Jack Hanna
Hey, big developer, why so secret?
A skyscraper of about 27 storeys is being proposed at Metcalfe and Gladstone, a few dozen metres from the front doors of the Canadian Museum of Nature.
The developer, Claridge, proposes a design competition for the building, but says the entire competition will be conducted in secret, entirely away from public scrutiny. The public would see only the winning design.
The CCA strongly opposes a competition conducted behind closed doors, arguing a secret process is not a design competition at all.
The public should be able to view all designs, and compare and contrast possibilities. For such an important building at such an important site, there needs to be public dialogue about design options.
A building neighbouring the Museum of Nature must be beautiful
A second big building adjacent to the Museum of Nature will be discussed at a public meeting on Tuesday, March 21.
Councillor Ariel Troster is hosting the get-together to discuss the latest design proposed for 283-285 McLeod, across the street from the front of the museum.
The meeting on the proposed six-storey building gets underway at 6:30 p.m. The Zoom link is on the events page of Troster’s website.
The CCA has formally opposed past design iterations, insisting only first-rate architecture is appropriate to a site facing the museum, “one of Ottawa’s most breathtaking architectural gems.”
A mural to honour Centretown’s saviour
Donations are being collected for a mural near Bank Street to celebrate the trail-blazing urban planner who worked fiercely in the 1970s to save Centretown from bulldozers.
John Leaning passed away last year, aged 95.
He worked with residents to create the first Centretown Plan in 1974. The plan was pivotal to preserving Centretown as a neighbourhood of heritage houses and residential streets.
“You can credit John with saving Centretown,” says activist Brian Bourns.
The mural and an accompanying plaque are planned for the wall of 433 Cooper Street, where Leaning set up an office in the 1970s to ensure residents were integral to planning Centretown’s fate.
Leaning also served as chief architect of the NCC and was instrumental in shaping Sussex Drive, the Sparks Street Mall, the Greenbelt, and much else.
You may donate to the project (with charitable receipt) at YSB.ca/John-leaning-mural/
Retaining all the good things the Y does in Centretown
The CCA is forming a new working group to consider the closure of Centretown’s YMCA-YWCA, slated to happen within two years.
The CCA hopes Centretown will be able to keep the many community services provided by the Y, including a family emergency shelter, a child-care centre, transitional housing for youth, and supportive housing.
Interested in helping the CCA explore the future of the Y site? Email: ccca@centretowncitizens.ca
Earth Day party in the park
On Earth Day, Saturday, April 22, come to the CCA’s annual party in Dundonald Park (Somerset and Lyon).
There will be plenty of activities for kids, including a read-aloud story time, arts and crafts, and free popcorn.
For grown-ups there will be booths with information on: how to green a house in the face of climate change; creating a pollinator garden; the drive to protect mature trees in Centretown; and the volunteers who garden Dundonald Park, the Frank Street verge and other public places.