Zibi (Domtar Lands Redevelopment) | U/C
CHAUDIERE DEVELOPMENT – STANDBY STATEMENT ISSUED BY WINDMILL DEVELOPMENTS
By Katie Paris Posted in Blog, Press, Press Releases. Bookmark the permalink. STATEMENT TO MEDIA http://www.windmilldevelopments.com/...-developments/ On July 15th, Ottawa-based Windmill Development Group signed a letter of intent to purchase the Domtar site on the Chaudière Islands. Windmill is in the process of undertaking due diligence before any sale can be completed. We are optimistic that we will be in a position to make a formal announcement related to this potential purchase and our vision for the site in early September. Until the sale of the land has been confirmed, Windmill will not be granting interviews to media. Windmill Developments is currently studying the suitability of the site for a mixed-use sustainable community. Residents and concerned parties can rest assured that Windmill takes its responsibility related to this historic and symbolic extremely seriously. As with all of our projects, if we proceed we will be undertaking an extensive consultation process to ensure the views of interested parties are considered as part of our design process. Our vision for the Chaudière Islands is to reinvent a historically rich, industrial space into a vibrant, world-class, sustainable, pedestrian-oriented, mixed-use development. Through historically sensitive redevelopment, the Chaudière region can be reanimated to bring new life and energy to this once bustling heart of industry. The harmonious integration of modern sustainable infrastructure into the heritage fabric of the Isles has the potential to provide the people of Ottawa and Gatineau with a new way to experience and appreciate the natural splendor of the Ottawa River. About Windmill Developments Windmill Developments is an Ottawa-based real estate development firm, with an unparalleled expertise in highly sustainable developments, with a particular focus on remediating brownfield sites. Windmill Developments is best known for their Dockside Green development in Victoria, BC. Dockside was one of 18 developments around the globe recognized by the Clinton Climate Initiative as being ‘Climate Positive’, and was called potentially the world’s greenest community by The Atlantic magazine. Windmill Developments is the only company in Canada with a completed portfolio of LEED Platinum mixed-use developments. Current projects include Cathedral Hill (www.cathedralhill.ca), The Eddy (www.theeddy.ca), Union Lofts (www.unionlofts.ca), and Whitewater Village (www.whitewatervillage.ca). For more information on Windmill Developments visit www.windmilldevelopments.com. Map from the Citizen http://postmediaottawacitizen.files....arland_web.jpg Source: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/ot...609/story.html OBJ Interview with a community organization interested in the redevelopment http://visionchaudiere.ca/ http://www.obj.ca/Real%20Estate/Non-...pment-vision/1 |
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Nice! Thanks for creating this Thread @WaterlooWarrior! I was thinking about this the last few days since word spread of the Notice of Intent by the "mystery" bidder (now revealed as Windmill Developments).
Again, I'm pretty excited about this. Bryant, who's quoted in the Citizen article was part of the earlier team that envisioned what the Chaudière Falls could look like. He's got some earlier sketches on his Facebook page - Here are a few of the more interesting ones (these must have been done pre-3D rendering software was available): https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.n...36488249_n.jpg https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.n...41247456_n.jpg https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.n...61049820_n.jpg https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.n...05361545_n.jpg Read/View more at Bryant's Facebook page. * The first photo shows the proposed Aboriginal Centre on Victoria Island as well. This sort of falls in line with Douglas Cardinal's vision of the building as well (Still in the concept design phase). Unfortunately, it seems like the plan is to demolish the "tall" old building on that island to make way for the Aboriginal Centre, which I find a bit of a shame. It'd be nice if they could move it to the other side of the bridge... ** The other 3 photos show the concept for the rest of Chaudière Island, and eludes a bit to the mention of "Venice" with regard to the Gondola ride. *** I should also note that Bryant is involved in Vision Chaudière. UPDATE: The images above were actually done by R. Bohacek (his signature is on the last drawing) - though the drawings aren't on his site for some reason. Maybe Bryant worked on the same project (??) |
The is the best news of the year so far. If any developer in Canada was available, I would pick Windmill to do it, and I am so freaking excited that they're looking at it seriously. I'm not going to hold my breath, as this is still very tentative and depending on the amount of remediation needed, the willingness of the NCC and the native groups to play ball, and windmill's assessment of the economics of this project it could easily fall through, but I am gong to cross my fingers. We may actually get a usable waterfront!!!
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BUT, if this does go through, it'll pretty much be an extension of the Destination Gatineau project. Assuming that project goes through as well, this could be an amazing waterfront for both cities. Interestingly enough, according to the Destination Gatineau project, the Domtar lands are to be replaced by a newly developed/relocated Science and Technology museum. I'm not sure if that's something the City of Ottawa has talked about with Gatineau though. I can't see the Science and Tech museum moving over to Gatineau, personally...Besides, Windmill may have other plans for the Domtar site. We'll see... |
Fingers crossed!
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Does anyone know how much, if any, authority the NCC and Feds would have on the development if the land is owned by a private developer? Looking at the map, it seems they only have to deal with the municipal governments and build around a few random patches of Federal land.
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Article after article, it almost sounds like the Feds are convinced that Windmill will just give them carte blanche in the redevelopment of the place. I just want those idiots to stop sticking there nose where it doesn't belong. They have proven time and time again that they are completely worthless in both urban planning and preservation of historical structures. It's time to let a private developer show what they can do without governmental intrusion.
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The NCC guy's words sounds like more of a threat than anything else. Lordy...
That said, wasn't there a map in the news last week showing who owns what land? The NCC owns more of the immediate shoreline around the perimeter of that island, but Domtar was the owner of more of the developable land. Respect the shoreline, sure, but Domtar land is Domtar land. The Feds didn't hand it to the NCC, so why are they trying to 'appropriate' it after the fact by muscling into the picture? Is it a case of 'Well, we want the land...and it is NEAR ours..." ??? |
I find it so funny that the NCC had actually talked with the government in regards to buying the land and developing it and nobody wanted to. None of them wanted to buy the land, none of them wanted to redevelop it etc..
But now that a private developer plans on purchasing it both the NCC and the Government are trying to nose in to say they "want to be a part of the process" and "want to dicatate what goes there" etc.. etc... If they wanted to do it and dictate what goes where they should've bought the damn thing in the first place... Can't expect Windmill to buy the lands and then just be the money-puppet and simply pay and build for whatever the NCC and Government want... |
Not sure why the Feds own weird pockets surrounded by Domtar land but since they love their '"green space" so damn much, maybe they can be in charge of developing their own land, those pockets and shore line, as parks for the greater development.
http://postmediaottawacitizen.files....arland_web.jpg |
Awesome! Thanks for posting the map.
Yes, as I remembered, the NCC has only a tiny bit of Chaudiere Island and the rest is Domtar and Public Works. NOT the NCC. The arrogance exuded by that body of people is infuriating. If the land had fallen into NCC hands, there would be decades of studies about what to do with it, with no action, ever. Like the new interprovincial bridge. Neverending studies enlisting 'All Canadians' in order to justify their budget and pay cheques, but without the responsibility of creating anything. (And if they did do something, I can't imagine how underwhelming the results would be). If the NCC thinks it can just appropriate by association and proximity any land they want, forget it. There is such a thing as private ownership and property rights. This isn't the Western LRT route. If you want the land, pony up the cash. If you want a disappearing LRT over and above the city's budget, pony up the friggin cash to see that it happens - they'd be happy, the city would be happy, taxpayers would be...more contented, I guess. This something for nothing thing irks me. Want something for 'all Canadians'? Stop demanding this and that, and invest in the freakin city for the good of 'all Canadians'!! |
I was thinking the same thing as everyone else when reading this last article. The NCC and the federal government are ridiculous. They had the opportunity to develop this land and didn't capitalize on the opportunity. Now they want to be partners? The NCC isn't bringing any money to the table, but they're offering their planners and architects? Windmill has worked on projects across the country and has received local, national, and international awards. Why do they need your planners and architects? If the NCC/feds want to be involved in an advisory capacity or bring some money to the table and develop all the public and private lands as a partnership, great. Otherwise, be quiet.
Here's what Windmill should be saying to the NCC. |
Any speculation on which buildings will be lost and which may be re-purposed?
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...iere_Falls.jpg I think the buildings on the point of Victoria Island (west of the bridge) could be saved. Maybe the western half of the building along Laurier in Hull (not pictured). The Booth Complex (east side of the central Island) will be mostly demolished. The buildings near the Chaudière Falls seem salvageable. All the facilities with siding will likely be torn down (unless they are actually historic with brick behind the siding and structurally sound which they seem to be). |
I thought something similar yesterday while driving by. They'd want to keep a bit of the old, which would mean the familiar building hugging the street on the west side (just past the War Museum) would/should be kept.
It would root the site in the past while still being a highly-visible, usable structure. As for the rest, there seems to be plenty of expendable stuff. |
It would be so cool is they could reproduce some of the old buildings in the picture below. I wonder how feasible it would be to rebuild the area to look like this again.
http://www.pastottawa.com/include/ot...1367087825.jpg Here's how it looks now (pics from http://www.pastottawa.com). http://www.pastottawa.com/include/ot...1367087825.jpg |
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Anyway, it looks like the left side of the first photo is somewhat in tact (minus the overpass and silo) - just covered in aluminum siding. With regard to other people's comments, I really hope the NCC and other parties trying to infiltrate this development process back off. Windmill hasn't even finalized the deal and everyone is talking about their stake in this project. What a way to turn someone off of completing the deal! Windmill knows what they are doing and they will contact the appropriate people when necessary. |
Windmill reported a meeting with the Mayor and Chair of the planning committee this week in the lobbyist registry. Briefing before announcing their plans publicly? Perhaps we'll have an announcement soon (they said early September if things work out) http://ottwatch.ca/lobbying/files/850
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