Lansdowne cost projects just an 'estimate'

Good morning!

A huge congratulations to my sister and her husband who welcomed a healthy baby girl this weekend. As fun as it is being a dad, I’m very much looking forward to becoming another Uncle Bob fulfilling a family tradition of having multiple Uncles Bob.

Can’t say enough how very proud of my sister we all are at Lookout headquarters.

Anyway, there’s plenty to get to, so let’s get to it.

— Robert Hiltz, managing editor

Monday: 24 🌡️ 15 | ⛈️/🌤

Tuesday: 29 🌡️ 19 | 🌤

Wednesday: 25 🌡️ 13 | 🌧

CITY HALL

Lansdowne 2.0 cost just an estimate mayor says after auditor general’s report; and a city hall round-up

What happened: After the city’s auditor general said the cost of Lansdowne 2.0 construction could be as much as $74.3 million higher than previously thought, the mayor said the initial $419-million figure was just an estimate, CBC reported.

• “Whenever there are estimates for a project of this size, there's the potential for those estimates to vary and for there to be a range of what something might cost. … We still haven't made all the final decisions about what will happen at Lansdowne Park,” Sutcliffe said according to the broadcaster.

More debt: According to Auditor General Nathalie Gougeon’s report, the city will need to take on $312.7 million in debt to pay for construction costs. The city expects the debt to cost $16.1 million per year to service.

The plan is for the city to pay with a “waterfall” agreement with the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group. The agreement has changed between the city and OSEG to pay both parties equally, CBC reported, when the deal was voted on by council last fall.

• During the first redevelopment of Lansdowne, the OSEG got paid first. But OSEG — which owns the Redblacks, 67’s, and manages events at TD Place — never made enough money. The city has yet to see any payments under the previous waterfall agreement.

Waterfall risks: Retail at the site is a major revenue driver for OSEG, with the Redblacks the second-biggest revenue generator. The auditor’s report said the projections are overly optimistic.

• “While the OAG acknowledges that the due diligence resulted in a reduction in the assumptions related to Redblacks revenue, there continues to be a risk that short-term annual growth rates (average estimated at 5.9%) for the Redblacks will not be achieved as projected,” the report said.

Higher-than-expected inflation and lower-than-expected performance could cause the city lose out on tens of millions of dollars in waterfall payments compared to the redevelopment’s financial projections.

The plan: The contentious second redevelopment of the site would see two towers added to the park, revamped north side stands and a new 5,500-seat event centre and arena.

Also at city hall…

Experimental Farm: The city, the NCC, and the federal government are working toward a compromise for development around the Central Experimental Farm, CBC reported. All three parties want to come to an agreement that would allow new construction around the site but not compromise research on the farm.

Out to Trim: The first LRT made it to the far eastern end of the Confederation Line extension, OC Transpo said on Twitter. It’s the latest step of the much-delayed Stage 2 rail project. This part of the line is expected to open next year.

Carleton pool: The city and Carleton University are negotiating a possible new pool complex to be built on campus that would also be for public use, CBC reported. The pool complex would be designed for competition in mind with a new 50 metre pool and diving pool, as the city’s facilities like the Nepean Sportsplex age out.

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OTTAWA BY THE NUMBERS

⛳️ $9.5 million: The amount of money raised over the past seven years for The Ottawa Hospital by the Gulf Quest 4 Clinical Trials. The golf fundraiser hopes to raise $10 million in 10 years. [CTV]

🚕 $143 million: A judge awarded Quebec taxi drivers this much in a class action lawsuit against the government’s decision to deregulate the taxi industry. The province had given drivers $800 million in compensation at the time, but a judge ruled it wasn’t enough. [CBC]

🏎️ 170 km/h: A driver was stopped going this fast in an 80 km/h zone. The driver was charged with stunt driving and impaired driving. [CTV]

POLICING

Ottawa police pulling over Black and Middle Eastern drivers out of proportion

What happened: The Ottawa Police Service pulls over Black and Middle Eastern drivers out of proportion to their population in the city, a new study has found. The Traffic Stop Race Data Collection Project looked at data the force has collected for the past decade of stops in the city.

• The researchers found that Black drivers are 2.6 times more likely to be pulled over based on the city’s demographics, and Middle Eastern drivers are 2.9 times more likely to be pulled over.

Fewer charges: White drivers who are pulled over by police are more likely to be charged by police, the study found, while Black or Middle Eastern drivers are more likely to be let go without a charge or a warning.

• This, the researchers suggest is because “drivers perceived to be Black or Middle Eastern are more likely to be stopped for reasons of suspicious activity and criminal offences which may reflect racial bias. And when they are found to have done nothing wrong, they are released with ‘no action.’ Drivers perceived to be White appear not to be stopped because of potential racial bias, and so when they are stopped, they are more likely to be charged,” the report says.

What’s next: Ottawa police have put together a task force that will create new training, review the force’s traffic stop policies, and dig deeper into the data to reduce the disproportionate way divers are pulled over. The task force will operate over the next year and a half, CBC reported.

NEW LOCAL JOBS

Check out the new open positions in Ottawa.

1. Advocacy, policy, and research support specialist at the Railway Association of Canada

2. Project manager at Old Salt Millwork

3. Environmental specialist at Clean Water Works

4. Community support services program coordinator at Eastern Ottawa Resource Centre

5. Senior customs rater at Glover Customs Brokers

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

THE AGENDA

📍After a student was seriously injured when they were hit by a car outside Merivale High School, two students decided to build an app that plots the safest route for drivers and pedestrians. The app uses historical accident data and AI to plot a route. [Ottawa Citizen]

❄️ A judge said Ottawa Community Housing was not responsible for clearing snow from the steps of a row house, where a man fell in 2017. The man sued the organization saying OCH should have cleared the steps. The man and his mother were ordered to pay $15,000 in legal costs. [CTV]

⚠️ A popular pathway in Kanata has been vandalized with graffiti that included swastikas and other racist and sexist symbols. There are dozens of spray painted tags along the path on the pathway, benches and fences. [CTV]

⚖️ Chelsea Hillier, daughter of former regional MPP Randy Hillier, will still have to pay more than $100,000 in damages and court costs for defamation, despite declaring bankruptcy. [Ottawa Citizen]

🎤 The last night of the Escapade Music Festival was cancelled because of the rain and severe thunderstorm that rolled through town. [CTV]

🚒 No one was hurt after a car drove into a Nepean home and caused serious structural damage. Fire crews needed to install temporary supports to the home’s garage before removing the car. [CTV]

🚨 Charges are pending after a motorcyclist was seriously injured in a crash on the 417 while allegedly racing another vehicle. The man was taken to hospital in serious condition. [CTV]

🚓 A man who drove to an Ottawa OPP station parking lot at 3 am was charged with impaired driving. The 47-year-old had his car impounded for a week and his licence suspended for 90 days. [CTV]

What to do this week

🦖 Jurassic Park in Concert, Thursday to Saturday: Watch the classic blockbuster accompanied by a full orchestra. At the NAC. Tickets start at $15.

🎭 An Act of Grace, until Saturday: The Ottawa Little Theatre presents this award-winning suspenseful dark comedy. At 400 King Edward Ave. Tickets $30.

🎸 David Torn Clinic, Wednesday 12 pm: A chance to engage with the guitarist, composer, texturalist, and producer. At 290 Lisgar St. Tickets $28.

🎽 Sports Diplomacy and the Paris Olympics, Wednesday 5:30 pm: Discussing the unique risks and opportunities to pursue national interests by hosting the Olympics. At KPMG Headquarters, Suite 1800 - 150 Elgin St. Tickets $33.

🚴‍♂️ Bike maintenance workshop, Wednesday 6 pm: Learn how to make adjustments to your bike and get it in safe riding condition, in collaboration with the Ottawa Outdoor Gear Library. At the Ottawa Tool Library, 877a Boyd Ave. Tickets $50.

🌖 Moon Magic - A Tribute in Story and Song, Wednesday 6:15 pm: A night of entertainment, home-made hors d’oeuvres and desserts, and door prizes in support of the Stephen Lewis Foundation Grandmothers Campaign. At 30 Cleary Ave. Tickets $39.

🎤 Congolese humour with Eddy King, Thursday 7 pm: A comedian known for his hard-hitting observations and captivating storytelling. At Cultures Comedy Club, 291 Dalhousie St. Tickets $28.

💃 PDTO 40th Anniversary Showcase, Saturday 6:30 pm: Celebrate four decades of the Philippine Dance Troupe of Ottawa with an epic showcase. At Kailash Mital Theatre, 1125 Colonel By Dr. Tickets $35.

🎷 Afro Jazz with the John Dapaah Quartet, Saturday 7:30 pm: A night of soulful rhythms and infectious beats. At First Unitarian Congregation of Ottawa, 30 Cleary Ave. Tickets $39.

🇨🇦 Canada Day, July 1: Celebrate the country’s birthday at LeBreton Flats. The daytime show kicks off at noon, with the evening show starting at 8 pm. Fireworks at 10 pm. Get more downtown details here. There are also events in multiple communities across the city. You can find more about community events here.

COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHTS

• Local dance troupe Ballet Esmeraldas de Colombia is up for a Canadian Latin Award in the cultural dance category. [CBC]

• Looking to take your wine knowledge further? A complete newbie looking to explore new wines? Then Third Place Wine is for you. Get their free newsletter today. [Sponsored]

• Akwesasne artist Shaikara David, who lives in Ottawa, designed the Google doodle used on National Indigenous Peoples Day last Friday. [CBC]

• Former West Carleton mayor and D-Day veteran Roly Armitage died at the age of 99. [CBC]

• Want to have your announcement featured? Learn how here.

OTTAWA GAMES

Congrats to everyone who got last week’s Ottawa Wordle, the answer was SWEAT because, well, it was quite warm.

For this week’s Ottawa Quiz, we want to know…