LANSDOWNE: So Much Bull. So Little Time

Published 07/07/2023 · Updated 07/08/2023

Our friends at the City of Ottawa are holding a virtual public meeting on Lansdowne.

Why virtual? Because it is easier for the city to control? Why yes.

Perhaps hold the meeting at the Cattle Castle. It has lots of room and the city owns it. No rent. And it’s empty a lot.

Are city officials afraid to meet the residents of the Glebe? Might citizens bring their weed-eaters to the meeting and trim the city officials to death? Can’t have that. Weed-eater murder is very messy. Check with the Ottawa Police Service on that if they still show up for murder investigations. That said, a few less city planners and the citizens of Ottawa could get better city planners to replace the deceased ones. We can’t do worse.

The AG Must Audit Lop-Sided Lansdowne Deals

However, the official position of The Bulldog editorial board is don’t bring weed-eaters to a public meeting. That said, these are virtual meetings so you can bring a weed-eater to your home office. What you do in the privacy of your own home is your business. However just for the sake of decency, turn off the Zoom. Thank you.

The problem with these dog-and-pony shows is that they give the planners an excuse to say we met with the public to discuss this vital issue and we’re open and inclusive. We don’t listen, but that’s another matter. It also lends legitimacy to this new fiasco but fails to ask the question: “Do you want Lansdowne at all?”

Nevertheless, they will discuss issues such as the importance of good lawn-trimming to the new Lansdowne (if you can find a lawn) and adopt some of your ideas on sustainable gardening into the Lansdowne 2.0 plan. And for the record, no doubt some concerned citizen will recommend that Capital Councillor Shawn Menard do the lawn trimming at no extra cost.

But do they answer the big question? Oh no. Lansdowne yea or nay? Then the virtual screen clicks off (“out of order, next question”).

I mean, really, the propeller heads in planning have already made changes in the official plan to accommodate Lansdowne. Methinks the fix is in. And oh yes, they are holding the official dog/pony show in the dog days of July. Couldn’t they just hold this meeting at somebody’s cottage for all the good it will do?

Then after this extravaganza of zippo, the tall foreheads will ask Happy Town News to formulate a load of this-and-that to say that the Lansdowne plan received a warm welcome from the residents of Glebe and beyond. It will end not with a “30” but with a happy face. Perhaps they could toss the load of information on the Lansdowne micro-lawn. Imagine how it will grow. Get trimming, Shawn.

You know, if our developer friends running Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group are so confident this stadium and arena proposal is so good and so profitable, perhaps they could contact one of Canada’s five major banks to get a loan and have that institution investigate the efficacy of Lansdowne 2.0. But for some odd reason OSEG wants you and me to pay for it. We look forward to the bounteous profits for the City of Ottawa in return for its almost half billion dollars put into Lansdowne. A million a year back still? Or just nothing as happened in practice?

You can’t beat the economics of that deal. Let’s throw some waterfall and air-rights into the discussion for all they are worth.

So come on down and hear the speakin’ at the Lansdowne bull forum. For all the bull likely to be said, perhaps it would be better to hold the meeting at the Cattle Castle. It’s very easy to clean up. After all, it was built to handle bulls.

The above paragraphs, your agent believes, adequately illustrate The Bulldog’s editorial position on the Lansdowne waste of time and money. You’re welcome.

Instead, spend some moments with your family. You’ll get much more love there than online with the City of Ottawa.

And after that, we give you the release from the City of Ottawa. Your agent’s words are in boldface:

There is still time for you to have your say about Lansdowne 2.0 at a virtual public meeting on Thursday, July 13 at 6 pm. Registration is required to participate. Another meeting will be scheduled at a later date.

The session will provide an opportunity for residents to learn more about the City-initiated Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment. These are required to clarify policies within the Official Plan (OP) pertaining to the Lansdowne Special District and ensure OP compatibility and compliance (so tell me this isn’t a done deal). Staff will provide a presentation, followed by a question-and-answer period.

A Lansdowne Stadium For A League Toronto Ignores

Lansdowne Park is a destination with more than a century of history as a gathering place for residents and tourists alike. The site includes greenspaces, residences (when do the city and taxpayers get a slice of that action?), play areas, public art, sporting and event venues, retail and restaurant space and restored heritage buildings. The City of Ottawa and Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group (OSEG) have created a redevelopment plan for the site that reflects the history, unique location and role of Lansdowne as a year-round gathering place for Canada’s capital (at least we get a plan for the half billion).

Public engagement on Lansdowne 2.0 launched in March. Since then, the City has heard from residents through:

·       A concept plan survey
·       A public realm and urban park survey
·       Virtual public meetings on April 27 and May 17
·       Weekly coffee chats with project leadership beginning June 14
·       Hundreds of comments provided on the public engagement site
·       On-site survey and engagement

(everything but the question: “Do you want Lansdowne because whether you do or not, you’re going to get it?” “And as for the process above, we’ve been open, caring and inclusive as long as you want Lansdowne 2.0 and we don’t have to listen very much.”)

If You Absolutely, Positively Must Screw Up A Deal …

You can find presentations and summaries of feedback received through these public engagement events at the project’s public engagement site, along with extensive background about Lansdowne 2.0 and details about the proposal (which is going forward no matter what you say).

Ken Gray

Digital image on front created by AI generator DALL-e.

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Dan Stankovic says:
07/07/2023 at 1:24 PM
Plus the press release is just doublespeak. “Having your say about Lansdowne 2.0” in the lead-in heading has a very different meaning than an “opportunity for residents to learn more about the City initiated [OP Amendment and Rezoning applications]”