By Joanne Steventon
The National Capital Commission’s vision of a revitalized downtown has left a heritage activist wondering whose best interest the federal agency has in mind with its plan to demolish heritage buildings.
“Ottawa’s downtown belongs to the people of Ottawa not to the people of Canada. This just takes it from the people of Ottawa and gives it to the people of Canada which is robbery,” says Gordon Cullingham, a volunteer board member of Heritage Canada.
The NCC’s plan for downtown Ottawa were outlined recently by chairman Marcel Beaudry. They include redeveloping LeBreton Flats and Sparks Street and may involve the demolition or relocating several heritage buildings. The heritage buildings would make way for a parking garage, which would accommodate up to 650 cars and 30 tour buses.
Cullingham says he is concerned about the future of the various heritage buildings on the north side of Sparks Street.
Cullingham is concerned that the plans will convert Ottawa into a Paris- or Washington-like city with grand avenues and broad vistas, “ which isn’t the Ottawa spirit at all.”
Somerset ward city Coun. Elisabeth Arnold agrees.
“I think one of the most valuable things about Sparks Street is it’s architectural and political heritage and that we should be preserving that rather than tearing it down and moving it around. So I’m not in favor of the demolition or in fact the moving of heritage buildings,” says Arnold.
The NCC’s plans for the heritage buildings have left Cullingham wondering in whose best interest the NCC is working.
“Our role is to plan the capital on behalf of Canadians,” says Laurie Peters, a spokesperson for the NCC.
“We want to make sure that especially the core of the is vibrant, is a reflection and is the appropriate stage for the government’s business,” she says.
Peters says the NCC also recognizes that, along with the Canadian public at large, the other key stakeholders in the redevelopment project are the residents of the city.
As a result, the NCC promises public consultation before plans are finalized.
Peters stressed many of the Sparks Street plans are still in the preliminary stages and nothing will be finalized without public input.
Officials in the mayor’s office indicated they’re glad the NCC is moving ahead with the plans.
Alf Chaiton, senior advisor to Mayor Bob Chiarelli, says the city is excited about increased employment, housing and tourism the new developments downtown are going to create.
“That’s the recipe for a more vibrant and successful core,” says Chaiton.
Chaiton refused to comment on the potential affect on the heritage buildings, because the city is still working with the NCC on the final plans.
Until there are final plans, he says it’s not worth getting worked up about.
“It’s too early to be concerned,” says Chaiton.
The NCC has been developing proposals for the downtown core for several years. Many of these have been rejected, including one to widen Metcalfe Street to create a grand boulevard.