Revised Lansdowne plan gets mixed reviews

Ottawa city council was set Wednesday afternoon to debate a proposal by a local business group to revamp Lansdowne Park in the city's Glebe neighbourhood, a plan that has been revised since council first considered it last October.

Not everyone is happy with what's known so far about the new proposal by the Lansdowne Live group, which was asked by council to revise its original revitalization plan. The full proposal is being unveiled at council Wednesday afternoon.

In the spring, city council said it would not consider a proposal that included a housing complex or a shopping plaza, as Lansdowne Live's original plan did.

The new plan, said Coun. Diane Deans on Wednesday, still doesn't conform to those parameters.

"Not only is there housing, there's much more housing than there is in the original plan," she said.

The Lansdowne Live proposal is the only one council isconsidering.

Mike McKenna is a long-time observer of goings-on at Lansdowne Park, where he has worked for 21 years as an employee of the SuperEX, whichtakes placein the parkeach summer.

"It's a waste. You know, you can put townhouses anywhere. Why put it on the jewel in the centre of the city?" McKenna said.

Glebe resident John Atkinsonsaid he's not against the Lansdowne Live proposal per se butwants to hear other ideas forrevitalization of the park.

"It may or may not be the right thing, but I think there should be another proposal," he said. "It feels like strong-arm tactics by the developers, and I'm in the business, so I know what they're like. This is one proposal put forward by one group that's interested in making money for themselves, and it may be very good for the city or it may not. We shouldn't lock ourselves into that [being]the only route we could possibly go.

"If there are too many question marks, do something different."

The new plan contains no big box stores but still includes a row of boutique-style shops along Bank Street.

It also includes two five-storey condominium towers, a row of 22 townhouses along Holmwood Avenue, a hotel and plans to renovate Frank Clair Stadium.

Resident Kelly Bellehumer said the plan is a good one for the Glebe.

"To have a proposal with housing and hotel and boutiques, I think it would add a lot," Bellehumer said. "I think the Glebe is getting a bit old. I think a more of a sports facility [is needed], personally. I think that would really add a lot to the area."

The first version of the plan was brought forward last October by Jeff Hunt, owner of the Ottawa 67's Ontario Hockey League team, and local developers Roger Greenberg, John Ruddy and Bill Shenkman.

The push to redevelop Lansdowne Park began after cracks were found in 2007 in the lower south side stands of Frank Clair Stadium, which had supported thousands of fans during the sold-out FIFA U-20 World Cup soccer games just months before. The stands were later demolished.