New developer plans to partially demolish Westboro convent for commercial use

Another pitched development battle is brewing in Westboro over a new proposal byAshcroft Homes to partially demolish a 19th-century convent designated as a heritage building to make way for commercial uses.

Ashcroft's "adaptive re-use" of Les Soeurs de la Visitation Convent will be encapsulated in glass and combine both heritage and modern elements, according toinformation posted on the website ofKitchissippiward Coun.JeffLeiper.

Ashcroft is proposing to modernize the stone buildingto attract commercial and office tenants.

The developer along with City of Ottawa staff in both the planning and Heritage departments will present more details in a public open house next month.

Expect a fight, says councillor

Leiper has warnedAshcroft to expect a fight from residents and from council.

"This is almost certain to generate a significant amount of community backlash. It will be difficult for me to support any modification to that building," Leiper said.

The city made it clear to Ashcroft in 2010 that preserving the convent was one of the conditions it had to commit to when it was given permission to purchase the property, he said.

Kitchissippi residents will also demand Ashcroft keep its initial promise to use the 147 year-old building for community space, he said. When it was awarded the development rights to the two-hectare site, Ashcroft pitched council a vision to use the former monastery to hold neighborhood gatherings and art installations. Stores and office space were not part of the deal, Leiper said.

"There is a need for community facilities in the neighborhood," Leipersaid. "Ashcroft has a real challenge to convince the public to support the addition of more commercial space."

The Kitchissippicouncillor said there is already bad blood in the ward stemming from Ashcroft's previous deviationfrom council-approvedplans.

Ashcroft's controversial redevelopmentfor the convent property was the subject of a three-day planning committee in 2010, where dozens of residents spoke against the plan. Ashcroft paid $12 million dollars for the property on Richmond Road at Island Park Drive.

Ashcroft's development on the convent lands is recognized around the city as the type of "main street development we don't want," Leiper said.

'This place is sacred like a church'

Ashcroft has not filed a formal land use application for the convent, according to city staff.

Glimpses of thestructurebuilt in the mid-1800scan be seen through the archways of an adjacent Ashcroft-developedglass condominium onRichmond Rd and Island Park Drive.

The stone building has sat empty for more than seven years. Itis currently fenced off with its windows boarded up, and wooden support beams propping up some ofits walls. Despite its state of disrepair,MartheLedoux, 77, said Ashcroft must keep its promise to the community to restore the building.

"This place is sacred, like a church," Ledouxsaid. She has lived in Westboro for nearly two decades and resides across the street in another Ashcroft development on Richmond Road and said from thewindow of her modern condo, she sees half a dozen unrented retail storefrontssurrounding the convent.She has doubts Ashcroft will be able to attract commercial interest in the site.

"Why would commercial space come here (to the convent) when they don't come on the main street?" she asked.

Site needs sponsor, developer says

Ashcroft Homes presidentDavid Choowas unwilling to be interviewed, butin a brief email exchange he told the CBC restoring a large heritage site like the conventrequires a "sponsor."

"If heritage assets are to be preserved and that is what we are trying to do then how can we achieve (this) given the enormous cost of such an undertaking. The convent needs several millions to even begin to adapt and the question is who pays?"

Choodid not answer questions about how much his company has spent to preserve the building since purchasing it in 2010.

The public hearing for Ashcroft's long-awaited proposal for the convent will take place Jan.10 at Van Lang Field House at 6 p.m.