An article in today’s Ottawa Citizen (Lansdowne, a big-box forerunner, report says, Maria Cook, March 23, 2010) reports that John Stewart, a heritage consultant hired by the city, describes Lansdowne Park as “the forerunner of what we call the big-box store,” and that stores such as Chapters bookstores and grocery stores would be acceptable uses for the site.
He goes on to indicate that Lansdowne has been a venue for the display of advancements in agriculture, livestock and manufacturing. And that many new initiatives such as the telephone, electric stove, radio broadcasting and first views of a plane in flight were first introduced to citizens of Ottawa here. Last evening I was very confused when I heard Councillor Peter Hume in a short piece on CBC News at Six extolling the virtues of such events as justification for development of retail space a Lansdowne.
It is unclear to me exactly what these wonderful events have to do with developing a large retail space on the grounds of Lansdowne Park. Having exhibition space in the park is one thing. Developing a large retail shopping complex is quite another. Councillor Clive Doucet is right on the mark when he says “…This is all about privatization. It makes no sense in terms of the park’s history…”
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Thursday, March 4, 2010
The thin end of the wedge
I am disturbed by the recent decision by Ottawa council’s corporate services and economic development committee to lift a bylaw that prevents consultants from providing services to the city and to a private developer on the same or related project (Committee OKs bylaw change, Ottawa Citizen, March 3, 2010). This decision, if approved by full council, will set a dangerous precedent.
It is particularly troublesome that such a decision has been taken so soon after the mammoth council debate over the Lansdowne Park transportation study that resulted in Delcan Corporation, OSEG’s consultant on the Lansdowne Live proposal agreeing to stand down from a consulting role for the city because of perceived conflict of interest.
As well as avoiding possible conflicts of interest, having an alterative contractor perform the work on behalf of the city is always a wise strategy. Mistakes or oversights are frequently made and it is wise to have an independent consultant act on behalf of the city. I find the argument that there are insufficient qualified consultants available to undertake this study difficult to accept and I doubt there will be a steep learning curve involved if a new consultant does the work.
No matter how small or straightforward the project, reversing the bylaw once will make it easier to turn it down next time, and so-on ad-infinitum. Hopefully city council will turn down this recommendation when it comes up for a vote.
It is particularly troublesome that such a decision has been taken so soon after the mammoth council debate over the Lansdowne Park transportation study that resulted in Delcan Corporation, OSEG’s consultant on the Lansdowne Live proposal agreeing to stand down from a consulting role for the city because of perceived conflict of interest.
As well as avoiding possible conflicts of interest, having an alterative contractor perform the work on behalf of the city is always a wise strategy. Mistakes or oversights are frequently made and it is wise to have an independent consultant act on behalf of the city. I find the argument that there are insufficient qualified consultants available to undertake this study difficult to accept and I doubt there will be a steep learning curve involved if a new consultant does the work.
No matter how small or straightforward the project, reversing the bylaw once will make it easier to turn it down next time, and so-on ad-infinitum. Hopefully city council will turn down this recommendation when it comes up for a vote.
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