeting April 7 it had “multiple bids” and, at that time, planned to enter negotiations with one group within a couple of weeks. The Senators have the main tenant for an events centre.

“The NCC is pleased to have received multiple responses to its request for expressions of interest (REI) for major attractions at two sites at LeBreton Flats,” the NCC said in a release following the board meeting in April.

“Over the coming months, the NCC will work to finalize its evaluation and due diligence process, as well as advance negotiations with potential proponents. Following the signing of a letter of intent with the preferred proponent(s) and a board of directors update in June, the NCC will work to negotiate the lease, a process that could take until the end of 2022.”

A downtown arena would be a game-changer for the Senators organization and the city.

Anna and Olivia Melnyk, the club’s owners, haven’t decided whether they’re going to keep the team after their father’s untimely passing, but haven’t made any steps in entertaining a sale, either.

Melnyk entered a joint bid with Trinity’s John Ruddy in 2015 to develop the 50 acres located just 10 minutes west of Parliament Hill. They won the right to build in 2016, but couldn’t come to an agreement as partners to get a lease in place for RendezVous LeBreton.

In 2018, after the partnership was dissolved, Melnyk sued Ruddy for $700 million in damages and he countersued for $1 billion. The lawsuit is still before the courts.

A decision by the NCC to award the preferred bidder status to the Senators and powerful partners they’ve aligned themselves with would give the organization what it needs to take the next step in the long, winding road to a downtown rink.

While people have tried to connect the Senators with the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group as part of bid, we’re told that’s not going to be the case this time around. The involvement of OSEG is nothing more than non-sensical speculation.

Sure, OSEG was invited to bid for the 2022 IIHF world junior championship with the Senators, but it would make zero sense to have a group that you’re in a legal fight with as part of this bid.

This events centre will have to be big enough to not only host hockey games, but also major concerts. This would be a good way to get people back downtown because it doesn’t appear employees of the federal government will return to work on a full-time basis any time soon.

Speaking with a couple of local developers I know in the last couple of days, they feel the only choice the NCC has is to lease the land to a group that includes the Senators. You need to have a major tenant in place and something is needed to revitalize the downtown now.

While Light Rail Transit was supposed to be Mayor Jim Watson’s legacy project, it’s turned out to be a complete disaster. It’s unreliable, never on time and has been shut down for lengthy periods of time

Perhaps a downtown arena can restore people’s faith in our terrible transit system and maybe save Watson some of the embarrassment of this project’s failed past.

“This would put the wind in the sails of the LRT because people would use it to get down there to go to games because there won’t be much in the way of parking,” said Ottawa-based developer Salem MacDonald of Sage Core Assets Wednesday. “People are creatures of habit and you’ve got to do something to get the ridership up.

“To have light rail there, and people using it, would be great for the city. This would help to get people back downtown.”

MacDonald couldn’t be more correct and he wouldn’t get any argument from the brass at the Senators’ office at the Canadian Tire Centre.

Senators president of business operations Anthony LeBlanc has been tight-lipped about any bid because of the secrecy surrounding the process.

https://ottawasun.com/sports/hockey/...lebreton-flats

[OTSkyline]

A Rec Room wouldn't even need dedicated land space if it can be integrated into a large podium with residential on top. An aquarium on the other hand would probably need it's own separate space.

But yes, I do hope that we'll see more unique attractions or proposals rather than just filing all the space with commercial & residential.

[lrt's friend]

“To have light rail there, and people using it, would be great for the city. This would help to get people back downtown.”

Based on the current definition of downtown, I don't see downtown benefiting much from the arena. Assuming that a restaurant and bar district will develop on the flats, there will be little incentive to go further into current downtown before or after a game.

It would be different if public servants returned to downtown towers who may patronize downtown businesses before a game, but is this really in the cards?

[originalmuffins]

Originally Posted by lrt's friend

Based on the current definition of downtown, I don't see downtown benefiting much from the arena. Assuming that a restaurant and bar district will develop on the flats, there will be little incentive to go further into current downtown before or after a game.

It would be different if public servants returned to downtown towers who may patronize downtown businesses before a game, but is this really in the cards?

I think what most people mean by getting people downtown is that this would redefine our downtown's boundaries and create an area that everyone will want to go to year round. Similar to how Westboro has become a new hotspot - sure it wouldn't bring people to the business districts around Metcalfe/Slater/Queen, but that's not what we can do for those areas.

[originalmuffins]

Originally Posted by OTSkyline

A Rec Room wouldn't even need dedicated land space if it can be integrated into a large podium with residential on top. An aquarium on the other hand would probably need it's own separate space.

But yes, I do hope that we'll see more unique attractions or proposals rather than just filing all the space with commercial & residential.

It probably would, but that's why I mentioned it would be great if they redefined some of the "Parks District" which is half the proposal and green wasteland that isn't needed especially when we consider that there already is a Lebreton Flats Park right there. To me, it's a great commodity that most major cities have and it's a great spot for it. Either way, I am glad that most of us agree it needs incorporate more unique attractions in the area.

[OTSkyline]

Just in! They've signed with capital sports development which includes the sens group!

Includes major events centre / new arena. Group is backed by LIVE NATION and other major players with a breadth of experience. Presentation includes a preliminary render (round, lots of glass, etc). Once presentation is posted, can link the picture.