next »

[Shawn]

More than two years after four local businessmen presented a plan to redevelop Lansdowne Park city council voted 15-9 Monday to move forward with the proposal. However, whatever the final plan looks like will have to meet specific criteria of a design panel.

The city and Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group, who are now partners in the project, still have to satisfy five conditions before another vote next May.

The biggest change to the original Lansdowne Live plan submitted by OSEG last year is a strategic design review and advisory panel for the development of a master site plan led by George one of the country’s best-known urban planners.

The motion brought forward by councillors Peter Hume and Maria McRae says every aspect of the property’s design - the stadium, water front, commercial and retail development and a hotel - must go in front of the panel in order to “meet the highest possible design standards so as to have Lansdowne transformed into a unique and dynamic urban place.”

The design panel will cost $600,000 split between the city and OSEG.

Along with a review panel the city has asked that a design competition be initiated to address the property that fronts the Rideau Canal, the Horticultural building and the Aberdeen Pavilion

Council also voted to ensure the city and OSEG receive an 8 per cent return on their investment to be paid proportional to each investment. The initial plan called for the business group to receive its return on investment long before the city received any cash.

During the construction period the more than 50 annual trade shows that are hosted at Lansdowne Park and generate $1.5 million for the city will be displaced. Council will immediately issue a request for interest to determine if there is any potential to build and operate a trade and consumer show facility near the airport or anywhere else in the city.

The project's most strident opponent, Capital Coun. Clive Doucet, was in tears when he begged his council colleagues not to vote for the project.

“It's a sad day because of the division,” said Doucet. “It has shattered the city. There are thousands of people who feel they have been deprived of their natural heritage. It was through the love of the city that I tried to protect Lansdowne Park.”

http://www.ottawasun.com/news/ottawa/2009/11/16/11768811.html

[DieHard]

Clive Doucet obviously has mental issues.  Crying over the fact that, considering that there is already an arena there and, for the most part, football stands, this is the best option as far as developing this area?  Get out of council, Clive, you obviously don't have a grip. 

And, I must say, neither do many residents of the Glebe.  For christ sakes... you move into an area where there is a football stadium, hockey arena, exhibition for 2 weeks in the summer... then you piss and moan about traffic?  RETARD!!!

What do they prefer?  Make it into greenspace with a lovely park and stupid trees?  They'll only complain about people walking their dogs in the damn space, anyway.

I, for one, applaud this pathetic city council for actually making their second smart decision, the first one being not backing down to the union for the OC Transpo drivers.  Now.. I'll go driving down Bank street giving the finger to the Glebe residents!

[Shawn]

I just hope this doesn't affect the Mayfair movie theatre in any way.
I had read a while back that 'Landsdowne Live' was going to include a huge theatre complex, which would then take business away from the Mayfair.

That said, I think the Mayfair generally plays older movies (i.e. tonight they are showing Pulp Fiction, followed by From Dusk Til Dawn), which could mean they have a different audience ... I guess time will tell, but it would be a shame if this was the beginning of the end for the Mayfair Theatre in my opinion.

[C*4]

The Mayfair does play tons of cool things - but they make most of their money off causual movie-goers, and playing newer stuff.

A movie complex down the street would hurt the Mayfair badly.

[The Phil]

I like the Lansdowne Live plans personally. I think it's a great idea. Working at Lansdowne constantly, I know how worn down and messed up all the buildings are. Something needed to be done, trust me.

[Leeroy]

The Mayfair does play tons of cool things - but they make most of their money off causual movie-goers, and playing newer stuff.

A movie complex down the street would hurt the Mayfair badly.

Keep in mind that The Mayfair has some incentives of it's own that the Lansdowne Googleplex won't ever have, namely inexpensive memberships/cheaper ticket prices, and you don't have to take out a bank loan in order to buy snacks.