Lansdowne Park proposal will bring new life to area of city, says Ward 5 councillor
Posted Jun 17, 2010 By Eli El-Chantiry
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Tweet ThisEMC News - While the Lansdowne Park proposal has not received too much attention, nor commentary from West Carleton-March residents, I would like to share my thoughts on the issue with you. You are welcome (and encouraged) to send me your comments.
Council decided last year that it did want to redevelop its historic site at Lansdowne, including the stadium, rather than building a stadium in a suburban part of the city. The redevelopment option in the central area of the city is in line with city's Official Plan strategy of developing within established neighbourhoods, where possible. Now it is time to determine exactly what this development will look like.
I have reviewed much of the 400 pages of recently published material and I believe that most of the recommendations of the current set of studies are sufficient to deal with the majority of issues and will permit me to make the most informed decision possible.
Transportation is a large issue for Lansdowne that the city is spending a lot of effort to resolve, and will be the focus of this column. The research so far concludes that the large stadium events will be the challenge, for which special measures will be needed including park-and-ride lots and shuttle buses to Lansdowne.
I have reviewed the McCormick Rankin Corp "Transportation Impact and Assessment Study and Transportation Demand Management Plan." The study assembles reasonable transportation plans for a variety of major events that would permit access to the site by combinations of private and public transit and parking. Their deductions and conclusions are based on a good analysis of the numbers.
While opponents to the overall development proposal would wish that the Stadium would go away, its continued presence in Lansdowne Park is vital to the overall proposal. The transportation challenges at the current location are, however, manageable.
Other cities have demonstrated that rising to such transportation challenges is do-able and a practical solution is possible where there is a will to make it work! I have that will and am hopeful that my council colleagues do as well.
I am looking forward to moving ahead with plans and to the renewed life that we will see at Lansdowne.
Please send your comments, and suggestions to me using the contact information below.
As always, please contact me at any time:
Eli El-Chantiry
Proudly Serving West Carleton-March, Ward 5
5670 Carp Rd., Kinburn, On K0A 2H0
www.Ward5Eli.com
Phone: 613-580-2475, Fax: 613-580-2515
Email: Eli.El-Chantiry@Ottawa.ca
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