With LeBreton Flats vision, NCC has taken a worrisome turn
John Baird & John Manley
Updated: August 30, 2019
Three years ago on these pages, we shared our views on the best approach to developing LeBreton Flats. We stressed this endeavour should not be seen as a run-of-the-mill National Capital Commission project. It will be a legacy of the national government for all Canadians. This has to be about more than building yet another urban community or adding thousands of condos that may take decades to sell and construct.
At the time, we suggested combining the best of the two proposals the NCC was then considering. For reasons unknown, they opted not to heed our advice.
Fortunately, recent events – notably the collapse of the RendezVous LeBreton partnership – provide an opportunity to rethink the development of this unique urban space.
LeBreton comprises some 85 hectares (210 acres) of public land in Canada’s capital – the sole remaining vacant space proximate to the parliamentary precinct. Properly developed, it holds the potential to be like Central Park in New York or Mont Royal in Montreal. All Canadians, not just local residents, have a stake in the land and opportunity.
To get LeBreton right, we first need a comprehensive vision. The NCC is clearly of the view that there should be a residential community on LeBreton Flats. We totally disagree. The NCC says there will be some public space, but won’t say how much. Our view – that LeBreton should be primarily a public space – does not appear to be an option.
The NCC has initiated a process, and just recently hired a Calgary firm, to develop what it calls a “Master Concept Plan.” That is a welcome step. However, in its terms of reference for the project, the NCC stipulates the Master Concept Plan must “build on” an existing plan agreed to in 1997, which was itself based on an approach developed by consultants in 1989.
We have three concerns about the direction the NCC is taking. First, urban planning has evolved considerably over the past 30 years, as have Canadians’ views about the best use of scarce urban green space. Our vision for LeBreton shouldn’t be stuck in the past.
Second, the 1997 plan was dominated by residential and commercial properties. Are there office towers in Central Park? Condos on Mont Royal? An arena in London’s Hyde Park? We do not see office towers and condos as essential considerations in any vision for a potentially majestic destination. This is public land that should be dedicated to the shared interests of all Canadians, not restricted for the few to enjoy. It should be a showcase of the very best of Canada, attracting visitors from across the country and abroad.
Make no mistake: we understand that economic reality requires some private participation in the development of LeBreton. But the overarching emphasis should be on the public nature of the space, publicly financed.
Third, during the development of the Master Concept Plan, the NCC intends to move ahead with plans for certain parts of the Flats. This, in our view, is a huge mistake. One sure way to get this wrong is to sell off bits and pieces to developers for individual projects. It must not happen.
So what should happen? Given the national significance of the project, the federal government should designate all, or almost all, of the Flats as a “National Interest Land Mass.” The NCC should then launch an international competition, inviting proposals from Canada’s and the world’s best urban planners and architects. A national project such as this deserves the best.
At the same time, the NCC should be making use of the knowledge and information gathered by the two bidders that made it to the final round of the last LeBreton redevelopment process. In preparing their multi-million-dollar proposals, both groups gained valuable insight into the constraints of the site and its commercial realities. It would be a shame if, moving forward, planners were not able to take advantage of that information.
In its 2014 “Requests for Qualifications” for LeBreton, and in its recent tender for an updated master plan, the NCC took the approach of an international competition. Surprisingly, however, interest from outside the country was low. This time, we need to make sure we attract the best ideas and submissions from around the world. An executive advisory group – composed of prominent Canadians with appropriate skills, experience and connections – should be created to assist the NCC in this effort and to evaluate the proposals in a public and transparent process.
As former elected representatives serving residents of the National Capital Region for several decades, from opposite sides of the political aisle, we believe the federal government has an obligation to find a path forward that will give Canadians pride and pleasure for decades to come.
Let’s not settle for less. Let’s get on with the difficult business of greatness.
John Manley is a former Liberal MP of Ottawa South (1988-2004) and John Baird is a former Conservative MP of Ottawa West-Nepean (2006-2015).
https://ottawacitizen.com/opinion/co...worrisome-turn
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mixed Conservatory/water park/spa with a major hotel attached. An oasis for the winter! A splash pool ++++
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