The parking lot that McGarry wants to sell, but he has been unable to reach a deal with the city.
Discussions about replacing a parking lot with a city park on McLeod Street will not materialize into real grass and trees. To the disappointment of the residents in the area, the City of Ottawa’s attempt to buy the parking lot from the Hulse, Playfair and McGarry Funeral Home failed after the bid was turned down by owner Brian McGarry.
“There was some time spent looking into the matter,” says Scott Miller, senior director at Hulse, Playfair and McGarry.
“The value that the city appraised the land at is lower than what we had anticipated. Therefore, at this time, there are no further discussions about the possibility of establishing a park here at the corner of McLeod and O’Connor,” Miller says.
Three weeks ago, the city sent a formal offer to McGarry but the businessman was not content with the $4.2 million the city – according to Peter Hume, chairman of the city’s planning committee – was willing to pay for the parking lot that is just over a third of an acre.
Miller, who confirms the figures, says he doesn’t believe that negotiations will continue anytime soon. He says the city will have to offer more money for that to happen.
“I think it would have been a nice spot down here at the corner to have some green space in a park but I understand the city are dealing with costs and funding.”
The Centretown Citizens Community Association hoped for a different outcome.
“We are disappointed. Hopefully, the city and Mr. McGarry will be able to get back together and rethink what the value of the property could be,” Robert Dekker, vice-president of the CCCA, says.
“We were excited by the prospect that there would be additional greenspace in Centretown. With all the expansion and the increase in density in Centretown, any additional greenspace is good for the environment and livability,” Dekker says.
The area around McLeod and O’Connor streets already has a park.
On the opposite corner from the McGarry parking lot, the western lawn of the Museum of Nature is a popular spot for local residents. But proponents of a greener Centretown say they don’t appreciate the way some things have evolved.
A big part of the lawn will be taken away with the creation of a parking lot.
Suzanne Snell, a resident in the area, says she would appreciate more places to walk her dog.
“Of course, I would love to see a new park there (on the McGarry property),” Snell says, who then turns her attention to the nearby Museum of Nature.
“But I am more upset about this one over here. I’m furious with what the museum has done, and I think I speak for everyone in this area when I say that,” she adds.
Originally a temporary addition, the much-discussed parking lot was recently made permanent by the museum when the possibility of building an underground parking facility was deemed too expensive.
“More and more people live here. There is very little green space for the children to be and to walk your dog,” Snell says.
As outlined in the official Community Development Plan for Centretown, city council intends to construct one or two new park spaces in the area.
Somerset Coun. Diane Holmes who was on the negotiating team with the funeral home did not respond to requests for an interview.