October 31, 2023
Planning and Housing & Finance and Corporate Service Committee
City of Ottawa Council
Re: Lansdowne 2.0 Proposal
“On weekdays, it is so empty, tumbleweeds could be rolling through it.”
This statement from a small business owner is not about Ottawa’s downtown, it is about Lansdowne.
OCOBIA represents the 18 BIAs with 6,400 businesses in urban, suburban and rural Ottawa. In the Glebe
BIA, there are 370 businesses who contribute to this 15 minute neighbourhood’s vibrancy at the city’s
core, housing Lansdowne park.
For decades, Lansdowne has been a landmark in Ottawa, serving citizens and tourists, of all
socio-economic backgrounds, with events and attractions deemed as world-class. Without question, this
landmark is a representation of the quality of life in our city. The surrounding small, locally-owned
businesses benefited from the added foot traffic such attractions and activity brought.
It is no secret this activity also brought conflict with Lansdowne’s neighbouring residents; cars zipping
through their streets, illegal parking, and more. This has been an issue for decades – prior to Lansdowne
1.0 – that has still not been resolved.
Lansdowne 1.0 was developed in partnership with Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group as it was in
desperate need of revitalization and restoration to bring quality events and entertainment back to the
city’s core. This partnership was a means to alleviate the cost burden on our tax paying businesses and
citizens.
Our city continues to experience these amenities to a lesser degree than the days of Rolling Stones
performances, but still attracting people from near and far. Given the statement at the top of this
submission, the events on weekends do not result in an optimal vibrant, diverse, 24/7 destination for live, work and play.
Our small businesses need PEOPLE, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to survive, to thrive and grow.
After experiencing eight years of operating losses with the current offerings in 1.0, it is apparent that
Lansdowne needs to fully restore its original world-class stadium offering, and also diversify, to thrive 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
The Lansdowne 2.0 proposal comprises a fully revitalised stadium and event centre to increase the
volume and scale of events; supporting a daytime and nighttime economy . It also includes additional
retail space. Most importantly, it includes housing; addressing a crisis the City of Ottawa
acknowledged years ago.
15 minute neighbourhoods are served two ways, symbiotically:
- A variety of goods and services, and local businesses to serve the residents
- A growing number of residents to serve and support the businesses
In today’s economy, local main street businesses in our neighbourhoods need densification to thrive. They are surviving on razor thin margins while sustaining families, and their employees’ families.
The addition of housing is critical in all parts of the city, but most importantly in places where the seeds of 15 minute neighbourhoods exist. The opportunity to add housing on City of Ottawa owned land needs to be seriously considered.
With the proposed housing and retail, the city could also exercise levers in offering affordability to the
units. Affordable housing is critical. In relation to small businesses, affordable housing provides better
access for staff to be nearby – not having to drive in from outer city limits.
Additionally, other cities are using levers to introduce affordable retail space for equity seeking
entrepreneurs. This is a ‘subsidised’ or discounted retail rate to support entry-level local entrepreneurs.
Something to consider in this proposal.
While it is not the central project, transportation it is part of the debate. This impacts the neighbourhood businesses and residents and needs urgent attention. Although separate, the Transportation Master plan has a task to fix mounting issues that will be exacerbated with housing densification (The NCC with the Queen Elizabeth Drive could have a part in opening public transit).
The City of Ottawa has committed to the following:
- Addressing a Housing Crisis
- 15 minute Neighbourhood Strategy
- Nightlife Economy Strategy
- Transportation Master Plan
With the rollback of Ottawa’s Urban Boundary Expansion, all of these above commitments need to be
followed wholeheartedly, as our great city is set in writ. Our businesses depend on it.
Lansdowne 2.0 is a project that has been presented that aligns with the City’s commitments and should
be considered.
Thank you for your review and consideration.
(Image courtesy: Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group)
For further information on Lansdowne 2.0, click here