By Jojo Ruba
Ottawa residents may not just be shopping on Sparks Street.
They could be living there, if Public Works Canada finds a cost-effective way to turn government offices on the street into condominiums.
Glenn Duncan, who is in charge of maintaining the Parliament Hill area, says there is high demand for the project. But the department released a report last month that found the change would be costly.
“We did some financial analysis and we found it was probably not economically sound because to develop condominiums you need the right kind of building.”
The study looked at three buildings between Bank and O’Connor streets now used by government staff, including some from Public Works Canada.
The study found problems attracting people if the offices in the Dover, Brouse and Slater buildings were turned into condominiums.
First, they are all recognized by the federal government as heritage buildings.
Duncan says this means tenants would only be able to lease the condominiums.
The study also found few parking spaces and unattractive views, which could discourage people from moving to the area.
Duncan adds that even if all the condominiums were filled, it would still be expensive to maintain the buildings.
“Even if you can get maximum rent, there is still probably a lot of other places where developers would be more successful financially.”
Duncan says the government is open to the idea, if it can find an inexpensive way to develop the buildings.
If it does, Albert Gabbay, of Albert Opticians on Sparks Street, says the business community will welcome the change. He says people living on Sparks Street will attract more people to the area.
“It will create a community like the Glebe,” says Gabbay. “To me, it will add more foot traffic in winter and after hours. It will add more life to a vibrant street.”
Gabbay is also the chairperson of the advertising and promotions committee of the Sparks Street Business Improvement Area. The organization promotes businesses in the area and includes many merchants on the street.
Gabbay says many merchants agree that condominiums will mean more business.
“If we can have condos in vacant federal buildings it can only add to Sparks Street Mall,” says Gabbay. “I’ve talked to many of the merchants and they are overwhelmingly in support of the idea.”
But Ashtar Ghaddar, owner of Ashtar Restaurant, feels his business may not benefit from the idea.
“In every office there’s lots of people. If you make condominiums, they can cook at home, but clerks for the government have to eat elsewhere.”
A photographer for the American embassy on Wellington street, Raul Alferez, also has reservations. He says he supports the idea as long as the historic buildings are not altered.
“As long as they preserve it and keep it clean and organized it will enhance everything,” Alferez says.
“In Europe, you see downtown as a social environment and people pollute less.”