Lansdowne Park retail study worries Glebe BIA

A new study that outlines retail possibilities for a redeveloped Lansdowne Park is already drawing criticism from a local business group.

When Ottawa city council gave a conditional blessing to the Lansdowne Park redevelopment project in November, councillors asked for an independent study examining what impact the new retail space might have onexisting businesses, including those along Bank Street in the Glebe neighbourhood.

The study was prepared by J.C. Williams Group, a Toronto-based consulting firm hired by the City of Ottawa.The studyrecommends a mix of new businesses, including specialty foods, sporting good shops, cafs, theatres, a pharmacy and health service businesses.

"So nothing is going to dominate or take away from the Glebe," said consultant John Williams. "I think this is a chance for the Glebe to thrive, because theyll have new people there, and new opportunities."

But Catherine Lindquist, executive director of the Glebe BIA, said shehas some reservations about the retail plan.

"When I see words in the report like 'ample national chains,' I get worried, I get concerned," she said.

Councillor Clive Doucet said he thinkstheproposed retail visionis too similar to the mix of businesses that are already in the area.

"A Shoppers Drug Mart, a food court, a grocery store? We have all that and way better within 1,000 metres of the site," he said.

"Theres nothing here that convinces me that retail at Lansdowne Park is a great idea for our city."

Proponents of the plan say it's too early to tell exactly who is going to set up shop at Lansdowne Park, or how big the stores will be.

Councilisexpected tomake a final decision on Lansdowne Park in June.