Summary of the Lansdowne Open House 

On June 19, the Glebe Community Association hosted an Open House at St. Giles Church from 4-8pm on the future of Lansdowne Park. The goal was to provide residents in the Glebe the opportunity to view the scaled model of the City’s and OSEG’s proposed Lansdowne 2.0. redevelopment, learn more about the plans, and ultimately provide our community the opportunity to provide their feedback and share their vision for Lansdowne Park.

The approximately 130 residents who attended the Open House were asked to provide their feedback on the following questions that stem from the main components of the Lansdowne 2.0. proposal:

On additional residential towers:

  • Should 1200 more residential units be added to the 280 units currently onsite? Why or why not?
  • How many new units would be appropriate?
  • What overall height/storeys do you prefer? How much affordable housing?
  • Are you concerned about the impact on the Aberdeen Pavilion?

On the proposed idea of adding additional retail at Lansdowne Park:

  • Should 60k sq. ft of new retail added to the 350k sq. fit onsite already? Why or why not?
  • What type of retail?
  • What retail or services are missing now?

On the proposal to build the new arena/events centre in the berm of the Great Lawn resulting in a loss of park space at Lansdowne Park:

  • Are you concerned about losing ½ hectare (50m * 100m of greenspace)? Why or why not?
  • How is this space important to you? 
  • Should the arena be located in the greenspace as proposed? 

On the location of the new arena more broadly: 

  • Should alternative locations be evaluated for $200m arena/events centre? 
  • Should it be rebuilt where it is now? 
  • Should other sites served by the LRT /Rapid Transit be considered given traffic/transportation challenges, investments made in LRT?

On Transportation (getting to-and-from Lansdowne Park):

  • How would you describe the current situation?
  • Can you think of solutions that could be implemented within 5-10 years?

On the discussion surround a new arena for the Ottawa Senators located downtown: 

  • How concerned are you about the impact that a “downtown” Sens arena and a new “Entertainment District” might have on Lansdowne Park? Why or why not? 
  • Can Lansdowne Park compete for visitors?
  • What are the risks?

On the financial strategy to pay for Lansdowne 2.0.:

  • Are you confident in the City’s key financial strategies to pay down taxpayer debt? Why or why not?
  • Financial success of Redblacks over 40 years to generate $400M?
  • Financial success of Retail Leasing business over 40 years to generate $870M?
  • Diversion of 90% of property taxes over 40 years?

Vision for Lansdowne Park:

  • What does your vision for Lansdowne include?
  • Does the community need a Recreation Hub/ Pool?
  • Would you support a 1200 seat concert venue?
  • Complete the sentence: Lansdowne could attract more visitors if…???

Key takeaways:

  • Strong opposition to adding proposed additional density to Lansdowne. The main concerns were related to the proposed height of the new towers, the fact that these new units do not have access to the LRT, insufficient school capacity and community infrastructure to support 2,500 new residents, and the fact that the towers are being proposed for financial reasons, not based on sound planning principles.
  • Strong opposition to any net loss of green/park space and Lansdowne Park. The consensus was that the Great Lawn it is vital to community well-being and should not be reduced.
  • Strong concern regarding continuing transportation issues:  vehicular impacts/speed/circulation on residential streets and the need for rapid buses on Bank Street.
  • Strong support for looking at options to move arena to LRT serviced location and some support for rebuilding a new arena in its current location rather than in the park as proposed.
  • There was no support for additional retail; public recreation/social space such as a pool, indoor community gym, etc., is strongly preferred.
  • Concerns were raised regarding the impact of Sens Arena and establishment of new Sports & Entertainment district and the need for planning that reflects this new development.
  • Call for financial transparency – “Just Trust us” approach not good enough. There was a strong sense that the current revenue projections for additional retail and the RedBlacks in the proposed Lansdowne 2.0 proposal are not believable. Overall, the lack of financial accountability and the exercise of due diligence is concerning to many of the residents in attendance.
  • There was strong support for a Central Park model for Lansdowne Park that is attractive to local residents and tourists that is focused on lower key, people-focused activities. 

Going forward, our advocacy will focus on these key takeaways as we continue to engage with City Staff, Councillors and the Mayor. 

On behalf of Carolyn, June and I, thank you to all of the volunteers from the Board, as well as the Lansdowne and Planning Committee members for helping ensure the Open House was a great success. 

Anthony Carricato

GCA Lansdowne Committee Chair