Is the City negotiating another condo tower at Cleary?

I thought followers of this blog might be interested in this email from the City which reinforces concerns some residents have that the City may be moving toward replacing the strip mall at Richmond and Cleary with a condo tower — with all the traffic congestion, etc. that would entail, rather than the low-profile station with a green roof shown in their concept drawings.

Note in particular the statements: “I can confirm that preliminary decisions with representatives of the building owner have taken place. The owner of the property is willing to work with the City to integrate possible development with the proposed Cleary Station.”

Tweets (see below) from Jon Willing of the Ottawa Sun during the July 10 City Transportation Committee meeting seem to confirm this possibility.

From: “Mucsi, Kornel” <Kornel.Mucsi<a href="mailto:Kornel.Mucsiottawa.ca>
Subject: WLRTCPOH
Date: 18 July 2013

Good afternoon,

I would like to thank you for attending the June 17, 2013 Western LRT Public Open House. The June 17 Open House provided staff with the opportunity to speak with residents, such as yourself, regarding this important project.

I note that you had requested information on the property at 747 Richmond Road. I can confirm that preliminary decisions with representatives of the building owner have taken place. The owner of the property is willing to work with the City to integrate possible development with the proposed Cleary Station. Further you asked about the project budget and property requisition funds. Any property that would be required to complete this project will be budgeted for through the project budget of $980 M.

Regards,

Kornel Mucsi, P. Eng.
Program Manager

Tweets from Jon Willing of the Ottawa Sun during the July 10 City Transportation Committee meeting seem to confirm this possibility. They can be found here :
http://www.ottawasun.com/2013/07/10/live-1b-western-lrt-extension-debate

Next [presenter to the Committee] is Brian Casgrande with FoTenn Consultants.
by Jon Willing July 10 at 12:06 PM

Casgrande is representing 747 Richmond Rd. and some other properties where Cleary station will be. That would be a retail plaza there. The owners have hired Rod Lahey to design a building there. Casgrande says it was a “shock” to learn the rail would dissect the property. A meeting with the city has been held to integrate a proposed development with the station.

by Jon Willing July 10 at 12:08 PM

Casgrande says his client is interested in working with the city but the client wants the city to understand there are property rights involved.

by Jon Willing July 10 at 12:09 PM

Coun. Clark asks if the property owner knows about expropriation. He says the city might have to expropriate to protect the city’s interests. Casgrande said they have told the property owner and they’re aware of the expropriation risk.

by Jon Willing July 10 at 12:11 PM

Advertisement