Archive 1997-2016
I am writing to follow up on the report and associated editorial on comments attributed to Mac Harb on the NCC’s vision for downtown Ottawa/Hull in your Oct. 9 issue.
. . . I was at the same meeting as your reporter and thought it would be useful to let your readers know that the comments attributed to Mac Harb are not what I heard at the meeting.
I want to thank Gina Harris for her even-handed coverage of the situation on Florence Street regarding the two-way portion that was instituted against the wishes of the street’s residents two years ago.
There are a few things, however, that need clarification. When the owner of the Mailroom says that his decision to establish his business hinged on this change being made, he neglects to mention that there has always been ample access from the lane that runs behind the businesses on Bank Street between Gladstone to Gilmour. Going all the way around, as he says, to come down the one-way on Florence is but one means of approach. People also have the option of parking on Frank Street, directly across from the Mailroom. This is a moot point, however, because I would venture to say that most of his business is walk-in from people living in the neighborhood.
I wholeheartedly support the March 13 editorial on the subject of Lansdowne Park. Lansdowne is an irreplaceable resource for Ottawa-Carleton. Its ownership by the City of Ottawa is an anomaly which an easily be corrected by the RMOC simply by buying it from the city on a ‘cash-as-is’ basis.
One innovation only will bring prosperity to Sparks Street Mall merchants (Business, Feb. 6), that is, residential development. Mixed zoning and the purchase and thoughtful renovation of existing buildings by the private sector would add people to our town’s greatest neighborhood!