By Sydnia Yu
Numerous disputes between the Somerset Heights Business Improvement Association (BIA) and developers of the Ottawa Millennium Garden have led to a near standstill of the project.
The garden is to be a tribute to the Chinese community’s role in shaping the nation’s capital and serve as a tourist attraction.
“If it takes much longer it will be an embarrassment. It’s supposed to be a millennium garden,” says Doug Brousseau, senior policy adviser in the mayor’s office.
“I’m worried the mayor will be put in an embarrassed position with the mayor of Beijing,” he says referring to an agreement made between the two for the donation of authentic Chinese building materials.
Garden designer Edwin Lee says the BIA wants control of the project, which could reduce community input and change the design of the garden that’s been approved to be built at the corner of Somerset Street West and Cambridge Street.
“I don’t mind change, but I have to protect the donors’ money,” says Lee, explaining that some donors have already contributed to specific features in the garden, like a bridge, memorial stone, bell tower, mosaic and gateway.
“For example, for the bridge, the woman knows me and saw the proposed drawing, so if you change the style, maybe she’ll complain.”
The fundraising committee and donors are also upset the BIA wasn’t more actively involved with events that raised $90,000 for the project, but wants to decide how the money is spent, says Raj Rasalingam. Lee asked him to be an advisor on how to resolve differences between parties involved in the garden’s development based on his active involvement in the Ottawa and Chinese community. He says the donors and Chinatown residents have expressed concern about the BIA’s involvement.
“It’s clear there is a lot of anger at the way business has been conducted (by the BIA),” says Rasalingam. “If the BIA proceeds the way they want to, (donors will) want their money back.”
Marilla Lo, executive director of the Somerset Heights BIA, would not comment on the dispute. “The board will decide later in the year the way to proceed with the garden,” she says.
The BIA is a business organization that oversees the management, development and beautification of the Chinatown area. It is accountable to its board members and the City of Ottawa, and is the legal proponent of the Ottawa Millennium Garden.
Raymond Lam, a volunteer on the fundraising committee, says a meeting was held on Oct. 6 to let various interested parties present their concerns.
Donor Jonas Ma says the BIA wants to select their own contractor to build the garden quickly and cheaply, because the BIA said they had not received a preliminary contract from Lee.
But the fundraising committee is asking for an open bid to select a contractor, says Ma. “The BIA thought it was a good plan from a business perspective, but the community felt Lee would be excluded.”
Lee says the rush to find a contractor may be in response to the BIA’s concern that his $250,000 budget estimate was unwarranted, and would be difficult for the fundraising committee to raise.
Ma says many donors aren’t informed of what’s going on with the project, and want guidelines for the BIA’s accountability to the public and for their conduct and decision-making procedures.
“BIA mentioned they are the proponent for the garden, but the community is asking for a role in providing input. It’s considered to be a community project,” says Ma. “It’s more than a community garden. People come to that street to shop, socialize and eat, so they feel it’s not just people in business to be involved.”
There was a general consensus at the Oct. 6 meeting that a committee should be formed to resolve the dispute. Who will select the committee, how it will be selected and when hasn’t been determined.
Brousseau says the city has a legal relationship with the BIA and has offered to provide a facilitator or help restructure the project so all parties are represented.
Rasalingam says he believes the garden will be built. “Getting the project completed is in the best interest of everyone concerned.”