Landsowne 2.0 redevelopment one step closer

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Good morning! 

Did anyone else hear that early Sunday morning storm? The roaring of thunder and flashes of lightning woke me up from a deep sleep. Warmth returned, though, with Ottawa residents getting out Sunday to take in the great weather. I had the chance to stop by the Lansdowne Farmers Market over the weekend. It’s always great to support the local community! 

In this newsletter, we have the latest developments on what’s happening with Lansdowne 2.0. I also write about a manager with Best Green Hedges Inc. who has been charged with criminal negligence causing death, a historical first in Ottawa. 

A big thanks to Lookout team member Geoff for assisting last-minute on Thursday when my mom was in the hospital. She is doing ok after battling another chest infection. It’s been a true privilege to fill in for Robert at the Ottawa Lookout this past week. I hope to be back soon! In the meantime you can see my work in the Kitchissippi Times, Ottawa Business Journal and Ottawa Citizen. 

— Charlie Senack, [email protected]

WEATHER

Monday: 14 🌡️ 7 | ☁️

Tuesday: 11 🌡️ 7 | 🌧

Wednesday: 18 🌡️ 8 | 🌤

DEVELOPMENT

New Lansdowne development one step closer to construction

What happened: Lansdowne Park's redevelopment is one step closer to getting the final stamp of approval after city council voted in favour of the procurement delivery model, to determine the design of the future area, the reported CTV. 

Only six councillors voted against the model with 19, including Ottawa mayor Mark Sutcliffe, voting in favour. It comes after the city’s finance committee voted 10-2 in favour of the critical step earlier this April. 

Design and construction: Under the approved plans, consulting firm KPMG was hired to examine what delivery model would work best. A “design-bid-build” model was recommended, which would mean a design would be submitted and approved first in a fixed-price contract, with another then being awarded to a builder with the approved designed plans. Construction tenders are expected to be approved sometime between April and September 2025. 

• “The preferred approach represents the best option in terms of cost and timelines. It requires preparation of a detailed design first, which will help determine final construction costs,” the city said in a press release according to CityNews. 

Mixed opinions: Since discussions surrounding Lansdowne 2.0 started at the council table, reaction from councillors and community members have been mixed. Costs were estimated to be an initial $332 million in 2022 compared to $419 million in 2023, wrote CityNews. That is in part due to inflation increasing the costs of goods and labour. 

A report last year suggested that Lansdowne Park may never be profitable, according to CTV. A financial outlook provided by Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group last May showed revenue could over $200 million lower the projections from the previous year. 

Community appeal: The Glebe Community Association launched an appeal against city council's approved zoning and official plan amendments for the development, reported CBC. The group was concerned about the takeaway of greenspace and the addition of two high-rise towers to the park, which they said were “too tall.” 

• “We're going to lose all of that while adding in a lot of residents to the site, which is just taking us in the wrong direction," said Carolyn Mackenzie, the association's planning chair.

The original plans called for three towers to be built on the site bordering the Rideau Canal. Plans have since been changed to have two towers that would include more housing units. 

Appeal derailed: New proposed legislation by the Doug Ford-led Ontario government could stop the appeal from ever going through. Aimed towards building more homes in the province, the “cutting red tape” act would limit third-party appeals against municipal zoning decisions and official plan amendments, said CBC. 

• ‘If all we do is build housing and remove all rules, all restrictions, all considerations for what makes livable space and a livable, vibrant city, I really think those are putting short-term interests in ahead of long-term interests for residents and taxpayers," said Mackenzie.

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OTTAWA BY THE NUMBERS

🏬 2025: The year a Toronto-based firm hopes to break ground on a new multi-tower complex in Kanata North. [Ottawa Business Journal]

🔥 2: The number of adults displaced in a Vanier fire. [CTV]

👮‍♂️ 47: The age of a woman who is facing multiple charges after assaulting a police officer and other individuals. [Ottawa Citizen]

NEWS

Best Green Hedges manager criminally charged in death of young worker

What happened: Steven Deans, a manager with Best Green Hedges Inc. has been charged with criminal negligence causing death after Nicholas Chenier died on a Manotick job site last May, reported the Ottawa Citizen.

The drastic move came just hours before Sheldon Bestgreen, a director with the hedge company, pled guilty in a non-criminal court proceeding for failing to comply with Ontario's Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA, reported CBC.

 A slap on the wrist: A joint proposal from the Crown and defence agreed to fine Bestgreen $45,000, plus a victim impact surcharge, working out to a total penalty of about $50,000. The file was sped up due to the lawn company accepting responsibility. 

Jennifer Chenier, the victim's mother, said she was disappointed about the outcome, saying the penalty should have been much worse. 

• "I don't understand how they're just getting off with this slap on the wrist. I don't feel I have the right to be happy when my son is gone forever," she said, according to CBC.

A strong message: Sean McKenny, president of the Ottawa and District Labour Council, believes this incident is the first time an individual has been charged with criminal negligence causing death in an Ottawa workplace fatality, wrote CBC. 

• “The hope is that it sends a message to other employers, to the community, that they have to pay attention to health and safety or what will happen is charges like this, in addition ... to the Ministry of Labour charges,” McKenny said. 

McKenney believes this is a precedent-setting case. Ever since the federal legislation, dubbed the Westray law, came into effect in 2004, the Ottawa and District Labour Council has been pleading with police forces to do more when it comes to workplace deaths. 

A horrible accident: The 20-year-old Chenier was trimming a hedge at a home on Long Island in the village in May 2023 when he hit a hydro line that was hidden in the hedge, reported the Manotick Messenger. After suffering cardiac arrest, Chenier was rushed to Queensway Carleton Hospital in critical, life-threatening condition, where he later died of his injuries.

NEW LOCAL JOBS

Check out the new open positions in Ottawa.

1. Government relations manager at JT International 

2. Air cargo screener at UPS

3. Junior branch overseas associate at Invest Ottawa 

4. Director of care at Carlingview Manor

5. Staff accountant at Welch LLP

Local jobs are selected by the Lookout team and are not paid ads, unless specifically noted.

THE AGENDA

🚗 Family and friends of 46-year-old Franco Micucci read their victim impact statements at Ottawa’s Elgin Street courthouse on Thursday. The Westboro resident was killed by an oncoming car which was fleeing police on Richmond Road Rd last April. His wife, Shirlene Byne, said she would never forgive Tevon Bacquain, 23, who has been charged in connection to the incident. [Kitchissippi Times]

🛴 Escooters are back on Ottawa streets this summer, but some rules have changed. Hours have been extended, drivers will need to take sobriety tests if using after 11:00 p.m., and the modes of transportation won’t be allowed on NCC paths. [CBC] 

🛣️ The City of Ottawa says if you receive a text stating you need to pay a speeding camera ticket, it’s a scam. Tickets will only be issued through the mail. Since their startup a few years ago, more than $650,000 in fines has been paid. [CBC]

🇵🇸 Palestinian supporters marched through downtown Ottawa streets again on Saturday. Ottawa Police continue to investigate antisemitic remarks made at a rally near Parliament Hill last weekend. [Ottawa Citizen]

☔️ Parts of the Ottawa region, including Pembroke, are on flood watch after rain is in the forecast. While no serious flooding is forecasted for this year compared to previous record-breaking years, river levels will rise. [Ottawa Citizen]

🎉 An Ottawa book festival platforming far-right speakers is using fake employees and misleading sponsors. The Embassy of Mexico has pulled out of the event and organizations listed as sponsors want their logos taken off the festival’s website. [PressProgress]

EVENTS

What to do this week

✍️ Ottawa International Writers Festival Spring Addition, Tuesday to Friday: Multiple events ongoing, with many different authors. At Library and Archives Canada, 395 Wellington St. Tickets start at $20.

🍟 Orleans Poutine Fest, Wednesday to Friday: Welcome to the 2024 Orleans PoutineFest and Street Food Frenzy where the bear in classic, gourmet, and exotic poutine can be found, combined with the best street food in Ottawa. At 255 Centrum Blvd. Free. 

🎶 Glenn Miller Orchestra, Thursday: The world-famous Glenn Miller Orchestra brings timeless classics like In the Mood, Moonlight Serenade, Chattanooga Choo Choo, Pennsylvania 6-5000, String of Pearls and Tuxedo Junction back to the stage. The legendary Glenn Miller was the most successful of all the dance bandleaders back in the Swing era of the 1930s and 1940s. At Southam Hall, 1 Elgin St. Tickets start at $85. 

⛳️ The Links at Lansdowne, Thursday to Saturday: With a series of staggered platforms around the stands, show off your pinpoint accuracy with a variety of greens on the field, ranging from 60-110 yards. . At Lansdowne Park, 1015 Bank St. Tickets start at $50. 

🧊 Ice Cube - Straight into Canada Tour, Saturday: Get ready to experience one of Hip Hop's finest with Ice Cube. The hip-hop VIP will be joined by special guests, fellow American rapper Xzibit and Peter Jackson. At TD Place, 1015 Bank St. Tickets start at $90.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• Love restaurants in Ottawa? Subscribe to Capital Eats, our free food newsletter beloved by 19,000+ Ottawa foodies. Subscribe instantly now.

• An ancient Indigenous burial ground, possibly 4,000 years old, has been discovered on Aylmer Island. [Kitchissippi Times]

• A Wellington West shawarma shop is celebrating Ottawa being declared as the Shawarma Capital of Canada. [Kitchissippi Times]

• UOttawa’s Kanata North campus is marking its five-year anniversary in Canada’s largest tech park. [uOttawa]

• Orléans will have its first-ever pickleball festival this summer over the Father’s Day weekend. [CTV]

• Carleton University students are brainstorming how the future of LeBreton Flats could look. [Ottawa Business Journal]

• The former Telesat headquarters in Gloucester will be converted into housing. [Ottawa Business Journal]

COMMUNITY PHOTO

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OTTAWA QUIZ