Zibi Ottawa Ontario | U/C

[J.OT13]

Earlier versions:

Originally Posted by LRTeverywhere

Been revised a bit further since that version;

[zzptichka]

Plans and renders from a couple of weeks ago (including those above): http://webcast.ottawa.ca/plan/All_Image%...ectural%20Plans%20-%20D02-02-22-0040.PDF

[Harley613]

It has lost a floor, now 22, and I'm all for it. So far the island has a great mixture of heights. I'd like to see an 18 floor and a 30 floor next.

[SidetrackedSue]

Originally Posted by SL123

I have a feeling that Zibi's success is strongly linked to the success of Lebreton. I dont see the island being able to attract a lot of retailers until Lebreton is built and links downtown to Zibi in some ways. .

Two years ago (I think) we went for a walk over there and even then the space felt like it could have real 'life' to it. I don't know if it is the water giving it the energy, or just the history of the place, but it felt unique and a place I'd like to visit more often, especially considering it was 90% possibility at that point.

I'm wondering if they could bring in container shops and street food vendors for the season to start creating buzz and give people a reason to come and feel the energy of the space. A permanent bike/x-country ski rental place would be great too.

It doesn't help residents get their permanent retail and restaurants but it will help create a buzz about the area. And without a positive energy, retail just won't ever show up (witness the exciting retail destination the Richmond Road Canyon is.)

[Harley613]

Mini Granville Island or Bust

[lrt's friend]

The lack of planned connectivity with downtown is disappointing and this is key in my opinion to make this a lively place, beyond some basic services to the local residents. This is potentially a gorgeous location because of the views, but basing business on only the local population will produce underwhelming results.

I have said it before, a downtown tram loop should cross here and not Portage bridge, to make it easy for people to get there without a significant walk from Pimisi Station. If a destination is more than a block with nothing interesting, most pedestrians will be deterred.

[Kelnoz]

Originally Posted by lrt's friend

I have said it before, a downtown tram loop should cross here and not Portage bridge, to make it easy for people to get there without a significant walk from Pimisi Station. If a destination is more than a block with nothing interesting, most pedestrians will be deterred.

Taking away the Portage stop to add a Zibi one is definitely a choice.

If the whole loop was being built at once it could be possible, but then you'd have to either close the bridge to cars or slow down the tram massively.

[YOWetal]

Originally Posted by SL123

I have a feeling that Zibi's success is strongly linked to the success of Lebreton. I dont see the island being able to attract a lot of retailers until Lebreton is built and links downtown to Zibi in some ways. They could probably get a coffee house and a bike repair shop in the meantime. Would love to be wrong, I'm a big fan of this project and I hope it becomes a destination but the zipline and 2 weeks of bluesfest isnt gonna be enough for restaurants to open.

It's much closer to downtown Hull. There is also a gap there but seems like an easier one to plug. Lebreton likely to focus more towards the LRT than Zibi.

[MarkR]

Originally Posted by SL123

I have a feeling that Zibi's success is strongly linked to the success of Lebreton. I dont see the island being able to attract a lot of retailers until Lebreton is built and links downtown to Zibi in some ways. They could probably get a coffee house and a bike repair shop in the meantime...

A few years before the pandemic the re-Cycles Community Bike Shop was approached by a Zibi rep about possibly relocating there.

But we were leery of:

1) the connections to downtown (keep in mind that none of the current links had yet been developed)
2) how long they'd keep the rent to something manageable for a small non-profit enterprise
3) how cold and desolate that location would feel during winter months (yes, bike shops don't do much winter business, but that's when re-Cycles works on all the donated bikes and gets them ready for the next season).

In the end, I'm sure they noted our hesitation, and I think also their priorities shifted for the final use of the building they were proposing for us.

[lrt's friend]

Originally Posted by Kelnoz

Taking away the Portage stop to add a Zibi one is definitely a choice.

If the whole loop was being built at once it could be possible, but then you'd have to either close the bridge to cars or slow down the tram massively.

When Zibi was being planned, did the city really consider a proper downtown connection? Obviously not.

Because it is on the provincial boundary, it is in no-man's land, and we know that Ottawa and Gatineau have never played well together regarding transit planning. They work in completely separate silos.

The other advantage of running the tram loop through Zibi is that it brings a Gatineau route within reasonable walking distance of a Lebreton arena.

But, our plans are all about 'cheapness' rather than facilitating the movement of people to places where they may want to go, now or in the future. We are perfectly willing to make masses of people transfer for one or two stops even if that could have been avoided with a little extra investment or better planning.

[J.OT13]

Moved some of the bridge discussion to the Interprovincial Bridge Crossing Discussion Thread. There was some overlap with the tram too, but I had to pick a lane.

https://skyscraperpage.com/forum/showthread.php?t=144112

[zzptichka]

[Coldrsx]

Great shot. It's fascinating to see this one come together and having toured it back mid-2010s, incredible to see the progress.

[SL123]

Great pic

[originalmuffins]

Great shot. I wonder if they're willing to work with Zibi on the other half of Victoria Island in the future. As the eastern half is definitely designated parkspace but the western half of the island is still undeveloped with some unconnected buildings (paper mill, hydroelectric plant, etc). If anyone could find developments that could connect that side of the island better but add in a community/better density; it would be Zibi. But they would have to play nice with whoever is nearby.

[J.OT13]

Zibi wants to extended it's permission to maintain a parking lot near the Portage Bridge.

A new agreement with the Cirque du Soleil is in place for 2024, 2026 and 2028

https://www.gatineau.ca/upload/avis_publics/20233319253_992773812_3__rue_eddy.pdf

[Spoonsy]

Originally Posted by zzptichka

echo the others on the great pic sentiment. definitely starting to notice this one more from preston/albert area now that those white panels are going up on the tower

[ponyboycurtis]

Originally Posted by originalmuffins

Great shot. I wonder if they're willing to work with Zibi on the other half of Victoria Island in the future. As the eastern half is definitely designated parkspace but the western half of the island is still undeveloped with some unconnected buildings (paper mill, hydroelectric plant, etc). If anyone could find developments that could connect that side of the island better but add in a community/better density; it would be Zibi. But they would have to play nice with whoever is nearby.

I really want to see something along the lines of Distillery District in Toronto. Which is a really great spot to access via streetcar BTW.

Walk from St. Lawrence market through the Esplanade to the Distillery district and then streetcar back. Remains to be seen how well LF will bridge the gap.

Imagine going from Preston st, aquaduct, Zibi with some type of distillery setup to finish your night off at Vieux-Hull. One can dream.

[J.OT13]

I'd like to see LeBreton Flats Park, at least the Booth frontage, redeveloped to rbidge the gap. Bluesfest could move to the new park or somewhere else in the vicinity.

[zzptichka]

The building has topped out btw.