Parliament Hill Rehabilitation Project

[J.OT13]

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/travel/...400/story.html

Government plans $50M subterranean visitors’ centre on Hill

Even as it is preaching austerity and cutting programs and jobs, the federal government is planning a $50-million underground visitors’ centre on Parliament Hill.

Sitting three storeys deep, the Visitor Welcome Centre is designed to accommodate the growing number of visitors to Canada’s seat of government. To be constructed in three stages, the first phase is expected to be completed in the summer of 2017 and cost $48.9 million. According to the Request for Proposals released by Public Works Canada, the centre will connect “the West Block, the Centre Block and the East Block Underground Service buildings.”

Initially, the centre will primarily serve the renovated West Block, which will be refitted as the temporary chamber of the House of Commons while the Centre Block undergoes extensive renovations. But with future expansion, it will “form a fully interconnected subterranean Visitor Welcome Centre.” The project is part of the 25-year $5-billion modernization of the Parliament Buildings that the government has committed to.

But at the same time the government is building a multimillion-dollar centre to enhance visitor experience, the federal government is also cutting back on the number of people who take guided tours. About 355,000 people take guided tours of the Parliament Buildings every year, with 20,000 doing so in the evenings. Officials confirmed that budget cuts to the Library of Parliament, which is responsible for tours, mean the evening tours would end effective Saturday, when the last tour is finished at 4:30 p.m.

Nancy Durning, communications adviser to the Library of Parliament, said the elimination of the evening tours would have limited impact, since they are only offered in the summer.

Officials believe that when the new centre opens, it will more than make up for the elimination of the evening tours.

One of the problems on the Hill, especially in the summer, is the lack of space required to screen and orient the large number of visitors, often frustrating them and ruining the experience. Officials believe the new and enlarged centre will not only help ease the security screening bottleneck, but allow large numbers of tourists and visitors enjoy the tours.

“The Visitor Welcome Centre is really the place where we want to welcome Canadians to Parliament, and for us, it is all about enhancing the experience of people visiting Parliament,” Durning said.

“It will have an interpretive aspect, whether that means interpretive panels or information about Parliament and parliamentarians. It will include the security detail as well.”

Public Works Canada issued a request for proposals Thursday, asking for bids from architectural firms that will act as primary consultant to lead a team of builders for the project. Bidders have until Aug. 9 to hand in their proposals.

[OTSkyline]

I think this is way too much money for what it is...
But I do agree it's time to expand and build something more for visitors in the Parliament Buildings... Last time I went there, we were held in a tiny room in the basement for screening & such...
And then we ask why nobody visits Ottawa... -__-

[Dr Awesomesauce]

Originally Posted by OTSkyline

I think this is way too much money for what it is...
But I do agree it's time to expand and build something more for visitors in the Parliament Buildings... Last time I went there, we were held in a tiny room in the basement for screening & such...
And then we ask why nobody visits Ottawa... -__-

Interesting. In my last visit to Centre Block I pretty much just walked right through the door. It doesn't surprise me that policy has changed however.

Doesn't Parliament Hill need - quite literally - billions in renovations? That's a lot of money to spend in light of the needs of those beautiful old buildings.

[jaydog0212]

Originally Posted by OTSkyline

I think this is way too much money for what it is...
But I do agree it's time to expand and build something more for visitors in the Parliament Buildings... Last time I went there, we were held in a tiny room in the basement for screening & such...
And then we ask why nobody visits Ottawa... -__-

Many people do visit Ottawa each year.

[OTSkyline]

Originally Posted by jaydog0212

Many people do visit Ottawa each year.

According to latest figures (from 2011), tourists per year:
New-York City: 50.6 million
Paris: 27 million
Toronto: 10 million
Montreal: 7.6 million
Ottawa: 4.1 million

I think Ottawa should build a landmark (like the Eiffel Tower in Paris, or the Empire State Building in New-York or even CN Tower in Toronto) that would bring attention, tourists and money to Ottawa..
What's our biggest asset now? The Parliament? ...

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by OTSkyline

According to latest figures (from 2011), tourists per year:
New-York City: 50.6 million
Paris: 27 million
Toronto: 10 million
Montreal: 7.6 million
Ottawa: 4.1 million

I think Ottawa should build a landmark (like the Eiffel Tower in Paris, or the Empire State Building in New-York or even CN Tower in Toronto) that would bring attention, tourists and money to Ottawa..
What's our biggest asset now? The Parliament? ...

Canada's big 3 eastern city's tourism figures seem fairly proportional to each of their population.

As for current investment in Parliament hill;

25-year $5-billion modernization of the Parliament Buildings

We could save 42 million on the temporary House of Commons/Senate Chamber in the West Block's courtyard if we just used Place de Ville's top floor instead.
That might also encourage the useless idiots to show up for the view and keep them awake during the meetings due to the abundant sunlight.

[jaydog0212]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Canada's big 3 eastern city's tourism figures seem fairly proportional to each of their population.

As for current investment in Parliament hill;



We could save 42 million on the temporary House of Commons/Senate Chamber in the West Block's courtyard if we just used Place de Ville's top floor instead.
That might also encourage the useless idiots to show up for the view and keep them awake during the meetings due to the abundant sunlight.

To do that they would have to invest millions in Place De Ville in terms of attractions yes Ottawa has the hill plus the canal but the other key attractions are the museums etc.

[Capital Shaun]

That's a lot of coin. For $50M does it include an underground tour bus parkade?

[J.OT13]

My thoughts exactly; good idea, but it seems way overpriced, especially when we consider that is will only connect the West Block and that a subway station comes to about the same price.

At least if they moved the NCC info centre in there and if it connected to Downtown East OLRT station (via old NCC info centre/Re Hotel).

[J.OT13]

I will fully admit that I don't know everything. I don't know what sort of events are held in the old Union Station or what sort of events will be held in the old BMO branch (or the difference between the two venues in terms of usage, but I would be interested to find out). I also don't know the exact dimensions of any of these buildings or the commons/senate.

But I still think we could use an existing building, be it government owned or rented space in a CBD office tower instead of spending millions on a west block bubble.

I also still think that it's a shame that we close so many architectural gems to the public to have a bunch fancy meeting place for diplomats and politicians.

The government has done a fine job killing city streets thru expropriation, security measures and exclusive usage of some historic buildings

[Uhuniau]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

But I still think we could use an existing building, be it government owned or rented space in a CBD office tower instead of spending millions on a west block bubble.

I agree. Or even, if a temporary chamber is required, building it into the renovations in Wellington Building, which is being rebuilt almost entirely from scratch.

Also heard ugly rumours that the glass dome on West Block is going to be made permanent.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by Uhuniau

I agree. Or even, if a temporary chamber is required, building it into the renovations in Wellington Building, which is being rebuilt almost entirely from scratch.

Also heard ugly rumours that the glass dome on West Block is going to be made permanent.

Definitely enough room in the Wellington building.

As for the dome and west block's temporary chambers, they are to be converted to committee rooms once the centre block is reopened (according to a Citizen article a few years back).

[rocketphish]

July 1, 2012. Happy Canada Day!



from southfacing

[Capital Shaun]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

I will fully admit that I don't know everything. I don't know what sort of events are held in the old Union Station or what sort of events will be held in the old BMO branch (or the difference between the two venues in terms of usage, but I would be interested to find out). I also don't know the exact dimensions of any of these buildings or the commons/senate.

But I still think we could use an existing building, be it government owned or rented space in a CBD office tower instead of spending millions on a west block bubble.

I also still think that it's a shame that we close so many architectural gems to the public to have a bunch fancy meeting place for diplomats and politicians.

The government has done a fine job killing city streets thru expropriation, security measures and exclusive usage of some historic buildings

The Conference Center (Union Station) is just a bunch of meeting rooms big & small. I've had a few meetings / conferences in there. The main hall is quite nice and it's a shame it's restricted to federal government use.

I'm pretty sure the House of Commons could fit in the Conference Center's main hall. Since the building is already their's it would likely be cheaper to temporarily fit it then trying to add a roof over the West Block.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by Capital Shaun

The Conference Center (Union Station) is just a bunch of meeting rooms big & small. I've had a few meetings / conferences in there. The main hall is quite nice and it's a shame it's restricted to federal government use.

I'm pretty sure the House of Commons could fit in the Conference Center's main hall. Since the building is already their's it would likely be cheaper to temporarily fit it then trying to add a roof over the West Block.

Thanks for the info!

[rocketphish]

Tender spells out two-phase process for restoration of East Block

By Don Butler, OTTAWA CITIZEN February 14, 2014

A recent tender spells out details of the planned restoration of the East Block, Parliament Hill’s most intact building and one of the world’s best examples of High Victorian Gothic architecture.

The tender, posted by Public Works and Government Services Canada, invites proposals for the job of prime consultant for the first phase of the East Block project, part of a 25-year program to preserve and restore Canada’s crumbling Parliament Buildings.

Here’s what the tender reveals about the rehabilitation of the East Block:

Timetable

The work will be done in two phases. The first, focusing on the restoration and seismic upgrade of the building’s 1867 wing, will start in 2017 with completion in 2022.

The second will involve a major renovation of the entire exterior and exterior work and seismic reinforcement for the newer 1910 wing. It won’t begin until the restoration of the Centre Block is finished, likely about 2028.

Cost

The current estimate for the first phase of the project is $187 million, with construction costs representing about $64 million of that amount. There is no cost estimate yet for the second phase.

Scope of the work

The first phase of the project involves replacement of the copper roof, ironwork conservation, rehabilitation of masonry and the exterior envelope, seismic upgrades, window repair or replacement, restoration of stained glass and leaded windows, exterior door repairs, excavation and landscaping, and some minor interior work.

Other work includes the introduction of new lightning protection and “pigeon proofing” the building envelope.

Building condition

There are extensive problems with the exterior masonry, including cracks, erosion and flaking, failed mortar joints, twisted or displaced stones and heavy staining. The stained- and leaded-glass windows are in poor condition, as are many of the dormers and ironwork in the older wing.

All exterior doors are showing signs of weathering and deterioration of finish, and there are leaks in the foundation.

Heritage value

The East Block is designated as a “classified” heritage building, says the tender, “because of its exceptional importance in terms of historical associations, architectural quality and environmental impact.” The stonework and ironwork represent “some of the most remarkable examples of craftsmanship on the Hill and in the country.”

Open for business

The East Block will remain occupied during the first phase of the project, so work must be done in such a manner as to ensure the continuous operation of the building. But it will have to be vacant during the second phase of the work.

Party pooper

It is a high priority of the Senate, the tender advises, to avoid construction on the East Block’s west and south elevations during Canada’s 150th birthday celebrations in 2017.




© Copyright (c) The Ottawa Citizen

http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/ot...732/story.html

[Urbanarchit]

2028 will be an exciting year! They'll probably start again on the building repairs, though...

I am excited for 2015-2016, because the Rideau Centre and several construction projects should hopefully be done by then and several more will have started.

[J.OT13]

Let's hope that for the 2017 celebrations, Parliament Hill and Wellington Street are free of any scaffolding.

And thank you for the picture, now I can respond to Uhuniau comment "Wellington Building, which is being rebuilt almost entirely from scratch". Holy Christ!!! The building is hollow! I didn’t realize it was to that extent. Was it really necessary!?

Now I understand why they boarded up the window openings and the crane.

[jaydog0212]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Let's hope that for the 2017 celebrations, Parliament Hill and Wellington Street are free of any scaffolding.

And thank you for the picture, now I can respond to Uhuniau comment "Wellington Building, which is being rebuilt almost entirely from scratch". Holy Christ!!! The building is hollow! I didn’t realize it was to that extent. Was it really necessary!?

Now I understand why they boarded up the window openings and the crane.

What Wellington buildings are you talking about?

[agl]

Originally Posted by jaydog0212

What Wellington buildings are you talking about?

Bottom left hand corner of the photo above (southeast corner of Bank and Wellington). The building with the big hole on the right hand side of the roof and a crane in the middle. The entire inside of the building was gutted, only the outside walls preserved.