Mayor Jim Watson has announced that he will be seeking a mandate from committee and council to allow the City of Ottawa to enter into negotiations with RendezVous LeBreton Group (RLG), the National Capital Commission (NCC) and other government partners on the redevelopment of LeBreton Flats.
“This development has the potential to be a tremendous city-building opportunity. We need to be at the table to ensure that the public areas within the LeBreton Flats redevelopment are distinctive, but also developed in a manner that is consistent with the city’s urban design and accessibility standards,” Watson said in a statement “I also want to ensure that it promotes a mix of housing types so that residents from all income brackets can call LeBreton home.”
Due to the significant long-term interest of the LeBreton project for the City of Ottawa and its residents, it is important that the city takes part in future negotiations, a city news release reported. “The mayor seeks to represent the city in those discussions to ensure that the best interests of the City of Ottawa and its taxpayers are represented during the redevelopment of one of the most noteworthy land areas available for development in Ottawa’s downtown core.”
The mayor will also work with the Ottawa Senators organization, West End councillors, businesses and residents to ensure that appropriate options are being developed to help make up for the potential economic loss to Stittsville, Kanata and the West End of Ottawa, should the Canadian Tire Centre be relocated.
The announcement said Watson has asked city staff to prepare a report outlining city council’s vision and setting a mandate for future negotiations, including the delegated authority for both the mayor and city manager to enter into discussions moving forward. The report will also identify the potential long-term city-building benefits of the redevelopment, including a more viable transit system, an increase in environmental sustainability and a more prosperous and vibrant core. The report will be considered by the Finance and Economic Development Committee in the coming months.
Following these negotiations this project will then follow the city’s required development review and approval process (i.e., secondary plan amendments, zoning, site plan approval, land division, etc.). The city will encourage an open dialogue of the LeBreton Flats redevelopment by offering opportunities for feedback and public consultation.
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