LeBreton Flats 2.0 (RendezVous LeBreton) | Cancelled

[waterloowarrior]

https://twitter.com/CBCOttawa/status/560649187788734464
6m6 minutes ago
Sources tell CBC News as many as four of the five bids to redevelop LeBreton Flats include a new library. Details at 11 on #cbcott #ottnews

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by waterloowarrior

https://twitter.com/CBCOttawa/status/560649187788734464
6m6 minutes ago
Sources tell CBC News as many as four of the five bids to redevelop LeBreton Flats include a new library. Details at 11 on #cbcott #ottnews

Science and Tech was out and only one bid could be for an NHL arena, so everyone else opted for the Library. How exciting.

[Urbanarchit]

Originally Posted by waterloowarrior

https://twitter.com/CBCOttawa/status/560649187788734464
6m6 minutes ago
Sources tell CBC News as many as four of the five bids to redevelop LeBreton Flats include a new library. Details at 11 on #cbcott #ottnews

I would kind of prefer the library be on Lyon or that large lot on Kent, but we'll see what the proposal is.

[TheGoods]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Science and Tech was out and only one bid could be for an NHL arena, so everyone else opted for the Library. How exciting.

Agreed, a Library, kinda boring and not really thinking outside the box. For the arena, I would also bet that there is a casino included with the bid.

[McC]

Also, we don't need to free ride on federal land for our Central Library, there's plenty of available City-owned land in the central area (including in the Flats themselves, if that's the best spot).

[phil235]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Science and Tech was out and only one bid could be for an NHL arena, so everyone else opted for the Library. How exciting.

It could be exciting. If the proposals are for something more involved than a city library, like the Grande Bibliotheque in Montreal, I could see that qualifying as an important public institution.

[Beedok]

I'd be more likely to visit a library than a stadium.

[adam-machiavelli]

Library, arena, and science & tech museum all on site with condos above. Now I've made everyone happy.

[silvergate]

Originally Posted by adam-machiavelli

Library, arena, and science & tech museum all on site with condos above. Now I've made everyone happy.

A library of science books that you skate through?

[cr872190]

Originally Posted by silvergate

a library of science books that you skate through?

approved.

[monkeybongo]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Science and Tech was out and only one bid could be for an NHL arena, so everyone else opted for the Library. How exciting.

I'm not sure there's a need for a landmark library there, it's not going to attract anyone to go there. I'm in the main library a few times during the weekday and it's not that busy even with the great location. I'd say the majority of people are there for the free wifi, computer access, and DVDs.

[Norman Bates]

Libraries are about as relevant as a typewriter.

I say this having spent a large part of my life in libraries. One of the most moving moments I've ever had was to visit the nyc library in Manhattan. But it doesn't change what the Internet and Google have done to that model of information sharing.

Now, building a National Portrait Gallery along with an arena, etc. would be inspired thinking.

[d-Rockstar]

A library does sound boring at first glance, but I want to wait to see the designs before I comment. I doubt the library would be the whole proposal, but an inclusion for one wouldn't be the most horrible thing. Especially with the Chaudiere re-development next door. I feel they really do have the chance to do something special for this area of the city.

I searched Cool Library designs, I wouldn't mind something that sticks out and makes Ottawa Beautiful. Dare I say a world-class building?



http://www.lipstickalley.com/showthread.php/739783-7-of-the-world-s-most-beautiful-libraries

[Fraser]

I heard that former Planning Committee Chair and City Councillor Peter Hume began working for the Ottawa Senators following his retirement from the City. Perhaps he's involved in planning the Senators' submission? If he is, it's reasonable to assume there's a library involved - especially when you consider how often the Mayor's Office and the Ottawa Senators have met over the last few months, and it was one of the Mayor's election promises. While different levels of government, it certainly helps if the City is in the Senators' corner and willing to put money behind it if there's a City facility tied to the project.

Could be a pretty substantial multi-purpose/faceted submission.

[m0nkyman]

Who wants to bet that at least one of the proposals includes an aquarium.

[Beedok]

Originally Posted by Norman Bates

Libraries are about as relevant as a typewriter.

I say this having spent a large part of my life in libraries. One of the most moving moments I've ever had was to visit the nyc library in Manhattan. But it doesn't change what the Internet and Google have done to that model of information sharing.

Now, building a National Portrait Gallery along with an arena, etc. would be inspired thinking.

You would think that, but if you try to actually do research you'll find the internet is surprisingly useless on many fronts and the library has very useful info.

[McC]

There are also thousands of people in the city who don't have Internet access at home or work.

[McC]

As them Internet becomes more and more important for accessing public services, access to the Internet itself becomes an important public service.

[acottawa]

It is hard to tell without seeing plans, but I think the challenge with a library at Lebreton is that the library has to be in a draw in its own right, people (for the most part) won't be "in the area anyway" or "popping in after work" like they might be downtown or someplace central like shopping mall. People have to make a conscious effort to get on transit, or drive there and pay for parking to go to the central library.

I certainly think that's possible that probably means paying extra for good architecture (not a common practice in ottawa) and creating lots of spaces for other activities (also adding to the cost). They cancelled the last project because a credit union wanted more than the land budget council had allocated. Hard to see a lot of willingness to pay to make it an attraction, even if they get free land from a lebreton developer.

[HighwayStar]

Originally Posted by McC

There are also thousands of people in the city who don't have Internet access at home or work.

Not to minimize the issue, but if that is the main driver, there has to be a cheaper solution than a $100m library to provide that necessary service....