Work could start before end of year at former CFB Rockcliffe
Posted Sep 17, 2015 03:20:07 PM.
Last Updated Sep 17, 2015 03:20:53 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA — Construction could start as soon as the end of this year at the former CFB Rockcliffe property in the east end.
In the next 15-to-20 years, nearly 10,000 people could be moving in to the area.
Canada Lands Company, the federal Crown corporation that owns most of the land, has a proposal to build 5,300 new homes, low-, mid-, and high-rise buildings, schools, businesses, and a network of pathways.
The area is surrounded by the Ottawa River, Montreal Road, Blair Road, and the Aviation Parkway, and was last used as a military base in 2004.
Rideau-Rockcliffe Councillor Tobi Nussbaum says with the prospect of 10,000 new residents, transportation has the potential to be the Achilles Heel of the project.
“And it’s our job to make sure that doesn’t happen,” Nussbaum tells 1310NEWS.
“First and foremost, that means OC Transpo has to be an early and active partner in ensuring that we have roots that will bring future residents quickly and conveniently to the new LRT. It also means providing other types of service westbound towards the downtown core.”
He also hopes that any development would be enjoyed by people who already live nearby.
“It is my hope that the type of main street that’s envisioned in this plan becomes a main street that’s attractive not just to the residents of the future neighbourhood, but also surrounding areas,” says Nussbaum. “For people on Montreal Road…Rothwell Heights area, or Manor Park, or Overbrook.”
As for the effects of construction on those living nearby, he doesn’t expect they will have much trouble.
“The fortunate thing is, is that it’s a neighbourhood where nobody lives right now. So for the most part, we’re in a lucky situation that there won’t be neighbours to bother. It’s not a matter of constructing next door to an existing school or an existing apartment building or house. So in that way, I don’t anticipate that there are going to be major noise or other nuisance issues.”
The City’s Planning Committee will see a report on the proposal next week, and Council is expected to vote on it in mid-October
If it’s approved, construction could start as early as the end of this year, and people could be living there starting in 2017.
