NCC - General Updates

[Harley613]

Get ready for another sub 22 story 'Luxury' rental/condo building in this 'Prominent Location' of 'National Interest'.

The NCC says it is actively engaged in "confidential discussions with CLARIDGE"

I mean, I could be wrong, but based on history, I'd say there is a 98% chance we get a few years of pipe dreams and consultations about aquariums, portrait galleries, and other fanciful things, but at the end of the day it will be a Claridge 'Luxury' residential project.

[SL123]

Originally Posted by Harley613

Get ready for another sub 22 story 'Luxury' rental/condo building in this 'Prominent Location' of 'National Interest'.

The NCC says it is actively engaged in "confidential discussions with CLARIDGE"

I mean, I could be wrong, but based on history, I'd say there is a 98% chance we get a few years of pipe dreams and consultations about aquariums, portrait galleries, and other fanciful things, but at the end of the day it will be a Claridge 'Luxury' residential project.

it actually sounds worse then a possible Claridge tower. according to the article "...the Crown corporation will be seeking tenants. The NCC says it is actively engaged in "confidential discussions with a proponent" and expects to be able to provide further details "in the coming weeks." which tells me they are just gonna lease the current space instead of demolishing this ugly building and building something new and higher then 2 stories. I could be reading this wrong tho but that was my reaction after reading this.

[eltodesukane]

Originally Posted by rocketphish

...the Crown corporation will be seeking tenants.

This would be a good location for a bookstore!

[Richard Eade]

Fear not. With the NCC's reputation for maintaining its buildings, this building will be nothing more than a pile of rubble in a few more years. I just hope that the prospective tenant knows enough to NOT sign a long-term lease.

[shelltime]

the shape of the site would make it hard to build anything over 9 storeys, unless they include the corner. Would be a good hotel site.

[rocketphish]

NCC seeks new operator for Meech Lake jewel O'Brien House
The mansion was build in the 1930s for J. Ambrose O'Brien, a Renfrew-born Industrialist who founded the Montreal Canadiens and the National Hockey Association, the precursor of the NHL.

Blair Crawford, Ottawa Citizen
Published Jan 17, 2024 • Last updated 4 hours ago • 3 minute read



The National Capital Commission is having another go at running its historic O’Brien House at Meech Lake as a boutique hotel … or a spa, or a bed and breakfast, or a restaurant, or a wellness centre …

In fact, the NCC will entertain “any other innovative use” for the nearly century-old cliff-side mansion so long as it’s compatible with commission plans for Gatineau Park and the national capital region “while preserving and showcasing the building’s heritage character and providing public access.”

“You talk about ‘location, location, location,'” said Bill Leonard, the NCC’s vice-president of real estate and development. “You’re 20 minutes from downtown Ottawa. You’re on Meech Lake for swimmers. You’re on the trails for walkers and cross-country skiers. You’re minutes from Camp Fortune. Its location is everything you could ask for.”

The mansion was build in the 1930s for J. Ambrose O’Brien, a Renfrew-born Industrialist who founded the Montreal Canadiens and the National Hockey Association, the precursor of the NHL. The NCC acquired the property in 1964 and it underwent a nearly $4-million renovation completed in 2018. It was run for nearly two years as a boutique hotel by Robert Milling and Lynn Berthiaume, operators of the Wakefield Mill, another NCC-owned building, but closed in 2019.

Leonard said the NCC and Milling and Berthiaume agreed to end their five-year lease for O’Brien House early because of a difference in business models. Milling and Berthiaume wanted to run it as a space for special events, while the NCC wants it to open for regular hotel and restaurant use.

Milling declined to comment for this story, but In a 2019 Facebook post said the hotel was “not financially sustainable as high operating costs exceeded revenues.”

That hiccup, followed by the COVID-19 pandemic, meant O’Brien House has sat unused for more than four years, but the NCC has been fielding more and more inquiries about the property, Leonard said. It issued a request for proposals just before Christmas.

“It has been on the market for the last three years, and we’ve been taking individual offers on a case-by-case basis because it had been really slow. But now there’s a critical mass building and we want to make sure there’s a formal process and that everything is on the up and up.”

The competition is set to close at the end of January, although that deadline may be extended, he said.

From its rocky hilltop location, O’Brien has a commanding view of Meech Lake and the surrounding Gatineau Hills. In the 2018 renovation, which was done with input from Milling and Berthiaume, the building was gutted to the studs and rebuilt to modern standards. The showpiece is a sun-drenched kitchen with views across the valley.

“The kitchen is probably the best work space that any chef will ever see,” Leonard said. “The intent behind the design is that we wanted to attract the best chefs to work here, so it has the best kitchen to work in.”

The renovations added an elevator to make the hotel accessible and 11 individually designed guest rooms, a large salon with a floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace and a wrap-around terrace with a stunning view overlooking Meech Lake.

A nearby caretaker’s house is also available for lease.

“We always envisioned that this could almost be a mom-and-pop type operation or managed by a couple, and proximity to the hotel is very important,” Leonard said. “The residential property is set aside so that, if an operator wanted to use that for onsite staff accommodation, they could.”

In the request for proposals, the NCC has identified the annual market rent for the property to be $144,000, with the caretaker’s house available for an additional $2,450 per month, plus an estimated property tax bill of $6,249.51.

O’Brien House and the Wakefield Mill are the only two hotels in Gatineau Park, Leonard said.

“It’s a wonderful hotel. I can’t imagine anyone who wouldn’t want to stay here,” he said. “If you want to enjoy Gatineau Park, you’ll want to stay here.”

https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local...l-obrien-house

[SL123]

The Agenda for next week's Board Meeting has been posted.

Quite a small agenda, but it does include a Building LeBreton Project Updates (I)

https://ncc-ccn.gc.ca/events/virtual...g-january-2024

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by SL123

The Agenda for next week's Board Meeting has been posted.

Quite a small agenda, but it does include a Building LeBreton Project Updates (I)

https://ncc-ccn.gc.ca/events/virtual...g-january-2024

Better have a successful proponent for the Flats District. It's been two freakin' years!

[J.OT13]

Public agenda:

https://ncc-website-2.s3.amazonaws.c...Agenda-WEB.pdf

Of note:

- National Printing Bureau Rehab
- NRC master plan
- Ottawa River North Shore
- Gatineau Park acquisitions

LeBreton only discussed during in-camera meeting.

For the NRC, don't get you hopes up. Was hoping for street grid extensions and residential on Blair and Montreal, but there's none of that. Nothing beyond new NRC buildings from what I understand.

https://nrc.canada.ca/en/corporate/y...al-road-campus

[SL123]

First time in a while that Lebreton Flat isnt on the agenda I feel?!?

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by SL123

First time in a while that Lebreton Flat isnt on the agenda I fell?!?

Yeah, that's true. Not much to discuss though. Flats District now needs to go to Council. Took about 5 months between hearing Dream was chosen and DevApp to appear. Sens have until the Fall to make a decision. I imagine they are taking a pause on releasing more land for tender.

[SL123]

The former Chapter on Rideau is also not part of the agenda. I thought i read somewhere that the NCC was going to say more about that purchase in April.

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by SL123

The former Chapter on Rideau is also not part of the agenda. I thought i read somewhere that the NCC was going to say more about that purchase in April.

Someone more knowledgeable than me pointed out that the Chapters Building file is not an NCC project to be voted on, but a commercial lease, so it would be included in the report on activities, not it's own item.

[SL123]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Someone more knowledgeable than me pointed out that the Chapters Building file is not an NCC project to be voted on, but a commercial lease, so it would be included in the report on activities, not it's own item.

Makes sense, Thanks!

[rocketphish]

NCC to close 1.2 km stretch of Queen Elizabeth Driveway to vehicles this summer

Josh Pringle, CTV News
Published April 23, 2024 2:50 p.m. EDT | Updated April 23, 2024 3:49 p.m. EDT

The National Capital Commission will close a section of Queen Elizabeth Driveway to vehicles seven days a week this summer, but only a shorter section of the road will be open for active transportation in July and August.

The NCC unveiled plans for its popular Weekend Bikedays and the summer active use program on Tuesday, saying there will be nearly 20 kilometres of car-free roads for residents and visitors to use.

Between May 11 and October 14, Queen Elizabeth Driveway, the Sir George-Étienne Cartier Parkway and the Kichi Zībī Mīkan will be open on weekends for active transportation. The Queen Elizabeth Driveway will be open for active transportation on weekends between Fifth Avenue and Somerset Street.



In July and August, Queen Elizabeth Driveway will be open for active transportation 24 hours a day, seven days a week between Somerset Street and Pretoria Avenue.



"This will allow the NCC to provide animation opportunities along this corridor, creating an ‘open street’ concept," the NCC said in a statement.

This summer's weekday bikedays on Queen Elizabeth Driveway will open approximately 1.2 kilometres of the road to active transportation.

Last summer, Mayor Mark Sutcliffe and some businesses criticized the NCC for closing Queen Elizabeth Driveway to vehicles seven days a week between Somerset Street and Fifth Avenue.

Sutcliffe posted a video on social media calling on the NCC to only close the busy roadway along the Rideau Canal on weekends. The mayor urged the NCC to adopt a "balanced approach" to its active use program, saying closing the road during weekday rush hour "causes significant delays for emergency vehicles, congestion on neighbourhood streets, and increased commute times."

The NCC says a recent survey indicates that both residents and visitors are "highly satisfied" with the active use program.

Electronic counters on the parkways captured more than 240,000 visits last year, according to the NCC. Statistics show there were 133,000 total visits on Queen Elizabeth Driveway, with an average of 1,502 visits a day.

The National Capital Commission says it will launch a Rideau Canal parkway study this summer to explore the feasibility of installing bike lanes along Queen Elizabeth Driveway and Colonel By Drive.

"The objective is to determine the most effective way to provide permanent, segregated cycling space to ease the pressure on the canal pathways and enhance pedestrian safety while separating faster-moving cyclists from the limited pathway space," the NCC said in a statement. "This study will include consultation with community associations, stakeholders and the public."

Dave Robertson, the vice president of Bike Ottawa, told Newstalk 580 CFRA's Ottawa Now with Kristy Cameron that the NCC is taking a step in the right direction.

"Having cars on what is some of the most valuable space in our city is unfortunate, but these types of steps are what we want to see," he said.

Robertson says multi-use pathways are not wide enough for all of the different types of users — walkers, runners, rollerbladers, cyclists, and others — and having separate lanes for cycling would be more effective.

"Those multi-use pathways are designed for recreation, not necessarily for moving people, and they're very congested in many parts of the city. There's a certain stress level when you get all those modes stuck into one little bit of small space. We'd love to see more space so that these different modes can move about safely," he said. "We're grateful that we have them in our city, but in the future we need to look forward to building segregated facilities that keep these modes separate so that it's more comfortable for people walking and people on bikes can feel more comfortable getting around."
NCC Weekend Bikeday Schedule

The Sir George-Étienne Cartier Parkway will be open for active transportation on weekends between May 11 and Oct. 14. The parkway along the Ottawa River will be open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. between the Aviation Parkway and St. Joseph Boulevard.

The Kichi Zībī Mīkan will be open for open for active transportation from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. between May 11 and Oct. 14. The westbound lanes of the parkway will be open from Vimy Place to Carling Avenue.

The Queen Elizabeth Driveway will be open on weekends from May 11 to Oct. 14 between Fifth Avenue and Somerset Street. In July and August, the road will be open for active transportation seven days a week between Somerset Street and Pretoria Avenue.

https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/ncc-to-clo...mmer-1.6858748

[MarkR]

Originally Posted by rocketphish

NCC to close 1.2 km stretch of Queen Elizabeth Driveway to vehicles this summer

Josh Pringle, CTV News
Published April 23, 2024 2:50 p.m. EDT | Updated April 23, 2024 3:49 p.m. EDT

The National Capital Commission will close a section of Queen Elizabeth Driveway to vehicles seven days a week this summer, but only a shorter section of the road will be open for active transportation in July and August...

Of course those pesky little e-scooters are considered to be "active transportation", when they are just as passive as any motor vehicle.

But they are definitely greener, so perhaps the term should be "eco transportation".

[rocketphish]

NCC buys golf course near Gatineau Park for $3.9 million

Josh Pringle, CTV News
Published April 24, 2024 9:31 a.m. EDT | Updated April 24, 2024 1:09 p.m. EDT



The National Capital Commission has purchased the old Dunnderosa Golf Course in Chelsea, Que., as part of its plan to acquire private properties in Gatineau Park.

The NCC confirms to CTV News Ottawa it completed the purchase of the 41.8 acres of property at the corner of Notch and Kingsmere roads for $3.9 million at the end of March.

"This land is part of the Ecological Land Mass (ELM) and trails are currently used by residents," the NCC said.

"Adjacent buildings and a mini-golf are still in operations and are not part of this acquisition."

Dunnderosa Golf Course is adjacent to the Gatineau Park(opens in a new tab) boundaries in Old Chelsea.

The Gatineau Park Master Plan(opens in a new tab) includes a strategy to acquire private properties within the Gatineau Park territory. According to the plan, the NCC prioritizes land that supports Gatineau Park's conservation mission, ecologically and strategically.

The National Capital Commission's board of directors was told last week that 63 properties have been acquired since 2008, with a total of 269 hectares of land. The properties include meadows, mature forests, wetlands and aquatic environments.

Since 2008, the area of private lands within the Gatineau Park boundaries has decreased from 627 hectares to 357 hectares, according to the report.

A report for the board says the deciding factors for pursuing a land acquisition in Gatineau Park include ecological characteristics, real estate development risk and the asking price in comparison with fair market value.

Among the properties purchased by the NCC, 16 properties have been purchased on Meech Lake over the past 16 years.

https://ottawa.ctvnews.ca/ncc-buys-g...lion-1.6859863

[rocketphish]

NCC's acquisition of former golf course raises problems for Chelsea, mayor says
The Crown corporation has acquired a parcel of 41.8 acres of land that was once the Dunnderosa golf course for $3.9 million.

Norman Provencher, Ottawa Citizen
Published Apr 26, 2024 • Last updated 1 hour ago • 2 minute read

Chelsea Mayor Pierre Guénard says the acquisition of the former Dunnderosa golf course by the NCC raises a series of problems for the small town on the Gatineau River.

The Crown corporation said Tuesday that it had acquired a parcel of 41.8 acres of land that was once the Dunnderosa golf course for $3.9 million.

A popular mini-golf and dairy bar and other amenities at the corner of Notch and Kingsmere roads were not part of the deal.

“One of the main problems is that the purchase compromises (Chelsea’s) development and protection plans,” which are used for future development, the mayor said in an interview.

“When the NCC takes over a major property within the city of Chelsea, outside of Gatineau Park, it’s a big problem,” he said.

The municipality and the NCC have been in a court dispute for several years over land revenues from federal lands. The two parties do not agree on how to establish the tax rate for certain lands located in Gatineau Park. The municipality is claiming nearly $2 million in taxes from the NCC.

In 2023, the Federal Court sided with the NCC in the Crown corporation’s five-year tax battle with Chelsea. The decision is under appeal.

In documents released at an NCC board meeting last week, the agency said the acquisition is one of the largest private land purchases by the Crown corporation since 2008.

In an interview, Catherine Verreault, the NCC’s director of urban lands in Quebec and Gatineau Park called the agreement “important.”

During the period, the NCC has acquired 63 properties with a combined area of 269.26 hectares.

The acquisition of the Dunnderosa property had been one of Gatineau Park’s strategic objectives in the long term. NCC officials said they’ve had their eyes on the Dunnderosa property for 15 years.

Verreault said the deals are done at market prices and most of the time, it is the owners who approach the agency.

She said the Dunnderosa acquisition will increase the protection of the Chelsea Creek ecological corridors surrounding the park.

But Mayor Guénard insists the municipality was already doing its part to protect the corridor.

Since 2008, the area of private lands within the Gatineau Park boundaries has decreased from 627 hectares to 357 hectares, according to the report.

https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local...sea-mayor-says