Zibi (Domtar Lands Redevelopment) | U/C

[waterloowarrior]

CHAUDIERE DEVELOPMENT – STANDBY STATEMENT ISSUED BY WINDMILL DEVELOPMENTS
By Katie Paris
Posted in Blog, Press, Press Releases. Bookmark the permalink.
STATEMENT TO MEDIA
http://www.windmilldevelopments.com/...-developments/

On July 15th, Ottawa-based Windmill Development Group signed a letter of intent to purchase the Domtar site on the Chaudière Islands.

Windmill is in the process of undertaking due diligence before any sale can be completed. We are optimistic that we will be in a position to make a formal announcement related to this potential purchase and our vision for the site in early September. Until the sale of the land has been confirmed, Windmill will not be granting interviews to media.

Windmill Developments is currently studying the suitability of the site for a mixed-use sustainable community. Residents and concerned parties can rest assured that Windmill takes its responsibility related to this historic and symbolic extremely seriously. As with all of our projects, if we proceed we will be undertaking an extensive consultation process to ensure the views of interested parties are considered as part of our design process.

Our vision for the Chaudière Islands is to reinvent a historically rich, industrial space into a vibrant, world-class, sustainable, pedestrian-oriented, mixed-use development. Through historically sensitive redevelopment, the Chaudière region can be reanimated to bring new life and energy to this once bustling heart of industry. The harmonious integration of modern sustainable infrastructure into the heritage fabric of the Isles has the potential to provide the people of Ottawa and Gatineau with a new way to experience and appreciate the natural splendor of the Ottawa River.

About Windmill Developments

Windmill Developments is an Ottawa-based real estate development firm, with an unparalleled expertise in highly sustainable developments, with a particular focus on remediating brownfield sites. Windmill Developments is best known for their Dockside Green development in Victoria, BC. Dockside was one of 18 developments around the globe recognized by the Clinton Climate Initiative as being ‘Climate Positive’, and was called potentially the world’s greenest community by The Atlantic magazine. Windmill Developments is the only company in Canada with a completed portfolio of LEED Platinum mixed-use developments. Current projects include Cathedral Hill (www.cathedralhill.ca), The Eddy (www.theeddy.ca), Union Lofts (www.unionlofts.ca), and Whitewater Village (www.whitewatervillage.ca). For more information on Windmill Developments visit www.windmilldevelopments.com.


Map from the Citizen

Source: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/ot...609/story.html

OBJ Interview with a community organization interested in the redevelopment http://visionchaudiere.ca/
http://www.obj.ca/Real%20Estate/Non-...pment-vision/1

[Urbanarchit]

Originally Posted by waterloowarrior

CHAUDIERE DEVELOPMENT – STANDBY STATEMENT ISSUED BY WINDMILL DEVELOPMENTS
By Katie Paris
Posted in Blog, Press, Press Releases. Bookmark the permalink.
STATEMENT TO MEDIA
http://www.windmilldevelopments.com/...-developments/

On July 15th, Ottawa-based Windmill Development Group signed a letter of intent to purchase the Domtar site on the Chaudière Islands.

Windmill is in the process of undertaking due diligence before any sale can be completed. We are optimistic that we will be in a position to make a formal announcement related to this potential purchase and our vision for the site in early September. Until the sale of the land has been confirmed, Windmill will not be granting interviews to media.

Windmill Developments is currently studying the suitability of the site for a mixed-use sustainable community. Residents and concerned parties can rest assured that Windmill takes its responsibility related to this historic and symbolic extremely seriously. As with all of our projects, if we proceed we will be undertaking an extensive consultation process to ensure the views of interested parties are considered as part of our design process.

Our vision for the Chaudière Islands is to reinvent a historically rich, industrial space into a vibrant, world-class, sustainable, pedestrian-oriented, mixed-use development. Through historically sensitive redevelopment, the Chaudière region can be reanimated to bring new life and energy to this once bustling heart of industry. The harmonious integration of modern sustainable infrastructure into the heritage fabric of the Isles has the potential to provide the people of Ottawa and Gatineau with a new way to experience and appreciate the natural splendor of the Ottawa River.

About Windmill Developments

Windmill Developments is an Ottawa-based real estate development firm, with an unparalleled expertise in highly sustainable developments, with a particular focus on remediating brownfield sites. Windmill Developments is best known for their Dockside Green development in Victoria, BC. Dockside was one of 18 developments around the globe recognized by the Clinton Climate Initiative as being ‘Climate Positive’, and was called potentially the world’s greenest community by The Atlantic magazine. Windmill Developments is the only company in Canada with a completed portfolio of LEED Platinum mixed-use developments. Current projects include Cathedral Hill (www.cathedralhill.ca), The Eddy (www.theeddy.ca), Union Lofts (www.unionlofts.ca), and Whitewater Village (www.whitewatervillage.ca). For more information on Windmill Developments visit www.windmilldevelopments.com.


Map from the Citizen

Source: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/ot...609/story.html

OBJ Interview with a community organization interested in the redevelopment http://visionchaudiere.ca/
http://www.obj.ca/Real%20Estate/Non-...pment-vision/1

Why is this distribution of land so complicated!?

[citydwlr]

Nice! Thanks for creating this Thread @WaterlooWarrior! I was thinking about this the last few days since word spread of the Notice of Intent by the "mystery" bidder (now revealed as Windmill Developments).

Again, I'm pretty excited about this. Bryant, who's quoted in the Citizen article was part of the earlier team that envisioned what the Chaudière Falls could look like. He's got some earlier sketches on his Facebook page - Here are a few of the more interesting ones (these must have been done pre-3D rendering software was available):









Read/View more at Bryant's Facebook page.

* The first photo shows the proposed Aboriginal Centre on Victoria Island as well. This sort of falls in line with Douglas Cardinal's vision of the building as well (Still in the concept design phase). Unfortunately, it seems like the plan is to demolish the "tall" old building on that island to make way for the Aboriginal Centre, which I find a bit of a shame. It'd be nice if they could move it to the other side of the bridge...

** The other 3 photos show the concept for the rest of Chaudière Island, and eludes a bit to the mention of "Venice" with regard to the Gondola ride.

*** I should also note that Bryant is involved in Vision Chaudière.

UPDATE: The images above were actually done by R. Bohacek (his signature is on the last drawing) - though the drawings aren't on his site for some reason. Maybe Bryant worked on the same project (??)

[m0nkyman]

The is the best news of the year so far. If any developer in Canada was available, I would pick Windmill to do it, and I am so freaking excited that they're looking at it seriously. I'm not going to hold my breath, as this is still very tentative and depending on the amount of remediation needed, the willingness of the NCC and the native groups to play ball, and windmill's assessment of the economics of this project it could easily fall through, but I am gong to cross my fingers. We may actually get a usable waterfront!!!

[citydwlr]

Originally Posted by m0nkyman

...We may actually get a usable waterfront!!!

I'm looking forward to that too! But, as you said, nothing has been finalized yet and Windmill may decide to drop out.

BUT, if this does go through, it'll pretty much be an extension of the Destination Gatineau project. Assuming that project goes through as well, this could be an amazing waterfront for both cities.

Interestingly enough, according to the Destination Gatineau project, the Domtar lands are to be replaced by a newly developed/relocated Science and Technology museum. I'm not sure if that's something the City of Ottawa has talked about with Gatineau though. I can't see the Science and Tech museum moving over to Gatineau, personally...Besides, Windmill may have other plans for the Domtar site. We'll see...

[Jamaican-Phoenix]

Fingers crossed!

[J.OT13]

Does anyone know how much, if any, authority the NCC and Feds would have on the development if the land is owned by a private developer? Looking at the map, it seems they only have to deal with the municipal governments and build around a few random patches of Federal land.

[kevinbottawa]

Paddlers hope to turn Chaudière Falls into world-class venue

By Elizabeth Payne, OTTAWA CITIZEN July 31, 2013

OTTAWA — More than 150 years after Queen Victoria’s son rode a timber slide past Chaudière Falls (as did her grandson decades later), a group wants to bring water sports back to the area with plans for a world-class paddling park and even recreational rafting reminiscent of the area’s historic past.

Paddle Canada executive director Graham Ketcheson said his organization is part of a group with plans to create a paddle park that could host international competitions as well as becoming a centre for tourism and training. There is already a slalom paddle course near LeBreton Flats, but Ketcheson said a bigger development alongside Chaudière Falls could make the area unique in Canada when it comes to paddle sports.

He also said the area would be a natural fit for recreational rafting because of its historic connection — huge timber rafts were an innovation that allowed squared timber from the Ottawa Valley to be floated to Quebec City where it was used to build ships for the Royal Navy. David Jeanes, vice president of Heritage Ottawa, said the timber slides in which these rafts would travel past the falls were used on special occasions to give dignitaries a wild ride on the Ottawa River, including for two future kings of England.

Paddle Canada is working with the Canadian Wildlife Federation, Heritage Ottawa and the Canadian Heritage Foundation on a plan to bring recreation and sports to the area and improve fish and wildlife habitat. The Canadian Wildlife Federation wants to see a fish ladder installed at the Chaudiere dam, among other things.

The group is aiming to have a facility built in time for Canada’s 150th birthday and is looking for financial support from the cities of Ottawa and Gatineau to hire a consultant to study the proposal. The groups have asked each city for $25,000.

The proposed paddle park is just one of a growing list of plans for the area around the Chaudière Islands and nearby Quebec and Ontario shorelines. Once the industrial heart of Ottawa and much of Canada, the area has been blocked from public use in recent decades. The falls is dammed for hydro electric use and the nearby lands are owned by Domtar and closed to the public. Local company Windmill Developments, which is known for sustainable developments, is considering building a green community including hotels, restaurants, condos, public access and knowledge industries that it says would be the most sustainable in North America. The company has signed a letter of intent with Domtar and says it hopes to have a further announcement in September.

Windmill’s vision is seen by some as a key to unlocking other plans to bring new life to Ottawa and Gatineau’s waterfront and develop an area that has huge potential in the shadow of the Parliament Buildings.

Paddle Canada says its plans would be similar to developments around hydro projects in Europe. It would likely involve opening a couple of channels on the Ottawa side and a couple of channels on the Quebec side, similar to the timber slides used by lumber companies working in the area.

The proposed project is in the very early stages, but Ketcheson said because of the area’s history, the fact that it is the nation’s capital and that there is such untapped potential, it should be developed. “A lot could be done around the Chaudiere dam.”

Jeanes said the timber slides were used to give dignitaries a ride during royal visits to Ottawa in 1860 and 1901. In 1860, Queen Victoria’s son the Prince of Wales (later King Edward VII) went down the river on a raft during a visit to Ottawa. The grandson of Queen Victoria, the Duke of Cornwall and York who later became King George V took the ride in 1901 in an event that was a huge spectacle and foreshadows the kind of public interest many would like to see return to the area.

In 1901, a temporary streetcar line was built to Chaudière Falls, said Jeanes, complete with a Royal car for the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York, who then rode a raft down the river, watched by crowds. They ended their trip by riding in a First Nations war canoe to Rockcliffe to return to Rideau Hall.

© Copyright (c) The Ottawa Citizen

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/travel/...886/story.html

[J.OT13]

Article after article, it almost sounds like the Feds are convinced that Windmill will just give them carte blanche in the redevelopment of the place. I just want those idiots to stop sticking there nose where it doesn't belong. They have proven time and time again that they are completely worthless in both urban planning and preservation of historical structures. It's time to let a private developer show what they can do without governmental intrusion.

There will be federal role in Domtar lands clean-up, Baird aide says

Primary responsibility for remediation is the company’s, Ontario official says

By Elizabeth Payne, OTTAWA CITIZEN August 1, 2013


OTTAWA — The federal government wants to play an active role in the cleanup and redevelopment of the Domtar lands, a spokesman for Foreign Minister John Baird says.

“We will remain actively interested and involved in any environmental cleanup and development of this site,” said Rick Roth, spokesman for Baird who, in addition to being foreign minister, is the minister responsible for the National Capital Commission.

He added that Baird has been following news of a potential buyer for the post-industrial property that sits on Confederation Boulevard in view of Parliament Hill. “The minister is excited to learn more about these ideas.”

“These are environmentally contaminated lands with derelict properties and, obviously, we want to see something done that is in the public interest.”

What role the federal government might play in any redevelopment has yet to be seen. It is the responsibility of the property’s owner, said a spokesman for Ontario’s Ministry of the Environment, to clean up contaminated land. An environmental assessment is usually part of due diligence work done on a site before a purchase agreement goes through, if one has not already be undertaken by the seller.

The National Capital Commission has long coveted the property on Chaudière Island and the nearby Gatineau shoreline that was the historic centre of the lumber industry and an area of cultural significant for the Algonquin First Nation. The NCC’s proposal to acquire the 37-acre site was turned down by the federal government about 18 months ago. Now Windmill Developments, an Ottawa company with an international reputation for its green building practices is considering a major redevelopment on the site.

But Baird’s office is signalling that there will be a role for the federal government in remediation and development of the site which has been declared an area of national significance by the NCC and has also been called a crossroads of Canadian civilization.

Jean-Françios Trépanier, chief executive officer of the NCC, said the federal agency will also have a role to play in any development of Chaudière Island and surrounding lands.

Property owners on the island includes Public Works and the NCC, Trépanier said, which means federal approval will be required for work done on or adjacent to that property, and that the NCC will be “at the table all along.”

The NCC has met several times with officials from Windmill and has offered its advisory committee, consisting of specialists in architecture, design and planning, to work with the company.

Trépanier said he is certain the NCC can work with Windmill to make sure the project meets “capital objectives.”

Cleaning up centuries of industrial contamination will be on top of the list of work before the site can be developed, something the NCC is currently undertaking on nearby LeBreton Flats.

David Jeanes, vice president for operations at Heritage Ottawa, said industrial contamination of the Domtar site is extensive.

“Any contaminant you can think of, except possibly radioactive material, would be found on that site.”


Jeanes called the property in and along the Ottawa River “probably the most contaminated site in Ottawa.”

Chemicals used in the pulp and paper industry included acid, sulphur and mercury, at one point. There would also be traces of leaded paint and likely traces of lubricants, propane and much more, he said. Petroleum products, ash and metals are the main contaminants on LeBreton Flats, whose industrial history is different from the nearby Chaudière Islands.

“There is no other industrial site in Ottawa that has 200 years worth of contaminants in the soil.”

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Th...294/story.html

[S-Man]

The NCC guy's words sounds like more of a threat than anything else. Lordy...

That said, wasn't there a map in the news last week showing who owns what land? The NCC owns more of the immediate shoreline around the perimeter of that island, but Domtar was the owner of more of the developable land.

Respect the shoreline, sure, but Domtar land is Domtar land. The Feds didn't hand it to the NCC, so why are they trying to 'appropriate' it after the fact by muscling into the picture?

Is it a case of 'Well, we want the land...and it is NEAR ours..." ???

[OTSkyline]

I find it so funny that the NCC had actually talked with the government in regards to buying the land and developing it and nobody wanted to. None of them wanted to buy the land, none of them wanted to redevelop it etc..

But now that a private developer plans on purchasing it both the NCC and the Government are trying to nose in to say they "want to be a part of the process" and "want to dicatate what goes there" etc.. etc...

If they wanted to do it and dictate what goes where they should've bought the damn thing in the first place... Can't expect Windmill to buy the lands and then just be the money-puppet and simply pay and build for whatever the NCC and Government want...

[J.OT13]

Not sure why the Feds own weird pockets surrounded by Domtar land but since they love their '"green space" so damn much, maybe they can be in charge of developing their own land, those pockets and shore line, as parks for the greater development.

[S-Man]

Awesome! Thanks for posting the map.

Yes, as I remembered, the NCC has only a tiny bit of Chaudiere Island and the rest is Domtar and Public Works. NOT the NCC.
The arrogance exuded by that body of people is infuriating. If the land had fallen into NCC hands, there would be decades of studies about what to do with it, with no action, ever. Like the new interprovincial bridge.

Neverending studies enlisting 'All Canadians' in order to justify their budget and pay cheques, but without the responsibility of creating anything.
(And if they did do something, I can't imagine how underwhelming the results would be).

If the NCC thinks it can just appropriate by association and proximity any land they want, forget it. There is such a thing as private ownership and property rights. This isn't the Western LRT route.

If you want the land, pony up the cash. If you want a disappearing LRT over and above the city's budget, pony up the friggin cash to see that it happens - they'd be happy, the city would be happy, taxpayers would be...more contented, I guess.

This something for nothing thing irks me. Want something for 'all Canadians'? Stop demanding this and that, and invest in the freakin city for the good of 'all Canadians'!!

[kevinbottawa]

I was thinking the same thing as everyone else when reading this last article. The NCC and the federal government are ridiculous. They had the opportunity to develop this land and didn't capitalize on the opportunity. Now they want to be partners? The NCC isn't bringing any money to the table, but they're offering their planners and architects? Windmill has worked on projects across the country and has received local, national, and international awards. Why do they need your planners and architects? If the NCC/feds want to be involved in an advisory capacity or bring some money to the table and develop all the public and private lands as a partnership, great. Otherwise, be quiet.

Here's what Windmill should be saying to the NCC.

• Video Link

[J.OT13]

Any speculation on which buildings will be lost and which may be re-purposed?



I think the buildings on the point of Victoria Island (west of the bridge) could be saved. Maybe the western half of the building along Laurier in Hull (not pictured). The Booth Complex (east side of the central Island) will be mostly demolished. The buildings near the Chaudière Falls seem salvageable. All the facilities with siding will likely be torn down (unless they are actually historic with brick behind the siding and structurally sound which they seem to be).

[S-Man]

I thought something similar yesterday while driving by. They'd want to keep a bit of the old, which would mean the familiar building hugging the street on the west side (just past the War Museum) would/should be kept.

It would root the site in the past while still being a highly-visible, usable structure.

As for the rest, there seems to be plenty of expendable stuff.

[kevinbottawa]

It would be so cool is they could reproduce some of the old buildings in the picture below. I wonder how feasible it would be to rebuild the area to look like this again.



Here's how it looks now (pics from http://www.pastottawa.com).

[citydwlr]

Originally Posted by kevinbottawa

It would be so cool is they could reproduce some of the old buildings in the picture below. I wonder how feasible it would be to rebuild the area to look like this again.



Here's how it looks now (pics from http://www.pastottawa.com).

Wow, cool! I actually didn't know there was all those other buildings... It would be nice to have them rebuilt. I've often wondered about re-building older buildings in other parts of the downtown core - one of them being the old roundhouse that was located at Bayview.

Anyway, it looks like the left side of the first photo is somewhat in tact (minus the overpass and silo) - just covered in aluminum siding.

With regard to other people's comments, I really hope the NCC and other parties trying to infiltrate this development process back off. Windmill hasn't even finalized the deal and everyone is talking about their stake in this project. What a way to turn someone off of completing the deal! Windmill knows what they are doing and they will contact the appropriate people when necessary.

[waterloowarrior]

Windmill reported a meeting with the Mayor and Chair of the planning committee this week in the lobbyist registry. Briefing before announcing their plans publicly? Perhaps we'll have an announcement soon (they said early September if things work out) http://ottwatch.ca/lobbying/files/850

[umbria27]

Originally Posted by kevinbottawa

I was thinking the same thing as everyone else when reading this last article. The NCC and the federal government are ridiculous. They had the opportunity to develop this land and didn't capitalize on the opportunity. Now they want to be partners? The NCC isn't bringing any money to the table, but they're offering their planners and architects? Windmill has worked on projects across the country and has received local, national, and international awards. Why do they need your planners and architects? If the NCC/feds want to be involved in an advisory capacity or bring some money to the table and develop all the public and private lands as a partnership, great. Otherwise, be quiet.

While share the general fear that NCC meddling could delay or scupper Windmill's plans, I think it's right that they are offering to partner. They do own adjacent lands and if this spurs the NCC to do something with the property they do own that's good. There could be opportunities to co-develop the islands. For all the flak that the NCC gets, they do some things well. I'd point to the network of recreational paths. Because the NCC has such an extensive network of paths, the City of Ottawa has largely been able to shirk the responsibility for creating cycling infrastructure. That's one area I think the NCC could help here on the islands. This is not going to be a car based development. Residents and visitors will have to get there by foot or bike or perhaps transit. The NCC could help Windmill connect its Chaudiere island development to the Ottawa River pathway on the Ontario side and the Sentier des Voyageurs on the other.