First decade of RendezVous LeBreton plan would see arena, 3 neighbourhoods, much more

The project manager for LeBreton Flats says hisfamily traces its roots back to the area's pioneer, Philemon Wright, and that he'skeen to restore the neighbourhood grid that once existed there.

"It's an area that I've been walking through all my life, saying, 'Why can't we fix this?'" saysGraham Bird, who alsomanaged the redevelopmentatLansdownein the GlebeandOttawa'sdowntown convention centre.

He says he's verycomfortable with the list of buildings and public spacesRendezVousLeBretonplans to deliver in the coming decade.

Birdheads theproject management firm that is working with the Ottawa Senators and the Trinity Development Group ontheir joint venture to redevelop the site.

The group learned last week it ranked highest of two proposals and will enter negotiations with the National Capital Commission some time after Wednesday, when the NCC again restricts them from speaking publicly about the project.

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Most of the big pieces in theRendezVousLeBretonproposalare due to be finishedin the project's first of three phases.

Bird says the hope is the arena can be built by 2021 or 2022, but thetwoNHL-sizedhockey rinks at aSensplex, the Abilities Centre, public parks and squares, and arestored heritage aqueduct should also be finished no later than 2026.

3 of 5 neighbourhoods expected in first phase

The RendezVous LeBretonplan is predicated on five distinct neighbourhoods, three of whichare also slated to be built inthe first phase.Quartier LeBreton andPimisiwill belocated along Albert Street, while Aqueduct will hugthe restored aqueduct in the centre of the redevelopment.

That will mean 1,400 new housing units in the next decade, saysBird.

Neighbourhoods calledBayview,on the western edge,and Asticou, near the war museum, are planned for future phases.

Development will be guided by a grid pattern that seeks to restore the historic roads and streets at LeBreton Flats, saysBird, who speakspassionately about the site's history and wentto the registry office to pull upold maps.

"We've got some of the biggest constructors and developer partners and they can just start working in different directions," saysBird, who notes thatWindmill Developments, Mattamy Homes, Brigil, PCL and Tomlinson are all working with RendezVous LeBretonGroup.

In thousands of surveys sent to the National Capital Commission during its public consultations, a number of people said theydidn't like the look of the manyhigh-risebuildings in the RendezVous LeBreton plan, but Bird saysit's important to build densely near the future light-rail stations.

Big-name retail on the way

Trinity Development Group, the RendezVous LeBreton partner that will be responsible for the retail component, was also responsible for the shops and restaurants at Lansdownein the Glebe.

LeBreton will see about twice Lansdowne'samount of retail in its first decade, saysBird, totaling about 800,000 square feet, as well as a similar amount of office space andone hotel.

In the NCC survey this past winter, many people pushed for independent shopsorworriedLeBretonmight end up with a similar retail mix to Lansdowne, which is home to many brand-name stores.

Bird acknowledges thatbig nameswill have a place at LeBreton, too,on Albert Street in the lower floors of buildings.

"At the end of the day, like it or not,all of us can't get everything from the artisan shops. There's the big bulk stuff we've just got to get, and why do we have to get in our cars and drive three miles to do that?" Bird asks.

Still, small cafes and shops will be tucked further in the development,where locals and tourists alike feel comfortable sitting to have a glass of wine or coffee, saysBird, before checking out markets, hearing music or strolling beyond to other capital sights.

Bird sayshe and dozens of othersworking with the RendezVous LeBretonGroup, from engineers to architect BarryHobin, have had "terrific" experience on projects around the city. He noted Lansdowne went from nothing to football kickoff in 30months.

"We're now equipped andcomfortable," saysBird. "So, it's just 'let us at it,'and whata privilege to be part of it."