Council moves forward with Lansdowne proposal : Rainer Bloess

Council moves forward with Lansdowne proposal

November 16, 2009

Ottawa – City Council today voted to conditionally proceed with the Lansdowne Partnership Plan (LPP). The vote followed a three-day special City Council meeting, which provided residents and public delegations with yet another opportunity to share their views and opinions on the future of Lansdowne Park.

“Today’s vote in favour of the Lansdowne Partnership Plan allows the City and its partners to start working to return the neglected site to its former glory,” said Mayor Larry O’Brien. “The citizens of Ottawa can now look forward to enjoying enhanced green space, a year-round Farmers’ Market, and professional sports as just some of the many features that will restore this historic City property.”

Approval of the plan is conditional upon the following items:

Completion of a final review of financial projections, including analysis by the Office of the Auditor General.

Completion of transportation studies and supporting Transportation Demand Management plans to determine whether or not traffic and parking can be reasonably accommodated, and that the transportation strategy will work as anticipated.

Establish a Strategic Design Review and Advisory Panel for the development of a Master Site Plan for Lansdowne Revitalization.

Execute an independent third-party peer review of the two different market studies from Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group (OSEG) and the Bank Street BIA to determine whether or not the commercial plan is viable, and that retail is complementary and supportive of the existing Bank Street retail business community.

Immediately initiate a Request for Expressions of Interest for the construction and operation of a Trade and Consumer Show facility in Ottawa.

Initiate a competition for the design of the “front yard” including the Ottawa Farmers’ Market, Horticultural Building and the Aberdeen Pavilion and that the design competition include a detailed public consultation process, in partnership with the National Capital Commission and Parks Canada, on the proposed redevelopment of the “front yard.”

Assisting the Central Canada Exhibition Association (CCEA) in completing the business and logistical plans necessary for the CCEA’s move to a new location on Albion Road following the exhibition in 2010.

“Council’s direction means that staff and OSEG will now concentrate their efforts on negotiating a project agreement framework and on completing the additional work required to assist Council in its decision regarding the LPP,” said City Manager Kent Kirkpatrick. “This includes evaluating the business terms, developing the corporate governance, refining the development concept, completing agreements with third parties and developing a detailed public consultation process with the National Capital Commission (NCC) and Parks Canada on the proposed redevelopment of the front lawn.”

In June 2010, staff will report back to Council with the results of the negotiations and additional studies for a final decision on the implementation of the LPP. Council will vote on whether or not to enter into a project agreement after reviewing the negotiated terms for finance, transportation, parking, market studies, heritage and the agreement framework.

Following a decision by Council to enter into a project agreement, the City and OSEG will focus on critical planning approvals, detailed design issues, completion of the project agreements, and all other approvals with external agencies and third parties. Work on the final design and construction of the project would begin in March 2011 and be completed by May 2014.