Council votes to rebuild Lansdowne Park!
Redeveloping Lansdowne Park has been a priority of mine since the election campaign and I am delighted that today Council made the right decision to make it happen.
On a vote of 14-9, Council directed staff to negotiate a partnership agreement with the Lansdowne Live group to restore this important City asset as the jewel of Ottawa.
Plans for redevelopment include refurbishing Frank Clair Stadium, renovating the Civic Centre and adding trade space, green space and commercial space to revitalize Bank Street.
Over the next 60 days, City staff will work in partnership with the Lansdowne Live group to reach an agreement that will be presented to Council for final approval. The process will include public consultations and I encourage you to get involved in this exciting project.
Today’s decision is an important step this Council has taken to revitalize our downtown core. Along with redeveloping Lansdowne Park, we are also building a new Congress Centre and a downtown transit tunnel. With these major projects we are building world-class infrastructure for a world-class city.
There has been a lot of work done on this file and I want to thank my Council colleagues, City staff and the Lansdowne Live group for their good work.
I also want to thank Mr. Melnyk and the SSE Group for their proposal and professionalism throughout this debate. Council did not vote against a soccer stadium in Kanata today – the door is still open to bring Major League Soccer to Ottawa, but we decided to first focus our investment into the core of the city to repair our park that has been left to deteriorate over the last two decades.
April 23rd, 2009 at 5:04 am
That blog headline is misleading, wouldn’t you say? Council voted on a 60 day negotiation period for a proposed rehabilitation of Lansdowne Park and hopefully followed by public consultations on the contents.
Quite a few citizens have voiced their displeasure at sole-sourcing this project. Many citizens know that pro football may not last more than a few years at best at that location.
I feel council missed the opportunity to locate the open air stadium where at would be more viable and near our Master Transit plans in place. But then again, this is Ottawa Council and unfortunately we are accustom to irrational decisions.
April 24th, 2009 at 11:47 am
I would not say the council is irrational.Take toronto for exzample for a few years they apporved 3 arenas now some could see that has been irrational.THe thing with that is all 3 arenas could be empty in the next 2 years and the tax payers wills till be paying the bills.
April 24th, 2009 at 1:31 pm
Perry Marleau - I could not agree with You and Jay more.
The time for taxpayer funded pro-sports that have a bad habit of folding - is long past.
Now with the economic recession, I suspect ex Nortel, GM and Chrysler employees - their dealers and parts suppliers may not have time nor spare cash to attend the games.
April 29th, 2009 at 6:44 am
BRAVO ! I grew up in this city and support it whole heartedly. This decision should have been supported by all council. Shame on those who are against this. Our park is a gem and I look forward to taking my Grandchildren to it and regailing my stories of my family visits to it. Thank you Larry for your understanding the heart of our dear city.
August 8th, 2009 at 7:19 am
Football and greenspace are my priorities for Lansdowne. Not aquariums. I support Landsdown over Kanata and I am from Kanata. Tired of dealing with traffic when the sens have a game in town. Wish the sens played at Lebreton.
August 21st, 2009 at 2:17 pm
I completely agree with Kate’s comment. I too fully support this project and have from the start. Thank you Mr. Mayor and welcome back!
August 25th, 2009 at 4:28 pm
Johann
There are very few if any auto plant workers who live in ottawa.If this was toronto yes i could see there beeing some concern.However ottawa is a goverment town its really not a factory town like toronto etc.With that said there alwas should be some concern but i think this project would do fine here.
August 30th, 2009 at 7:43 am
It is difficult to understand how the city can find so much time to devote to some issues such as “Landsdowne”, and absolutely no time for other important issues.
I make direct reference to the article in Saturday’s newspaper regarding Nortel and technology. Not once did the City take a stand and remind the other two levels of government that Nortel not only provided many jobs, but that the employees (thousands) could possibly spend their retirement years on public assistance.
The Mayor’s of cities where the Auto Industry was being hit hard certainly made their issues loud and clear.
Again, I ask where is our Mayor and our City Council?
No, Mr. OiBrien, Nortel does not have to be the “Poster Boy” for technology companies, but it is a daily reminder that three levels of government did nothing to help!
In the end the taxpayer might have to pay far more to support Nortel’s former employee’s than if the City had acted before such a drastic situation existed.
Sandra
November 16th, 2009 at 9:27 pm
Finally,
I’ve lived in Montreal, Toronto and now Ottawa. No doubt this City missed something very special. Ottawa has green space, Mooney’s Bay a farm within the City and of course the Gatineau Hills all 21 minutes from each other.
I support investing in Landsdown in partnership with business. We live in a new economy where government and business exsit in partneship! Ottawa well done Major, Council, GRAZIE!
If you live close to Landsdown as i do celebrate today! Council I thank you for creating a special place for children, families and yes business ( something we need) in Ottawa.
Most important thank you for a roadmap to fix a bad place….
Once again for those who voted “no” ( such small minds) pitty.
For those that voted YES YES YES YES way to go and thank you!
I can”t wait to see the the end result! This area of twon will be majic a place to live, eat, shop,walk, bike, paddle and enjoy sports!