Thread by @ShawnMenard1

Some quick thoughts on the strategic Lansdowne leak today. #Ottawa #Ottnews

1) City Report still isn’t out, we had to get the OSEG report from journalists, and a week to consider this not ideal.

2) The transportation to and from this site remains a critical element not fixed

3) The 1200 units proposed have not been planned based on the site itself but there to help the $330M financial deal - tax increment financing (city debt to help pay for facilities which is purportedly paid back by future tax uplift from units instead of going to city wide tax).

4) Some positive aspects to this project- some housing on the site (need more truly affordable housing-TBD in this plan), smaller retail, a better waterfall for the city and public realm improvements. Important to do consultation and get real input but let the next council decide

5) 720 parking spaces is a lot to add to an already challenged site. This is an area that is highly walkable and essentially a 5 minute community. Minimal or 0 parking is completely reasonable here

6) The public greenspace should be maintained and let people walk on the roof

7) We need to see improvements to the public side of Lansdowne. The park amenities, expanded play structures, better canal access, splash pad, winter family activities, better active transportation connections and stop the cars from driving end to end through the site.

8) We are going to hold a community discussion on this on Mon May 2nd at 7pm (shawnmenard.ca/lansdowne2_con…). The plan should be put out for consultation but not be approved in principle or otherwise by a council that will look drastically different in just a few months #Ottnews