Jack Hanna
Volunteers needed to help maintain Jack Purcell rink
Want to help keep the kids skating outdoors at Jack Purcell Park this winter? The City of Ottawa is looking for volunteers to help flood and clear the outdoor rink.
If you can spare a few hours to help maintain this free rink, near Elgin and Waverley in the heart of Centretown, send an email to: seasonalrecreation@ottawa.ca
Proposed towers at old bus station site still too tall
The most recent version of the proposed new development at 265 Catherine, on the site of the old bus depot, has been presented by developer Brigil to the CCA.
The developer is sticking with three tall towers. In a letter to the City, the CCA says the two tallest towers, at 36 and 40 storeys, are too high. (The third tower would be 26 storeys.)
The CCA agrees with the City’s advisory panel of architects, the Urban Design Review Panel. The UDRP said the skyscrapers are a “stark contrast of high-rise buildings in a predominantly low-rise neighbourhood.”
The community association praised Brigil for some design alterations. The six-storey podium at the base of the towers now has strong vertical design features, reflecting Centretown’s historic architecture of tall, red-brick houses and shops.
The developer has committed to tall trees, advanced sustainability and energy-efficiency, and higher-than-required levels of affordable and accessible housing.
Elgin market goes online for the winter
The Elgin Street Market wrapped up a successful season, with vendors and customers happy.
Now the market is online for the winter. Each week, folks can place an order online by Thursday and pick it up Saturday afternoon at Lemon Grass Thai on Elgin Street.
The online market offers root vegetables from local farms and produce from Ontario greenhouses. As well, there are micro-greens, fresh eggs and dairy, new apples, local honey, artisanal breads and coffee, and prepared meals and snacks.
The website is: www.ottstreetmarkets.ca
NCC ponders plans for downtown Ottawa
The NCC is updating the National Capital Core Area Plan.
It is thinking of giving folks more access to the Ottawa River off Wellington. It also wants to figure out ways to do a better job of turning NCC buildings and sites into “memorable places and destinations.” And finally it wants to pivot towards more public and active transportation.
You can fill out an online survey at ncc-ccn.gc.ca/our-plans/canadas-capital-core-area-sector-plan
This requires signing up for a PlaceSpeak account.