Lansdowne, Firehall Renovation, and Annual General Meeting
Lansdowne Issues
Since I reported last month the Lansdowne file has been relatively quiet from the City side. A number of community groups have been meeting over the past month to take stock and determine what would be the best approach leading up to the Council review of the project in June. At that time various reports will be received on the design of the "front yard", on traffic and transit issues, on financing and on the commercial aspects of the development. At that time the Council will decide on whether to finally proceed with the project and if so, what changes to the initial plans need to be made.
A retail study was released in mid-March by the Williams Group that pointed out the need for a distinctive retail model for Lansdowne that would reflect the nature of the site and the need to make it attractive to both local residents and those from other parts of the City. The study did not deal, however, with the contentious issue of the impact of the commercial development on merchants in the Glebe and Old Ottawa South. There was discussion some time ago of a peer reviewed analysis of the proponent's retail study (Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group) which painted a very positive picture of the retail impacts of the commercial development and the study conducted by the Glebe business association which, by contrast, was very critical of the impacts of the retail proposals for Lansdowne on local merchants and the "Main Street" character of retail activity on Bank Street. We have not heard yet when, or if, such an analysis will be done.
We will be awaiting eagerly the transportation and traffic study that will be conducted for the site and which should be underway soon. We are discussing with other community associations what kind of analysis can be done on the study once it is completed and released and what preparatory work needs to be done in advance of the study's release. As I have outlined in previous columns, the impact that the development will have on local traffic and on traffic congestion on our section of Bank Street will be a key issue for us.
Firehall Renovation
According to City officials the project is still on schedule, although it seems much still has to be done. If all does go according to schedule we will be starting to move equipment and furnishings into the building in June with the summer programme launching at the new centre. The City project committee will also start looking at what public art will go into the building when it is completed and Board member Donna Lordon has volunteered to participate in the selection process. We should have more details on that in the near future. Finally, OSCA formally transferred to the City our pledged share of the project's cost ($357,500) via bank transfers in late March. This still leaves a very modest amount in the Charitable Fund for potential further equipment purchases for the centre. Our financial situation still remains very healthy with well over $100,000 in reserves, plus an expected very modest operating surplus in this financial year (2010). The Board will give consideration to continuing our charitable fund to assist with future fund raising activities to cover improvements to the community centre and improvements to other local facilities that the association uses such as Windsor and Brewer Parks.
Annual General Meeting – call for new Board members
Just a reminder that our Annual General Meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 4th starting at 7:00 p.m. at Southminster United Church. The meeting will take place in the Ladies Parlour on the second floor. Please use the entrance at 15 Galt Street to gain access to the second floor staircase.
In addition to hearing reports on the activities of all OSCA Committees, the AGM is also the place where we elect our Board for the coming year. The OSCA Nominating Committee, headed by Greg Strahl, has been hard at work recruiting new members as about a quarter of our 20 board members will not be returning to the Board for the 2010-2011 term. If you are interested in serving on the Board and have been a member of OSCA for at least three months before the AGM, there is still time to apply; please contact Greg at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or leave a message at the OSCA office at 613.247.4872. Of course you can also be nominated from the floor at the meeting if you wish, by either nominating yourself and having someone who is a member second the nomination, or having someone nominate you and having it seconded at the meeting. As in previous years, there will be a wine and cheese at the end of the meeting to provide community members with an opportunity to socialize and meet newly elected Board members. Please, do turn out and meet your neighbours and help elect your new Board.