General Update/Rumour thread

[rocketphish]

So, we ARE getting a beach along the Canal!

Read "The construction of the Rideau Canal beach continues apace" on OpenFile

[rocketphish]

I've been wondering for some months now what was going on behind the fenced-off Supreme Court of Canada lawn... now I know.

Read "Supreme Court of Canada lawn fenced off until 2014 for major tunnel rebuild" on OpenFile

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by gjhall

Renders on their website updated, shows "alt" over the front door ...assuming that means it will be an "alt" hotel by Le Germain

Also not seeing it

[gjhall]

Originally Posted by J.OT13

Also not seeing it

They must have put it up then removed it...it was there I swear! Knew I should have captured it, dang...

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by gjhall

They must have put it up then removed it...it was there I swear! Knew I should have captured it, dang...

No worries, we believe you.

[rakerman]

From Urban Capital's Facebook page.

Neighbourhood Party

They are listing 11 businesses on "Who We Are":

• Thimblecakes
• Herb & Spice
• Miele
• Saab
• LCBO (it says there's an LCBO in Central 1?)
• Shoppers (Central 1)
• Starbucks (Central 1)
• The Whalesbone
• Tommy & Lefebvre
• Black Squirrel Books
• Ada's Diner

Will be interesting to see how it goes as there is a competing "Shut Down South Central" anti-launch party at the same location and time.

[McC]

but with a couple of the most beloved businesses in the area involved, how many people do you expect would be motivated to mobilize against this (ghastly-named) initiative?

[Nepean]

I really don't understand those who are outraged by the development of Bank. The area around Gladstone and Bank was an eyesore for years, while the corner of Catherine and Bank was even worse. I for one am glad that Urban Capital and Brad Lamb are rushing to develop this part of town.

Some of the comments on the OpenFile article that rakerman linked to talked about how the liked the "seedy" feel of Bank street, as if keeping the area looking like garbage was a virtue. I guess these people are thrilled about the fact that Somerset House is a derelict, boarded up mess. But hey, the place is seedy, so it must be great.

I agree that the name South Central is terrible. In fact, I emailed Urban Capital to say that I thought they had chosen a bad name. But just because you use a name doesn't mean it will stick. People will call things whatever the want. Case in point, the McGill student union building is the Shatner building, after William Shatner, even though that is not its official name.

At the end of the day, what is important is that Bank is finally moving forward after years of neglect, and that life is being breathed into this part of town. For me the label, name, brand or trademark of the neighbourhood is unimportant, nor is it something to really get upset about.

[jaydog0212]

Originally Posted by Nepean

I really don't understand those who are outraged by the development of Bank. The area around Gladstone and Bank was an eyesore for years, while the corner of Catherine and Bank was even worse. I for one am glad that Urban Capital and Brad Lamb are rushing to develop this part of town.

Some of the comments on the OpenFile article that rakerman linked to talked about how the liked the "seedy" feel of Bank street, as if keeping the area looking like garbage was a virtue. I guess these people are thrilled about the fact that Somerset House is a derelict, boarded up mess. But hey, the place is seedy, so it must be great.

I agree that the name South Central is terrible. In fact, I emailed Urban Capital to say that I thought they had chosen a bad name. But just because you use a name doesn't mean it will stick. People will call things whatever the want. Case in point, the McGill student union building is the Shatner building, after William Shatner, even though that is not its official name.

At the end of the day, what is important is that Bank is finally moving forward after years of neglect, and that life is being breathed into this part of town. For me the label, name, brand or trademark of the neighbourhood is unimportant, nor is it something to really get upset about.

When people say they like the seedy feel what that says to me is there worried about change they like things as it is.

[McC]

Originally Posted by jaydog0212

When people say they like the seedy feel what that says to me is there worried about change they like things as it is.

Thank you for interpreting, I was unsure that when people say that they like things as they are, what they really mean is that they like things as they are.

[waterloowarrior]

David Wex was glittered, protester arrested, fire alarm pulled


https://twitter.com/jaimiek/status/222824421721772032

[eternallyme]

Protesting because of the name? Yeah, I agree that was a really dumb name, since that name is so notorious these days.

[eternallyme]

Also mentions of "SoBa" as South Bank? When I think of South Bank, I think of South Keys and Blossom Park (southern part of the urban area), and to some extent Leitrim.

[Badlands]

Originally Posted by waterloowarrior

David Wex was glittered, protester arrested, fire alarm pulled


https://twitter.com/jaimiek/status/222824421721772032

Thank God my taxes are wisely used to protect the important people.

[rodionx]

Some people from the "Friends of Downtown Ottawa" were canvassing my west Centretown neighbourhood today regarding what they said was a plan to put a casino in the youth hostel at 75 Nicholas Street. They said that city counsellors were having closed door meetings about the possibility and that they wanted to gauge public opinion.

They even gave me a phone number and an e-mail address: friendsofdowntownottawa@gmail.com . Has anyone heard of this?

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by rodionx

Some people from the "Friends of Downtown Ottawa" were canvassing my west Centretown neighbourhood today regarding what they said was a plan to put a casino in the youth hostel at 75 Nicholas Street. They said that city counsellors were having closed door meetings about the possibility and that they wanted to gauge public opinion.

They even gave me a phone number and an e-mail address: friendsofdowntownottawa@gmail.com . Has anyone heard of this?

No, but considering the mayor (or was it councillors? or both?) were interested in possibly building it in the Rideau expansion, this would be a good, feasible compromise (for the people who thought of this) since I highly doubt Cadillac Fairview wants to waste space for a casino in one of the most profitable malls in the country.

Could be a reason why they temporarily shelved the Arts Court expansion. They might be looking at it as a way to fund the expansion and have space for a hotel on top of the AC expansion.

That being said, I don’t like the idea; it’s a nice building and it’s awesome for the ghost walk. It would take away from the history of the building and, of course, wouldn’t be part of the ghost walk anymore.

[Harley613]

that's retarded...it's pretty obvious that Viking Rideau is going to jump on the OLGC's idea for a new downtown casino and gut the Sears, replace it with a Casino and build that long needed hotel right next to the old Land Registry Office..possibly incorporating the old historical building within the hotel a la BCE Place in Toronto...and doing the mall expansion at the same time, enjoying the prospect of billions in Casino revenue.


I'm just sayin...

[c_speed3108]

Rideau Center is now owned by Cadillac Fairview. They bought it from Viking Rideau a few years back.

[spotlight]

also the sears space has been officially announced as Nordstrom by the globe and mail

[J.OT13]

Originally Posted by c_speed3108

Rideau Center is now owned by Cadillac Fairview. They bought it from Viking Rideau a few years back.

Yup, bought out the rest of Viking Rideau's shares in 2010 and takeover was complete in November 2011.

http://www.obj.ca/Real-Estate/Non-re...ver-complete/1