By Ryan Baker
The National Capital Commission finally faced the public this week with its latest plans to revitalize the region — and got an earful.
NCC officials, including long-term planners, faced a mostly critical crowd of about 40 residents at a public consultation meeting earlier this week and received a tongue-lashing over some of its proposals, which were unveiled in March.
Much of the criticism was reserved for the creation of a pedestrian plaza on Sparks Street directly south of Parliament Hill.
“A central square is not needed to revitalize the downtown,” said Louisa Coates, a former Heritage Ottawa president. “The buildings themselves can be revitalized and that will attract people.”
The NCC, however, took the criticism in stride.
“What’s important is really to get the public’s input,” spokesperson Diane Dupuis said in an interview. “There’s still a lot of work to do.”
The NCC’s plan calls for the demolition of several buildings on Sparks, between Metcalfe and O’ Connor streets. It also requires the two heritage buildings on the west side of Metcalfe Street directly south of Parliament Hill, to be moved behind the former U.S. embassy on Wellington Street.
Coates said the buildings slated for demolition have historic value and shouldn’t be torn down. Renovations, she says, are all that’s needed to revitalize Sparks.
She also feared damage to the heritage buildings if they are moved.
“I’m extremely frustrated with the NCC and have been for 25-30 years,” she said, echoing several other participants.
“They’re more into demolishing than they are in restoring and keeping what we have. We don’t need to demolish to bring people to the downtown area.”
The NCC’s plans to develop Lebreton Flats also was criticized. Those plans call for a Lebreton parkway and housing and commercial development.
“They should just get on with it,” said Linda Hoad, who is involved with the Federation of Citizens’ Associations. “They aren’t out there digging. That’s my beef with the plan.”
Plans to develop Lebreton Flats have been around for over 30 years with little to show for it. Hoad said it’s time something is done.
She says the $40 million the federal government gave the NCC to buy buildings on Sparks last year could be better spent getting the Lebreton Flats plan off the ground.
She added the plan doesn’t offer enough affordable housing to meet the community’s current needs.
“I would have preferred to see more housing. More housing would have been good for the city and for the downtown.”
Dupuis said she would like to see the Sparks Street plan finished in five or six years and the Lebreton Flats proposal under way within three to five.
“We’re looking at a long- range plan,” she said. “We’re looking at plans that will be there 50 years from now. For Lebreton Flats, we’re looking at a place where people can work and can enjoy themselves.
“And for Sparks Street, a place where we will have added animation and attractions where people can bring their friends and bring their family.”
The NCC has long been criticized for excluding the public in its decision-making process. Some were skeptical this public consultation would have any bearing on future decisions.
“They really aren’t interested in what the public thinks,” said Hoad. “We have no idea how our comments make it into their inner sanctum. We have no idea what they do.”
But the public can still have some impact, she added.
Dupuis says the public’s opinions carry a lot of weight and were responsible for the NCC dropping its plan to widen Metcalfe Street last year.
The next public consultation is planned for 2001.