Graziani and Corazza Architects Inc.
Richcraft Homes is scheduled to build a condo complex at 845 Carling Ave. that will dwarf all other buildings in the city.The City of Ottawa’s planning committee has recommended two major redevelopment plans for approval by city council.
It recommended a plan to renovate the area between Rideau Street and Laurier Avenue. The plan will make wider sidewalks and turn a portion of Nicholas Street between Rideau Street and Besserer Street into an outdoor mall.
It also approved a three-building development on the northwest corner of Carling and Preston avenues that would include the tallest building in Ottawa.
The Rideau Street improvements take advantage of major construction projects, such as the LRT construction and the Rideau Centre expansion, to make the area more pedestrian friendly by narrowing traffic lanes and expanding curbs.
For example, concept art shows the bustling stretch of Rideau Street right in front of the Rideau Centre transformed into a tree-lined boulevard with bike lanes and ample parking.
“If we want Rideau to be successful, people need to be out there walking and cycling and they need to feel safe,” says River Ward Coun. Riley Brockington. “There need to be businesses there that attract not just Ottawans, but tourists to the street. So certainly I feel encouraged that we’re moving in the right direction.”
Cadillac-Fairview’s vice-president of development, Ivan Boulva, discussed the company’s administration of the Nicolas Street outdoor mall and how the Rideau Centre’s expansion was planned around looking outward.
“When we were planning this, it was extremely important to turn towards the street. It was clear that it had to be turned towards the city, the public realm, and to be open to the public,” Boulva told the committee.
Paying for the public realm plan will likely fall to the city council’s strategic initiatives fund, as well as private stakeholders such as Cadillac-Fairview. Boulva cautioned the committee to implement the plan before the expanded Rideau Centre opens on Aug. 1, 2016. Rideau-Vanier Coun. Mathieu Fleury joined Boulva in calling for quick action.
“We don’t want to see construction in 2017 along the corridor in that precinct. It will be a hub for tourists coming to our city,” he said. “So it is important for us not to dance around the plan that is proposed.”
The Richcraft development, which would be located at 845 Carling Ave., near Dow’s Lake and next to the Carling O-Train station, would have a 55-storey tower, a 48-storey tower and an 18-storey tower. The towers would include about 1,100 residences and space for commercial tenants. According to Richcraft, it could take up to five years for construction to begin.
“It is essential that these plans, while they designate areas around transit, that they also protect our low-rise and heritage neighbourhoods,” said Somerset Ward Coun. Catherine McKenney at the committee meeting.
As part of their agreement with the city, Richcraft would provide $3.5 million to fund community benefits and projects. These would include helping to fund a pedestrian bridge at Hickory Street, building a connection from the towers to the O-Train station and burying a number of hydro lines on nearby streets.