Mayor calls OSEG’s Lansdowne 2.0 vision innovative while community members raise concerns

Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson is impressed with the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group's (OSEG) $330 million plan to further redevelop Lansdowne Park.

Lansdowne 2.0 includes a modern, standalone event centre, new north-side stadium stands, additional retail space, as well as new residential units to own or rent, including affordable housing.

“I think it's a very innovative project,” Watson told The Rob Snow Show on Friday, April 29. “I think we need more people living on the site. That's been one of the challenges we've faced when there's not events there.”

Watson says there is a need for more — and better — facilities now that the north side stands are reaching the end of their lifespan.

“The Civic Centre, as you know, is not in great shape,” Watson adds. “It's over 50 years old. So, I think what the OSEG partners have done is a very good step forward.”

However, a member of the Glebe Community Association expressed concerns about the proposal when speaking on The Sam Laprade Show on Thursday, April 28, saying there are tons of answered questions.

Anthony Carricato, who also chairs the association's Lansdowne committee, says a major concern is the fact the OSEG proposal doesn't address transportation.

“I think anyone who comes to the Glebe on the weekend when there's a (Ottawa) 67's game or an (Ottawa) Redblacks game or any significant event at one of the facilities, will tell you it's a bit of a nightmare getting to and from Lansdowne,” Carricato says. “They want a better fan experience but they still haven't told us how they're going to get visitors to and from Lansdowne, and what impacts that's going to have on the neighbouring communities.”

Carricato goes on to say he's confused as to why the community wasn't made more a part of the planning process.

“We've been working with the City of Ottawa , OSEG and the (Glebe) BIA to enhance the vibrancy of Lansdowne and improve the sight overall, including transportation for many years, so it's strange that we weren't brought more into the process here.”

Also, with the proposal going to the City of Ottawa's finance and economic development committee (FEDCO) for consideration on Friday, May 6, Carricato thinks things are moving too fast, with no real opportunity for the public to weigh in.

“What's the rush? We have an election coming up in just a few months, where candidates and mayoral candidates, I'm sure, will be out talking about Lansdowne and how we can revitalize that site,” he states. “Rather than approve a plan in principal, which is where we thought things were going, council is being asked to approve a plan next week — in seven short days — that would see construction begin on a new event centre and arena in November, mere weeks after the municipal election.”

Carricato adds, even if a new council wanted to revisit the plans, it would already be too late.

“I just feel the public is being shortchanged an opportunity to have a public discussion about public land.”

In response to concerns about a lack of adequate public consultation on the proposal, Watson said, “We'll have lots of time for public consultation and get the public's feedback, but at the end of the day, we have to do something with the north side stands. They're not going to survive much longer.”

Listen to the full interview with Anthony Carricato on The Sam Laprade Show below:

Listen to Jim Watson's comments on The Rob Snow Show below: