Lansdowne development opponents present alternative plan



CBC.ca -- The man behind an alternative plan for the revitalization of Lansdowne Park says his vision is ready to be put into action should a judge halt the deal between the city and Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group.

Arguments in the legal challenge of the $300-million redevelopment of Lansdowne Park wrapped up last week, and Senior Justice Charles Hackland is expected to render a decision by the end of the summer as to whether the city broke municipal or provincial regulations by entering into a partnership with OSEG without seeking other bids.

The decision could pave the way for the city to begin construction on the long-awaited project, or it could force the city to alter its plans for the public space.

Lansdowne Park Conservancy head John Martin said if the judge rules against the city, his plan is ready.

Martin has been pushing his vision for the park every Sunday at the Ottawa Farmers Market, setting up a display to show people the difference between his vision and the plan at the centre of the legal battle.

Martin says the Lansdowne Park Conservancy plan keeps the entire site in public hands, preserves the existing buildings, replaces the wide expanse of asphalt with grass and trees and renovates the stadium at an estimated cost of $110 million.

By comparison, the site plan approved by the city is a partnership between the city and OSEG and calls for a more ambitious renovation of Frank Clair Stadium and a mix of condominiums and retail shops to the space. As part of the deal, OSEG would bring a Canadian Football League team to the stadium.

Martin submitted his plan to the city late last June, just days before city council agreed to enter a partnership with OSEG.

And it wasn't until November that the group put forth design plans for their submission. The city rejected the proposal, saying it was submitted too late in the process to be considered.

CBC -- But one of the central points of both the Friends of Lansdowne legal challenge and the Lansdowne Park Conservancy is that the city was wrong to withdraw a design competition in favour of entering into a sole-sourced agreement with OSEG.

"People were looking at our illustrations and saying wow that's gorgeous, that's exactly what I'd like to see," said Martin.

"And we'd say, yeah well unfortunately that's only what you get to see under open competition."

Martin said if Justice Hackland rules against the current agreement, he'd like to see the city revisit an open competition.

"So we're just waiting, we're waiting for the court, we're waiting for the city to come to its senses. If the current proposal the city's entertaining is so fantastic, it'll withstand a 90-day open competition. Just open the doors," he said.


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