Following a two-week deferral, city council has approved plans for a 27-storey building on Metcalfe Street that will incorporate the existing Medical Arts Building and a boutique hotel.
The original council discussion, held on Aug. 26 saw an 11-11 spilt in voting, thereby pushing the motion on 180 Metcalfe St. to Sept. 9, when it was approved.
Somerset Coun. Catherine McKenney, who voted in favor of the project, was originally opposed to the idea of developers adding so many stories to the already six-storey building.
“They did have a right to go up 12 storeys of commercial space, however, the new community design plan does not allow for hotel use in that area,” says McKenney. “To compound it they were not obliged to provide any community benefit.”
It was during the two-week deferral between votes that members of council met with the developers, Toth Equity Ltd., when they arrived at a solution.
“I decided that I would either like to see reduced hotel use for less impact on the surrounding residents or a community benefit that would help offset some of the new pressures on the neighborhood,” says McKenney. “They agreed to the benefit.”
Council and developers agreed on an additional $200, 000 on top of the original $600, 000 payment made to the city. This money is to be put towards greenspace or recreation opportunities in the Centretown community.
Council then gave approval for a change in zoning bylaw to allow for a 27-storey building.
Coun. Jan Harder, who originally voted in favour of the motion, was pleased to see council settle on the project.
“Tens of millions of dollars is a good investment in our downtown,” says Harder. “(The project is) protecting and using a heritage building for greater community purpose . . . and is revitalizing a key block in the heart of the downtown.”
Toth Equity says it is aware that in addition to creating a new structure, it is just as much important to preserve the architectural heritage of the Medical Arts Building.
“We are charged with completing an aesthetically pleasing project, integrating the old with the new and respecting and preserving the heritage features of the Medical Arts Building for the community and the city, as well as assuring the viability of the project,” says John Toth.
In his opinion, the Medical Arts Building is a ‘historic jewel’. Included in the design plans is a heritage statement that speaks the significance of the building’s architecture.