Lansdowne Park redevelopment project moves to next stage


More than thirty spokespersons for associations, members of the business community and residents, in their personal capacity, marched in front of the committee in the hope that the City would undertake public consultations.

The majority of stakeholders argue they don’t have enough information to understand the $330 million redevelopment project, which includes new bleachers, a brand new events center and the construction of nearly 1,200 housing units.

We were really taken by surprise by the scope of the proposed changessaid June Creelman, vice-president of the Community Association of Glebein an interview with mornings from herein the minutes leading up to his presentation to the committee.

Many things bother Ms. Creelman: the process, the lack of information, the lack of consultation on a major project, on public land with public money.

A model of the new Lansdowne Park.

The new version of Lansdowne Park will include a new event center, new bleachers on the north side and 1,200 new accommodations.

Photo: Courtesy of OSEG

The resident of Glebe is particularly challenged by the speed at which the project gets underway.

We didn’t even have time to think and I think people outside our [quartier] — it’s a park that belongs to everyone — are not even aware that an important decision is being made today [va être prise].

There are many residents who want to be heard on this project and I think it would be more beneficial if we listened to them before approving anything. »

A quote from Shawn Ménard, councilor for the Capital district

Too many question marks, says Councilor Shawn Ménard

The councilor of the Capital district where Lansdowne Park is located, Shawn Ménard, maintains that the project presents too many question marks for the committee to give it the green light.

Shawn Menard poses for a photo in an office.

Shawn Menard is the City Councilor for Capital Ward in Ottawa.

Photo: Radio-Canada / Jean Delisle

By approving the plan, the committee also allows municipal employees and OSEG to further explore the concept of land use planning, the business model and the financing strategy. In the opinion of Shawn Ménard, this amounts to putting the cart before the horse.

You’re about to approve things that don’t need approval right now. By doing this, we board a train that has already left the stationlaments the adviser.

A “preliminary” plan, assure the City and the promoter

Municipal employees and group representatives OSEG argue, however, that this is a preliminary plan. Modifications will be made and the final plan will be submitted for approval to the municipal council, in 2023, after the elections.

This report does not authorize the sale of anything and does not approve expenditures beyond $8 million. [nécessaires pour élaborer un plan détaillé]insisted Stephen Willis, general manager of the City’s Planning, Infrastructure and Economic Development Department.

We expect the proposal to change and the next council will make a series of proposals that will shape our approach. »

A quote from Stephen Willis, Planning, Infrastructure and Economic Development Department

This is a starting document, agrees Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson, who gave his support to the proposal forOSEG. There is nothing set in stone, he insisted, but we have to start somewhere.

The mayor was clear on this subject, the population will be consulted and the final decision will be up to the next municipal council.

With information from Frédéric Pepin



Reference-ici.radio-canada.ca

Leave a Comment