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September 2009
Lansdowne Live plan not green enough, Doucet argues
Ottawa Citizen, September 29, 2009 The claim that the new Lansdowne Park will consist of more than 40 per cent "new green parkland and open space," is a deception, Capital Councillor Clive Doucet charged at a press conference Tuesday. "I contest it. I think it's completely misrepresenting what any normal human being would regard as green, open space," the Capital ward councillor said. Doucet said the proposal that has been negotiated between the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group and city manager Kent Kirkpatrick will result in just over 10 per cent of the park's being converted into green space, and he presented his own proposal which would bump that amount up to 73 per cent. http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Lansdowne+Live+plan+green+enough+Doucet+argues/2046868/story.html
Hundreds turn out for park talk
First in series of public consultations begins in Lansdowne's home turf Ottawa Citizen, September 29, 2009
Chris Cobb It was a polite, civilized affair - until the anger and resentment seething beneath the surface burst forth in a sudden, spontaneous act of defiance. The Glebe, hostile territory for the Lansdowne Live proposal, was the first stop in a week-long public consultation process - a travelling road show of colourful drawings and plans and a host of developers, retail experts, city experts and assorted supporters on hand to convince taxpayers why their proposed transformation of this jewel of Ottawa real estate deserves the people's support. The several hundred Glebeites crammed into an Ottawa Civic Centre basement salon seemed unimpressed both by the plan and the process that led to it. The most vocal were clearly furious that the "public consultation" offered no platform for public debate. http://www.ottawacitizen.com/business/Hundreds+turn+park+talk/2044486/story.html
Lansdowne public forums matter: councillors CBC News, September 28, 2009 Public consultations that launch Monday on a controversial proposal to transform Landsdowne Park will have an impact on the park's future, councillors who support and oppose the plan agree. "I think it's a great proposal but I do want to listen to what the residents have to say," said Orléans Coun. Bob Monette of the Lansdowne Partnership Plan. "If the public is saying no, they don't want us to go ahead, well then that's something we'll have to look at." The plan is a public-private partnership between the City of Ottawa and the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group. Coun. Clive Doucet, who represents the ward that contains Lansdowne Park and has criticized the proposal, said the turnout at the consultations will matter. http://www.cbc.ca/canada/ottawa/story/2009/09/28/ottawa-lansdowne-park-consultations.html
Lansdowne Live: les consultations prises d'assaut Le Droit, le 28 septembre 2009
François Pierre Dufault Des centaines d'opposants à Lansdowne Live ont pris d'assaut, hier soir, la première d'une série de six consultations publiques sur le projet de partenariat public-privé. Le projet de 250 millions $, qui serait financé à parts égales par la Ville d'Ottawa et un groupe de gens d'affaires de la région, semble loin de faire l'unanimité chez les résidants d'Ottawa. La première ronde de consultations avait lieu au parc Lansdowne, au même endroit où on propose un nouveau stade de football, un nouvel aréna et un centre commercial. Armés de pétitions et de porte-voix, les opposants se sont fait entendre tant à l'entrée du site qu'à l'intérieur de la salle où avait lieu la présentation. http://www.cyberpresse.ca/le-droit/actualites/ottawa-est-ontarien/200909/28/01-906433-lansdowne-live-les-consultations-prises-dassaut.php
Hundreds attend first Lansdowne open house Ottawa Sun, September 28, 2009
Kenneth Jackson Hundreds of people showed up to the first public open house Monday night at the Civic Centre to view a proposal to redevelop Lansdowne Park. They were greeted by a banjo-playing group of musicians who believe the entire process has been bad, almost as much as the proposal on the table. "This is about 40 acres of public land that is about to be given away. This is a very first chance for the public to weigh in on how they feel about it. We want people to get involved and say what they think," said June Creelman, chair of the Lansdowne committee for the Glebe Community Association. The group sang songs that included the lyrics "It's a big decision. Let's expand our vision." They don't like that a group of businessmen, Lansdowne Live, are the only ones who have been able to submit a proposal. http://www.ottawasun.com/news/ottawa/2009/09/28/11170731.html
Lansdowne touted as garden-like ‘jewel on the Rideau' Ottawa Citizen, September 28, 2009
Kate Jaimet A lush expanse of lawns and gardens, stretching from the heritage Rideau Canal to the Victorian domes of the Aberdeen Pavilion: That's the vision expressed by developers and city officials, who say they want to turn the dilapidated southeast portion of Lansdowne Park into a verdant "jewel on the Rideau." But critics say that emerald jewel is flawed by the inclusion of a one hectare open area for outdoor events - designed to double as a 380-car overflow parking lot. Graham Bird, a consultant hired by the city to work on the Lansdowne proposal, said the open, grassy area would only become a parking lot on rare occasions, perhaps once or twice a year. He said the parking would not often be necessary, as the park's operators would aggressively promote public transit. http://www.ottawacitizen.com/life/Lansdowne+touted+garden+like+jewel+Rideau/2041156/story.html
Open house schedule for Lansdowne Park CTV Ottawa, September 28, 2009 Ottawa residents are being asked to have their say about plans to redevelop Lansdowne Park. Public consultations on the Lansdowne Live plan are set to begin Sept. 28. Those who can't attend the public meetings can make their opinions known electronically. The plan includes a renovated open-air stadium, arena, hotel, retail shops, condos and green space. The Aberdeen Pavillion will also be turned into a café and year-round farmer's market. City council will be briefed on the feedback on Nov. 2. http://ottawa.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20090917/OTT_Lansdowne_Open_House_090917?hub=OttawaHome
Sewage Overflows Hit One Billion Litres CFRA, September 28, 2009
Josh Pringle More than a billion litres of raw sewage has overflowed Ottawa's sewer system and into the Ottawa River this year. City Councillors have been told rainfall last Wednesday and Sunday caused 63 million litres of raw sewage to flow into the historic waterway. The Ministry of Environment and Ottawa Public Health have been notified about the spills. The city is installing Real Time Controls on sewer regulators, which will reduce sewage overflows by 65 per cent by next year. http://www.cfra.com/?cat=1&nid=68231
Rain sends 63M litres of sewage into river Ottawa Citizen, September 28, 2009 Rain last Wednesday and Sunday sent a combined 63 million litres of mixed sewage and rainwater into the Ottawa River, according to a memo from the head of the city's environmental-services division. Dixon Weir wrote to councillors to inform them of the two overflows, which occur when rain overwhelms sewer pipes in the older parts of Ottawa. Newer parts of the sewage system separate stormwater from household waste; in older parts of town the two functions are merged, and when too much water runs into the pipes they overflow into the river to prevent backups into homes and on to roads. All the appropriate authorities have been informed of the overflows, Weir's memo says. http://www.ottawacitizen.com/technology/Rain+sends+litres+sewage+into+river/2043428/story.html
Samsung deal just the start Toronto Star, September 28, 2009
Tyler Hamilton When asked about the Ontario government's decision last week to restrict development of solar "farms" on prime agricultural land, Milfred Hammerbacher offered an honest, reasonable response. "It would be almost offensive for us to complain about this," said Hammerbacher, an executive at solar module manufacturer Canadian Solar Inc. Sure, we're hearing complaints from the wind industry about arbitrary turbine setbacks and how it will kill wind projects. We're also hearing the big solar developers sounding off about the building ban on Class 1 and 2 agricultural lands and how it will, well, kill solar projects. http://www.thestar.com/business/article/702006
Risks and rewards
As Ottawa residents prepare to weigh in on the Lansdowne Live proposal at a series of open houses starting Monday, Patrick Dare takes an in-depth look at who pays for what, and who gets what, in the public-private partnership deal. Ottawa Citizen, September 27, 2009
Patrick Dare The Lansdowne Live proposal is part land deal, part sports venture, part commercial development, part public amenity. City land and buildings are to be redeveloped with a combination of public and private money. Who pays for what -- and who gets what -- is complicated, and deciding whether Lansdowne Live is in taxpayers' interests means gaming out a variety of future scenarios to evaluate the risks and rewards. Councillor Michel Bellemare says he still has questions even after getting a personal briefing. And he is concerned about the city entering such a partnership with one group of business people without having an open competition. http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Risks+rewards+Lansdowne+Live/2038835/story.html
Local produce sold here via Ajax
Veggies travel hundreds of kilometres before arriving at city Loblaws Ottawa Citizen, September 26, 2009
Joanne Chianello The SunTech Greenhouse is a 15-minute drive from Ottawa. Using hydroponics, the Manotick company has been growing pesticide-free tomatoes -- according to some critics, the best-tasting in the province -- for 10 years. It's been a local success story, with a sprawling 10,426-square-metre facility that supplies grocery chains such as the Loblaws group, which includes Real Canadian Superstore and No Frills. But if you picked up a few SunTech beefsteaks in the last week or so at your neighbourhood Loblaws thinking you were buying a 100-mile product, think again. While SunTech tomatoes are still grown locally, they are now being trucked more than 700 kilometres before reaching a Loblaws near you. http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Local+produce+travels+700km+before+arriving+back+area+stores/2036981/story.html
Bike share program a success Ottawa Sun, September 25, 2009
Terri Saunders A pilot project aimed at getting residents of the nation's capital out of their cars and onto bikes is being hailed as a success. The Bike Share program put on this summer by the National Capital Commission, the cities of Ottawa and Gatineau consisted of four bike-share stations set up around the region, each with 50 bicycles. Riders used a credit card as a deposit and then paid $3 to access a bike for 24 hours. The first 30 minutes of each ride was free, with each additional ride period of 30 minutes costing anywhere from $1.50 to $6. Early numbers suggest riders in July and August averaged between 50 and 60 daily trips between the four stations, with more than 3,000 people accessing the bikes for 5,361 trips during those months. http://www.ottawasun.com/news/ottawa/2009/09/25/11121191.html
Monday rain sends more sewage into river Ottawa Sun, September 25, 2009
Derek Puddicombe Monday's rainfall triggered another sewage overflow into the Ottawa River. About 3.7 million litres of sewage and untreated storm water spilled into the historic waterway. While the spill is relatively small, it brings this year's total to about 964 million litres - which is more than double the amount of overflow that occurs during an average year. Ontario Environment Commissioner Gord Miller was in Ottawa for two days this week reviewing the city's combined sewer system. He said the city is on track to solve its sewage-spill problem, but it doesn't yet have a plan to tackle contaminated, untreated storm water from making its way into the river. http://www.ottawasun.com/news/ottawa/2009/09/25/11116166.html
Bike share wheels out Charlatan, September 24, 2009
Kathleen Clark Environmental sustainability took centre stage Sept. 22, as campus student associations kick-started Carleton's first-ever Bike Share Program. The Carleton University Students' Association (CUSA), the Rideau River Residence Association (RRRA) and the Graduate Students' Association (GSA) along with a sparse but enthusiastic crowd, stood at Hartwell Locks to launch the new student-run initiative that will allow students, faculty and staff of Carleton to sign out bicycles to use on campus and in the community. The project began last year as an idea of former RRRA vice-president (administration) and current CUSA vice-president (internal affairs) Cameron McKenzie. Now, nearly a year later, the idea finally has wheels. "What a perfect day for it: International Car-Free Day," said McKenzie of the program's fitting start date. http://www.charlatan.ca/content/bike-share-wheels-out
Rising LRT cost raises concerns with province Ottawa Sun, September 24, 2009
Derek Puddicombe The skyrocketing cost of Ottawa's light-rail plan is calling the city's credibility into question, according to the provincial minister who will oversee Ontario's funding contribution to the plan. "Every time a new report comes out and costs go up it hurts the credibility of the process," said Municipal Affairs Minister Jim Watson. Watson's major concern is that the financial commitment expected from the province has jumped from $200 million to $600 million, and the final number could be even higher. "We (the provincial government) have serious financial limitations. They have to make sure the project is affordable." http://www.ottawasun.com/news/ottawa/2009/09/23/11072441.html
Reports of rising cost of transit plan cause concern Metro Ottawa, September 24, 2009
Tim Wieclawski Reports that the first phase of the $1.8-billion transit plan could wind up costing an extra $100 million are setting off alarm bells at Queen's Park. "Some of the reports suggest they didn't factor in the cost of a yard or the turning ability of the train on a certain portion of the track," said Ottawa-West Nepean MPP Jim Watson. "I'm interested in how many other surprises are we going to discover before we actually land on a firm plan with firm numbers." The transit committee chairman, Bay Ward Coun. Alex Cullen, acknowledged that cost pressures have arisen due to design changes, but said that is a normal part of any planning process. http://www.metronews.ca/ottawa/local/article/320032--reports-of-rising-cost-of-transit-plan-cause-concern
Mayor decries call to return to old transit plan without tunnel Ottawa Citizen, September 24, 2009
Patrick Dare Mayor Larry O'Brien says a call to abandon the city's new transit plan that includes a downtown tunnel is a "ridiculous" suggestion that "cannot work" in a growing city like Ottawa. O'Brien said Wednesday he was concerned that Citizen editorial board member Ken Gray proposes a return to the city's former transit plan as a way to avoid rising costs for the new plan. The old plan had commuter rail running between Barrhaven and the University of Ottawa at street level downtown, though a tunnel could be contemplated many years hence. O'Brien said the old plan was "doomed at birth" because Ottawa's busy downtown area can't cope with trains moving every 90 seconds through blocks of traffic. http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Mayor+decries+call+return+transit+plan+without+tunnel/2025967/story.html
Des résidants craignent une pollution visuelle
Projet d'aménagement de deux parcs solaires de 100 millions $ à La Nation Le Droit, le 24 septembre 2009
Jean-François Dugas Un projet d'aménagement de deux parcs solaires de 100 millions $ ne fait pas l'unanimité dans l'Est ontarien. Une filiale d'Énergie de France, EDF Énergies Nouvelles Canada, a ciblé deux sites de 100 acres, un au nord et l'autre au sud du village de St-Isidore, dans la municipalité de La Nation, où elle aimerait installer ses panneaux solaires dès l'an prochain. Toutefois, certains résidants avoisinants craignent une pollution visuelle. « Il y a toujours des résidants qui manifestent leurs préoccupations, c'est normal, a concédé Jon Kieran, directeur des opérations au Canada. Les voisins immédiats sont inquiets par la proximité du site (du nord). Ils demandent la distance à laquelle on pourrait pousser nos panneaux solaires de leur ligne de propriété et ils sont préoccupés par l'aspect visuel. » http://www.cyberpresse.ca/le-droit/actualites/ottawa-est-ontarien/200909/24/01-905330-des-residants-craignent-une-pollution-visuelle.php
Councillor urges more cycling infrastructure Metro Ottawa, September 23, 2009
Tracey Tong In the wake of a recent death of a 34-year-old cyclist downtown, a city councillor said Ottawa needs more segregated bike lanes and other cycling infrastructure found in cities like Montreal, Vancouver and Amsterdam. "Her name was Melanie Harris," said Coun. Clive Doucet Tuesday. "She was 34, a graduate of Nepean High School and Carleton University. She was just starting out in life." The city has shown reluctance in investing in cycling infrastructure, he said. Although things can change, it takes money and political will, he said. "This is where students come in," he said. Recently, students successfully lobbied city council to remove the age restriction on student bus passes, he said. http://www.metronews.ca/ottawa/local/article/318653--councillor-urges-more-cycling-infrastructure
Dump the expensive rail tunnel Ottawa Citizen, September 23, 2009
Ken Gray So far, the groundhog in my backyard has been making far better tunnelling progress than the City of Ottawa. The groundhog, whom I've dubbed Bombardier, has burrowed a passageway, created an underground station where she raised a family and turned my perennial garden into a rodent salad. Now she and her brood are fattening up for the winter. Successfully tunnelling and raising a family in the space of a rainy summer -- that's progress anyone, especially our city government, would envy. Another entity has fattened up as well. Siemens and its associates have reached a $36.7-million settlement with the city because council cancelled its contract to build the north-south light-rail project. Combine that with about $56 million in preparation costs for the route and about $2.5-million in city legal fees, and the city says we'll get a $100 levy per household, probably hidden in your property-tax bill, to pay for nothing. That estimate of your bill is probably too small. Unlike my groundhog, as a taxpayer I feel thinner. Fleeced might be a better word. http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Dump+expensive+rail+tunnel/2022666/story.html
High cost to clean up river
Sewage plan tabbed at $400M Metro Ottawa, September 23, 2009
Tim Wieclawski The city has a good plan to keep waste out of the Ottawa River, but the province's environmental commissioner warns it will be worthless without the follow through. "We could have a dry year next year and situation where there are very few beach closures. Will we lose our taste for spending the money to solve the problem long-term?" asked Gord Miller. "A clean environment costs money - that's a simple fact of life." Miller said the city could completely eliminate all sanitary sewage spills into the river by 2011, but it would cost nearly $400 million. According to planning and environment committee chairman Alta Vista Coun. Peter Hume, the city was already planning to spend $250 million. http://www.metronews.ca/ottawa/local/article/318931--high-cost-to-clean-up-river
Ontario government might ban solar power panels from farmland Metro Ottawa/Canadian Press, September 23, 2009
Keith Leslie About $5 billion in potential investment could go elsewhere if Ontario bans solar panels from prime agricultural lands, the Canadian Solar Industries Association warned Tuesday. The government refused to confirm that it will ban solar panels from class A1, A2 and A3 farm lands when it announces regulations later this week for its Green Energy Act, but that's what the industry is hearing, said association president Elizabeth McDonald. The problem with a ban, said McDonald, is those farmlands also tend to be the ones that get the most sunshine, and they often provide easy access to the electricity grid. http://www.metronews.ca/ottawa/local/article/318218--ontario-government-might-ban-solar-power-panels-from-farmland
Panel fights for improved cyclist safety Ottawa Sun, September 22, 2009
Jon Willing An advisory committee representing cyclists is pressing the city to maintain funding for programs and projects that will keep them safe. "There's been a lot of focus on it this summer," Michael Powell said after a roads and cycling advisory committee Monday night. Several cyclists have been seriously injured or killed in recent months. A woman died last week in a collision with a bus on Sussex Dr. and in July five cyclists were injured when they were struck by a minivan on March Rd. Powell, who was elected committee chair, said the advisory group needs to help the city make decisions about cycling infrastructure, and that means keeping tabs on the progress of the Ottawa Cycling Plan, a 20-year strategy finalized last year. http://www.ottawasun.com/news/ottawa/2009/09/21/11039586.html
Trash-to-energy plant in works
Plasco CEO says bugs have been worked out and facility could be ready by 2011 Ottawa Citizen, September 22, 2009
Kate Jaimet A contract to build a high-tech gasification plant to turn Ottawa's garbage into energy could be signed within the next few weeks, the chief executive of Plasco Energy Group Ltd. said Monday. That means a commercial facility that would take 400 tonnes of Ottawa's garbage every day and turn it into electricity could be up and running by the middle of 2011, Rod Bryden said. According to Bryden, Mayor Larry O'Brien and city manager Kent Kirkpatrick toured Plasco's demonstration facility last week. O'Brien voiced his confidence in the project Monday morning. "Plasco will be another one of the tools this city will be able to engage to reduce the amount of waste that goes into landfill," O'Brien said. http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Trash+energy+plant+works/2018405/story.html
L'idée de la piétonisation fait son chemin à Montréal La Presse, le 22 septembre 2009
François Cardinal La piétonisation des rues, le prolongement du réseau cyclable, l'élargissement des trottoirs, le développement du transport en commun... Confinées au mouvement écolo dans le passé, ces demandes sont aujourd'hui celles d'une portion croissante des Montréalais. Voilà le message des fidèles de la toute première heure de la journée En ville sans ma voiture, qui disent observer, année après année, une ouverture de plus en plus grande des citoyens envers des pratiques urbanistiques plus progressistes. «La journée sans auto le prouve, selon Marco Viviani, de l'entreprise Communauto. S'il y avait dans le passé des protestations quand on bloquait les rues pour l'événement, ce n'est plus du tout le cas aujourd'hui. L'idée est même tellement ancrée, que la journée a des airs de vente trottoir!» http://www.cyberpresse.ca/environnement/200909/22/01-904463-lidee-de-la-pietonisation-fait-son-chemin-a-montreal.php
Réservoir sous un parc à Ottawa
Une solution contre les inondations Le Droit, le 20 septembre 2009
François Pierre Dufault À peine quelques mètres en dessous de l'espace gazonné où les enfants s'amusent et les étudiants se prélassent entre leurs cours, au parc de la Côte-de-Sable, un vaste réservoir a été construit pour prévenir les refoulements d'égouts dans les environs. Réaménagé au coût de 22 millions $ au cours des 18 derniers mois, le parc de la Côte-de-Sable a reçu samedi son baptême officiel. Mais dans les faits, son réservoir souterrain d'une capacité de 12 500 mètres cubes - qui à lui seul a coûté 15 millions $ - a déjà empêché deux refoulements d'égouts au cours des deux derniers mois, de signaler le conseiller Georges Bédard. L'élu du quartier Ottawa-Vanier a rappelé que les études visant à réaménager le parc de la rue Somerset ont commencé peu après un refoulement d'égouts majeur qui avait provoqué de nombreuses inondations dans les résidences de la Côte-de-Sable, à l'été 2004. http://www.cyberpresse.ca/le-droit/actualites/ottawa-est-ontarien/200909/20/01-903730-une-solution-contre-les-inondations.php
Green bins: It's about time Ottawa Sun, September 20, 2009
Susan Sherring The green bins are coming, the green bins are coming. Are you excited yet? Didn't think so. A city ad calls for unrealistic excitement over the appearance of the green bin, suggesting it will shake up Ottawa. "Keep your eyes peeled," the talking bin suggests. Too cute by half. http://www.ottawasun.com/news/columnists/susan_sherring/2009/09/20/11018616.html
Cyclist who perished beneath bus careful, responsible, friend says Ottawa Citizen, September 19, 2009
Tony Lofaro Melanie Harris was a careful cyclist always prepared to go out of her way to avoid cycling in high-traffic areas, said a close friend of the 34-year-old woman who died Wednesday. Harris had cycled up a path leading to Sussex Drive before driving over the sidewalk and into the path of an incoming Gatineau city bus. Ottawa paramedics declared her dead at the scene of the accident which occurred near the Lester B. Pearson building. "She was a responsible biker, she was a cautious biker, and she generally would choose sidestreets to avoid thoroughfares," said Tom Goodwin, an owner of Top of the World skateboard shop on Rideau Street. http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/ottawa/Cyclist+perished+beneath+careful+responsible+friend+says/2009599/story.html
Transit money available: premier
Says province expects to put more into multibillion-dollar project Ottawa Citizen, September 19, 2009
Mohammed Adam Dalton McGuinty has given the clearest indication yet that the province will support Ottawa's multibillion-dollar transit project, saying the Liberals will provide more money for the new plan. The premier told reporters Friday that it is unrealistic to expect that the $200 million the province provided as its contribution to the cancelled north-south rail line will be enough to modernize the city's transit system. "I think any sensible assessment of our needs in this community when it comes to a modern transit system is going to require more than $200 million from the people of Ontario through their provincial government," he said. http://www.ottawacitizen.com/Transit+money+available+premier/2009967/story.html
City must protect cyclists, councillor says CBC News, September 18, 2009 A member of the City of Ottawa's transportation committee said Friday something has to be done to protect the growing number of cyclists on the streets. "We've got to start investing in proper safe-cycling lanes, and doing what Toronto is doing, what Montreal is doing - creating lanes that are dedicated to cyclists," Coun. Clive Doucet said. In the meantime, Doucet said, if cyclists are worried about their safety, they should ignore city bylaws and ride on the sidewalk when they feel they have to. The issue arose after Melanie Harris, 34, was killed when she was hit by an Outaouais transit bus on Sussex Drive Wednesday. Harris was hit on a tricky section of Sussex Drive where there is a lane designated to be shared by buses and bicycles. http://www.cbc.ca/canada/ottawa/story/2009/09/18/cycling-safety.html
Crossroads where cyclist killed known as puzzling, treacherous
Design flaws cited where sidewalk, bike path and Sussex converge Ottawa Citizen, September 18, 2009
Neco Cockburn, with files from Cassandra Drudi The collision that killed a female cyclist Wednesday occurred along a dangerous and confusing stretch of road, sidewalk and path where buses, cyclists and pedestrians meet, according to people who frequent the area. Melanie Harris, 34, was struck by a Gatineau city bus that was heading north on Sussex Drive, near the Lester B. Pearson Building, around 4:45 p.m. Harris had cycled up a path leading to Sussex Drive before driving over the sidewalk into the path of the oncoming bus, which was in a shared bus and bike lane, according to an Ottawa coroner. http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Crossroads+where+cyclist+killed+known+puzzling+treacherous/2006635/story.html
Cyclist killed in collision with bus
STO vehicle hits woman on Sussex Drive Ottawa Citizen, September 17, 2009
Zev Singer and David Gonczol A tragic summer for Ottawa cyclists got worse Wednesday after a 34-year-old female cyclist was killed in a collision with a bus on Sussex Drive in front of the Lester B. Pearson Building. The Gatineau city bus was heading north on Sussex just before 5 p.m. with no passengers on board as it passed the building that houses the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. The driver was preparing to begin a route taking rush-hour commuters to the Quebec side of the Ottawa River. At the scene, Ottawa Coroner Guy Genier said the woman cycled up a path that led to Sussex Drive, near the south side of the Pearson building, and drove over the sidewalk into the path of the oncoming bus. http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Cyclist+killed+collision+with/2001602/story.html
Environmental group calls for limit on cars in Gatineau Park
Entrance fees, closing some roads proposed to NCC Ottawa Citizen, September 17, 2009
Dave Rogers The National Capital Commission should limit the number of cars entering Gatineau Park to reduce air pollution, the head of an Outaouais environmental group said Wednesday. Nicole Desroches, executive director of the Conseil régional de l'environment et du développement durable de l'Outaouais (CREDDO) told an NCC consultation committee on recreation that entrance fees should be charged at the park gates and some roads should be closed to private vehicles. The NCC could establish park-and-ride stations at park entrances, she said. Visitors already have to pay to use parking lots, but there could also be gates where people would have to pay to enter the park. http://www.ottawacitizen.com/technology/Environmental+group+calls+limit+cars+Gatineau+Park/2001616/story.html
City faces legal challenge over Lansdowne Live plan Ottawa Citizen, September 16, 2009 A Glebe businessman is seeking a judicial review and a court injunction to stop the city from reaching an agreement with Lansdowne Live to redevelop the site. John Martin said he filed a review application with the Ontario Superior Court Wednesday as well as a separate request for a hearing for an injunction to stop the and city and the Lansdowne Live business group from further negotiations. He said the court set a Nov. 12 date to hear his applications. He said he is now seeking an earlier date to present his case for an injunction. His legal arguments are premised on his belief that by dealing exclusively with the Lansdowne Live group's redevelopment proposal, the city is violating its own purchasing bylaw, which encourages a competitive procurement process. http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/City+faces+legal+challenge+over+Lansdowne+Live+plan/2001194/story.html
Laurentian High site plan improves Baseline: McRae
Neighbours want ‘main street' style of development Ottawa Citizen, September 16, 2009
Patrick Dare At least part of Baseline Road would be a lot more pedestrian-friendly under a proposed redevelopment of Laurentian High School, says River ward Councillor Maria McRae. The project, to be examined by the planning and environment committee on Sept. 22, calls for storefronts along Baseline Road and Clyde Avenue, with entrances from the street. Parking would be behind those buildings. A big-box store would be at the back of the 15.5-acre school site, which Toronto developer SmartCentres bought from the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board for $21.2 million after the school closed in 2005. The big-box store, not yet identified, would be 150,000 square feet. McRae said what makes this plan different from other suburban commercial developments is the treatment of pedestrians. The plan includes a six-metre setback to give pedestrians more space and create the opportunity for restaurant patios. http://www.ottawacitizen.com/business/Laurentian+High+site+plan+improves+Baseline+McRae/1997699/story.html
City transit committee OKs $17M technology package for OC Transpo buses Ottawa Citizen, September 16, 2009
Patrick Dare A $17-million package of transit technology won approval of city council's transit committee Wednesday after being criticized by one councilor as a poorly handled procurement. It appeared the deal with the U.S. company Clever Devices Ltd. might fail at committee when some of the money was voted down. But Councillor Christine Leadman changed her vote to support the project. Leadman had earlier expressed concern that the city was not in a financial position to carry the project cost. The company is to provide next-stop announcements on most of the city's OC Transpo buses on small screens at the front of buses and over an audio system. As well, the company would provide extra technology, such as vehicle tracking that allows people to determine where buses are in the area and the maintenance condition of vehicles. http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/City+transit+committee+technology+package+Transpo+buses/2001157/story.html
North-South rail line not dead yet
Cancelled plan that cost taxpayers millions pitched to province as option Ottawa Citizen, September 16, 2009
Patrick Dare Ottawa may have ditched its first north-south light-rail plan, but it could soon be building the project regardless, if the Ontario government decides to fund it. Briefing notes on the city's pitch to two key provincial ministers show that Ottawa is offering two options for the funding of its new transit plan in the first phase. One option is a package that includes building the light-rail tunnel downtown and building the rail line from Blair Station in the east to Tunney's Pasture west of downtown, as well as expanded bus transit corridors. This would cost $1.7 billion. Option two is to do the tunnel and rail line from Blair to Tunney's and convert the current north-south diesel O-Train into a two-track electric line. http://www.ottawacitizen.com/technology/North+South+rail+line+dead/1997732/story.html
Federal MPs head south to examine high-speed rail Ottawa Citizen, September 12, 2009
Mike de Souza A foreign fact-finding mission this month by a four-party delegation from Parliament will raise the profile of high-speed rail in the political agenda with a general election looming on the horizon, federal MPs say. Representatives from the Conservative government and the opposition parties will travel to New York and Washington, D.C., on Sept. 20 for a few days to ride the national Amtrak passenger service's Acela Express in a bid to find out more about the U.S. high-speed rail plans. They will also meet with officials from President Barack Obama's administration. Obama has pledged at least $13 billion to improve passenger-rail service in nearly a dozen corridors, including regions that are slated to link to Canadian cities, including as Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal and Windsor, Ont. http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Federal+head+south+examine+high+speed+rail/1988193/story.html
Council agrees to pay $36.7M by Sept. 30
Now must decide how to fund settlement of north-south light-rail suit Ottawa Citizen, September 12, 2009
Patrick Dare Ottawa councillors reluctantly conceded Friday that the "day of reckoning" had come and agreed to end a three-year-old legal fight and pay $36.7 million to settle the suit over the cancelled north-south light-rail project. After a short, emotional debate, councillors also voted 17-4 to pay the settlement in a lump sum by Sept. 30 to avoid interest charges. What's still a matter of discussion is just how the municipality will afford it. Most councillors said it was better to settle than push ahead with a trial and risk having to pay up to $100 million if the city lost in court. http://www.ottawacitizen.com/business/Councillors+approve+settlement/1986335/story.html
Ottawa LRT settlement reached for $36.7M CBC News, September 11, 2009 Ottawa city councillors voted Friday morning to pay a total of $36.7 million in out-of-court settlements for two lawsuits filed after the municipality cancelled a light-rail project. Councillors voted 17-4 in favour of the settlements. A separate breakdown of the two payments wasn't immediately available. The vote was held after Mayor Larry O'Brien called an emergency council meeting. The contract for the $778-million LRT project was cancelled three years ago. Shortly after, Siemens Canada, PCL Constructors and Ottawa LRT Corp. announced they would sue the city for $177 million. When a settlement proposal was put forward then, the city turned it down. In September 2007, St. Lawrence Cement Inc. announced it was launching a separate $40.5-million lawsuit against the city. That company offered to take $31.7 million in a settlement out of court. http://www.cbc.ca/canada/ottawa/story/2009/09/11/ottawa-light-rail-council.html
Ottawa City Council overturns age cap on bus pass The Charlatan, September 11, 2009
Jeanne Armstrong and Joel Eastwood Ottawa city council voted swiftly and unanimously to rescind the age cap on student bus passes at a meeting Sept. 9 following the appeal of delegations, including Carleton University Students' Association (CUSA), at an earlier transit committee meeting. "Let's reopen [the issue] and spend a very short time debating it and just fix it," said councillor Rick Chiarelli during debate on the issue. A petition of more than 2,400 signatures from students was also presented to Mayor Larry O'Brien at the council meeting. "It sends an awful message to every student across the nation that we discriminate on a basis of our student pass for a very tiny sum of money collectively, but a huge impact on individual students," said councillor Clive Doucet. http://www.charlatan.ca/drupal/content/ottawa-city-council-overturns-age-cap-bus-pass
Council ends age limit for student bus passes Ottawa Citizen, September 9, 2009
Patrick Dare Ottawa Council unanimously voted to reverse its policy on age limits for student transit passes Wednesday. With a council chamber packed with university and college students, councillors decided to end a policy that limits student bus passes to people aged 27 and younger. Councillors said the age restriction was part of a hasty budget decision reached in December when councillors voted 19-5 for the policy. Lifting the age restriction will cost the city $220,000. http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Council+ends+limit+student+passes/1975872/story.html
Committee OKs delay on building on Carp River basin Ottawa Citizen, September 8, 2009
Patrick Dare A brief moratorium on building near the Carp River passed city council's planning and environment committee Tuesday but even the head of the committee said the action was little more than a gesture. City councillors and staff have been struggling to react decisively on flood-risk issues since July 24, when an intense rainstorm flooded 1,200 west-end homes, some for the third time in 13 years. Kanata South Councillor Peggy Feltmate initially proposed a general moratorium on building on lands that are drained by the Carp River or its creeks. Feltmate's ward includes the Glen Cairn subdivision that was hardest hit by floods this summer. http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Committee+delay+building+Carp+River+basin/1973268/story.html
City puts Carp River construction on hold
Flooding, sewer backups mean city needs to study its infrastructure, Feltmate says Ottawa Sun, September 8, 2009
Derek Puddicombe Construction near the Carp River will be halted for at least the next five weeks until a new drainage study has been completed. Kanata South Coun. Peggy Feltmate asked for the moratorium at the city's planning and environment committee meeting Tuesday afternoon. Feltmate pushed for the study, expected to be completed by Oct. 13, after more than 1,000 homes were flooded in portions of Kanata, Stittsville and Carp as a result of a July 24 torrential downpour. The moratorium affects about 100 homes. http://www.ottawasun.com/news/ottawa/2009/09/08/10790636.html
Glen Cairn residents rain on city's flood report Ottawa Citizen, September 4, 2009
Kate Jaimet Fix it. And take responsibility. That was the message from residents of Glen Cairn on Thursday after hearing the city's long-awaited report into the July 24 flooding. "The point is, we pay our taxes. And they know the sewer can't hold a 100-year storm. And there's no fix, no liability, no nothing," said Dundegan Drive resident Scott Robinson, who was hit with $75,000 worth of damages to his home and possessions after sewage backed up and flooded his basement that night. He had no insurance, since coverage had been refused after his home flooded in 2002. Now he's doing laundry at his mother's house because his washer and dryer were ruined, paying monthly installments on a new furnace, and trying to fix up his 15-year-old son's basement bedroom, where he had to rip out flood-damaged walls and carpeting. He said he'd consider suing the city, but there's the problem of legal fees. http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Glen+Cairn+residents+rain+city+flood+report/1959775/story.html
Planners defy council on Lansdowne -- again
Staff ignore councillors' push for no housing, follow official plan Ottawa Citizen, September 4, 2009
Patrick Dare When the Lansdowne Live group proposed housing as part of their project this week, a lot of people assumed it was the developers who were pushing for this potentially lucrative option. In fact, it was the city's planners, in opposition to their own council's explicit direction. It's the second time on the Lansdowne Park file that city staff have defied the direction of city council. In the first instance, city manager Kent Kirkpatrick cancelled a design competition for Lansdowne Park that had been initiated by council. He said he did it so the city could seriously look at an unsolicited proposal from four Ottawa businessmen to rebuild Lansdowne and bring a new Canadian Football League franchise to the city. Kirkpatrick later apologized and said he should have asked for council's approval. http://www.ottawacitizen.com/business/Planners+defy+council+Lansdowne+again/1960981/story.html
Proposal ‘embarrassing'?
Lansdowne Park neighbours unhappy with retail space plans Metro News, September 4, 2009 Some neighbours of Lansdowne Park Thursday registered their disappointment with the revised Lansdowne Live proposal unveiled Wednesday. For Catherine Lindquist, president of the Glebe Business Improvement Area, the most unpleasant surprise was a near-doubling of planned retail space for Lansdowne, which she said equals the total amount of existing retail space in the Glebe and would hurt local businesses. Lindquist said her members aren't opposed to a retail component, "if it's the right kind and it fits with what we're known for and it's got some magic to it fine, but this is a mall. This is the equivalent of Carlingwood Mall going in." http://www.metronews.ca/ottawa/local/article/301639--proposal-embarrassing
Light Rail Construction Will Put Buses on the Road CFRA, September 4, 2009
Josh Pringle The Chair of Ottawa's Transit Committee insists there will be a plan in place to deal with extra traffic on the roads during the construction of the Rapid Transit Network. OC Transpo will need to close 12 km of the Transitway while the first phase of the light rail transit plan is constructed. Councillor Alex Cullen tells CFRA's Afternoon Edition with Rob Snow a report will be tabled before the end of the year on the transition plan to deal with the extra traffic on roads and highways. http://www.cfra.com/?cat=1&nid=67665
Greyhound demands $15M to avoid route cuts
Federal transport minister accuses company of trying to bully provinces CBC News, September 4, 2009 Greyhound Canada said Thursday that unless it gets $15 million in government aid, it will cease passenger bus operations in Manitoba and northwestern Ontario because it is being forced to operate unprofitable rural routes without government help. The company, a subsidiary of Dallas-based Greyhound Lines Inc., also said it is reviewing its operations in Alberta, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, the Yukon and the Northwest Territories. Despite Greyhound's insistence that it is in "dire" financial straits, federal and provincial politicians called the announcement a ploy. Passenger service in Manitoba will end Oct. 2 and routes in northwestern Ontario will stop operating Dec. 2, Greyhound said, though parcel shipping will be unaffected. http://www.cbc.ca/canada/ottawa/story/2009/09/03/greyhound-bus-stoppage.html
Editorial: We need to share the city's roads Toronto Star, September 2, 2009 The latest altercation between a car and a bicycle on Toronto's streets has left cyclist Darcy Allan (Al) Sheppard dead and former attorney general Michael Bryant facing two charges of criminal negligence and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death. It is important not to prejudge Bryant's actions. That is best left to the courts. But the incident serves as a tragic reminder that we all have to share the road: motorists, cyclists and pedestrians. That means we have to be respectful of each other. But, given the enormous power imbalance between someone in a multi-tonne vehicle and someone on a bicycle in the same lane, motorists have a responsibility to be extra careful to watch out for cyclists. http://www.thestar.com/comment/article/689565
Student bus pass issue transferred back to council
Committee votes to reverse age limit Ottawa Citizen, September 1, 2009
Kate Jaimet Mature students were given hope for cheaper bus passes Tuesday as city council's transit committee unanimously passed a resolution asking council to reverse its decision to cap the age for student transit passes at 27. However, the resolution still has to be debated by full city council next Wednesday, and it's expected to face a rough ride from councillors unwilling to re-open the city budget. "When it rises to council next week, it will take 18 votes out of 24 to reverse that budget decision taken last year," Bay Councillor Alex Cullen said. "We will have to deal with, where does that extra $220,000 come from? Because we are not going to send out an extra tax bill." http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Student+pass+issue+transferred+back+council/1952504/story.html
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