February 5, 2008

Architecture

City of Ottawa takes Lansdowne Park competition to the Web

OTTAWA

The City of Ottawa has launched a series of pages on its Web site to provide architects, planners, engineers, developers and the general public with information about the competition to renew and redesign Lansdowne Park.

Called Design Lansdowne, the pages already contain information about why the area is being redeveloped, and how the process will work. More information will be posted as the project advances.

The city had been considering redeveloping the park, and, as part of the process, had ordered an engineering assessment of Frank Clair Stadium, the best-known feature of the park. The assessment revealed severe cracking in the concrete of the south-side lower stands, which, in turn, led to the decision to demolish them.

At that point, Mayor Larry O’Brien suggested that local developers be invited to submit proposals to redevelop the area. But councillors Peter Hume and Clive Doucet countered with a proposal for an international competition, an idea later approved by council.

The area is a prime piece of real estate occupying about 40 acres along the Rideau Canal about 10 minutes south of Parliament Hill. It is presently occupied by a hockey rink, some exhibition space, and a large parking lot, as well as the stadium, which has in the past been home to a Canadian Football League franchise.

The Design Lansdowne Web pages are at http://ottawa.ca/residents/public_consult/lansdowne/index_en.html

Print | Comment